Kathmandu University Open Source Community an autonomous wing of Kathmandu University Computer Club (KUCC), Department of Computer Science and Engineering, Kathmandu University(KU) celebrated Software Freedom Day (SFD) at Kathmandu University. The celebration of SFD eve was also held in Kathmandu University, on 15th September 2017.
This Software Freedom Day is essential to the Volunteers of KUOSC and also to University too because it is first ever SOFTWARE FREEDOM DAY organized here at KU. On top of that Chief Guest Mr. Rob Savoye, a self-employed consultant & contractor with massive experience in designing, programming from Colorado U.S.A added charm to the event.
Rob develops and manages engineering projects, especially GNU/Linux projects, embedded systems, and every imaginable Open Source Software. Rob talked about his massive contribution in open source. It was an honor to have such a legend of Open Source Movement, who carries a long history way back to the foundation of open source society. He has been contributing to the organization for more than 40 years. The whole event was hosted by Master of Ceremony Ms. Rajshree Rai, Vice President, Kathmandu University Computer Club(2017-18) Program began with talk program on FOSS MOVEMENT in NEPAL by Sanjog Sigdel.
He highlighted current activities of Open Source Projects and open communities existing in Nepal. Mr. Sigdel, an Open Source Activist from Kavre, did the Initiation of FOSS COMMUNITY KAVRE. Free and Open Source Software Community Kavre is one out of thousands Open Source Community which works on sharing Open Source Philosophy. We are a group of Open Source Enthusiast from Kavre who want to spread Open Knowledge to the Community. You can find more about FOSS KAVRE here.
Mr. Sushil Shrestha, Assistant Professor, working on Massive Online Open Course (MOOC) and Digital Research Lab of Kathmandu University talked about the importance and the success story of MOOC. Mr. Manoj Shakya, Assistant Professor of Kathmandu University, honored Rob representing Kathmandu University and KUOSC. Continued with the appreciation to the distinguished guest Mr. Shakya shared his experience on Open Source Software and highlighted the importance of Open Data.
Nikesh Balami, Open Source Activist from Open Knowledge Nepal, shared his words and experience in open knowledge and open data. Moreover, he expressed the present scenario of open data in Nepal, projects that Open Knowledge Nepal has been doing to improve the status of Open Data in Nepal. He also presented Open Data handbook localized in Nepali Version to the audience. The program continued further with Wikipedia Editathon where volunteers and participants edited/created Nepali Articles in Wikipedia dashboard. Mr. Saroj Dhakal from Wikipedia Nepal shared his words about meditation and Wikipedia.
Sajou Sigdel conducted a workshop on Creating Static Github Pages and Basics Git functionalities. Similarly, Shubham Josh, Coordinator of Kathmandu University Open Source Community talked about open source and FOSS Nepal. Pratit Raj Giri conducted a workshop on Open Street Mapping. He highlighted the importance and advantages of Open Data Mapping with Open Street Mapping. Different open source related stickers were distributed and the environment there was OPEN.
The program had total participants of 45 individuals. Participants included students, teachers, Open Source Practitioners, Software Engineers, Network Security Enthusiasts. The program included other interactive activities like Porter Presentation, Survey, and Questionnaires, Photo Sessions. Volunteers were excited to have successfully organized SOFTWARE FREEDOM DAY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN NEPAL. And are more dedicated/excited to conduct the same event next year with many exciting speakers and workshops.
Author: Sudeep Timalsina
