Works for me on Ubuntu 8.10 and openSuse 11. Looks like, versions mentioned in release are the minimum versions supported.

Contrary to your belief, a Masters in Engineering in India, from India, even from IIT is considered a disqualification instead of qualification. Generally (not always) those who couldn't find job after Bachelors or didn't complete bachelors from say top 20 institutes go for a Masters.
In the Internet age once you've been initiated through a bachelors degree, you can easily learn advance topics on job as and when required.