Organizational governance involves more than just standard policies and procedures, especially in today’s business environment. IT governance, in particular, has become increasingly important, providing structure for aligning a company’s IT with its business strategies. There are various governance frameworks to help organizations address how IT should proceed in support of business goals related to network security, financial accountability and confidentiality, among other things.
This guide outlines the best IT governance certifications available today, many of which require extensive work experience. Earning one of the following certifications proves a commitment to understanding the role of IT governance and its position in a company’s current and future success. Getting certified can validate your expert knowledge and lead to advanced career opportunities.
Best IT governance certifications
IT governance certifications can help senior IT professionals further advance their careers by giving them the skills and knowledge needed to lead technical teams in a variety of areas. Most of these certifications have hefty work-experience requirements and are aimed at experts who are already leaders in their organizations.
1. ITIL Master: Certified in Service Management
ITIL (formerly known as the Information Technology Infrastructure Library) is a well-defined set of best practices that organizations use to design, implement, manage and maintain IT service projects. ITIL’s primary focus is service management, which aligns IT projects and services with an organization’s business goals. ITIL also meets quality standards set by ISO/IEC 20000, so an organization that consistently and closely follows ITIL practices is quite likely to offer high-quality products or services.
In 2013, ITIL was acquired by Axelos, which focuses on global best practices and standards. Axelos also offers certifications for Resilia, Prince2 (2009 and 2017), Prince2 Agile, AgileSHIFT, P30, MSP, M_o_R, P3M3, MoP (Management of Portfolio) and MoV (Management of Value). Axelos manages updates to the ITIL framework, but this organization also accredits ITIL test institutes and licenses third-party organizations to use ITIL’s intellectual property.
The ITIL Master designation recognizes extensive knowledge in IT service management and comprehensive hands-on experience working with ITIL. ITIL Master designation candidates must complete all modules required for the Managing Professional and Strategic Leader certification paths. There is no specific training course or established syllabus for the Master designation. Instead, candidates select the situation on which they will be tested and must use personal experience with the ITIL framework to prove their knowledge.
Get more detailed information in our full ITIL certification guide.
ITIL Master facts and figures
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Certification name |
ITIL Master |
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Prerequisites and required courses |
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Number of exams |
There is no test for the ITIL Master certification, but the Foundation, Managing Professional and Strategic Leader certifications do require testing. Contact an ITIL Training Provider for more details. |
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Cost per exam |
Prices for the Foundation, Managing Professional and Strategic Leader certifications vary depending on the training provider. Candidates can expect to pay approximately $150 to $500 per exam. |
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URL |
https://www.axelos.com/certifications/itil-service-management |
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Self-study materials |
Multiple resources are available via the official ITIL site, including blogs, whitepapers, case studies, mobile apps, skills assessment tools, videos, demo papers, webinars and course syllabi. Some training providers offer self-paced training courses for as little as $500. |
2. CGEIT: Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT
ISACA, previously known as the Information Systems Audit and Control Association, is a highly respected, global nonprofit association that provides education, conferences, publications and certifications for IT governance professionals. ISACA offers four certifications that address information systems auditing, information security management, enterprise IT governance, and risk and information systems control:
The CGEIT credential is geared toward professionals who play a significant role in managing, advising and/or assuring IT governance. Typical job roles include senior security analyst and chief information security officer – the upper echelon of the organizational chart.
Professionals at this level align IT with business strategies and goals, manage IT investments to maximize return on investment, strive for excellence in IT operations and governance, and promote greater efficiency and effectiveness in IT while minimizing risk.
ISACA’s CGEIT test covers five domains that address various aspects of governance and risk management:
- Domain 1: Framework for the Governance of Enterprise IT
- Domain 2: Strategic Management
- Domain 3: Benefits Realization
- Domain 4: Risk Optimization
- Domain 5: Resource Optimization
ISACA’s work experience requirements for the CGEIT qualification are demanding. You must have five years of related work experience, and one of those years must be directly related to enterprise IT governance frameworks. For the other four years, you must demonstrate experience in at least two of these domains: strategic management, benefits realization, risk optimization and resource optimization.
According to ISACA, individuals who earn the CGEIT certification have the potential to receive a 22% pay increase.
If you teach an accredited IT governance curriculum at an approved institution, you can count two full-time years toward every year of the CGEIT work requirement. Candidates with certain types of management experience and advanced degrees or certifications may substitute up to two years to meet the experience requirement.
CGEIT facts and figures
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Certification name |
Certified in the Governance of Enterprise IT (CGEIT) |
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Prerequisites and required courses |
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Number of exams |
One (150 questions, four hours) |
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Cost per exam |
$575 (member)/$760 (nonmember) |
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URL |
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Self-study materials |
The Candidate’s Guide to the CGEIT Exam, job practice, study materials and review courses are available on the certification webpage. |
3. CGRC: Certified in Governance, Risk and Compliance
Another worthy option to consider is the Certified in Governance, Risk and Compliance (CGRC) credential from the GRC Group. A globally recognized leader in governance, risk and compliance, the GRC Group consists of three institutions:
- The SOX Institute, which focuses on Sarbanes-Oxley (SOX) certifications
- The GRC Institute, which targets certification and training in the areas of governance, risk and compliance (including GRC for information security and information technology)
- The ESG Institute, which focuses on economic, environmental and social governance
Certification requirements for the CGRC are stringent. To earn the credential, candidates must possess the CGOV, CIRM and CICM certifications. Current membership in the GRC Group and a minimum of three years of professional experience are required. Exams are required for the lower-level certifications but not for the CGRC. To maintain the credential, candidates must earn 12 hours of training and keep their GRC Group membership current.
CGRC facts and figures
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Certification name |
Certified in Governance, Risk, and Compliance (CGRC) |
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Prerequisites and required courses |
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Number of exams |
None; exams are required for the prerequisite credentials. |
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Cost per exam |
N/A |
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URL |
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Self-study materials |
Self-study recorded online; classroom and live online options are also available. |
4. CRISC: Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control
ISACA’s Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) certification recognizes IT professionals who are responsible for an organization’s risk management program.
CRISC professionals manage risk; design and oversee response measures; monitor systems for risk; and ensure the organization’s risk management strategies are met. Organizations look for employees with the CRISC credential for jobs such as IT security analyst, security engineer or architect, information assurance program manager, and senior IT auditor.
The CRISC test covers four domains that are updated periodically to reflect the changing needs of the profession:
- Domain 1: Governance
- Domain 2: IT Risk Assessment
- Domain 3: Risk Response and Reporting
- Domain 4: Information Technology and Security
ISACA requires that CRISC candidates have a minimum of three years of cumulative, professional-level risk management and control experience, as well as perform tasks in at least two CRISC domains, one of which must be in Domain 1 or 2. Work experience must be within the preceding 10 years from the date of application. Alternatively, candidates have up to five years after passing the test to fulfill the work experience requirement.
Since the inception of the CRISC certification program in 2010, more than 20,000 professionals have acquired this certification. Such a strong response says a lot about the program and the need for this type of credential in the enterprise workforce.
CRISC facts and figures
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Certification name |
Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control (CRISC) |
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Prerequisites and required courses |
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Number of exams |
One (150 questions, four hours) |
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Cost per exam |
$575 (member)/$760 (nonmember) |
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URL |
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Self-study materials |
The Candidate’s Guide to the CRISC Exam, job practice, study materials and review courses are available on the certification webpage. |
5. PMI-RMP: Certified Risk Management Professional
The highly regarded Project Management Institute (PMI) is perhaps best known for its Project Management Professional (PMP) credential, but it also offers the PMI Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) credential for governance, risk and compliance professionals. In 2022, the certification was updated to include Agile and hybrid environments in addition to the enterprise-level risks necessary for a project manager to consider.
The PMI-RMP certification recognizes individuals who have a combination of top-notch project management skills and the ability to identify and accurately assess project risks and then mitigate identified threats to organizations.
Candidates must pass one test and meet considerable education and experience requirements. The test focuses on the following domains:
- Domain 1: Risk Strategy and Planning
- Domain 2: Risk Identification
- Domain 3: Risk Analysis
- Domain 4: Risk Response
- Domain 5: Monitor and Close Risks
Once you achieve the PMI-RMP certification, you may maintain the credential by earning 30 professional development units (PDUs) in one or more risk management courses every three years.
PMI-RMP facts and figures
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Certification name |
Project Management Institute – Risk Management Professional (PMI-RMP) |
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Prerequisites and required courses |
Secondary degree (high school diploma, associate degree or the global equivalent), plus 36 months of project risk management experience within the past five years and 40 hours of project risk management education OR Four-year degree (bachelor’s degree or the global equivalent), plus 24 months of project risk management experience within the past five years and 30 hours of project risk management education |
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Number of exams |
One (115 questions) |
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Cost per exam |
$520 (member)/$670 (nonmember) |
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URL |
http://www.pmi.org/certification/risk-management-professional-rmp.aspx |
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Self-study materials |
Exam guidance and a reference list of recommended study resources are available on the PMI website. |
Beyond the top 5: More IT governance certifications
Beyond the top five IT governance certifications covered above, other certification programs can further the careers and professional development of IT professionals working in governance, risk management and compliance.
For example, interested parties should check out the Governance, Risk Management and Compliance Professional (GRCP) certification by OCEG. Another credential worth noting is the Leadership Professional in Ethics & Compliance (LPEC) certification from the Ethics and Compliance Initiative (ECI). ECI bills itself as the oldest ethics and compliance research organization in the U.S.
If you live in the U.K., consider the BCS Foundation Certificate in Information Security Management Principles. BCS is based in the U.K., and although it’s popular overseas, the organization’s credentials just haven’t gained enough popularity in the U.S. to earn slots in the top five. Still, BCS certifications are excellent and worth considering if you’re working overseas in the U.K. or other countries in Europe, the Middle East or Africa.
Finally, The Institute of Internal Auditors (IIA) has a well-established certification program aimed at auditors in the government and financial sectors. Within the IIA lineup is the Certification in Risk Management Assurance (CRMA) credential, which identifies professionals who provide risk management assurance and advice to senior management and audit committees.
Be sure to investigate these opportunities on your own; one might prove even more valuable to your individual career goals than the ones we’ve featured in our top five.
You also may want to consider these evergreen IT certifications.
Red Hat Inc. provides open source software solutions to more than 90% of the Fortune 500 companies, including internet service providers, airlines, healthcare companies and commercial banks. The company has been around for more than two decades and is well known for its Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) distribution. Red Hat provides a fully open technology stack, which you can alter to suit your needs – you’re not locked into the vendor’s vision of the software or stack components. Red Hat’s portfolio of products and services also include JBoss middleware, cross-platform virtualization, cloud computing (CloudForms and OpenStack) and much more.
Red Hat offers numerous professional certifications based on its software products, including operating systems, virtualization, storage and cloud-based solutions.
Red Hat certification program overview
The Red Hat certification program aims at system administrators, engineers, architects, enterprise developers, and application administrators, as well as cloud and virtualization administrators, who use RHEL in their IT infrastructures. The certification program aims to ensure that candidates are proficient in RHEL by requiring them to pass performance-based certification exams. Whereas many certification exams ask multiple choice or fill-in-the-blank questions about specific technologies, Red Hat requires you to perform and complete real-world tasks using Red Hat technologies to pass its exams.
Red Hat traditionally offered certification exams only upon completion of a training course. Now you can take a Red Hat test on your own schedule, outside of training, if you like. Each test session is performed on a secured system in a professionally proctored testing center. These centers are located in select cities throughout the United States, Europe and Asia.
Once you earn a Red Hat certification, you become a Red Hat Certified Professional. This gives you access to Red Hat Certification Central, which allows you to connect with potential employers, join the Red Hat community, create study groups and collaborate on projects. In addition, you can explore Red Hat’s training options and easily schedule individual test sessions. Discounts on recertification exams are offered there as well.
Red Hat Administrator, Engineer and Architect certifications
The largest group of Red Hat certifications is geared toward system administrators, engineers and architects. Some of the most popular and sought-after Red Hat certifications reside in this category, such as the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA), Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) and Red Hat Certified Architect (RHCA).
The RHCA is probably Red Hat’s most versatile credential. In 2018, Red Hat implemented several changes to the RHCA program. The most notable change is that Red Hat now offers two separate RHCA credentials: the Red Hat Certified Architect in Enterprise Applications and the Red Hat Certified Architect in Infrastructure. Over the past year, Red Hat has retired a great many of its credentials, as you can see from the long list of “Retired Certifications” on the company’s All Certifications page. Candidates who have previously passed certification exams that are now retired may still be able to apply those retired certifications to current certification tracks. Check the certification overview page for each certification to find more details.
RHCSA: Red Hat Certified System Administrator
The RHCSA certification is designed for experienced Red Hat administrators and is required by some organizations to meet U.S. Department of Defense Directive 8570. It’s also a prerequisite credential for the Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE).
Red Hat recommends three training classes to prepare for the RHCSA certification. The Windows admin classes are Red Hat System Administration I (RH124) and Red Hat System Administration II (RH134). Candidates may also take a Linux/UNIX admin class – RHCSA Rapid Track Course RH199 – to prepare for the RHCSA exam.
To obtain RHCSA certification, candidates must pass the 2.5 hour RHCSA test (EX200).
RHCE: Red Hat Certified Engineer
The RHCE certification is geared toward experienced senior system administrators and fulfills requirements of U.S. Department of Defense Directive 8570.
To obtain the RHCE certification, you must first become RHCSA certified. The recommended training for the RHCE certification is based on your skill level. Windows admins with minimal Linux experience should take the Red Hat System Administration I and II (RH124 and RH134) courses, along with the Red Hat System Administration III (RH254) course to prepare for the exam.
Linux or UNIX admins with one to three years of experience should take both the RHCSA Rapid Track Course (RH199) and the Red Hat System Administration III (RH254) courses to prepare for the exam. RHCEs looking to recertify, or candidates who’d like the opportunity to engage in a lab-based review before taking the RHCE exam, should take the RHCE Certification lab (RH299). The certification lab is a four-day, instructor-led opportunity to work through all of the labs from the Red Hat System Administration I, II and III courses, along with the Rapid Track course.
To complete the RHCE certification, you must pass the 3.5-hour RHCE test (EX300), which is currently based on Red Hat Enterprise Linux 7.
RHCA: Red Hat Certified Architect
The RHCA certification is the pinnacle cert in the Red Hat Certification program. Red Hat has changed the RHCA program to be more flexible that previous incarnations of the program, depending on the candidate’s particular areas of interest and expertise. Currently, Red Hat offers two RHCA credentials:
- RHCA in Infrastructure for Red Hat Certified Engineers (RHCE); and
- RHCA in Enterprise Applications for Red Hat Certified Enterprise Microservices Developer (RHCEMD) or Red Hat Certified JBoss Developers (RHCJD)
Red Hat recommends certain specific certification combinations to achieve the RHCA in Infrastructure or RHCA in Enterprise Applications. Candidates are free to follow the recommended path or select their own certifications based on their professional interests and requirements.
The RHCA in Enterprise Applications has three recommended certifications combinations: application acceleration, and integration; application automation; or DevOps, containers, and OpenShift. While not required, Red Hat recommends that all candidates obtain the Red Hat Certified Specialist in OpenShift Application Development and Red Hat Certified Specialist in Enterprise Application Server Administrations.
There are four recommended certification combinations for the RHCA in Infrastructure: open hybrid cloud; DevOps, containers, and OpenShift; Red Hat OpenStack Platform; and Linux mastery.
RHCA Exams
| Certification | No. of Req’d Certifications | Qualifying Certifcations List |
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| RHCA in Infrastructure | 5 | Complete five certifications from the following (listed by recommended combinations):
Open Hybrid Cloud
DevOps, Containers and OpenShift Red Hat OpenStack Platform Linux Mastery
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| RHCA in Enterprise Applications | 5 | Complete five certifications exams from the following (listed by certification combinations):
Recommended certifications regardless of certification combination:
Application, Acceleration and Integration
Application Automation
DevOps, Containers and OpenShift
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The number of recommended training courses varies for each RHCA concentration (RHCS means “Red Hat Certified Specialist” in the preceding table). At present only candidates who’ve already taken the retired exams in the DevOps category can earn RHCA: DevOps (hopefully, Red Hat will rectify this situation, or retire the credential). There is also some overlap in training course recommendations as shown in the table below.
Red Hat Cloud and Virtualization Administrator certifications
Formerly, Red Hat offered certifications geared toward IT professionals familiar with Red Hat virtualization and cloud technologies. In addition to the RHCA: Cloud (mentioned previously in this article), one could find the Red Hat Certified Virtualization Administrator, Red Hat Certified System Administrator in Red Hat OpenStack and the Red Hat Certified Engineer in Red Hat OpenStack. Today, that last item – namely, RHCE in Red Hat OpenStack – is the only remaining member of this category still available.
The Red Hat Certified Engineer in Red Hat OpenStack focuses on IT professionals who possess the skills necessary to install, deploy, and work with Red Hat Ceph Storage, including creation of block devices for Ceph and integration of services with Ceph Storage devices. In addition, Certified Engineers in Red Hat OpenStack can create and manage devices for virtual networks and use the OpenStack Neutron Service. Candidates must possess the Red Hat Certified System Administrator (RHCSA) in Red Hat OpenStack Platform 8 to qualify for the credential. In addition to the RHCSA test (EX210), candidates must also pass Red Hat Certified System Engineer in Red Hat OpenStack (EX310), a three-hour performance-based exam. Red Hat recommends that candidates take the Red Hat OpenStack System Administration Red Hat OpenStack Administration I (CL 110), II (CL210) and III (CL310) courses to prepare.
Red Hat training and resources
Red Hat offers an extensive training program: in-classroom, online, virtual, remote classroom, onsite team and online learning lab formats are available. Most courses are three to five days in length, depending on delivery format. A remarkably helpful resource is the Red Hat Training Resource Center, which contains links to online tools, references, student guides, a skills assessment and more.
Red Hat now offers the Red Hat Learning Subscription, which gives certification candidates access to a multitude of online, on-demand classes and test prep videos for an annual subscription fee that varies depending on the specific certification you seek. In addition, Red Hat offers multiple ways for you or your company to save on certification and training costs. Browse the Red Hat Ways to Save page for training bundles and success packs.
You can also find lots of third-party study guidebooks to prepare for certification exams. Just search for “Red Hat Certification” on Amazon and be prepared for a lot of results.
The recently concluded BCS Graduation Ceremony 2011 saw Miss Rina Muhammad Faisal bag the Sri Lankan and the World Prize for the BCS Certificate Level beating other students from over 150 course providers across the world across 100 countries. Miss Rina is a student of MATRIX and is now following the PGD in IT which is the final Level of BCS - HEQ.
MATRIX Institute of Information Technology (Pvt) Ltd. is one of the major course providers for BCS in Sri Lanka and also in the world. With the leadership and guidance of the head of Matrix Deshamanya Dr. Viraj Pinto Jayawardena, MATRIX has been able to reach many milestones. This has not been the first time a student educated at MATRIX has won a world prize, but Ms Shanika Jayawardena was also able to bag the PROMS-G world prize for IT Project Management in the 2006/2007 BCS graduation ceremony is another example. The Institution has further recorded over 56 world prize winners for ACS Professional Examinations in IT offered by the Australian Computer Society.
BCS is the only Chartered Institute for Information Technology in the world and under the Higher Educational Qualifications offers students a prestigious qualification with an unmatched international recognition. The BCS CIIT HEQ examination is offered in three levels, namely BCS Certificate Level in IT, which is equivalent to the first year of an Honors Degree in IT. The BCS Diploma and PGD Levels in IT are subsequently equivalent to the second and final years of an Honors Degree in IT. This syllabus structure is therefore an ideal qualification for students just after Advanced Level or even Ordinary Level examinations (local or London) to register.
MATRIX from it's inception in year 2006 has been able to train a large number of students for BCS. "We at MATRIX always seek to provide students the very best", stated Dr. Viraj Pinto Jayawardena. MATRIX may be the only institute which provides the candidates a full day comprehensive revision for all three certificate level subjects and further key Diploma level modules and even a few PGD level modules. The institute supports the certificate revision by providing a full comprehensive revision book with question and answers." We further wish to enhance the study material that we offer by adding a few self assessment questions, research section, demo questions etc..." Further as commented, the chairman of Matrix Dr. Viraj. MATRIX is among the few or may be the only institute to offer the BCS study material as a study pack to even foreign countries, which is a no doubt a proof of their quality of work. The academics at MATRIX are well trained to meet with the requirements of the BCS examination and even the paper structure, which helps them to guide students correctly from the start. Regular lecturer evaluations are an integral part of the quality process at MATRIX. All these programs are overlooked and moderated by company Chairman himself who is one of the most experienced and talented lecturers for IT in Sri Lanka. For further information with regard to BCS, you could contact the BCS Coordinator on 071 431 79 24.
MATRIX not only offers the BCS CIIT HEQ examinations but also offers many other courses at the level of certificate, diploma, and advanced diploma and even at the level of Degree. The Bachelor of Information Technology (BIT) offered by the University of Colombo School of Computing (UCSC) is another popular program offered by MATRIX. In the recent past the Institute has been the Colombo's Best institute for certain semesters and thus to Improve on students obtaining better results. The BIT is a Degree and therefore consists of three years, which consist of six semesters."The industrial recognition for BIT is very high and therefore your chances for employment are speedy", stated the Chairman. For further information with regard to BIT, you could contact the BIT Coordinator on 071 431 79 30.
MATRIX also offers the candidates the Foundation in Information Technology (FIT), which is also offered by the University Of Colombo School Of Computing as an entry qualification to enter into BIT of the UCSC if the candidate does not have sufficient entry requirements to enter into BIT first year. However a candidate with three passes for his/her A/L examination can directly enter into the BIT program. For further information with regard to FIT, you could contact the FIT Coordinator on 071 431 79 26.
"Dear Parents/Guardians, entrust your child to our IT Institution and we will ensure that your Child will be another world prize winner, since all at MATRIX strives to ensure not just the best but the very best", concluded Dr. Viraj Pinto Jayawardena.
The October 2009 BCS Professional Examinations in IT are coming up, and ESOFT is proud of the fact that we are fielding more than 600 candidates for this test sitting alone. This number is especially important considering that there are Seven (Registered) Course Providers in the country, and the balance (approx 20% - 25%) of students are dividing among all of the other course providers.
There are a number of reasons for the overwhelming confidence that the students have shown in us. Among these are:
1. ESOFT is the one and only Course Provider in the World to be Accredited by the BCS in the UK for delivering all three levels of their Professional Qualification. No other institution can claim such a feat.
2. With roots going back to the year 2000, ESOFT is headed by a dynamic team of academics who are constantly on the lookout for great opportunities to be presented to our valuable students.
3. There are certain course providers who offer the programme without even a valid registration with the BCS and therefore are not bound by any regulations. They can therefore start and stop the programme anytime they wish thereby affecting your continuity. ESOFT has been offering the BCS programme ever since the year 2000 in a consistent manner, and we offer all three levels of the programme without any interruptions. This is the level of our commitment.
4. The Learning experience at ESOFT is unique as students receive specially prepared text books for most modules, and have access to our dedicated full time academic panel and other valuable resources.
5. We supplement our Academic Panel with external lecturers from the industry, thereby giving a fine balance of Academic Knowledge together with Practical know-how.
6. Our students stole the show at the last convocation by walking away with ten out of eleven prizes including five World Prizes. This was the best ever performance by our students at a single convocation.
7. We offer the BCS programme at our Branches in Colombo, Kandy, Kurunegala, Matara, Jaffna, and Batticaloa thereby providing better accessibility. Parents and students would indeed be making a wise choice by selecting ESOFT as their learning partner for BCS.
BCS Certificate classes are started on a regular basis and, and students and professionals that have other certifications, qualifications, and / or experience can obtain exemptions and enter into the other levels of the BCS Professional Exams as well. BCS is proving to be the most popular foreign IT qualification in Sri Lanka and ESOFT is proud to be at the pinnacle of this. New Certificate, Diploma, and PGD classes have been scheduled for commencement in the coming weeks, and students have already started to register even whilst Studying for their exams for the previous levels.
Taking into consideration the current economic situation that some have to face, we have understood our responsibilities and have decided to invoke our Corporate Social Responsibility. Therefore, we are offering our students a "Pre test Registration Offer" for registrations for the upcoming Diploma and PGD Levels where they will receive attractive discounts.
BCS is a favoured choice of many students as well as professionals due to the following reasons:
1. BCS is the fastest path to obtain a UK Degree Level Qualification - namely, the three levels of the qualification can be completed within 18 to 20 months which is half of the time that you would invest in a Degree Programme.
2. BCS is the most economical option - the total investment including course fees, textbooks, examination fees is approximately Rs. 225,000
3. The BCS Qualification is modular and students can choose the order in which they complete it. Some students do either the Certificate and Diploma levels in one sitting or the Diploma and PGD levels in one sitting, thereby reducing the time to complete the entire programme.
4. There are two examination sittings per year - April and October. This considerably enhances your opportunity to complete the qualification at your earliest.
5. Classes at ESOFT are held in part time mode on the weekends either only on Saturday and only on Sunday, and also on weekdays in the evenings after 5.45 pm. Fulltime classes are also available for those that would like to receive additional value through our popular BCS Plus programme.
6. At any given time, we have ten or more batches of the BCS Certificate Level classes, and three or more batches for the Diploma and PGD levels, thereby increasing your chances of finding a class that matches your schedule. Students are given the flexibility of choosing their classes / subjects from different batches to suit their busy schedules.
7. We have established links with Institutions in the UK thereby allowing a student that completes the BCS Diploma level here with us to proceed to the UK to complete the final year of a B.Sc (Hons) Degree in Computing at an affordable fee. Students can then obtain a two year working visa with the potential of earning back many times their investment.
8. ESOFT has established a separate company (ESOFT Education International Pvt Ltd) to better facilitate the international placement options that are provided to our students and customers via universities in the UK and Australia. This will be of immense benefit to our students as they will be guided in selecting the best programmes from world recognized Universities, whilst helping them to save on their course fees. Several International Scholarship opportunities will also be available from the Universities themselves.
One of the reasons for the success of ESOFT students is the unmatched quality of the resources that we offer. ESOFT has a dedicated full-time academic panel including those with Degrees and Masters, as well as professional qualifications.
Students also have unlimited access to our state of the art computer laboratory with more than 50 workstations as well as high speed Internet Connectivity and Library facilities. More information about the courses that we offer can be obtained by calling our Student Counsellors on 077 309 9 301 or by visiting our website at www.esoft.lk
As the vibrant hues of summer fade and the crisp embrace of autumn fills the air, livestock farmers shift their focus to the impending calving season. Autumn calving presents both challenges and opportunities, but with meticulous planning, this period can be rewarding for both animals and farms alike.
Dive into Herdwatch’s comprehensive guide to autumn calving below, designed to equip farmers with the tools for a seamless and productive autumn calving experience.
A guide to autumn calving
As the calving season approaches, establish a calving calendar to track expected due dates. This strategic approach will help anticipate busy periods, allowing you to arrange sufficient assistance for calving-related care.
Assess breeding performance, ensuring the well-being and proper body condition score (BCS) of cows and heifers. Deliberate on culling animals with chronic health issues or subpar reproductive performance.
Forge a comfortable and secure environment for calving cows and their newborn calves. Conduct thorough checks and repairs on fences, gates, and calving pens. Assure barns and calving areas are clean, well-ventilated, and devoid of potential hazards.
After calving, maintain the cleanliness and disinfection of calf pens to ensure optimal calf development.
Prepare for calving by replenishing essential supplies: Clean and dry bedding, obstetric gel, gloves, ropes for assisting with calving if necessary, and a well-stocked medicine cabinet equipped with vital veterinary supplies.
Closely monitor cows for signs of imminent calving. Recognise behavioural changes like isolation from the herd or heightened restlessness, which may signal impending calving.
Cameras can streamline monitoring during peak calving times, though intervention should occur only when necessary.
Despite thorough planning, calving emergencies can arise. Familiarise yourself with common calving challenges and establish a clear protocol for addressing such situations promptly and safely.
Make sure the veterinarian’s contact information is accessible to all farm workers to expedite their assistance if needed.
Maintain accurate records of each calving event, noting dates, times, and noteworthy observations. This data serves as a valuable resource for tracking cow and calf health, identifying patterns, and making informed breeding decisions.
Leveraging Herdwatch during the busy season
Before the calving season begins, procure necessary remedies and load treatments into the medicine cabinet on the Herdwatch app.
This proactive approach streamlines record-keeping, ensuring impeccable reports for inspections and audits. This not only saves time but also upholds best practices for both farmers and calves.
If a calf falls ill, fellow farm workers can access the animal’s profile to review past treatments and uphold their treatment plan.
Effortlessly register calves using the Herdwatch App. Electronic identification (EID) tags are preloaded onto the app, minimising the possibility of errors that might occur on paper.
By selecting the dam from the due-to-calve list, and with input from previous serves, the sire is automatically populated.
This straightforward process simplifies calf registration, which can be conducted in bulk to reduce time spent searching for cow and bull tag numbers.
For farm-to-farm sales, acquaint yourself with Herdwatch Movements. Located within Compliance, this feature enables farmers to apply for movement certificates and accept animals into their herds.
This method replaces traditional movement completion approaches, allowing farmers to text the certification number from the app to the buyer.
When the cow’s breeding cycle initiates, input serves from stockbulls and artificial intelligence (AI) bulls, along with positive or negative scan results, into the app. This crucial information empowers farmers to adjust the cow’s regimen based on her status.
A positive scan generates a “Due to Calf” list, conveniently accessible within the Breeding Section, aiding farmers in their planning.
To download the Herdwatch app for free, click here.
Checklist for autumn calving
The autumn-calving season holds the potential to shape a farm’s future, serving as a foundation for the next generation of livestock.
By embracing this comprehensive checklist, farmers can confidently tackle the nuances of autumn calving.
Prioritising animal health, fostering a safe environment, and maintaining vigilance during the calving process will inevitably lead to healthier cows, thriving calves, and a flourishing farm for years to come.
For more information on Herdwatch, click here.
Northwestern is committed to being a leader in sustainability, and faculty and staff have essential roles to play in reaching the University's sustainability goals. The Green Office Program engages faculty and staff in the process of adopting environmental best practices in the workplace. The program offers guidance on conserving energy and water, reducing waste, and increasing awareness of sustainability and environmental justice on campus. The process empowers all of our faculty and staff to become green leaders and its success is based on broad engagement and collective impact.
The benefits of certification
The Green Office Program provides tools and support to help offices and departments conserve resources, reduce costs, and create a healthier, greener workplace. Participating offices and Green Office leaders receive University-wide recognition for their efforts and become part of a campus-wide community of sustainability leaders.
The certification process
sustainNU guides Green Office leaders as they work toward certification. Here are the basic steps to the certification process.
- Contact sustainNU.
Contact sustainNU at sustainNU@northwestern.edu to learn more and start the process. - Hold an introductory meeting.
Meet with a sustainNU staff member to review the certification process. - Get approval.
Get approval from your office leadership to proceed with Green Office Certification. - Host a staff presentation.
Organize a Green Office presentation for your staff with sustainNU and submit the Faculty and Staff Participation Form. - Form a Green Office Team.
Organize a Green Office team to lead the certification process. - Complete and submit the Green Office Assessment.
Review your office’s equipment and practices by completing the assessment. - Start greening your office.
Work with your green team to start implementing the steps in the Green Office Certification Guide. - Check in with sustainNU.
Update sustainNU on the status of your certification process, share a target completion date, and receive support during a mid-guide touch base. - Submit the Green Office Certification Guide.
Submit your completed Guide to sustainNU for review and verification. - Receive certification.
sustainNU will present your Green Office Certification at a celebration event or meeting of your choice.
After certification
Certified Green Offices keep up their commitments to environmentally friendly practices and receive ongoing support from sustainNU to continue improving the sustainability of their offices.
Stay Active and re-certify
- Maintain an active green team
- Continue the sustainability practices your office implemented through the program
- Maintain participation in Green Office Program efforts, including annual recertification
Green Offices are encouraged to
- Network with other Green Office staff at Green Office programs and events
- Participate in new sustainability office activities and opportunities
- Stay up-to-date with news and opportunities through the Green Office Program mailing list
- Use resources provided by sustainNU to promote your office's certification
Get started today
Getting started is simple. Reach out to sustainNU at sustainNU@northwestern.edu to set up your introductory call. Check out our Green Office FAQs if you have more questions.
Connect with sustainNU
Want to get connected with sustainability initiatives right away?
- Sign up for our newsletter to hear sustainability news, events, and opportunities
- Follow us @sustainNU on Instagram and Twitter
Download Green Office materials
Green Office Program Overview
An introduction to the Green Office Program, the program requirements, ways to get involved, the certification process, and the sustainable practices.
Faculty and Staff Participation Form
Use this form to create a list if everyone in your office and keep track of who has participated in the Green Office presentation. To achieve certification, your office needs at least 75% participation in the presentation.
Green Office Assessment
Conduct an assessment of equipment and practices in your office to identify areas for improvement.
Green Office Certification Guide
Use this guide to implement environmentally sustainable practices in your office. To become certified, your office needs to implement at least 24 of these sustainable practices.
Certified Office Profile Guide
Use this guide to document your successful certification and get featured on our list of Certified Green Offices.
MUNCIE, Ind. – Red-tail Land Conservancy seeks individuals and organizations of east central Indiana who have naturally-landscaped yards to apply for Growing Home™ Habitat Certification before the submission deadline on July 31.
Growing Home™ is a backyard habitat program for east central Indiana from Red-tail Land Conservancy. The program is designed to empower community members to rethink how their yard or garden can also serve birds, bees, butterflies, and other beneficial wildlife.
Criteria for habitat certification include providing food, water, shelter, and native plants that benefit wildlife. Habitats must also be at least 50 square feet, free of invasive species on Indiana’s banned plants list, and located in east central Indiana.
“It may seem daunting at first, but many people already meet the criteria or are very close,” said Kelley V. Phillips, Red-tail’s Communications & Outreach Manager. “Native plants, bird feeders, and brush piles are all features of a healthy habitat.”
Once an outdoor space meets the criteria for a healthy habitat, the owner can apply for it to be reviewed and certified by a committee of plant and wildlife specialists. The Growing Home™ Committee includes a nursery manager, botanist, wildlife biologist, invasive plant removal specialist, Master Gardener, and environmental science educators.
Red-tail has published a Growing Home™ Certification Guide that details each criterion, why it is important, and ideas on how to fulfill it. The guide also includes a suggested practicing list and links to helpful resources. It can be found and downloaded on Red-tail’s website.
People or organizations whose outdoor space is certified receive a certificate and have the option to purchase a “Certified Habitat” yard sign. This fall, Red-tail is offering an exclusive event for the Growing Home™ community with continuing education and Q&A with experts.
“The beautiful certificate yard sign are great ways to show recognition for the work someone goes through to attract and support wildlife. But the real reward is knowing that your effort is the difference between survival and stress for our local and migrating wildlife. If everyone were to transform just part of their yard into a pocket nature preserve, our community would create a patchwork quilt of re-wildling in response to increasing habitat loss,” said Phillips.
The program started in 2021 and has certified more than 80 habitats across Delaware, Hamilton, Henry, Jay, Madison, Marion, Randolph, and Wayne counties. Organizations with Certified Habitats include natural areas managed by Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, Muncie Sanitary District, and Ball State University. Red-tail Land Conservancy hopes to surpass 100 Certified Habitats by the end of 2023.
“With the tremendous success of the program since its inception, we know our east central Indiana community will want to be part of the movement to grow places wildlife can call home,” said Phillips.
The Growing Home™ guide, certification details, submission process, and application can be found by visiting www.ForTheLand.org/GrowingHome. Red-tail welcomes questions about how to apply by emailing info@fortheland.org.
Kelley V. Phillips is the communications and outreach manager of the Red-tail Land Conservancy in Muncie, Ind.
This article originally appeared on Muncie Star Press: Applications for backyard habitat certification due July 31
The course is an online, standardized, competency-based training program, designed to provide aspiring or established guides the knowledge and skills they need to thrive in the industry, regardless of their area of outdoor expertise. If you are considering becoming or growing as a rock climbing, rafting, hunting, wildlife viewing, fishing, cycling, hiking, snowmobiling, ATVing, horseback riding, skiing, paddle sports (or any other form of outdoor guide) this training is specifically designed for you!
The course contains videos from industry experts, readings, discussions, knowledge checks, and short assignments. It is self-paced and flexible and should take approximately 32 hours to complete. Outdoor guide employers can use this course to supplement or enhance any internal training program already offered. Competency areas include 1) becoming a more effective outdoor educator, 2) improving naturalist skills, and 3) developing professional skills.
The Leadership Initiative (LI) is a certificate program designed to develop students’ leadership and professional skills, serve as a foundation for involvement in campus life, and promote retention, academic success, and graduation.
The foundation of the LI is based on the Social Change Model of Leadership Development, which encompasses three sets of values individuals build upon to become social change agents — individual values, group values, and societal/community values.
To join the program, just simply start with the Green Certificate and follow with each found on the right. To have your event featured within the LI or all other questions, please email leadership.initiative@csus.edu
- To develop leadership skills
- Build transferable professional skills
- Create and be a part of social change
- Get involved with and informed about campus activities and resources
- Network with fellow students, Sac State staff/faculty, and more
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Social Change Model of Leadership Development?
- It’s a model of leadership that was created especially with college students in mind to develop leadership skills and confidence to lead in a more socially responsible way and to learn while in college how to productively create social change over the course of one lifetime (HERI, 1996).
- “Uniquely concerned with leadership that started with personal commitment was transformed through collaboratively sharing the work of leadership with others, and was ultimately intended to serve others and society at large” (Komives, 2017, p, 5)
- The Social Change Model of Leadership Development is Based on the following premises:
- Leadership is socially responsible; it affects change on behalf of others.
- Leadership is collaborative
- Leadership is a process, not a position
- Leadership is inclusive and accessible to all people
- Leadership is values-based
- Community involvement and service is a powerful vehicle for leadership.
- The Social Change Model contains values known as the Seven Cs for Change, which are then grouped into three dimensions:
- Individual values, which we cover in the Green Certificate
- Group values, which we cover in the Gold Certificate
- Society/Community, which we cover in the Hive Pride Certificate
How do I participate?
- To participate in the Leadership Initiative Certificate Program, start by attending Green Workshop 1. It’s the first session and will provide you with the base to continue the remaining workshops and requirements.
How do you manage your progress toward the certificates?
- Everything is managed in Hornet Hub, where you’ll be able to
- See your progress toward the certificate requirements
- Complete the necessary pre-assessment and workshop reflections
- Access options for upcoming LI Workshops, Areas of Growth Opportunities
More assistance in checking on the progress toward complete
An additional resource in the Certificate Guide for reach leave will provide you with a checklist to track your progress offline, but remember that all items will need to be completed in Hornet Hub to receive credit. This is only a reference for you to use for planning.
a. Follow basic best practices for universal accessibility (e.g. automatic closed captioning enabled, option to participate via microphone or text chat, anonymous submission of comments or questions for virtual events; accessible venue, description of accessibility fatures, clear signage, event greeters for in-person events)
b. Enable accessibility accommodations for those who request it (e.g. note-takers, advance copies of audiovisual materials, captioning services, sign language interpretation services, personal attendant)
c. Ensure web pages, documents, presentation materials, and promotional material follow accessibility guidelines
d. Make your event financially accessible by offering it for free or enabling reduced pricing
e. Hold your event at an accessible time for your audience
f. Encourage your facilitator, moderator, or event host to use accessible and anti-oppressive facilitation styles
g. If offering an all-day or multi-day event, include adequate breaks and wellness activities in your program
h. After your event is over, make event materials accessible
i. Collect feedback after the event and record lessons learned
