California State University, Chico, Center for Regional and Continuing Education, the Globalization and Localization Association (GALA), and the Localization Institute announce early enrollment for the 2008 Localization Certification Program and Localization Project Management Certification.

The Localization Certification Program will be offered on the campus of EUROMED Marseille Ecole de Management, Marseille, France, March 31-April 2, and on the campus of Saint Louis University, at the Boeing Institute of International Business, St. Louis, USA, June 16-18.

The Localization Project Management Certification will be presented April 3-4 at EUROMED Marseille Ecole de Management and June 19-20 at Saint Louis University.

Now in its third year, the Localization Certification Program was developed by industry experts, representing the leading professional associations, publishers, and academic institutions in the field, in response to the growing demand for localization professionals. More than 150 professionals have now received certification through the program.
"The localization industry continues to mature, as more and more businesses and organizations are learning the positive value of 'localizing' their products and services with properly translated messages and culturally sensitive Web sites. The industry has now topped more than $8.8 billion in translation and localization services, and our current research demonstrates that there is more room for growth and improvement in this emerging market," commented Nitish Singh, professor of International Business, Saint Louis University John Cook School of Business.

The Localization Certification Program and the Localization Project Management Certification consist of a mix of online coursework leading to an onsite workshop with practitioner-led lectures and lab sessions culminating with a certification exam.

This year the Localization Project Management Certification will be offered in Europe for the first time.

"Our presenters represent some of the major leaders in localization. Last year we hosted experts from Lionbridge, Oracle, SDL Trados, Idiom Technologies, Microsoft, Cisco, and HP, just to name a few. We will also highlight leading businesses who emulate best-practices and working professionals who serve the industry with advanced applications and approaches to localization," added Boris Bartikowski, Associate Professor of Marketing, EUROMED Marseille Ecole de Management.

Individuals who successfully complete the Localization Certification Program will be eligible for 20 American Translators Association (ATA) continuing education credits.

Translators, product marketing managers, Web project managers, business development executives, Web developers and designers, Web application developers, global entrepreneurs, localization professionals, international trade representatives, educators and students in the field are encouraged to take advantage of these certification programs.

For more information on the Localization Certification Program and the Localization Project Management Certification please visit http://rce.csuchico.edu/localize or call the California State University, Chico Continuing Education office at +530-898-6105.

About GALA:
GALA is an international non-profit association that promotes translation services, language technology and language management solutions. The member companies worldwide include translation companies, localization service providers, globalization consultants, internationalization specialists and technology developers. GALA companies share a commitment to quality, service, and innovation in helping clients reach global markets. For more information about GALA visit www.gala-global.org

About The Localization Institute:
The Localization Institute offers quality training for software localization and internationalization. Founded in the fall of 1996, the Institute offers public events and private consulting engagements that help companies reduce the cost and time required to deliver localized products and services. Localization Institute facilitators have years of direct personal involvement in the specializations they represent, have a passion for sharing their expertise, and are skilled at doing so.

About CSU, Chico RCE:
Founded in 1887, California State University, Chico is one of the oldest institutions of higher education in California. Ranked as one of the top public universities in the west, CSU, Chico has built a tradition of excellence in teaching, scholarship, research, and service. To extend the mission of the university, CSU, Chico Continuing Education delivers educational programming and services to more than 10,000 students and professionals annually.