The beta version of the SELF Platform has been launched worldwide!

The official launch of the first version of the SELF Platform took on September 5th, 2007, initially from The Netherlands. The Platform has been presented during a conference on Free Software in education and the day consisted of keynote speakers and panel discussions. Simultaneously several satellite events to the launch in The Netherlands happened in Sweden, Bulgaria, Argentina, Mexico, India and Spain with workshops and conferences.

Amsterdam, the Netherlands

In the run to the official launch of the beta version of the SELF Platform speakers such as professor Masayuki Ida (Computer Science Professor at the Aoyama Gakuin University in Japan) and Charles Macmillan (Project Officer of the Information Society Technologies Unit, European Commission), gave their views on the importance of sharing knowledge in Amsterdam. Other speakers included Jan-Willem Broekema (Dutch governmental Free Software awareness programme OSOSS), Andrew Bullen (MediaGuild), Appie Reuver (Advisory Board MediaPlaza), Michiel Leenaars (Director ISOC Netherlands), Cees Segers (Avans Hogeschool), Janine Huizenga (Waag Society), Frederik Questier (Free University Brussels), Karst Koymans (University of Amsterdam), and Hinde ten Berge (SELF).

Finally the SELF Platform was officially presented by its creator, Wouter Tebbens. The educational platform, developed by an international team of non-profit organisations, universities and volunteers, has been launched in its beta stage to involve the growing community in optimising the tool. The public reacted enthusiastically and at the end of the day the SELF Project may profit from several proposals for server space, free educational material, help with translations and other kinds of offers.

Goteburg, Sweden

Presentation by Henrik Sandklef and a live demonstration of the SELF Platform, at the Goteburg University. Participants came expected from different faculties of the university, libraries and schools around Goteburg.

Sofia, Bulgaria

ISOC.bg organised a half-day event at the Francophone Institute in Sofia with a live demonstration and presentation by Dessi Pefeva.

Cordoba, Argentina

In Cordoba, Beatriz Busaniche joined the launch in Amsterdam and presented the SELF Platform with a live stream.

Tamaulipas, Mexico

Federico Heinz from Fundacion Via Libre gave a short presentation and launched the SELF Platform at Universidad Autónoma de Tamaulipas, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

Mumbai, India

The Homi Bhabha Centre For Science Education launched the SELF Platform on September 7, 2007 in Mumbai. During the event, several speakers spoke about Free Software and the importance of collaboration, including:

• Prof. Shobo Bhattacharya (Director Tata Institute Of Fundamental Research),
• Prof. D. B. Phatak (Subharao M. Nilekani Chiar Professor, Kanwal Rekhi Institute of Information Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay),
• a special lecture on Semantic Web and Collaborative E-learning by Prof. G. Sivakumar (Professor and Head, Computer Science and Engineering Department, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay),
• and the SELF Platform Development Team from the Homi Bhabha Centre For Science Education.

The launch in Mumbai was covered by several newspapers (amongst others Marathi Newspaper -- Loksatta and DNA) and by TV reporters from the National News Channel. Near 100 educationists, teachers, scientists, students and people from the Free Software community joined the launch.

Barcelona, Spain

Saturday 6th October 2007 saw the official launch of the SELF project at the UOC (Universitat Oberta de Catalunya). This launch took place during the presential Autumn term meeting at the UAB (Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona) Campus in Bellaterra. First of all David Megías gave an overview of the SELF project, how the project came into being, who is involved in the project and what the project aims to achieve. Then, Wouter Tebbens took a more detailed look at the SELF platform itself, showing examples from the beta platform to demonstrate how the final version of the platform will function. The question and answer session after the presentations was very useful, and gave David and Wouter the opportunity to address in more depth specific aspects of the platform. The presentation was well-attended, by students and teachers alike, and much interest was generated.