BoF: Learnings from Tech+Policy Scholarship

It's been almost 3 years that FOSS United has been running the Technology+Policy scholarship. This gives selected scholars 80% of the course fee to do the 4 month duration Technology and Policy specialization of GCPP (Graduate Certification in Public Policy) offered by The Takshashila Institution. More than 40 scholars have been selected under this.

While FOSS United famously doesn't expect anything back, it would be good to understand what the outcomes of this have been, seen from the perspective of the various participants.

This is structured as a Birds of a Feather session to allow for a free form exchange of views. GCPP scholars can share their public policy journey, their learning, anecdotes, and any thoughts about the future. GCPP faculty may also share their views on the impact of the scholarship.

This BOF session is likely to be useful for curious onlookers as well as people seriously considering doing this course at some point in time.

Suggested duration of the BOF: recommended at-least 45 minutes.

Note: Scanning through the list of scholars, I can see that more than ten of the past GCPP scholars will be attending IndiaFOSS 2025. For better awareness and participation, we could pull out the list of all scholars and let them know this is happening.

• Understand the outcomes of the Tech+Policy Scholarship over the past 3 years, as experienced by the participants

• (For folks who are thinking of doing the course at some point) get an idea of what this is all about, and understand how others found it useful.