In late November, we celebrated the end of the seventh edition of Wikipedia Education Program in Egypt.
Preparations for this conference started in the middle of the edition.
Having pre-conference online and offline meetings, having many phone calls, reaching consensus among us, searching for places, searching for gifts, comparing prices, comparing quality, going to check the items in store, solving unavailability, having more phone calls, searching for a venue, trying many venues, trying other venues, designing certificates, running statistics, correcting mistakes, booking places, buying gifts, checking on the gifts in store, solving more problems with the gifts, printing the certificates, booking catering, getting people into the venue, giving presentations, organizing presentations, giving certificates, post-conference meetings, doing pros and cons analysis.
This is roughly what it takes to organize a local conference. I'm sure I forgot so many other things. It is just so overwhelming!!!
Yet, all of this hard work seems worthwhile when I see my students happy and motivated to give even more. Last edition, the students asked me to start the edition even earlier because they can't wait to contribute! And they got what they wanted ^_^
Starting the 7th edition with this spirit made me and my team to work in a friendly environment.
The results were amazing:
My group nominated the largest number of articles for featured and good. These nominations come from students who are fresh Wikipedians or 4-month old ones. Yup! Their first contributions are that great!!
I'm so proud of them :) I'm so proud that our goal has been achieved. Onwards and upwards my WEP groups!
Preparations for this conference started in the middle of the edition.
Having pre-conference online and offline meetings, having many phone calls, reaching consensus among us, searching for places, searching for gifts, comparing prices, comparing quality, going to check the items in store, solving unavailability, having more phone calls, searching for a venue, trying many venues, trying other venues, designing certificates, running statistics, correcting mistakes, booking places, buying gifts, checking on the gifts in store, solving more problems with the gifts, printing the certificates, booking catering, getting people into the venue, giving presentations, organizing presentations, giving certificates, post-conference meetings, doing pros and cons analysis.
This is roughly what it takes to organize a local conference. I'm sure I forgot so many other things. It is just so overwhelming!!!
Yet, all of this hard work seems worthwhile when I see my students happy and motivated to give even more. Last edition, the students asked me to start the edition even earlier because they can't wait to contribute! And they got what they wanted ^_^
Starting the 7th edition with this spirit made me and my team to work in a friendly environment.
The results were amazing:
My group nominated the largest number of articles for featured and good. These nominations come from students who are fresh Wikipedians or 4-month old ones. Yup! Their first contributions are that great!!
I'm so proud of them :) I'm so proud that our goal has been achieved. Onwards and upwards my WEP groups!