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The University of Southern Mindanao (USM) through the College of Engineering and Information Technology (CEIT) launched the Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) 2025 Bazaar: “Open World – The Free Software Adventure” on April 25, 2025, at the ICT Building, USM, Kabacan, Cotabato.
FOSS is both free and open source. In most cases, FOSS requires no licensing fees, encourages collaboration and transparency, and the source codes are openly available.
The event, spearheaded by Professor Alvin Mibalo of CEIT, invited students from all year level and programs to explore themed booths showcasing various FOSS applications—ranging from cybersecurity and Linux to creative media and artificial intelligence. It aimed to raise awareness and importance of FOSS.
Utilizing the parking area, the live demonstrations, interactive setups, and one-on-one student engagement of the CodeCrafters, MinTux Station, Cybershield, and the Code-Free AI FOSS Lab provided a rich experience to the Bachelor of Science in Computer Science (BSCS) students.
During the activity, students were given Fantasy-Themed Explorer Cards that encouraged them to complete a challenge by visiting every booth and collecting stickers. In addition, CodeCracker Hackathon and GameZone Tournament took place in the afternoon. Participants solved coding problems and compete in open-source games, with prizes awarded to top performers.
Notably, based on post-event feedback from 278 student respondents, the FOSS Bazaar earned an overall average satisfaction rating of 4.72 out of 5. The students expressed that the event was engaging and educational. Lastly, comments reflected that the activity had effectively introduced them to the purpose and power of open-source tools.
Text and Photos: Yzzah Madelle G. Rapiz, BSCS Contributor
