Openmoko, the leading open source mobile phone maker, launches OpenLab for students at Tsing Hua University; plans to expand curriculum to universities worldwide
TAIPEI, TAIWAN - September 15, 2008 -- Renowned National Tsing Hua University of Taiwan has decided Openmoko will be used as a major teaching and researching platform in its curriculum. Openmoko is an open source mobile communications platform that empowers people to customize their phone, much like a computer, in any way they see fit.
Starting this coming semester students at the university will have the opportunity to work at Openmoko's OpenLab on campus at Tsing Hua. The full lesson plans take students from powering on the device to writing complete mobile applications. All content developed during the course as well as the course content itself is released under a creative commons share-alike license.
A hub for research and student interaction, OpenLab will enable students to research and work in an electronics environment to develop their own projects based on Openmoko software and hardware,
National Tsing Hua University of Taiwan's announcement of this first step in Openmoko education was hailed as the beginning of a welcome trend by teachers and educators. "We're very glad to get Openmoko as our major mobile platform for researching," said Prof. King, from National Tsing Hua University, "we're going to put Openmoko in our school courses for the coming semester."
Three of Prof. King's students, who joined Openmoko for a summer internship program, now offer their projects on Google Code for download. The OpenLab will enable more students to actively explore their skills and creativity. "The lab is great, and we have Neo FreeRunner phones right at our students' fingertips," said Jyuo-Min-Shyu, Dean, College of Electronic Engineering and Computer Sciences.
The current relationship with Tsing Hua University is definitely just the beginning of a unique and creative period in education. Openmoko, the company that makes open source mobile products, has been venturing into the field of education over the last six months.
Openmoko's motto "Open. Mobile. Free." could soon become the mantra of students as plans to popularize Openmoko education around the country and the world unfold. Prof. King will be working with the groundbreaking company towards this goal.
"The future of Openmoko rests with the imaginations of developers and innovators, and students are an important part of the Openmoko community. We will provide e-courseware to the world in the near future," said Openmoko CEO, Sean Moss-Pultz.
About Openmoko
Openmoko is the commercial and community driven effort with a mission to create open mobile products that empower developers and consumers to personalize their devices, much like a computer, in any way they see fit. Openmoko is dedicated to helping innovators bring freedom and flexibility to consumer electronics and vertical market devices. For the latest information about Openmoko, visit www.Openmoko.com.