= Linux Professional Association of Kenya - LPA-Kenya = LPA-Kenya is partnering with Strathmore University to host the Software Freedom Day 2012 in Kenya. The event will take place at Strathmore University on the 1st of September 2012. It will be preceded by the Open Source Developers Challenge which will take place on 31st August and sponsored by the Linux Profressional Institute - East Africa. LPA-Kenya last organized the SFD in 2007. We are now planning this event to be a yearly celebration in line with our strategic plan. This year´s SFD Kenya will be graced by Jon "maddog" Hall. Mr Hall, or "maddog" as he is widely known, is a globally renowned Open Source advocate, having supported the early development of Linux. This involvement brought him to a very close working relationship with Linus Torvalds, the creator of Linux. He has worked for Western Electric Corporation, Aetna Life and Casualty, Bell Laboratories, Digital Equipment Corporation, VA Linux Systems, and SGI. It was during his time with Digital that he initially became interested in Linux, and was instrumental in obtaining equipment and resources for Linus Torvalds to accomplish his first port to Digital's Alpha platform. He resides in the USA Other distinguished guests will be senior leaders in Government, Academia and from the local business community. '''Open Source Developers Challenge (31^st^ August 2012)''' Along with the SFD, the Linux Professional Institute (East Africa) will sponsor the Open Source Developers challenge. This event is targeted at students who are interested in developing software applications and solutions using Open Source tools. This challenge is open to students in all Universities and tertiary training institutions who are studying Computer Science and other related courses. There will be various prizes to be won e.g. laptops, tablets, smart phones, training manuals, LPI exam vouchers and many more. Co-sponsors are welcome to participate in this event by sponsoring various items as outlined elsewhere. '''Conference Objectives:''' 1. Celebrate the FOSS Movement in Kenya 1. Officially launch the LPA-Kenya strategic plan 1. Raise Awareness about FOSS in the public and private sector and the general public 1. Create interest about FOSS in Educational institutions 1. Present FOSS opportunities suitedable to the local industry. 1. Bring the local FOSS community together for networking opportunities 1. Inspire the upcoming geneneration of Open Source developers and systems administrators '''About LPA-Kenya''' '''Who we are:''' The Linux Professional Association of Kenya was formally registered in February 2007, by the members of the Kenya Linux User Group, started back in 2002. The association is made up of professionals in the IT industry who seek to further the ideals of Free and Open Source Software (FOSS). As a non profit-making organization, our main aim is to contribute to the development of the IT industry and national development by encouraging the use of FOSS, as a catalyst for social and economic development in Kenya. '''Our Vision ''' A successful migration of the local information and communication technologies (ICT) industry to Free and Open Source Software and open standards. '''Our Mission ''' Our Mission is to play a central role in the implementation of free and open source software and technologies and to guide the practical migration of the local market to these technologies leading to resource efficiencies, development of the local ICT skills resource capacity and poverty reduction. ---- CategoryTeam2012