KUALA LUMPUR: The demand for open-source software in the country and the expertise required in this area is rising, according to the Multimedia Development Corp (MDeC) which spearheads the MSC Malaysia initiative.
Open-source software, said networking systems giant Sun Microsystems, is gaining popularity mainly because the advantages of user malleable programs are becoming more apparent.
Since the source code is accessible to users, a company could tweak open-source software to better meet its needs, compared to proprietary software which arguably has to be used as is.
In view of this increasing interest in open-source applications, MDeC and Sun have banded together to offer local university graduates the opportunity to master open-source skills.
Under the partnership, Sun will provide the graduates with industry-recognised technology training and certification tools, through MDeC’s network of institutions of higher learning.
The training will include teaching the students to master Java, a programming language developed by Sun Microsystems that has been in use since 1995.
In addition to that, they will learn about OpenSolaris, Sun’s open-source operating system, around which the vendor has built developer and user communities.
Also on the cards is to make the graduates experts in MySQL, a relational database management system that reportedly has more than 11 million installations worldwide.
“The students will gain relevant IT skills which will improve their employability, and the initiative will also help meet the local industry’s demand for competent IT professionals,” said MDeC chief executive Datuk Badlisham Ghazali.
He was speaking at a press conference in the capital last week to announce the partnership.
C.P. Loo, managing director of Sun Microsystems Malaysia, emphasised the importance of obtaining certification in open-source software.
“Our programmes are designed to enable IT professionals to better harness Sun’s leading open-source technologies,” he said, “as well as improve their communication and interaction skills.
The graduates will also be more productive once their technical and problem-solving skills are honed, Loo added.
Candidates who complete the course may be awarded a three-month apprenticeship at an MSC Malaysia-status company.
The MSC Malaysia initiative is aimed at developing the country’s knowledge-based economy, as well as boosting its information and communications technology industry.
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