GSoC 2015 Meetup @ Mbarara University

The Google Summer of Code is an opportunity for technical students to learn the best practices of software development by engaging in open source software development.
On the 26th of February 2015 from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm, we had a meet up at Mbarara University of Science and Technology to raise awareness about the program and encourage students to participate.
A total of about 72 students attended the event.

Students listening attentively during the event

Three students who're part of the Google Student Ambassador team facilitated. Phyllis Ntananga talked about the program, its' benefits and the experience to be gained.
Patricia Katusiime encouraged the students to join the GSoKites Virtual Classroom (GVC) in order to be effectively prepared to apply for the competition once application opens on March 16 2015.
Kagimu Brian talked about Git, a distributed version control system as well as GitHub, a site for code collaboration.

Phillys explains the GSoC program

Students got excited and it ended in challenging the dance-shy GSA to pull off a few strokes.
This year, our students are more likely to be successful in the program than before.

We are grateful to the University administration for provision of the facilities, the student community for their participation in the events as well as Google for enabling the Google Student Ambassador Team to Do Cool Things That Matter.

Selfie of the event

Students interacting during the event

For a link to more photos; click Google Summer of Code 2015 Awareness

 +Chimdindu Aneke +Jeminatu Alabi-Isama 

+Karani bob kennedys +agnes katusiime +Ntananga Phyllis +Patricia katusiime +Brian Kagimu 

Why the fuss about Open Source software?

According to the Open Source Initiative, Open source software is software that can be freely used, changed, and shared (in modified or unmodified form) by anyone. Open source software is made by many people, and distributed under licenses that comply with the Open Source Definition.

So why should you care? Have you ever realised how much you would have to spend if you were to buy all the software that you use daily. For instance the browser or the editor or the player. It just wouldn't make sense. Right?

Have you realised people put up their best show on the big day when all eyes are watching. When they're alone, that's when their true character is revealed. The same goes for software, let it out (make the source code making it up) available so we can know if it's what it claims it is.

Let millions of developers around the world take a look at the code and improve it. Don't leave in the hands of a few. Take a look at it and change it for the better.



We all love using the Internet....right? Imagine the technology behind it was proprietary software or closed source. I am talking about the Linux operating system or the Apache Web Server. The world would definitely not be this cool.

Let us allow our students all over the world become better by embracing open source software. It enables them to see how it is all built and learn a thing or two. This is what am talking about. Open source software.

If you are a student, wherever you are and are interested in coding, This is your chance, participate in the Google Summer of Code 2015. If you're in Sub-Saharan Africa ie Mbarara University of Science and Technology, join the GSoKites Virtual Classroom (GVC) on Google+ to know more.

Don't forget to do cool things that matter