Markus Scherer from the LUCET won the “Advocate of the Year” at SUSE’s conference for his effective use of their tech in education. His win highlights LUCET’s role in Luxembourg’s educational testing and the University of Luxembourg’s leadership in applying open-source solutions.
Every year, the renowned IT company SUSE hosts its global conference, bringing together customers and partners from around the world. Participants delve into the latest open-source advancements, knowledge, and best practices. This year, SUSE recognized outstanding customers who have harnessed the power of their solutions to redefine industries, achieve business results, and impact society. Among the winners was Markus Scherer, an Infrastructure and Architecture Engineer at the Luxembourg Center of Educational Testing (LUCET), who received the “Advocate of the Year” award.
Advocating for SUSE solutions
Markus Scherer’s expertise lies in managing the IT infrastructure for all LUCET servers. His work involves leveraging SUSE solutions to ensure efficient and reliable services. Despite competing against businesses from larger and international companies, he was thrilled to learn that he had reached the final selection. “I never thought we would actually win,” he admits.
Leveraging IT for research excellence
Markus’s award not only shines a spotlight on LUCET’s IT-related achievements but also validates the team’s approach to running their infrastructure and software. “This recognition not only makes me proud but also offers visibility to our research unit,” says Markus.
LUCET’s vital role for education in Luxembourg
Since 2010, the LUCET has been responsible for testing 12,000 students annually using standardized procedures. The Épreuves Standardisées (ÉpStan) program, part of Luxembourg’s school monitoring system, aims to facilitate evidence-based decision-making in national education. Winning the SUSE award provided the team with an opportunity to share insights with other participants. Beyond discussing infrastructure, he highlighted the internally developed software solution, OASYS, and the entire testing process in place. Interestingly, the University of Luxembourg is not alone in its collaboration with SUSE. Many German universities, including KU Leuven, also rely on SUSE solutions. By receiving this award, the University of Luxembourg is acknowledged as a pioneer, setting a benchmark in excellence for other institutions.