Returning to Japan and Reflecting on a Decade of Open Source

Japan has always held a special place in my heart—not just for its pristine streets and impeccable organization, but for the vibrant tech community that thrives there. When the Call for Papers (CFP) for the GNOME.Asia Summit 2025 opened, I felt a familiar spark of excitement. If accepted, this would mark my third journey to the Land of the Rising Sun. On October 17, 2025, that dream became a reality. I received the email every speaker hopes for:
"We're pleased to announce that your abstract 'Opening the Gate: How Volunteering at GNOME.Asia Summit 2015 Shaped My Career' has been accepted."


While the summit offered hybrid options, I knew I had to be there in person. There is a specific magic in the "In-Person" experience—the spontaneous hallway conversations and the energy of the crowd—that a screen simply cannot replicate.



This year was particularly special as GNOME collaborated with LibreOffice. I was scheduled for a Lightning Talk on the first day. Standing on that stage, I looked back at a ten-year odyssey.




I shared how starting as a humble volunteer at GNOME.Asia 2015 paved the way for my entire career. I spoke about the last decade of giving back: authoring e-books, publishing journals, and teaching Open Source principles in universities. Link for My Presentation.

Beyond the presentation, the highlight was the connection. Exchanging ideas with new acquaintances reminded me why I show up for this community every year. The spirit of collaboration is truly infectious.



A heartfelt thank you to the GNOME Foundation for sponsoring my travel and accommodation.


As I look toward the future, I am excited about new challenges. If you are looking for a collaborator or have a role that could use my experience in Open Source and IT, let’s connect!

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