[Thanks to Sunil Abraham for forwarding this. -FN]

------------------------------------------------------------------------ FOSSAC 2005 will offer 3 days of stimulating mass awareness events, amalgamating Free and Open Source Software Technologies Exhibition, Training Sessions, Conferences and Awards. This will commence on Tuesday 16 August 2005. The Programme format will consist of launching of the Free and Open Source Software Awareness Campaign that includes: 3 Day Mega Exhibition of over 100 stalls featuring educational, business, public sector and entertainment free software products. Linux Desktop Training Sessions for over 2000 participants throughout the 3 days event over a network of 500 latest computer hardware machines.

"TPFOSST 05" 1st National Conference on Trends and Practices of Free and Open Source Software Technologies, August 18, 2005. National Free and Open Source Software Awards, August 18, 2005. The event will attract thousands of visitors from the General Public, Universities and people from all walks of life. The event will be graced with visits by official dignitaries belonging to the United Nations Development Program, Government of Pakistan, Government of Punjab, Lahore Chamber of Commerce & Industry and will receive huge media coverage.

Objectives

FOSSAC 2005 Free & Open Source Software Awareness Campaign 2005 is a three day event organized to promote nationwide awareness about the benefits of Free and Open Source Software and to persuade organizations and individuals of Pakistan to use Free & Open Source Software.

Event Venue & Schedule

Punjab University College of Information Technology (PUCIT)

University of the Punjab

Main Hall, Allama Iqbal (Old) Campus

Lahore-Pakistan

16th - 19th August 2005 (9:00am – 6:00pm)

FOSSAC 2005 Event Organizers

FOSSFP: Free and Open Source Software Foundation of Pakistan PUCIT: Punjab University College of Information Technology, University of the Punjab PITB: Punjab Information Technology Board, Government of the Punjab PSEB-OSRC: Pakistan Software Export Board, Government of Pakistan, Open Source Resource Centre. KMT Innovators, Lahore, Pakistan

Thanks and Regards Mr. Osman Haq Project Manager (OSRC) Pakistan Software Export Board Ministry of Information Technology 2nd Floor, Evacuee Trust Complex Agha Khan Road, Sector F-5, Islamabad Tel : 051 9208748 Fax : 051 9204075 Email : hosman@pseb.org.pk URL: www.osrc.org.pk; www.pseb.org.pk ------------------------------------------------------------------------