My experience speaking at GitHub Universe 2023 in the 'Ask Me Anything' (AMA) Student Panel Discussion for GitHub Partners + Various highlights of the event 🎉

Nov 07, 2023

During GitHub Universe 2023, I was one of 5 GitHub Campus Experts selected as a speaker for the ‘Ask Me Anything’ (AMA) Student Panel Discussion for GitHub Partners.

This post summarizes my entire experience speaking during the student panel discussion - i.e., the training we had at GitHub HQ (San Francisco) prior to the panel discussion, the actual panel discussion itself, and even includes various memorable highlights of the GHU 2023 conference.

Enjoy!

Phase 1: Training

Prior to the Student Panel Discussion, we had to go through some training first at GitHub HQ (San Francisco) so that we are better prepared to handle questions from the public.

GitHub Education Managers - Juan Pa and Dyson providing their wisdom & experience on how to handle questions from the media/public

Some potential questions that could be asked during the AMA Student Panel Discussion

More potential questions that could be asked later on during the AMA Panel Discussion

GitHub Scholars discussing about their answers to the above mentioned questions

Try deciphering my handwriting - just kidding, don’t bother :P

Phase 2: Time for the AMA Student Panel Discussion

We had a quick lunch at the cafeteria in GitHub HQ first before heading towards the venue for the panel discussion.

Korean Bulgogi 불고기 & Fried tofu for lunch - yummy! 😋

Walking towards the venue of the AMA Student Panel Discussion - it was held at one of the conference rooms in Hyatt Regency San Francisco Hotel

Arrival at Hyatt Regency San Francisco Hotel

I had a blast being on this AMA Student Panel Discussion! It was a great chance to chat with campus experts and conference attendees from all over the world – e.g., USA, Canada, India, Mexico, and even Singapore (that’s me!).

We shared our thoughts on open-source communities and the work we do in them. The moderator, Morgan, and the audience all had fantastic questions that really got us thinking.

Not only did I get to share my experience, but I learned a ton from the other panelists’ perspectives too. It was a fantastic way to improve my public speaking and gain new insights on open source from a global viewpoint.

Credits: @larryshamalama (Furthest left), @HarshKapadia2, @ggongg, @Alberthor47, @melvincwng (Furthest right with covered face & situated next to the moderator @morganersery1 - not in this photo)

Phase 3: Various highlights of GHU 2023

We got to meet the CEO of GitHub - Thomas Dohmke for a short while at the conference 😲

We spoke and interacted with Prof David J. Malan, the famous CS50 professor from Harvard University 😮

Did you know that the Conference Badge issued during GHU 2023 is hackable? - i.e., can be modified to show different colour schemes, and be re-programmed to show different words and layouts? Reference: https://github.com/badger2040/home 🤯

Enjoy the Video Compilation showcasing my highlights of the GitHub Universe 2023 conference 😊