The History of FOSS at SJCET

1. Swathanthra Group | 2010

The Swathanthra Group was inaugurated on 9th September, 2010, by the Richard M. Stallman, the father of the Free Software Movement. His visit to SJCET, marked a significant milestone in promoting Free Software ideals among students and the public.

Richard Stallman delivered an inspiring talk on “Free Software and Your Freedom”, shedding light on the threats posed by proprietary software and advocating for the freedom to control one's own computing activities.

Objectives of Swathanthra:

• Advocate and promote the use of Free Software.
• Organize seminars, workshops, and campaigns to raise awareness.
• Provide a platform for developing and sharing Free Software resources.

This event laid the foundation for fostering a culture of freedom and collaboration at SJCET.

• Technopark Today

2. ICFOSS Cell | 2018

The ICFOSS Cell at SJCET was established in 2018 as part of the International Centre for Free and Open Source Software (ICFOSS) initiative. This cell provided students with a platform to:

• Engage with Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) communities.
• Participate in global FOSS projects.
• Develop skills through workshops and hands-on activities.

The establishment of the ICFOSS Cell strengthened the open-source movement within the college, fostering more collaboration and innovation.

3. Mozilla Campus Club, SJCET | 2013

The Mozilla Campus Club at SJCET was founded in 2013, bringing together students passionate about open web technologies. The club has organized several impactful events.

Notable Activities:

1. Hacktoberfest 2020

   • Date: October 10th-11th, 2020
   • Topics: Importance of Open Source, Git and GitHub Basics, GitHub Student Pack, Hacktoberfest.
   • Format: Webinar hosted by Mozilla SJCET volunteers.

2. Hacktoberfest 2019

   • Date: October 10th, 2019
   • Topics: Version control systems, GitHub Basics, GitHub Student Pack, Hacktoberfest.

3. SUMO Sprint 2019

   • Date: April 1st, 2019
   • Description: Mozilla Firefox 66 SUMO Sprint, a global gathering to support Mozilla's software and products.

• Mozilla SJCET - Nexus Site
• Mozilla Wiki

4. The Nexus and The Nexus Project

The Formation of The Nexus | 2018

The Nexus was founded on 12th September, 2018, by a group of free thinkers at SJCET to support and organize activities related to Free/Libre and Open-Source Software and Hardware. Its mission included:

• Advocating for freedoms of speech, press, and association on the internet.
• Supporting the rights to use, study, modify, and redistribute both software and hardware designs.
• Promoting unimpeded software and hardware engineering.

The Nexus Project | 2018

The Nexus Project, established by Abraham Raji on 11th November, 2018, was dedicated to software and hardware freedom. It provided a platform for students to engage in FOSS-related initiatives and collaborate on innovative projects.

Restructuring and Evolution

In 2022, under the leadership of Rajat Mathew, The Nexus was restructured as the FOSS Club of SJCET, uniting three generations of open-source initiatives:

1. Swathanthra Group (2010)
2. ICFOSS Cell (2018)
3. Mozilla Campus Club (2013)

This restructuring established a unified community, now known as The Nexus Project .

Collaboration with FOSSUnited | 2024

The community flourished over the years thanks to the efforts of dedicated students and faculty. Its integration with FOSSUnited in 2024 marks the start of an exciting new chapter, amplifying its reach and impact in the global open-source community. This partnership offers crucial support and funding, enabling us to host meaningful FOSS events and advance our mission of promoting software and hardware freedom while fostering innovation and collaboration.

FOSSDay | 2024

FOSSDay was a vibrant celebration of open-source culture, bringing together students, educators, and tech enthusiasts to learn, collaborate, and carry forward a legacy of openness and innovation. The event featured inspiring speeches and engaging workshops led by prominent contributors and developers in the FOSS community. With overwhelmingly positive feedback and active participation, it laid a solid foundation for future FOSS initiatives at SJCET.