IBM, C-DAC and IIT-B join hands for OSSRC

NEW DELHI: In a move to create an ecosystem to further open source software (OSS) development, nationwide, Center for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), IIT Bombay and IBM India, have signed a co-operation agreement to institute an open source software resource center (OSSRC).

With an investment of over Rs 5 crore, over the next three years, the OSSRC initiative will mark the beginning of series of initiatives to develop OSS activities in India.

According to the co-operation agreement, IBM will provide the hardware and software resources, management support and the overall support as well as participation in the implementation of OSSRC. C-DAC will focus on setting up the necessary laboratory and development of skill sets, which includes physical infrastructure, Indian language technologies, and frameworks for OSS development; while IIT Bombay will direct the efforts, in channeling the education sector including teacher training and content development on Open Source platforms.

An advisory board consisting of representatives from DIT, IBM, C-DAC and IIT, as well as a few eminent academic and industry representatives will be constituted to review the project activities and progress. Once the present framework with C-DAC and IIT Bombay gets established, other academic and research institutes in the country will partake in this endeavor.

Speaking at the occasion, Government of India Ministry of Communications and IT Department of IT Secretary KK Jaswal said, 'Open source software has altered the computing landscape. Now that it is blossoming in India as it is around the world, the nation needs to develop significant OSS capabilities and institute the resources that support and enhance its growth. This center will help in expanding the open source segment of Indian software industry and create a skill set which will allow the youth and the nation in achieving successful and sustainable economic growth."