Skip to content Skip to navigation

Assam colleges opt for Open Source Software, get trained

By CM Paul |
Dignitaries at the first Free / Libre Open Source Software training
Dignitaries at the first Free / Libre Open Source Software training

In an effort in the region to acquire skills in the use of Free / Libre and Open Source Software (FLOSS) Assam state has set the trend by sending representatives from colleges in all 27 districts for a training workshop organized by the first private university in the state.

“After promoting FLOSS right from the start of the university since 2008, today it is a dream come true for us to host faculty from colleges representing all 27 districts of the state,” says Pro Vice-Chancellor of Assam Don Bosco University (ADBU) Fr Joseph Nellanattu, a FLOSS apostle.

“This is the first of its kind program in the state and we can be role model for other states,” said Deputy Director of Higher Education, Government of Assam Mrs. Chinmoyee Talukdar addressing the gathering of some 70 academicians from 53 colleges of Assam.

ADBU Vice-Chancellor Dr Stephen Mavely had words of praise for the Department of Computer Science & Engineering (CSE) and Information Technology, School of Technology, for organizing the one-day Training in FLOSS, 2 December 2015 at its Azara campus. 

Dr Mavely thanked IIT Bombay Spoken Tutorial Team for their active collaboration over the past five years in promoting FLOSS.

Among resource persons are National Coordinator-Training, IIT Bombay Ms. Shyama Iyer, and Executive Officer & Training Coordinator, IIT Bombay Ms. Akanksha Saini.

“This ADBU initiative with CSE&IT department hopes to create greater and promote FLOSS and Spoken Tutorials,” said Workshop Coordinator Assistant Professor Mr Vijay Prasad. 

Sessions include lectures on Spoken Tutorial project, Linus Operating System basics and installation, and hands on session in Libre Office.

At the end of the workshop, besides certificates of participation for all participants, all 27 knowledge centers will receive a book on FLOSS as well as DVDs with Spoken Tutorials.

The Spoken Tutorial Project is about teaching and learning a particular FLOSS like Linux, Scilab, LaTeX, PHP & MySQL, Java, C/C++, Libre Office etc. via an easy video tool - Spoken Tutorials. 

 

Author info

CM Paul's picture

Former HoD, Dept of Mass Communications at Assam Don Bosco University, Guwahati, C.M. Paul was editor of The Herald weekly in Kolkata and director of Don Bosco International News Agency (ANS) based in Rome. He did MA in Journalism & Mass Communication from FORDHAM University, New York.
  • 9396 reads

Add new comment

Other Contents by Author

Educationist’s Autobiography blends faith, leadership, and youth empowerment

Guwahati, Nov. 22, 2025: Don Bosco Institute (DBI), Kharghuli, celebrated its Silver Jubilee with a solemn thanksgiving ceremony and the launch of Building Dreams – Shaping Lives, the autobiography of its educationist founder Fr. V.M. Thomas. Hon’ble Justice Ujjal Bhuyan, Chief Guest at the celebration, released the volume in the presence of Guest of Honour Devajit Saikia, Advocate General of Assam and Secretary of the BCCI. The event drew a distinguished gathering of judges, government officials, clergy, religious, alumni, and friends of Don Bosco. More than a chronicle of achievements laid out in 598 pages, the autobiography is a testimony of grace and a narrative of how one man’s...

Student Wellness Takes Center Stage at North East Educational Leaders’ Conference

With the rising tide of digital immersion and adolescent stress, educational leaders from across the North East gathered on October 30, 2025, at NEDSS, Guwahati, to reimagine student health as a cornerstone of national progress. The North Eastern Educational Leaders’ Conference, themed “Student Health, Nation’s Future: Towards Better Learning and a Healthier Society in the Era of NEP 2020,” brought together some 400 voices from academia, medicine, government, and the Church in a day-long reflection on holistic education. Organised by Education Secretary, Holy Cross Father Dr. Paul Pudussery, the meet was hosted by the Assam Catholic Educational Trust (ACET) in collaboration with CRWI and...

‘eComPhyMathix 2025’ Inspires Young Innovators Across North Bengal

Salesian College Autonomous, Siliguri, hosted its 11th annual inter-school science festival, eComPhyMathix 2025, drawing 447 students from 11 leading schools across North Bengal. The one-day mega event, featuring 13 competitions across five venues, celebrated the scientific curiosity, creativity, and technical brilliance of young minds. The festival opened with an inaugural ceremony led by Rector Fr. Tomy Augustine and Principal Fr. Dr. Babu Joseph. Organized by students of Economics, BCA, Computer Science, Physics, and Mathematics, the event blended technical challenges with creative pursuits, embodying the spirit of interdisciplinary learning. From competitive coding in ‘CodeChef’...

Darjeeling’s First-Ever ‘Doko Trail Run’ Scheduled

Rajahatta, Darjeeling: The quiet hamlet of Rajahatta Khasmahal in the Darjeeling hills is preparing to host its inaugural ‘Doko Trail Run’ on Sunday, November 2, 2025, an event that promises to unite sport, tradition, and regional camaraderie. Organized by the Rajahatta Explore Group, the event draws participants from across India and South Asia, with registrations now open both online and offline. The registration fee is Rs. 1700. Interested runners may register online via the Explore Group’s Facebook page, or offline at Anand Chettri’s shop in 8th Mile Bazaar or through RJ Samir, Program Coordinator at Radio Salesian. At the heart of this initiative is Radio Salesian 90.8 FM,...

Northeast India’s Youth Pasch Concludes with Brahmaputra River Cruise

Seven hundred young participants from across Northeast India concluded their five-day Holy Week retreat with a symbolic Easter morning river pilgrimage on the Brahmaputra river, marking the 18th edition of Youth Pasch. Organized by Don Bosco Institute (DBI) Guwahati, the annual retreat offers young people a space for spiritual renewal, reflection, and fellowship. Youth Pasch immerses participants in the Paschal Mystery—the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus—through engaging liturgies, prayer, dramatic enactments and interactive sessions. This year’s event, held from 16 to 20 April, embraced the Salesian Jubilee Year theme, “Anchored in Hope, Pilgrims with Young People,” under...

Youth Pasch 2025 Overcomes Disruption to Celebrate Holy Thursday in Guwahati

Over 600 young people from across Northeast India gathered at the Don Bosco Institute (DBI) Joypur in Kharguli, Guwahati, for the 18th edition of Youth Pasch, a four-day Easter-themed retreat centered on prayer, reflection, and fellowship. The retreat, which began on April 16, offers a vibrant program designed to deepen participants' understanding of the Paschal Mystery. Activities such as labyrinth prayer gardens, Seder meals, faith-sharing groups, and the Sacrament of Reconciliation create an atmosphere of renewal, trust, and community. A highlight of the retreat was the solemn observance of Holy Thursday, commemorating the Last Supper of Jesus with His disciples. The ceremony was...

Shillong Hosts Faculty Workshop on AI Integration in Higher Education

Shillong, April 16, 2025: Educators from four prominent colleges convened at Union Christian College (UCC) Shillong for a dynamic two-day workshop focused on incorporating artificial intelligence into a participatory teaching and learning framework. The initiative aimed to equip faculty members with essential strategies for navigating the evolving landscape of higher education. The Faculty Development Workshop, titled “AI-native Education - its Participatory Paradigm in Teaching and Learning,” took place at UCC Shillong on April 15th and 16th, 2025. The program commenced with welcoming remarks from UCC Vice Principal Dr. M.C. Daimary, followed by an address from Jesuit Fr. Dr. Xavier...

Darjeeling Tea Planter’s Journey From Makaibari to Rimpocha

 "Chai Time - A Darjeeling Tea Planter's Journey from Makaibari to Rimpocha," the latest book from Bose Creative Publishers, was launched at a special event held at Berlin Coffee House in Siliguri, 13th April 2025. Besides a galaxy of eminent citizens, participants from 9 countries joined the event on-line. Authored by Mr. Swaraj Rajah Banerjee, a fourth-generation tea planter in the Darjeeling hills and former doyenne of the renowned Makaibari Tea Estate, the 583-page book spans 40 captivating chapters. It narrates Mr. Banerjee's transformative journey from managing Makaibari Tea Estate to establishing the artisanal tea brand Rimpocha. The book details how Mr. Banerjee, after...

Itanagar College Hosts National Seminar on Rural Development in Northeast India

Itanagar, 9th February 2025: The Department of Economics at Don Bosco College Itanagar recently organized a two-day national seminar on "Challenges and Opportunities for Socio-Economic Development in Rural Areas of Northeast India." The seminar, held on February 7-8, was supported by ICSSR-NERC and Federal Bank. The seminar aimed to discuss the challenges and opportunities for rural development in Northeast India. It brought together experts, researchers, and policymakers to share their insights and experiences. In his welcome address, Dr. Fr. Jose George, Principal of Don Bosco College, thanked the dignitaries for their presence. He highlighted the importance of the seminar, stating...

Assamese Entrepreneur heads trillion dollar company

In a rare case of rags to riches story, an Assamese entrepreneur today heads a trillion dollar company in the U.S. employing over 4,000 people. The man in the case is Siddhartha Chowdhary, the founder of Credence, a consulting organization based in Washington DC. An alumnus of IIT Kharagpur (1988-92 Batch) he was two terms president of PAN IIT activities for over 5,000 members in the U.S. Siddhartha affectionately called as Sid was introduced as an unmatched achiever from northeast India at a felicitation held at Press Club Dispur in his home city Guwahati, on 22nd December 2023. Introducing him was his former principal at Don Bosco School Guwahati Fr V. M. Thomas who said, “Sid...