Philippines’ University of Southern Mindanao Goes FOSS
The University of Southern Mindanao in the Philippines has chosen to adopt a completely open source platform, according to the International Open Source Network:
“In an official letter from Dr. Virgilio G. Oliva, University of Southern Mindanao (USM) president, to the International Open Source Network (IOSN) ASEAN+3, it was formally announced that USM-Kabacan will spearhead the migration of its computer systems from proprietary to free/open source software (F/OSS) at the first quarter of 2008 through its Information and Communications Technology Center (USM-ICTC) as part of its continuing F/OSS advocacy in line with the IOSN ASEAN+3 agenda.”
The migration will be supported with significant communication to the university’s users, so they’ll know what they are getting into (and why it benefits them all in the longterm).
“Foremost in its ICT roll-out planning for 2008, USM-Kabacan will conduct series of lectures, seminars, workshops and trainings for its personnel in anticipation of workflow changes and to ensure smooth transition to a forthcoming predominantly F/OSS-driven workplace.”