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Technical Report
Technical Report, Linux Training of Trainers Thailand August 2006
A major barrier against adoption and deployment of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in developing of countries in the Asia-Pacific is the lack of human resources with FOSS skills. This introductory programme aims address the problem by training trainers in countries, so that these trainers in turn will be able to train other trainers and therefore kick start self sustaining development of FOSS human resources. This course also introduces Linux trainers to training with open content Linux system administration training materials and low cost LPI certification examinations.
The training was held in Bangkok, Thailand for participants from Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Laos and Thailand.
The objective of the training was to train trainers by introducing them to a Linux system administration course for professional certification, with course materials. It also introduces trainees to the availability of lower cost certification by LPI which is a vendor neutral and internationally recognised certification.
Open market and lower costs of training
Most ICT skills training and certification programmes are vendor driven with the certification process designed as a revenue earner for the vendor. The process of training, materials and examination is usually done at training centers. In addition to indirect costs of vendor lock-in, this combination also results in prohibitively high costs of training and certification for developing countries with training programmes fees costing as much as USD1,000 or more per trainee.
Using GNU/Linux open standards and a standard community driven skills certification opens up the market for multiple providers of FOSS GNU/Linux solutions. Independent proctors also opens up the market for providers of training and training materials. Proctors can provide low cost paper examinations to commercial and non-commercial organizations as well as the local FOSS community, independent of how individuals seeking to get certified acquired their training. These examinations coupled with open content training materials can lower the costs of training and certification per person to as low as USD100 or less.
Scope
The scope of this training programme was regional. It was held for ASEAN countries. The training materials and training program are already open content licensed, and any new material created for the training will also be licensed under open content for other countries to adopt and use as needed.
Methodology
Trainer was trained at a training lab, participants had to sit for LPI Level 1 exam after a 10 day training course based on GNU/Linux LPI training materials.
Additionally, this training involved trainers and administrators from IOSN ASEAN-3 Regional node. This was to facilitate transfer of knowledge, so that the regional node will have internal expertise to continue providing and supporting this programme for the region.
All teaching materials were using open content training materials made available by the community, and also developed during the trainings.
Desired Outcomes
- LPI Level 1 Certified trainers who will then be able to conduct similar training workshops.
- Training materials including course outline, presentations and notes to be available under an open content license.
- Build network of practitioners for continued development and support of trainees and their initiatives.
- Introduction of availability of LPI certification and community proctors for Thailand.
Venue
The training venue was at Nectec ITE has multiple classrooms equipped with computers, multimedia projector, overhead projector, whiteboard and sound system.
Trainees were allowed to reformat and install Linux on the servers, which provided trainees with a complete hands on training from installation.
Overall the venue, provided the ideal requirements for this training which are:
- A computer for each participant
- Paired desks (ideal for partnering).
- Projector for slides
- Whiteboard for notes
- Complete Internet connection
The classroom was also large enough to facilitate easy access to all participants by the trainers.
Trainers
The training was conducted by Khairil Yusof of IOSN with the assistance of and Ms. Myra Siason the system administrator from Diliman Interactive Learning Centre (DILC). Ms. Siason was recommended by IOSN ASEAN-3 node, to learn more about this training programme so that it could be implemented by ASEAN-3 node.
Participants
The Thai participants were recommended by local partners NECTEC from internal and local open source community announcements. The Thai participants were mostly very experienced Linux/Unix system administrators with 3-5 years experience. They were the ideal participants in terms of technical requirements.
This training also tried to target participants from Lao PDR, to network and support the FOSS initiatives in that country.
There were a total of 19 participants, with two female participants.
Thailand
- Mr. Uthen Phutneam - Engineeringproducts Co., Ltd.
- Ms. Unticha Pramgoed - Faculty of Engineering , Khonkean University
- Mr. Tee Tanawatanakul - Assumption University
- Mr. Phisit Siprasatthong - Chulalongkorn University
- Mr. Supphachoke Suntiwichaya - National Electronics and Computer Technology Center
- Mr. Grianggrai Nootongkum Computer Center - Prince of Songkhla University
- Mr. Nantharat Puwarang - Government Information Technology Services
- Mr. Eakasak Changlok - Somapa Information Technology Co.,LTD.
- Mr. Udomsak Chundang - Software Park Thailand
- Mr. Tharayuth Kaewma - Thaisri Insurance Co.,LTD
- Mr. Teerasak Sreemora - CSLoxinfo PCL
- Mr. Wenich Chaweewong - afaps school
- Mr. Vunlop Moonkearkom - Ji-NET ltd
- Mr. Chalong Sae-sum - Kasem Bundit University
Laos
- Ms. Charuda LUANGLATH - Science Technology and Environment Agency
- Mr. Mino Sivilay - Science Technology and Environment Agency
Indonesia
- Mr. Anton Raharja - ICT Watch/ICT Centre
Malaysia
- Mr. Megat Zainurul Anuar - Open University Malaysia
- Mr. Yahaya Abd Rahim - Open University Malaysia
Outcomes
Participant Results and Feedback
Several of the participants successfully achieved LPI Level 1 professional certification.
- Mr. Udomsak Chundang
- Mr. Nantharat Puwarang
- Mr. Tee Tanawatanakul
- Mr. Supphachoke Suntiwichaya
- Mr. Phisit Siprasatthong
- Mr. Anton Raharja
- Mr. Pattrawoot Suesatayasilp
- Mr. Tharayuth Kaewma
- Mr. Uthen Phutneam
There was a large gap between some of the certification results. Some participants were lacking in basic concepts needed for the course. This again highlighted a problem discovered in Pacific Islands training with regards to Linux system administration objective expectations. Linux administrators are expected to have knowledge of all aspects of their systems from hardware configuration to networking, and even basic programming tasks.
A practical example would be for backing up a database. In a proprietary environment, a system administrator would procure backup software and then would have little knowledge of the processes involved in such a system. In this course, they are taught to understand where the data is stored, system backup tools, how to write simple programs (1-5 lines) and understand backup policies and procedures.
It is these skills which are sought after by system administrators, as it increases their value and all participants unanimously answered yes, as to being able to apply the new skills learnt for work.
This knowledge also exposes possible deficiencies in either existing IT courses, or current skill sets. If a key area is missing eg. networking, it results in participants struggling especially for administration of networking services like web and file servers, but it also causes problems in understanding networking security such as firewalls.
Reflecting this difference, there were two levels that were asked from participants:
- More introductory materials
- More advanced materials, LPIC-2, volume management, network security
First LPI Public examination
The first community examinations were open to the public, in addition to the trainees. Several outside examinees attended these certification exams.
Thai Open Source Professional Community
Previous attempts at locating SME and FOSS support services in Thailand were not successful. One example is UNDP's Asia-Pacific Development Information Programme, which is based in Bangkok and uses FOSS platform and services, but support is still done with remote consultants. This training helped facilitate face to face meetings with some of the FOSS resource persons available. These resources persons were available to provide individual consultation services for setup of FOSS mail servers, firewalls, content management systems and a variety of other solutions.
It was discovered that one of the reasons this situation occurs is that FOSS resource persons are embedded in non-IT organisations providing internal IT support services only. This trend for FOSS resource persons is similar across South East Asia based on on feedback from participants.
Course Materials
The creation of an on-line area for this training course was created, with slides and quizzes.
http://www.iosn.net/training/system-adminstrator/course/lpic-1
LPI Community Examinations
NECTEC ITE designated an independeng proctor who can now organise and provide lower cost paper examinations in Thailand on behalf of LPI. Now LPI certification exams can also be organised at the centre in addition to other IT certifications.
Future Outputs and Recommendations
Continued Support
Participants needed support after the training for setting up their own trainings, local study groups as well as individual support for those that did not pass, but want to retake the certification exams. A resource person will continue communicate through this network to provide this support.
There was also several requests from participants to build a community, including future meetings and a collection of online blogs.
Further improvements to training materials
This training provided the first attempt at an on-line repository for this course and a collection of all the materials. More work needs to be done to make this resource complete enough for a trainer to easily be able to conduct the training on their own. The slides are not enough, and detailed trainers notes needs to also be created and uploaded. Participants also requested that more exercises and revision materials were needed.
Introductory materials
Some of the results again exposed as in previous trainings, the need for a Linux/Unix fundamentals or basics course. LPI objectives do assume some of these basics are understood, concepts which may be too complex for participants to grasp within a short time.
Communications with Thai Open Source community to build a database of FOSS service providers and consultants.
Funding and Implementing Partners
InWEnt
Through its it@inwent programmes, InWEnt helps multiplying partners in Africa, Asia and the Middle East to provide advanced knowledge in Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs). The key objectives of the programmes are to strengthen IT sectors in various regions of the world, foster key innovations in ICTs for development and use ICTs as enabling tools for poverty reduction. Within its it@foss project, InWEnt supports the development and application of local innovative software solutions and business models based on Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) in the ASEAN region.
For more information on it@foss, see http://www.it-foss.org.
NECTEC, Thailand
National Electronics and Computer Technology Center (NECTEC) is a statutory government organization under the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Ministry of Science and Technology. Its main responsibilities are to undertake, support, and promote the development of electronic, computing, telecommunication, and information technologies through research and development activities. NECTEC also disseminates and transfers such technologies for contribution to the economic growth and social development in the country, following the National Economic and Social Development Plan.
NECTEC, Human Resources Development Centre
Human Resources Development Center (HRC or ITE) is a unit in NECTEC, responsible for providing the ICT training & IT Professional examinations for Thai government agencies, international organizations and many leading companies in private sectors of Thailand.
Funding Partners
Open Society Institute
The Open Society Institute (OSI), a private operating and grantmaking foundation, aims to shape public policy to promote democratic governance, human rights, and economic, legal, and social reform. On a local level, OSI implements a range of initiatives to support the rule of law, education, public health, and independent media. At the same time, OSI works to build alliances across borders and continents on issues such as combating corruption and rights abuses.
