Ranjana Gujrati
I am Dr. Ranjana Gujrati, a management educator with over ten years of experience in the academic field. Throughout my teaching and research journey, I have consistently integrated free and open-source software into my work, which has strengthened my belief in open knowledge as a catalyst for inclusive growth and social good. My participation in DebConf 2022 in Kosovo was a turning point-it offered me the opportunity to engage deeply with the global open-source community, exchange ideas, and volunteer my time to support the event. It inspired me to contribute more actively to the movement.
In 2025, I also volunteered at the Science Day event hosted by the Giant Metrewave Radio Telescope (Tata Institute of Fundamental Research - Pune), where I interacted with school and college students, researchers, and IT professionals, encouraging the use of open-source tools in learning, research, and innovation. As an educator, I am committed to spreading awareness and fostering curiosity among young minds about open-source ecosystems. I see DebConf 2025 as a valuable platform to further this mission, connect with like-minded individuals, and grow as both a learner and contributor in the open-source world.
Accepted Talks:
Empowering Education with Debian: Fostering Open-Source Learning in Academia
This talk explores the transformative role of Debian in the education sector, focusing on how its free, stable, and community-driven ecosystem empowers schools, colleges, and research institutions. Drawing from real-world experiences of using Debian in academic settings- from classrooms to research labs-I will showcase how Debian promotes digital literacy, supports low-cost computing, and encourages students and educators to engage with open-source principles.
The session will highlight successful use cases, such as integrating Debian into computer labs, using it for teaching programming and system administration, and running workshops that demystify open-source software for non-technical users. to promote digital freedom, cost-effective computing, and hands-on learning.
The talk will also address common challenges in adoption, such as lack of technical expertise or institutional resistance, and provide strategies to overcome them. By the end of the session, the audience will be equipped with actionable ideas to advocate for and implement Debian in their educational environments.
This talk is aimed at educators, open-source enthusiasts, policymakers, and Debian contributors who are interested in the intersection of free software and education. It aims to inspire educators, contributors, and policy influencers to consider Debian as a sustainable, ethical, and effective solution for education systems worldwide.