We are honored to host Sai Rahul Poruri, CEO of FOSS United, for an exclusive conversation on the transformative role of Free and Open Source Software in education. This is a rare opportunity to learn directly from one of India's leading voices in open-source innovation and policy.
Sai Rahul Poruri brings a unique blend of technical depth, policy insight, and community leadership to the open-source movement in India.
As CEO of FOSS United, Rahul leads one of India's most influential foundations dedicated to promoting and nurturing the Free and Open Source Software ecosystem nationwide. Under his leadership, FOSS United provides grassroots support to FOSS projects and events, fosters industry partnerships, and works to make technology more accessible, open, and inclusive for all.
Previously, Rahul spent eight years as a Scientific Software Developer at Enthought, where foundational projects like NumPy, SciPy, and other Scientific Python libraries were built. He has contributed extensively to the Python FOSS ecosystem, maintains several open-source projects, and has delivered numerous talks and workshops at technical meetups and conferences across India and internationally.
Rahul holds a dual degree (B.S. and M.S.) in Physics from IIT Madras and a Graduate Certificate in Public Policy (Technology & Policy) from the Takshashila Institution, where he was sponsored by FOSS United as a Tech+Policy Scholar. He also serves as Head of Software at SoftCircuits Labs and as an Advisor to the Saryan Vigyan Foundation.
His work bridges software development, open-source advocacy, and technology policy, making him one of the most insightful voices on the incentives, challenges, and opportunities shaping FOSS adoption in India today.
In this insightful session, Rahul will explore how Free and Open Source Software is reshaping education—from classrooms to research labs, from K-12 to universities, and from individual learners to institutions at scale.
Topics will include:
The current state of FOSS adoption in Indian education and the opportunities ahead.
How students, educators, and institutions can leverage FOSS for teaching, learning, research, and collaboration.
Real-world examples of FOSS tools transforming STEM education and digital literacy.
The policy landscape: how governments, institutions, and communities can support open-source adoption in education.
Pathways for students to contribute to FOSS projects, build portfolios, and engage with the broader open-source community.
Following the talk, there will be an interactive Q&A session where you can engage directly with Rahul. This is your chance to ask questions, seek advice, and explore how open-source can shape your academic and professional journey.
Rahul's approachable style and wealth of experience make this a unique opportunity to learn from a leader who has worked across industry, academia, and civil society.
Students across disciplines: STEM, humanities, design, policy - who want to understand how FOSS fits into their education and career.
Educators and faculty interested in integrating open-source tools and principles into teaching and research.
Anyone curious about the FOSS ecosystem, community engagement, and the future of open technology in India.
A deeper understanding of how FOSS is transforming education and why it matters for your future.
Practical insights into FOSS projects, communities, and contribution pathways.
Inspiration from a leader who has shaped the open-source movement in India.
Direct access to Rahul's expertise during the Q&A - ask about careers, policy, community building, or anything FOSS-related.
Free FOSS United stickers for all attendees! 🎉
Mark your calendars, bring your questions, and join us for an afternoon of learning, conversation, and community. We look forward to seeing you there!
