GUEST LECTURE ON: Introduction to Open Source and GSoC

Date and Time of Event: 10.10.2024 3-4pm

Name of Speaker: Mr. Atharva Arya, Electronics and Communications, 2023 Graduate, RCOEM, Software engineer at Deep Thought Initiative (DTI)/ Open Source Developer and Google Summer of Code Org Admin in TARDIS RT

Name of Faculty In-Charge:  Dr. P. R. Pardhi

Introduction to the Speaker:

Atharva Arya, Electronics and Communications, 2023 Graduate, RCOEM

Profession- Software engineer at Deep Thought Initiative (DTI)/ Open Source Developer and Google Summer of Code Org Admin in TARDIS RT for the last two consecutive years. His role includes software development for DTI, and recently made a web app that runs an ML model for STScI researchers and displays outputs to the browser. He is also responsible for all things DevOps in TARDIS RT Collaboration, where he help with GSoC as an Org Admin/mentor. He was also a participant in the same organisation in 2021 and 2022.

Guest Lecture by Atharva Arya: Introduction to Open Source and GSoC

The CSE department of Rabindra Bharati University recently organized a guest lecture on Google Summer of Code (GSoC), delivered by Atharva Arya, an alumnus of RCOEM’s Electronics and Communications department (2023 graduate). Currently a software engineer at Deep Thought Initiative (DTI), Atharva is an open-source developer and has served as a Google Summer of Code (GSoC) organization admin at TARDIS RT for the last two years. His contributions span across software development, including a web application for STScI researchers, and DevOps responsibilities for TARDIS RT. The session provided a comprehensive introduction to Open Source and GSoC, catering particularly to students aiming to explore open-source contributions. Atharva started by explaining what open source means and the key objectives of GSoC, encouraging students to understand the collaborative spirit behind open-source development. He detailed the GSoC timeline, outlining each stage from selecting an organization to submitting a final project. Special emphasis was placed on choosing the right organization, advising students to consider factors such as the organization’s goals, technologies used, and the level of mentorship provided. He drew from his personal experiences with TARDIS RT, sharing how he participated in GSoC in 2021 and 2022, and how he transitioned to an Org Admin and mentor role. One of the key highlights was Atharva’s advice on how to approach mentors and build a strong rapport. He stressed the importance of clear communication and understanding the mentors’ expectations before seeking guidance. Proposal writing was another critical aspect discussed during the session. Atharva shared his own successful proposal to illustrate how to structure and present ideas effectively. He encouraged students to write clear, goal-oriented proposals that demonstrate both technical skills and a passion for the project.

The lecture concluded with an interactive Q&A session, where the audience posed questions about the skills required for GSoC, the importance of prior open-source contributions, and the best strategies for gaining visibility in the open-source community. Atharva patiently addressed each query, providing insights from his own journey. Overall, the session was highly informative and offered valuable guidance for students aspiring to participate in GSoC and contribute to open-source projects.