About this talk
In the talk "Seeds of openness: How higher ed grows the future of open source," Inge Donkervoort, Tonco Tijdeman, and Jan Muller collaboratively explore the vital role of academic environments in fostering open source innovation. Recorded at Open Community Experience 2026 in Brussels, this panel discusses how open source projects develop within universities and transition into broader, sustainable ecosystems. They emphasize the importance of active community building, governance, and the critical support provided by foundations like Apereo to ensure the longevity of these initiatives. The panel also addresses business models that support open source sustainability and highlights future challenges, including the influence of AI and the need for collaboration in diverse settings, reaffirming that engaged communities are essential for the success of open source endeavors.