Google Summer of Code (GSoC) is back with its 14th edition. GSoC is a global program with an aim to bring student developers to open source software development. The program spans three months of summer when students are on a break between semesters. The selected student developers are connected with mentors from a participating open source organization to work on a specific project. The program offers a stipend and an unparalleled exposure to real-world software development and open source community to the participants.
GSoC kick-started in 2005, since then the program has spread across 125 countries and 608 open source organizations. Over 13000 student developers and 12000 mentors have been brought together by the program, producing over 33 million lines of code. The participating organizations have been able to identify new developers to build new features and the participants have continued to contribute to the open source community even after the program was over.
For Pakistani students that are accepted to GSoC, Kickstart, a co-working space in Lahore is offering a 50% off on their services. Using the space the participants will be able to interact with experienced professionals that can help them throughout the stages of the program. GSoC brings an opportunity for Pakistani students to prove their mettle and earn up to $2400. In the past, a Pakistani student has made to GSoC, twice in consecutive years. However, in 2016, India led GSoC with 454 participants, while only four participants from Pakistan were able to make it.
The program is open to student developers who are 18 or above and are enrolled in a university program. Interested students can register here, no later than March 27, 9:00 PM (Pakistan Standard Time).
