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Workshop on Digitalizing Research & Education (R&E) Content on LEARN FOSS Free Cloud Platform
Venue: Information Technology Center, University of Peradeniya
Duration: 5 days
Class size: 50
Target group: University Faculty-level Coordinators from LEARN member institutions
Program Level: Lower Intermediate
Course fee: free of charge (four nights accommodation sharing basis, refreshment, lunch, dinner and break-first will be provided)
Date: ##th to ##th Month 2025
Note: Participant are requested to bring a laptop (8GB RAM, 25GB free disk space) with Virtualbox or any other suitable hypervisor installed
Application closing: ##
Introduction
LEARN offers a centrally hosted, Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) cloud platform as a value-added service at no additional cost to its connected member institutions (excluding private institutions). This platform provides a suite of tools to support academic content creation, delivery, and collaboration. The available services include:
01. eduID for authentication and authorization via the LEARN Identity Access Federation (LIAF).
02. Webinar Platform – LEARN vCR (powered by BigBlueButton)
03. Learning Management System – Moodle
04. Content Management System – WordPress
05. On-demand video content creation/editing
06. Research Publication Repository – DSpace CRIS with ORCID integration
07. Conference and Meeting Management – Indico
08. LibreOffice desktop suite
Why Digitalization Matters
In today’s fast-paced, technology-driven academic environment, digitalizing research and educational content is no longer optional—it’s essential. It enables broader access to learning materials, overcomes geographic and economic barriers, and supports interactive, multimedia-enhanced teaching methods. Digital content can be preserved, easily updated, and widely disseminated, helping institutions build more inclusive, efficient, and future-ready educational ecosystems.
Moreover, reducing dependence on printed materials aligns with sustainability goals while increasing the reach and impact of academic work.
Challenges in Academic Content Creation and Delivery
Despite the benefits, many educators face challenges in adopting digital platforms:
- Lack of Training – Many educators have limited exposure to modern digital tools and content creation techniques.
- Limited Access to Tools – The absence of proper software or collaborative platforms can hinder the creation of high-quality digital content.
- Unreliable Hosting – Without dependable and accessible platforms, even the best content can fail to reach its audience effectively.
About the Workshop
The initial series of workshops will be held at the LEARN premises, University of Peradeniya. These sessions are tailored for faculty-level coordinators preferably academics who will collaborate with the LEARN FOSS Cloud team to roll out follow-up workshops within their institutions.
The primary goal is to support faculties and educators who have not yet begun digitalizing their academic content or are facing challenges in developing or hosting their own digital platforms. The workshops will cover both strategic planning and hands-on guidance to ensure institutions can confidently adopt and leverage the LEARN FOSS Free Cloud platform.
Workshop
- Workshop Agenda
- Instructors:
- Senevi Herath, Senior Network / System Manager, LEARN
- ###
- ###
- Organizing Team:
- ###, LEARN
- ###, LEARN
- ###, LEARN
- Participants:
- Event Photos:
