SALT LAKE CITY, UT — Certiport, Inc., the worldwide administrator of the Microsoft® Office Specialist program, today announced an in-kind gift of Microsoft® Office Specialist certification exams to the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the Future Business Leaders of America-Phi Beta Lambda (FBLA-PBL). Help will also be given to affiliated high schools, colleges, and universities to educate students and faculty about the benefits of Microsoft Office Specialist certification. Certiport's gift is part of similar assistance valued at US$2 million currently being offered in more than twenty countries.

In conjunction with the gift, UNCF and FBLA-PBL will encourage students to sign up for the first annual Microsoft Office XP Worldwide Competition, which will reward contestants who demonstrate the strongest skills in Microsoft Word and Excel.

"We are pleased to play an active role in supporting organizations like UNCF and FBLA-PBL that help students prepare for the competitive digital workplace," stated Randy Pierson, CEO of Certiport. "The Microsoft Office Specialist certification offers students the opportunity to demonstrate skills they'll need to succeed in school and the workplace."

UNCF, the oldest and most successful minority education assistance organization, will distribute Microsoft Office Specialist exams to affiliated colleges and universities that make computer training and desktop application proficiency an integral component of school curriculum. The exams are part of a larger mission to increase access to technology for students, including those who want to participate in the worldwide competition.

"UNCF will make good use of this kind expression of support from Certiport," said Alan Kirschner, senior vice president for development at UNCF. "These exams complement Microsoft's continued support and commitment to closing the digital divide and expanding educational opportunities for the deserving young men and women that attend UNCF institutions."

The FBLA-PBL brings business and education together in a positive working relationship through innovative leadership and career development programs. Exams they receive will be used to help promote participation in the competition among approximately 235,000 FBLA-PBL members in high schools and colleges across the U.S.

"FBLA-PBL has been actively promoting the benefits of certification to its members for some time," said Jean M. Buckley, president and CEO for FBLA-PBL. "Microsoft Office Specialist is one such credential that has immediate application for high school graduates entering college or the workforce. With the recent college credit recommendation by the American Council on Education (ACE), this certification's value becomes even more important."

College Credit
Individuals who have the Microsoft Office Specialist certifications can now apply for college credit through participating ACE member institutions. This is made possible by the recent college credit recommendation through the ACE Credit by Examination Program. For more information about the credit recommendation see www.Certiport.com/InTheNews/ACE_FAQ.asp.

Competition
Selected U.S. students with the highest marks in the Microsoft Office XP Worldwide Competition will receive free airfare to and hotel accommodations in Orlando, Florida where they will compete for gold, silver, and bronze awards on exams administered at the event. All winners will enjoy outings to Walt Disney World attractions. For more information regarding the competition see www.officexpcompetition.com.

About Microsoft® Office Specialist
The Microsoft® Office Specialist program provides skill standards, approved courseware, instructor credentials, exams and certifications for Microsoft Office business applications including Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint®, Microsoft Access, Microsoft Outlook® and Microsoft Project. For more information about the Program, visit www.microsoft.com/officespecialist.

About Certiport
Certiport, Inc. is the leading provider of global, performance-based certification programs and services designed to enable individual success and lifetime advancement through certification. As the worldwide administrator of the Microsoft Office Specialist program, Certiport is responsible for the development, marketing and administration of certification programs for the Microsoft Office suite. Certiport is also the exclusive worldwide provider of the IC³ program. For more information about Certiport offerings, visit www.certiport.com.

Certiport is a registered trademark of Certiport, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Microsoft and the Microsoft Office logo are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and other countries, and the Microsoft Office Specialist Logo is used under license from owner.

Certiport, Inc.

Certiport, Inc.

More from Certiport, Inc.