Harvard, MIT and Linux Foundation Offer Free Linux Courses

We are thrilled to announce an extraordinary opportunity currently being served up by the globally-renowned Linux Foundation. In partnership with Harvard and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the foundation has launched a comprehensive, no-charge Linux development course, available through the distinguished edX learning platform. This esteemed platform is the fruit of a successful collaboration between academic titans, consistently evolving its course content to push the boundaries of traditional academia.

Standing out in a wide array of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC) provided by the edX platform is an engaging and valuable course, ‘Introduction to Linux.’ Specifically crafted for beginners who are yet to explore the realms of the Linux operating system, the course is scheduled to open its enrolment doors in the upcoming summer season. Precise dates to kick off this voyage of discovery are to be announced shortly.

Profoundly unique, the course comes with universal accessibility, offering Linux knowledge for free right at your fingertips! This pioneering approach merely requires a robust internet connection, marking a significant departure from the Linux Foundation’s past practices, which entailed a hefty $2500 fee for comparable online courses or affiliated programs.

Historically, the vast majority of the courses on edX were furnished by the 32 member institutions tied to the Linux Foundation. These include illustrious organizations like UC Berkeley, Dartmouth College, and McGill University. This widened alliance now incorporates non-academic entities including the International Monetary Fund, The Smithsonian Institution, the Inter-American Development Bank. In addition, academic newcomers like Colgate University, Hamilton College, and the Open Courseware Consortium have also joined this fruitful venture.

In a recent dialogue with PC World, Jim Zemlin, the director of the Linux Foundation, underscored the significant role the Linux OS has been playing in various operating systems. From stock exchanges and Android smartphones to a multitude of cloud computing services, Linux’s footprint is ubiquitous. “Developing a proficient workforce capable of managing Linux is crucial given its broad use. This course is an indispensable tool in mastering Linux,” he noted.

EdX President, Anant Agarwal, also emphasized the value of gaining familiarity with Linux, stating its proficiency can considerably bolster your employability. A Linux Foundation certification could be a game-changer, catalysing your career trajectory in profound ways.

For more specific details and latest updates about the course, we recommend visiting this link.

This article was updated in 2025 to reflect modern realities.