MADRID, Thursday, July 8th 2010 [ME NewsWire]:
(BUSINESS WIRE)– Certiport (www.certiport.com), the official test delivery solution provider for the global workforce and academic markets, today named this year’s champions in Word and Excel at the first-ever Regional Competition on Microsoft Office for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA).

The 2010 EMEA regional award winners include:

* Panagiotis Giannopoulos, Greece, Microsoft Office Word 2003

* Sam Wills, UK, Microsoft Office Word 2007

* Emanuele Tarquini, Italy, Microsoft Office Excel 2003

* Nathaniel Fox, UK, Microsoft Office Excel 2007

Details about the Regional Competition on Microsoft Office: www.certiport.com/emeacompetition

“The first regional competition was a great success,” said Quinn Sutton, Senior Vice President, Certiport. “These students will be competing in a global economy, and industry-recognized credentials are more important than ever before. We started a regional Microsoft Office competition this year to highlight those tools that are allowing students to thrive in their education environment and maximize their potential in school and beyond.”

Student participants who outperformed their peers at the competition, which focused on demonstrating proficiency utilizing the world’s foremost desktop computing applications, generally had perfect or near-perfect exam scores and completion times well below the allotted examination time.

“When we began the process of finding the UK’s brightest computer students, little did we know we would return from the European Final in Madrid with two gold medals,” said Kevin Ryan, Certiport Partner, Prodigy Learning. “It’s a credit to the talent of these students.

The title of European Champion, alongside their Microsoft Office Specialist certification, is an extraordinary addition to each of their resumes.”

As the Regional Champions, winners received cash prizes and the opportunity to compete at this year’s Worldwide Championships held in Park City, Utah, in August 2010.

In its sixth year, Certiport’s Worldwide Competition on Microsoft Office has grown steadily since its inauguration, and the number of exams entered worldwide has doubled over last year. Honoring the important role that certification plays in the standards and assessment community, this premier student technology competition helps validate that students have the expertise needed to compete in the global workforce.

Print-quality photos of this year’s regional winners can be previewed and downloaded at: www.flickr.com/photos/certiport.

More information about the Microsoft Office Specialist certification program can be found at: www.certiport.com/officespecialist.

ABOUT CERTIPORT

Certiport is the leading provider of certification exam development, delivery and program management services which include practice tests via MeasureUp? delivered through an expansive network of over 10,000 Certiport Authorized Testing Centers worldwide.

Certiport manages a sophisticated portfolio of leading certification programs including: the official Microsoft? Office certification program, the Adobe? Certified Associate certification program, the iCritical Thinking™ Certification powered by ETS, the CompTIA Strata™ IT Fundamentals and the Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC??). Certiport reliably delivers over two million tests each year throughout the secondary, post-secondary, workforce and corporate technology markets in more than 142 countries and 24 languages worldwide.

“Certiport,” “IC?” and” MeasureUp” are registered trademarks of Certiport, Inc. in the United States and other countries. “Microsoft” is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Certiport
Brenda Armstrong
801-602-0305
barmstrong@certiport.com

MADRID, Wednesday, June 23rd 2010 [ME NewsWire]:
(BUSINESS WIRE)– Certiport (www.certiport.com), the official test delivery solution provider for the global workforce and academic markets, announced the launch of the first-ever Regional Competition on Microsoft® Office for Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA)—a competition focused on a student’s ability to demonstrate proficiency utilizing the world’s foremost desktop computing applications in the global marketplace.

With the vast majority of jobs across almost all sectors demanding computer literacy as a requirement, this contest provides eligible students with the ability to achieve more, distinguish themselves and advance in today’s competitive academic and professional environments.

Details about the Regional Competition on Microsoft Office:
www.certiport.com/emeacompetition

“The students of today will be competing in a global economy and that means their skills need to be world-class,” said Ray Kelly, chief executive officer, Certiport. “With industry, government and consumers all over the world recognizing the importance and value of industry-recognized credentials, this regional competition is designed to be a catalyst encouraging more students to seek certification. In turn, they will become competent employees able to fulfill workforce opportunities.”

According to a recent study sponsored by Microsoft involving 13 European countries, finding employees with the right skills has become a major issue for employers in Europe and millions face being locked out of the job market due to their lack of computer skills. The study also found that 58% of employers believe the education sector is not doing enough to prepare young for the modern workplace.

“While unemployment numbers are slowly improving, competition for jobs all over the world continues to be intense,” said Quinn Sutton, senior vice president, Certiport. “This competition represents one way that Certiport hopes to encourage students to match their skills with other competitors, while also providing them with the critical skill sets they need in order to be successful.”

Current students who pass a qualifying exam and are enrolled in an approved, degree-seeking academic institution are eligible to compete. The regional Champions of Word and Excel will receive cash prizes, and the opportunity to compete at this year’s World Championships held in Park City, Utah, in August 2010.

In its sixth year, Certiport’s Worldwide Competition on Microsoft Office has grown steadily since its inauguration and the number of exams entered worldwide has doubled over last year. Honoring the important role that certification plays in the standards and assessment community, this premier student technology competition helps validate that students have the expertise needed to compete in the global workforce. Participants who outperform their peers and make the final round of the Competition generally have perfect or near-perfect exam scores and completion times well below the allotted examination time.

More information about the Microsoft Office Specialist certification program can be found at: www.certiport.com/officespecialist.

ABOUT CERTIPORT

Certiport is the leading provider of certification exam development, delivery and program management services which include practice tests via MeasureUp® delivered through an expansive network of over 10,000 testing centers worldwide. Certiport manages a sophisticated portfolio of leading certification programs including: the official Microsoft® Office certification program, the Adobe® Certified Associate certification program, the iCritical Thinking™ Certification powered by ETS, the CompTIA Strata™ IT Fundamentals and the Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®). Certiport reliably delivers over two million tests each year throughout the secondary, post-secondary, workforce and corporate technology markets and IT Professionals in more than 142 countries and 24 languages worldwide.

“Certiport,” “IC³” and “MeasureUp” are registered trademarks of Certiport, Inc. in the United States and other countries. “Microsoft” is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Certiport
Brenda Armstrong,
1-801-602-0305
barmstrong@certiport.com

BAGHDAD, Tuesday, June 22nd 2010 [ME NewsWire]:
(BUSINESS WIRE)– Certiport (www.certiport.com) and the Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research today announced a strategic initiative to align Iraq’s higher education system with its global counterparts by adopting the Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®) and the ETS ITP-TOEFL® (and TOEFL) exams.

Embracing globally recognized standards that help individuals excel in today’s competitive marketplace, all Iraqi students applying for postgraduate studies are now required to pass the IC³ and ITP-TOEFL exams to prove their digital literacy and English language proficiency.

Details about Certiport IC³: http://www.certiport.com/ic3

The implementation of these exams as a requirement for applicants, approximately 50,000 this year, comes after a review of the preparedness of Iraqi graduates to work internationally showed they lacked basic computing skills.

“We have been living in scientific isolation for the past 35 years, and now is the time for Iraq to re-emerge as a respected leader in higher education standards,” said Dr. Ammar Hasan, Deputy Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Iraq. “We previously administered our own English language and technology exams, and although they were valuable, Iraqi students were not adequately prepared in these core areas. We are pleased to offer the internationally recognized IC³ and TOEFL exams to help Iraqi students succeed in their international education, careers, travel and diplomacy.”

The Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³) provides students and job-seekers with the foundation of knowledge they need to succeed in environments that require the use of computers and the Internet. Certiport, the leading provider of test delivery services for the global workforce and academic markets, will help Iraq administer practice IC³ exams beginning in June at various university testing centers.

“As we worked with the Ministry of Higher Education to introduce digital literacy curriculum and exams into Iraq, we were impressed with their commitment to improve students’ basic computer and Internet skills,” said Ray Kelly, Chief Executive Officer, Certiport. “By requiring postgraduate applicants to pass the international digital literacy standard, IC³ exam, Iraq is taking the necessary steps to improve their education system’s reputation and raising the bar for students to become more competitive in the global job market and international academic programs.”

For more information about these and other globally recognized certification programs, please visit www.certiport.com.

ABOUT CERTIPORT

Certiport is the leading provider of value-added, computerized test delivery services that include an expansive network of Certiport Authorized Testing Centers worldwide. Its comprehensive services encompass test development, psychometrics, program management, sales and marketing for the official Microsoft® Office certification programs, the Adobe® Certified Associate certification program, the iCritical Thinking™ Certification powered by ETS, the CompTIA Strata IT Fundamentals and the Certiport Internet and Computing Core Certification (IC³®). Certiport reliably delivers almost 2 million exams each year throughout the secondary, post-secondary, workforce and corporate technology markets in more than 142 countries and 24 languages worldwide. For more information, please visit www.certiport.com.

ABOUT MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION AND SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

The Iraqi Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research regulates all administrative and financial issues for more than 23 academic institutions in Iraq including: universities, commissions, scientific research centers and boards. It acts to achieve quantitative and qualitative changes towards the scientific progress in Iraq maintaining coordination between the cultural heritage and the scientific capabilities with applied advanced techniques, while guaranteeing alignment with international scientific and cultural institutions. For more information, visit www.moheiraq.org.

“Certiport” and “IC³” are registered trademarks of Certiport, Inc. in the United States and other countries. “Microsoft” is either a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corp. in the United States and other countries. The names of actual companies and products mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

For media enquiries, please contact:
Certiport
Brenda Armstrong,
1-801-602-0305
barmstrong@certiport.com