Zayed University organizes first open source lab forum

The forum was supported by Technology Partners Novell, AMD, Sun Microsystems, and IBM and Strategic Partners, The rSmart Group and the ICDL GCC Foundation. It was attended by representatives of the Partner organizations who also addressed the forum, and experts and educators from the information technology field.

The Forum's theme of "Open Source Adoption and Future in the Education Market Place" provided a focal point for the sessions and ensuing discussion about Open Source adoption and developments in the educational field. The Forum also addressed general issues related to the adoption of Open Source including barriers to adoption and economic and operational factors related to cost, flexibility and interoperability.

Dr. Sulaiman Al Jassim, Vice President of Zayed University said: "The forum is part of the university's activities in strengthening the importance of the Emirates Open Source Lab which has been recently been established. The previously signed agreements between the university and the Technology Partners aim to provide technological services for public and private sectors inside and outside the UAE; enhance the performance of employees, develop the skills of the higher institution students and respond to the demands of public and private sectors. His Excellency Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan strongly believes that the university should expand its role in cooperating with the different sectors of the society".

In his opening address, "Open Source And Its Role in a New IT Ecosystem", Dr. Abdullah Abonamah, Director of Zayed University's Institute for Technological Innovation (ITI), outlined the key concepts involved in Open Source development and adoption and the role of Open Source technologies in shaping the new IT ecosystem. Dr Abonamah also provided an overview of the services and goals of the EOSL Project.

"The Emirates Open Source Lab aims to provide a forum for undertaking research that will help disseminate benefits of Open Source Technologies to the region, to implement innovative technological projects, and to train young professionals to learn and develop new IT skills which will support the economic and human development of the region", he said. Dr Abonamah also outlined the role of the Institute for Technological Innovation (ITI) who initiated the Project.

In his presentation, "Open Source Adoption and Future in the Education Marketplace" guest speaker, Mr. John Robinson, Chairman and Founder of the r-Smart Group outlined trends in the adoption of Open Source in the educational community. Supported in his presentation by Mr. Mike Zackrison, Vice President and Head of Marketing from r-Smart, he also outlined exciting possibilities for future developments and Open Source application in the educational marketplace.

Managing Director from Technology Partner, Novell, Gerard McDonnell, addressed the issues to consider in making the decision to adopting Open Source and outlined some of the key barriers to the adoption of Open Source in the community.

In his presentation he highlighted the Zayed University initiative in establishing the Open Source Lab with Novell and enhancing the latest technologies in the region as well as encouraging academic institutions to the important role of knowledge in exploiting IT.

IBM Technology Partner, Hamed Khafagy, Executive IT Architect Regional Manager, described the Open Source Ecosystem and IBM's contribution in this field. In his address, Jamie Bliss, Software Practice Manager from Technology Partner, Sun Microsystems, explained the role of open source projects in reducing cost and increasing flexibility and interoperability.

The Forum concluded with a light lunch which provided the opportunity for lively discussion about the information imparted and issues aired at the Forum.