Category Archives: Education

Nasim Miah 11:32 pm on March 2, 2026  

Bringing WordPress Campus Connect to Malaysia: A Milestone for Open-Source Education at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia

Bringing WordPress Campus Connect to Malaysia marked an important milestone for open-source education and community-driven learning in the region. On 3 January 2026, the first-ever WordPress Campus Connect event in Malaysia was held at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), Johor Bahru, welcoming students, educators, organizers, mentorsEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues., and volunteers for a day dedicated to learning, collaboration, and open-source exploration.

WordPress Campus Connect Universiti Teknologi Malaysia 2026 group photo
WordPress Campus Connect is part of the WordPress Education initiative, designed to help students learn by doing โ€” building practical skills with WordPress, understanding open-source values, and exploring career pathways through community-led learning. Hosting this initiative at UTM provided a meaningful opportunity to connect academic learning with real-world digital experience.

Preparing for the Event

Preparation for the event began with close collaboration between the organizing team, volunteers, and mentorEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues.. The goal was to create an inclusive and beginner-friendly environment where students could engage with WordPress beyond theory and gain practical insights into how open-source communities function.

Universiti Teknologi Malaysia supported the initiative by providing the venue and encouraging student participation, making it possible to host the first Campus Connect event in the country. Organizers and volunteers worked together to ensure smooth coordination across registration, logistics, audio-visual support, and on-site engagement.

The event was supported by WordPress Community Sponsors, with funding assistance of USD 300 used for printing, swag, refreshments, and other essential arrangements. We are thankful to the global sponsors who continue to enable community-led learning initiatives across the WordPress ecosystem.

Website Setup

Organizing the first WordPress Campus Connect event in Malaysia also provided valuable insights into the operational aspects of running a community-led education event. These learnings may be helpful for future Campus Connect organizers.

Website Setup and Design

The event website was designed following the same standards used across other WordPress Campus Connect events. Organizers should note that the Campus Connect website environment follows WordCamp.org guidelines, meaning:

  • The website must be built using GutenbergGutenberg The Gutenberg project is the new Editor Interface for WordPress. The editor improves the process and experience of creating new content, making writing rich content much simpler. It uses โ€˜blocksโ€™ to add richness rather than shortcodes, custom HTML etc. https://wordpress.org/gutenberg/ (BlockBlock Block is the abstract term used to describe units of markup that, composed together, form the content or layout of a webpage using the WordPress editor. The idea combines concepts of what in the past may have achieved with shortcodes, custom HTML, and embed discovery into a single consistent API and user experience. Editor)
  • Page builders or additional plugins are not available

While this may feel limiting at first, it encourages thoughtful design using coreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. WordPress tools. The dashboard experience is identical to a WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what theyโ€™ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. site, including access to sessions, speakers, organizers, volunteers, and sponsors.

A ticketing page was also enabled, allowing students to register and โ€œpurchaseโ€ free tickets through the official system, helping organizers manage attendance in a structured way.

Although the setup has constraints, there are still many creative possibilities within Gutenberg. For new organizers, it is recommended to allocate sufficient time for design planning and collaborate closely as a team when structuring the website.

Venue Coordination with the University

Securing the venue required working through the universityโ€™s official venue approval process, similar to how venue agreements are handled for WordCamps. This step is essential for scheduling a Campus Connect event officially.

The venue contract process has recently been improved, with options for both paid and free venue agreements, making it more flexible for universities and organizers. Completing this process correctly is a critical milestone before confirming the event date.

Design and Printing Resources

Most of the official design assets are available through Figma, including:

  • Logos (multiple formats and print-ready versions)
  • Posters and covers
  • Presentation slides
  • Certificates
  • Wappu illustrations
  • Sticker-ready logo variations

The organizing team customized these assets to suit the local event while maintaining the official branding. The design kit also helped guide color selection, which was used consistently across digital and printed materials. Having ready-to-use logo variations made printing stickers and materials much easier.

wordpress campus connect universiti teknologi malaysia printing

Issuing Certificates of Participation

All participants received e-certificates of participation following the event. For many students, this recognition carried meaningful value, not only as proof of attendance but as acknowledgment of their first engagement with the global WordPress community.

Several students shared that receiving the certificate increased their confidence and motivated them to explore further involvement in open-source initiatives and future WordPress events.

Behind the Scenes

The success of the event was made possible by a dedicated organizing team led by Mohammad Ibrahim as Lead Organizer, with Nasim Miah serving as Co-Lead. The organizing team also included Yves Tan, Kamil Sharip, Eric Low, Teh Yong Li, Peng Hao and Ts. Chan Ler-Kuan, who collectively supported planning, logistics, sessions, and community coordination.

A committed volunteer team supported the event throughout the day, assisting with registration, attendee support, floor management, audio-visual operations, photography, and logistics. Their efforts ensured a welcoming and well-organized experience for all participants.

Student Engagement and Activities

The event received over 100 registrations, with 54 students attending in person on 3 January 2026. Participants represented five different countries, creating a diverse and inclusive learning environment.

Throughout the day, students actively participated in Q&A sessions, interactive discussions, and the quiz segment. Many attendees stayed after sessions to speak directly with speakers and organizers, asking follow-up questions about WordPress development, UIUI UI is an acronym for User Interface - the layout of the page the user interacts with. Think โ€˜how are they doing thatโ€™ and less about what they are doing. design, freelancing opportunities, and career pathways.

The quiz session generated high energy and enthusiasm, with students competing enthusiastically and celebrating the top performers and lucky draw winners.

This milestone at Universiti Teknologi Malaysia demonstrates how community-driven education can create meaningful learning experiences and lasting connections for the next generation of digital creators.

Erica Varlese 3:37 pm on February 3, 2026  

Community Education Initiatives: Help grow connections with educational institutions

In the past two years, the WordPress Community has launched a handful of education initiatives. These initiatives are designed to help introduce, onboard, and educate students into the WordPress open sourceOpen Source Open Source denotes software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source **must be** delivered via a licensing model, see GPL. project.

Programs like Campus Connect and WordPress Student Clubs offer students the opportunity for hands-on learning with WordPress, through workshops or ongoing meetupsMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. on campus. WordPress Credits, a contribution-focused initiative, offers onboarding and mentorship that helps learners satisfy academic requirements while directly contributing to WordPress.

Since their launch, these initiatives have grown from the communityโ€™s dedicated efforts, whether thatโ€™s organizers bringing Campus Connect to their local communities or experienced contributors sharing their knowledge as mentorsEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. in the WordPress Credits program.ย 

Connecting with educational institutions

There are a number of ways to get involved with these programs, including program support and mentorship. Additionally, spreading the word to other educational institutions is an excellent way to help raise awareness and expand outreach to students.ย 

If youโ€™re interested in supporting the education initiatives through expanding their reach, here are some ideas to consider:ย 

  • If you already host your local meetupMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook. or WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what theyโ€™ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. on a school campus, consider sharing these programs with your contact. These programs are flexible and designed to help accommodate new organizers and small teams.
  • Are you connected to a school or other educational institution? Whether a teacher or an active alum, warm introductions can be a helpful way to help start any conversations around bringing these programs into the classroom.ย 
  • Explore ways to integrate student participation into existing local events, whether thatโ€™s sharing an upcoming meetup with your local college or inviting student volunteers into your community events. You never know who you will inspire to create the next student group!

I want to help, but what should I say?

A good place to start is with the WordPress Education page, which offers a helpful overview of all community education initiatives. You can also use the template below for inspiration:ย 

Hi [Name],

[Insert a short summary of your connection to the institution and why you wanted to reach out.]

WordPress is an open source software that powers roughly 43% of the web. The WordPress community recently launched several education initiatives that focus on providing students with hands-on learning experience in WordPress. These programs include:

  • WordPress Credits โ€“ a contribution-based program where students from partnering institutions receive onboarding, mentorship, and guidance as they directly contribute to the WordPress project.
  • Campus Connect โ€“ a hands on, on-campus workshop event or series led by experienced WordPress contributors or faculty.ย 
  • WP Student Clubs โ€“ student-run WordPress meetups that regularly host on-campus events, providing ongoing education and leadership experience for students.

You can find an overview and contact information for each of these initiatives via https://wordpress.org/education/ย 

Each of these initiatives provide great opportunities for students to grow their WordPress experience, while also building transferable skills in a global open source community. If youโ€™re interested in any of these programs, let me know and I can help connect you to the right teams to talk about next steps!

Letโ€™s connect!

If youโ€™re interested in helping to connect these initiatives to other institutions, reach out in the comments or in the wpcredits or campusconnect Make Slack channels with any questions. Together, we can chat through ideas on the best way to approach educational connections and brainstorm ways these programs might fit into your local schools, event series, or communities.ย 

Thank you to @piyopiyofox @webtechpooja @lidarroy @peiraisotta for reviewing this post!ย ย 

Destiny Kanno 4:48 am on January 23, 2026
Tags:   

Monthly Education Buzz Report – December 2025

Welcome to the Monthly Education Buzz Report, your go-to source for highlights and updates on the WordPress Campus connect, WordPress Credits, and WordPress Student club education initiatives within the WordPress community. This report aims to celebrate, promote, and inform individuals across the WordPress community and beyond about the diverse educational endeavors underway.

WordPress Campus Connect

Stats to date

  • Completed Events: 18
  • Students Reached: 3230 (+350)
  • Institutions visited: 41 (+4)

Scheduled events: 3

17 more events are currently in the planning stages! We are actively working to expand our global reach and bring more educational opportunities to students worldwide. Come find us in the #campusconnect Slack channel.

Event Highlights

WordPress Campus Connect continues to grow globally, with multiple successful events, new resources, and increased community engagement this month.

  • WordPress Campus Connect Cumilla Housing Estate School & College (Comilla, Bangladesh)
    • Organizers hosted WordPress Campus Connect โ€“ Cumilla, welcoming 60+ students to explore WordPress and open sourceOpen Source Open Source denotes software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source **must be** delivered via a licensing model, see GPL..
    • The session covered:
      • An introduction to WordPress and open source collaboration
      • A hands-on โ€œBuild Your First Websiteโ€ workshop
      • Contribution pathways and career opportunities in the WordPress ecosystem
      • A closing ceremony with certificates and recognition for top participants
      • Organizers reported that students were highly engaged throughout the event, showing strong interest in continuing their learning journey.
  • Campus Connect โ€“ Rajshahi University of Engineering & Technology (RUET)
    • On 11 December 2025, organizers successfully organized WordPress Campus Connect โ€“ Rajshahi (RUET), with 95+ students participating.
    • The event focused on:
      • Open source contribution pathways
      • The evolution of WordPress and the role of GPLGPL GPL is an acronym for GNU Public License. It is the standard license WordPress uses for Open Source licensing https://wordpress.org/about/license/. The GPL is a โ€˜copyleftโ€™ license https://www.gnu.org/licenses/copyleft.en.html. This means that derivative work can only be distributed under the same license terms. This is in distinction to permissive free software licenses, of which the BSD license and the MIT License are widely used examples.
      • Hands-on WordPress website building
      • WordPress in the age of AI
      • Ways for students to stay connected with the WordPress community
    • Organizers reported that the atmosphere was energetic and collaborative, with students actively engaging throughout the sessions.
  • Campus Connect Kathmandu (Nepal, 2025)
    • Successfully conducted across four local colleges in Kathmandu, engaging 350 students in total. Partner schools included Texas International College, Phoenix College of Management, Aadim National College, and Southwestern State College.
    • Activities included:
      • Interactive WordPress sessions and hands-on workshops
      • Building websites without coding
      • Learning about career opportunities in web development, UIUI UI is an acronym for User Interface - the layout of the page the user interacts with. Think โ€˜how are they doing thatโ€™ and less about what they are doing./UXUX UX is an acronym for User Experience - the way the user uses the UI. Think โ€˜what they are doingโ€™ and less about how they do it., QA, digital marketing, and open-source contributions
      • Community engagement, networking with mentorsEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues., and practical guidance for contributing to the global WordPress community
  • Campus Connect Kaliro (Uganda, 2025)
    • Successfully conducted with 110 students, facilitated by @Stephen Dumba, @Ssebuwufu Moses, and @Mukalele Rogers.
    • Activities included:
      • Interactive WordPress sessions and hands-on workshops
      • Knowledge sharing and practical guidance for building websites and exploring open-source contributions
      • Community engagement, peer collaboration, and mentorship
    • Despite network challenges, the event was full of energy and excitement, with organizers stating that students expressed joy and enthusiasm, and many shared positive recommendations for future sessions.
WPCC Kaliro
WPCC Kaliro
WPCC Kaliro
WPCC RUET
WPCC Kathmandu
WPCC Kathmandu
WPCC Kathmandu
WPCC Kathmandu
WPCC Kathmandu
WPCC Comilla
WPCC Comilla
WPCC Comilla

Other Program Updates

WordPress Credits

This month marked several exciting milestones for the WordPress Credits program, reflecting continued growth in mentorship, partnerships, and student participation.

WordPress Student Clubs

  • A new student club was created, bringing the total number of student clubs to ten.
  • The WordPress student guide for student club organizers is now available here.

Get Involved

See something in the community that should be noted here or in a future newsletter? Comment below!

Stay tuned for next monthโ€™s update!

#education-buzz

Pooja Derashri 1:28 pm on December 18, 2025
Tags: ,   

Call for Volunteers: Support Our Education Programs

WordPress Campus Connect is growing, and we need community support to advance key initiatives. We are seeking assistance in the specific areas detailed below. If you are interested in contributing, please comment on this post or reach out to the team in the #campusconnect SlackSlack Slack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/ channel.

Support Areas

Design

We need help creating the following assets:

  • Default Website Themes:
    • WordPress Campus Connect website theme
    • WordPress Student Club theme
  • Badges (Current point of contact: @debdesign):
    • Campus Connect Organizer
    • Campus Connect MentorEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues.
    • Campus Connect Participant

Documentation

We require assistance with reviewing and creating content:

  • Education Handbook: Review for clarity of instruction and identify opportunities for improvement.
  • Community Handbook Program ManagerProgram Manager Program Managers (formerly Super Deputies) are Program Supporters who can perform extra tasks on WordCamp.org like creating new sites and publishing WordCamps to the schedule. Pages: Review for clarity of instruction and identify opportunities for improvement.
    1. Draft WPCC Office HoursOffice Hours Defined times when the Global Community Team are in the #community-events Slack channel. If there is anything you would like to discuss โ€“ you do not need to inform them in advance.You are very welcome to drop into any of the Community Team Slack channels at any time. e-guide

Resources Page: Draft a new page in the Education Handbook that includes direct links to essential resources for organizers (e.g., pitch decks, logos).

Thanks @piyopiyofox for crafting this post.

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Isotta Peira 2:17 pm on December 12, 2025
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WordPress Credits Mentor Huddles – Notes and Next Steps

WP Credits MentorEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. huddles will take place on SlackSlack Slack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/ in the private mentor channel, with the following sessions:
โ€“ last Wednesday of each month at 9am UTC, starting on January 28
โ€“ last Thursday of each month at 5pm UTC, starting on January 29

This week we hosted the first two WordPress Credits mentor huddles, and it was great to see mentorsEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. joining from different regions to share experiences, challenges, and ideas. Thank you to everyone who made time to participate and help shape the program together!

Attendees: @celigaroe, @lasacco, @lumiblog, @webtechpooja, @peiraisotta, @organvlasti, @alexcu21, @evarlese, @francescodicandia, @nilovelez, @sirlouen, @arburola , @josvelasco, @nazmul111, @fahimmurshed, @shivashankerbhatta, @subrataemfluence, @sion99, @devmuhib, and @lidarroy

Table of Content

Mentorship and student onboarding

We discussed the onboarding phase as one of the most critical moments for students to build confidence and start forming connections within the WordPress community. Many students feel overwhelmed by early setup tasks, such as creating accounts and configuring tools, which can slow engagement. This is why is fundamental that mentors have a clear understanding of the full student platform and the entire student journey, in addition to regularly review student reports to stay informed on progress, spot blockers early, and provide timely support.

Communication and engagement

Communication seems to be a recurring challenge, with students often hesitant to ask questions and share progress in an async environment. As a concrete improvement, we agreed to add mandatory steps that prompt students to introduce themselves and regularly post updates in Slack, including in their contribution team channels. Hopefully, this will help normalize communication, increase visibility, and strengthen studentsโ€™ sense of belonging.

Language and learning resources

We acknowledged language as a significant barrier, particularly for Spanish speaking students navigating primarily English WordPress resources. To reduce friction, mentors agreed to expand multilingual support where possible and to enhance the mentor guide with resources that help assess studentsโ€™ knowledge levels and tailor guidance across contribution teams.

Mentorship structure

While we explored the idea of assigning an additional technical or specialized mentor after students choose a contribution team, we confirmed that each student will continue to have one primary mentor assigned before the program starts, supporting them throughout the entire experience. When students choose a contribution area outside their mentorโ€™s direct expertise, mentors will introduce them in the relevant team channels and help connect them with experienced contributors, while remaining responsible for weekly syncs and ongoing check-ins.

Improvements to the mentor course

On the training side, @lidarroy and @evarlese are expanding the mentor course to better support teachers and professionals who may not yet have contribution experience. Our goal is to help them confidently navigate WordPress community spaces and grow into well-prepared mentors.

Retention and community integration

We agreed that retaining graduates in the WordPress community beyond the program is a coreCore Core is the set of software required to run WordPress. The Core Development Team builds WordPress. goal. We began exploring strategies such as inviting program graduates to mentor new students and creating โ€œday in the lifeโ€ videos that showcase different contribution roles. Tailored actions aimed at retaining graduates will be defined in January and implemented into the program.

Upcoming cohorts

We will move from rolling start dates to fixed monthly onboarding periods during the first two weeks of each month starting in 2026. The January cohort will start on January 5, followed by February 2โ€“13 and March 2โ€“13. From January onward, we will also deliver a shared program presentation before onboarding begins, covering program structure, expectations, tools, and community spaces.

In Q1 2026, we will onboard students from Nordic Riga University, Universidad Fidรฉlitas, Krakow University of Economics, and Central New Mexico Community College, among others, applying these improvements as the program continues to grow.

Mentor huddles

Mentors will start meeting regularly, with monthly huddles becoming a recurring space to share feedback, surface challenges, and continue improving the program together. These sessions are open to all mentors and will take place on Slack in the private mentor channel, with a session on the last Wednesday of each month at 9am UTC, starting on January 28, and a session on the last Thursday of each month at 5pm UTC, starting on January 29.

Want to learn more about WordPress Credits? Visit the program page, join the #wpcredits Slack channel, and take a look at the handbook.

If you wish to apply as a mentor, please carefully read the mentor guide and apply using the form at the bottom of the guide.

#wpcredits
Destiny Kanno 5:43 am on December 4, 2025
Tags:   

Monthly Education Buzz Report – November 2025

Welcome to the Monthly Education Buzz Report, your go-to source for highlights and updates on the WordPress Campus connect, WordPress Credits, and WordPress Student club education initiatives within the WordPress community. This report aims to celebrate, promote, and inform individuals across the WordPress community and beyond about the diverse educational endeavors underway.

WordPress Campus Connect

Stats to date

  • Completed Events : 14 (+6)
  • Students Reached: 2690
  • Institutions visited: 28

Scheduled events: 5

11 more events are currently in the planning stages! We are actively working to expand our global reach and bring more educational opportunities to students worldwide. Come find us in the #campusconnect Slack channel.

Event Highlights

  • Campus Connect Catarroja (Valencia, Spain):
  • University of Brahmanbaria 2025:
    • Successfully completed with 85+ participants
    • Activities included:
      • Introduction to Campus Connect
      • Discovering WordPress
      • Hands-on workshops
      • 40+ participants built their first website on WordPress.comWordPress.com An online implementation of WordPress code that lets you immediately access a new WordPress environment to publish your content. WordPress.com is a private company owned by Automattic that hosts the largest multisite in the world. This is arguably the best place to start blogging if you have never touched WordPress before. https://wordpress.com/
      • Certificate distribution and community networking
    • More info: Event Website
  • Publications
WPCC University of Brahmanbaria
WPCC University of Brahmanbaria
WPCC University of Brahmanbaria
WPCC University of Brahmanbaria
WPCC Catarroja
WPCC Catarroja
WPCC Zamboanga
WPCC Zamboanga

Other Program Updates

  • A Call for Mentors to help WordPress Campus Connect organizers is now live and applications are open until next week.
  • If youโ€™re interested in what it takes to be a WPCC mentorEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues., read the new Campus Connect Mentor Guide and complete the new Mentoring WordPress Campus Connect Events lesson on Learn WordPress.
  • Guidebook Published: The WPCC organizer guidebook is now available here.
  • Call for Testimonials: Seeking testimonials for the WPCC WordPress.orgWordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. https://wordpress.org/ Education page, including:
    • Links to student-created websites
    • Student, teacher, and organizer testimonials
    • Format: Use first name and last name initial or first and last initial with campus name.
  • Sponsorship Guidelines: WPCC will also adhere to WordPress Credits sponsorship guidelines to not accept sponsorships limited to tools or resources alone; companies must also sponsor one or more mentorsEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues..

WordPress Credits

  • The WP Credits program has made Updates on their Sponsorship Guidelines.
  • Mentor Growth: The program now has 28 active mentors, including 20 newly onboarded in the last month, greatly expanding student support capacity.
  • Educational Partnerships Expanding: Two new universities joined since the last update โ€” Madrasa Ahmadโ€™s Education (Bangladesh) and Krakow University of Economics (Poland). We now partner with 6 institutions across 3 regions.
  • Student Engagement Rising:88 students are actively working on contribution projects through the WordPress Credits course:
    • 9 โ€” University of Pisa (Italy)
    • 18 โ€” Fidรฉlitas University (Costa Rica)
    • 31 โ€” Unifranz Santa Cruz (Bolivia)
    • 30 โ€” Ahmadโ€™s Education (Bangladesh)
  • WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what theyโ€™ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. Wrocล‚aw 2025: @gomp (Matt) Pilarski presented โ€œHow WordPress Builds the Next Generation of Contributorsโ€ and announced the first official WordPress Credits mentors in Poland โ€” a key milestone. He also led Contributor DayContributor Day Contributor Days are standalone days, frequently held before or after WordCamps but they can also happen at any time. They are events where people get together to work on various areas of https://make.wordpress.org/ There are many teams that people can participate in, each with a different focus. https://2017.us.wordcamp.org/contributor-day/ https://make.wordpress.org/support/handbook/getting-started/getting-started-at-a-contributor-day/, guiding newcomers through their first contributions to WordPress.
  • Riga Nordic University Engagement: On November 24th, Maciej met university leadership to discuss integrating students into the Credits program โ€” a step toward strengthening the local contributor pipeline and expanding open-source education.
  • WordCamp Pisa Highlights:
    • Credits mentors attended WC Pisa and met 6 University of Pisa students in person for the first time.
    • @marilufranchini (one of the programโ€™s first students) opened Contributor Day with a well-received presentation on her project progress.
    • Students contributed across Community, Polyglots, and Video teams and held their first in-person team sync, resulting in a plan to relaunch the Italian WordPress community social presence.
    • @peiraisotta also shared a talk showcasing all WordPress.org educational programs.
    • Overall student progress has been consistent, impactful, and highly motivating for the community.
WP Credits mentors at WC Pisa 2025.
@peiraisotta presenting Education at WC Pisa 2025
WP Credits studentsย at WC Pisa 2025 contributor day
WP Credits student Marilu Franchiniย opening WC Pisa contributor day with her mentorย @francescodicandia

WordPress Student Clubs Updates

  • First Official Session at the GWECA Student Club:
    • Coordinator: Riddhima Upadhyay, a 3rd-year B. Tech Computer Science student at Government Womenโ€™s Engineering College, Ajmer.
    • Goals of the Club:
      • Develop web-creation skills with WordPress.
      • Enhance digital literacy in CMS, SEO, security, and branding.
      • Foster creativity and personal projects.
      • Create a collaborative learning community.
      • Boost career and freelance opportunities in web design and digital marketing.
    • Event Highlights: Introduction to WordPress and its significance in powering a large part of the internet.
    • Covered topics:
      • WordPress functionality and dashboard overview
      • Themes, plugins, and essential tools
      • Website building using WordPress
      • Career roles: Developer, UIUI UI is an acronym for User Interface - the layout of the page the user interacts with. Think โ€˜how are they doing thatโ€™ and less about what they are doing./UXUX UX is an acronym for User Experience - the way the user uses the UI. Think โ€˜what they are doingโ€™ and less about how they do it. Designer, Content Creator, SEO Specialist, Website Manager, PluginPlugin A plugin is a piece of software containing a group of functions that can be added to a WordPress website. They can extend functionality or add new features to your WordPress websites. WordPress plugins are written in the PHP programming language and integrate seamlessly with WordPress. These can be free in the WordPress.org Plugin Directory https://wordpress.org/plugins/ or can be cost-based plugin from a third-party. & Theme Developer
    • Outcomes:
      • Students gained digital skills and insights into web development and freelancing opportunities.
      • Session was interactive, informative, and well-received.
      • Plans for more workshops and community activities to explore WordPress further.
  • Club Guide Development: A WordPress Student Club Guide is currently in progress to aid club activities and growth.

Other Happenings

Get Involved

See something in the community that should be noted here or in a future newsletter? Comment below!

Stay tuned for next monthโ€™s update!

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Destiny Kanno 6:03 am on November 20, 2025  

Call for Mentors: Join WordPress Campus Connect!

The call for mentorsEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. is closed. You can submit the form to be considered for when new openings emerge.

Are you passionate about WordPress, dedicated to empowering the next generation, and experienced with organizing impactful events? We invite you to become a Campus Connect MentorEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. and help shape the future of WordPress education on campuses around the world!

About Campus Connect

Campus Connect is an educational event series bringing WordPress knowledge, resources, and hands-on experience directly to students on their campuses. By joining as a mentor, youโ€™ll work alongside driven event organizers who are eager to make a difference in their local academic communities.

Why Become a Mentor?

  • Empower the next generation of WordPress professionals, contributors and community builders.
  • Strengthen your leadership, coaching, and event organization skills.
  • Network with a global community of educators, organizers, and WordPress advocates.
  • Become a part of the official Campus Connect Mentor group with recognition on WordPress.OrgWordPress.org The community site where WordPress code is created and shared by the users. This is where you can download the source code for WordPress core, plugins and themes as well as the central location for community conversations and organization. https://wordpress.org/.
  • Contribute meaningfully to WordPressโ€™s mission of democratizing publishing through education.

Mentor Requirements

  • Time Commitment: Minimum 2 hours per week. This includes a blend of asynchronous support (via online communications) and synchronous support (such as meetings or live sessions with organizers).
  • Capacity: Mentor 3-5 event organizers at a time.
  • Dedication: Willingness to guide, encourage, and provide feedback to organizers throughout the event journey.

Mentor Responsibilities

  • Offer guidance throughout the entire organizing process from initial application to post-event wrap-up.
  • Unblock and encourage organizers, helping them solve problems and stay motivated.
  • Review organizersโ€™ plans, providing actionable feedback to help ensure their events are impactful and successful.
  • Share insights on event best practices, resources, and community standards.
  • Be a supportive, inclusive, and approachable presence for new organizers.
  • Host a one hour Campus Connect Office HoursOffice Hours Defined times when the Global Community Team are in the #community-events Slack channel. If there is anything you would like to discuss โ€“ you do not need to inform them in advance.You are very welcome to drop into any of the Community Team Slack channels at any time. call once every two months.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Must have contributed to the WordPress project (as a contributor or organizer), preferably with prior experience in event organization, community building, or mentorship, with a strong preference for those who have organized or volunteered for a WordPress Campus Connect event.
  • Demonstrate strong communication, inclusivity, and teamwork skills.
  • Comfortable with asynchronous digital communication tools and able to attend occasional synchronous meetings.
  • Willing and able to commit the required time and responsibilities outlined above.

What Support Youโ€™ll Get

  • Orientation and resources to help you get started confidently.
  • Access to templates, guidelines, and best practices.
  • A dedicated SlackSlack Slack is a Collaborative Group Chat Platform https://slack.com/. The WordPress community has its own Slack Channel at https://make.wordpress.org/chat/ channel for ongoing discussions and peer support.
  • Regular check-ins from the Campus Connect coordination team.

Additional Information

  • Prospective mentors will be vetted before acceptance into the program to ensure a positive and supportive organizer experience.
  • Selected mentors will be recognized for their contributions with a Campus Connect Mentor badge on their WordPress.org profile.
  • Ongoing support and resources will be provided for mentors throughout the mentorship period.

Submit your interest to mentor

Apply to Mentor

Applications are closed. You may apply to note your interest in mentoring should more capacity open up.

If you have questions about the mentor program or the application process, please contact the Campus Connect in the #campusconnect channel in the Make WordPress Slack.

Help us bring WordPress education to campuses everywhere โ€“ one organizer at a time!

Isotta Peira 1:54 pm on November 5, 2025  

WP Credits – Updates on Sponsorship Guidelines

After multiple discussions with sponsors, program administrators, and mentorsEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues., and an analysis of the programโ€™s needs, weโ€™re excited to share the latest update on sponsorship opportunities for WordPress Credits.

TL;DR:
WordPress Credits has updated its sponsorship guidelines to ensure meaningful engagement and impact. Companies can no longer sponsor tools or resources alone; they must also sponsor one or more mentors to align with the programโ€™s educational goals. The sponsor guide has been updated accordingly.

WordPress Credits connects students from educational institutions around the world with experienced contributors who mentorEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues. them through hands-on, real-world open sourceOpen Source Open Source denotes software for which the original source code is made freely available and may be redistributed and modified. Open Source **must be** delivered via a licensing model, see GPL. projects. The program is made possible thanks to the dedication of mentors, the support of sponsors, and the shared belief that education and contribution can go hand in hand.

The most impactful contribution to WordPress Credits is mentorship, as mentors guide and empower students throughout their first open source experience. For this reason, sponsors can choose to support the program by sponsoring one or multiple mentors, sponsoring mentors while also offering tools that help students contribute effectively and feel confident in their work, or by proposing an alternative type of sponsorship aligned with the programโ€™s mission.

Please note that we do not accept sponsorships limited to tools or resources alone; companies offering tools must also sponsor one or more mentors to ensure meaningful engagement and alignment with the programโ€™s educational goals.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Sponsor a Mentor

Dedicate one or multiple team members to guide student contributors for a minimum of two hours per week available for the entire duration of the program. Depending on their availability, a single mentor can support multiple students at a time while still providing dedicated and thoughtful guidance, helping them navigate open source collaboration and project work.

If youโ€™d like to sponsor a mentor external to your company, please let us know and weโ€™ll connect you with mentors who are currently seeking sponsorship.

Sponsor a Mentor + Tools and Resources

These may include tools and resources such as hosting plans, domain names, premium plugins or themes, collaboration platforms, or design and development software. Anything that helps students contribute effectively and feel empowered in their work is welcome.

Other Ways to Sponsor

Examples of other meaningful and impactful ways to support the program and the studentsโ€™ journey include, but are not limited to:

  • Fund a Scholarship Program
    Financial contributions help fund travel and attendance for the most outstanding students at WordPress flagship events, where they can meet the global community and continue growing as contributors.
  • Sponsor an Admin
    Support a member of the programโ€™s admin team who is responsible for building, maintaining, improving, and growing the initiative. Their work ensures smooth operations, meaningful learning experiences for students, and long-term program sustainability. By sponsoring a contributor through the Five for the Future program, youโ€™ll help WP Credits reach more students around the world and make a lasting impact on their lives.
  • Provide In-kind Sponsorship
    Help cover essential program expenses such as tools and collaboration platforms. This investment creates real-world connection points and lasting engagement with the community.

Apply and Open Doors for Students in Your Region and Beyond

Weโ€™re happy to discuss the level of involvement that best fits your companyโ€™s capacity. Together, we can strengthen the WordPress project and empower the next generation of contributors.

Weโ€™re currently reaching out to active sponsors to ensure their contributions align with the updated sponsorship guidelines, and we want to thank all existing sponsors and those who have recently applied for their understanding, collaboration, and continued support.

Learn more about sponsorship options in our Sponsor Guide and submit your sponsorship application here to get started.

The following people contributed to writing and reviewing this post: @celigaroe, @francescodicandia, @gomp, @4thhubbard

Destiny Kanno 1:40 am on November 3, 2025
Tags: , WPCCJINJA25   

Monthly Education Buzz Report – October 2025

Welcome to the Monthly Education Buzz Report, your go-to source for highlights and updates on the WordPress Campus connect, WordPress Credits, and WordPress Student club education initiatives within the WordPress community. This report aims to celebrate, promote, and inform individuals across the WordPress community and beyond about the diverse educational endeavors underway.

WordPress Campus Connect

Completed Events (to date): 8 (+2)

Scheduled events: 6

12 more events are currently in the planning stages! We are actively working to expand our global reach and bring more educational opportunities to students worldwide. Come find us in the #campusconnect Slack channel.

Event Highlights

Other Program Updates

  • Indiaโ€™s first three WordPress Student Clubs were onboarded on October 16th! Meet the newly Onboarded WordPress Student Clubs & Coordinators:
    • Engineering College Ajmer: Aryan Kulshrestha & Suhani Mathur
    • Mahila Engineering College, Ajmer: Riddhima Upadhyay & Sanjeevni Kumari
    • Aryabhatta College of Engineering & Research Center: Yash Soni & Vishal Israni
  • WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what theyโ€™ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. Dhaka 2025 hosted a Contributor DayContributor Day Contributor Days are standalone days, frequently held before or after WordCamps but they can also happen at any time. They are events where people get together to work on various areas of https://make.wordpress.org/ There are many teams that people can participate in, each with a different focus. https://2017.us.wordcamp.org/contributor-day/ https://make.wordpress.org/support/handbook/getting-started/getting-started-at-a-contributor-day/ Campus Connect Table where information about the program was shared with community members.
WPCC Jinja
WPCC Jinja
WPCC Jinja
WPCC Kishoreganj
WPCC Kishoreganj
WPCC Udupi
WPCC Kolhapurย 
WPCC Cartago
WordPress Student club onboarding session

WordPress Credits

  • Riga Nordic University (from Riga, Latvia, EU) signed the agreement to join the WordPress Credits Program, and is currently working on onboarding its first student participants!
  • Mentors Course: A course has been created to train future WordPress Credits program mentorsEvent Supporter Event Supporter (formerly Mentor) is someone who has already organised a WordCamp and has time to meet with their assigned mentee every 2 weeks, they talk over where they should be in their timeline, help them to identify their issues, and also identify solutions for their issues..
  • Mentors welcome: 8 new mentors have been onboarded to the program.
  • University partnerships: 4 universities have confirmed their participation: Pisa University (Italy), Fidรฉlitas University (Costa Rica), Universidad Privada Franz Tamayo (Unifranz Santa Cruz, Bolivia), and Riga Nordic University (Latvia). Many others have expressed interest and started the process to get involved with the project, including the University of Lynchburg, Central New Mexico Community College, and Czech University of Life Sciences Prague (Czech Republic).
  • Student engagement: 51 students are already starting to work on their contribution projects through the WordPress Credits course (10 from the University of Pisa, Italy; 18 from Fidรฉlitas University, Costa Rica; and 23 from Unifranz Santa Cruz, Bolivia).
  • Platform updates: The student platform and processes have been enhanced with new lessons, videos, and guidelines to select their WordPress contribution project.
  • Graduate Badge: Now, once a student completes the program, the graduate badge will automatically appear on their WordPress.org profile.
  • Linux Day: Participation in Linux Day in Bari involved presenting the project to an audience of high school and university teachers and students, within the context of open-source initiatives. This led to follow-up contact from attending educators interested in bringing WPCredits to three universities in Puglia and several high schools in Bari.

Other Happenings

  • Development is currently underway for a landing page on the WordPress.org website that will showcase and share information about all current educational initiatives.
  • A clarification post went out on October 17th about WordPress Campus Connect Events: Who Can Organize Them?
  • Guidebooks for WordPress Campus Connect events and WordPress Student Clubs are currently being drafted.
  • An initiative to create a new organizer orientation course has begun. Interested in helping out? Comment below!

Get Involved

WordPress Campus Connect

WordPress Credits Program

  • Universities and Educational Institutions: If you are interested in participating in the WordPress Credits program, please reach out by filling the interest form.
  • Students: If youโ€™re a student and find this project interesting, please share it with your professors or academic advisors, as applications must be submitted by your institution.
  • Companies: We invite companies in the WordPress ecosystem to support this initiative by:
    • Sponsoring mentors to guide new contributors.
    • Providing tools and resources that help students succeed.
    • To learn more, visit the Company Guide and fill out the form to join the program.
  • Join the Conversation: Join the #wpcredits channel in the Make WordPress Slack.

See something in the community that should be noted here or in a future newsletter? Comment below!

Stay tuned for next monthโ€™s update!

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Lidia Arroyo Vargas 9:55 pm on October 28, 2025  

WordPress Campus Connect Cartago COVAO 2025

The WordPress Campus Connect Cartago 2025 kicked off on July 4th at the HHC Academies, inside the BeeNova HHC Innovation Center.
It was the first Campus Connect ever held in Latin America and Costa Rica โ€” a milestone for the global WordPress community and an inspiring model for future editions across the region.

The project was led by @lidarroy, together with Francisco Leiton, Mauricio Barrantes, Luis Matarrita, and Sebastiรกn Zรบรฑiga, with the valuable support of volunteers Sammy Arburola, Rommel Castro, Daniel รvila, Diego Cordero, Rosalba Quesada, Fanny Montiel, Cindy Mora, and Kenneth Mora.

Opening Event

The opening session brought together 89 attendees, mainly students from the Vocational School of Arts and Crafts (COVAO) โ€” both day and night programs โ€” along with five speakers and three volunteers.

Main Talks

July 4th, 2025

  • Welcome and Moderation: Mauricio Barrantes
  • Inspiration in Action: From Student to Digital Entrepreneur: Adriรกn Matarrita
  • Build Your Personal Brand: Use Your Website to Stand Out: Lidia Arroyo
  • What Should Your Website Have to Stand Out and Make an Impact?: Francisco Leitรณn
  • Creating Your First Website on WordPress.comWordPress.com An online implementation of WordPress code that lets you immediately access a new WordPress environment to publish your content. WordPress.com is a private company owned by Automattic that hosts the largest multisite in the world. This is arguably the best place to start blogging if you have never touched WordPress before. https://wordpress.com/: From Idea to Action: Luis Matarrita

WebChallenge: โ€œYour Idea, Your Site, Your WordPressโ€

Following the opening event, the WebChallenge began โ€” a five-session learning journey where students developed real web projects.
The program started with 18 students and 12 teachers and administrative staff who were also eager to learn. Eight students completed the full program and presented their final projects.

Throughout the sessions, participants received mentorship from the WordPress community and worked on the following topics:

August 23, 2025

August 30, 2025

September 6, 2025

September 13, 2025

September 27, 2025

Presented Projects


During the closing ceremony, students showcased the projects they developed throughout the WebChallenge:

  1. TuBecaCR: a website that gathers scholarships and courses.
  2. TeenPlace: an inclusive space for teenagers.
  3. AmbientateCR: A Costa Rican initiative that seeks to make caring for the environment a daily habit.
  4. LockerGo: asynchronous learning in different areas.
  5. Psychology: resources and tips for emotional well-being.
  6. Social Activities for Teenagers in Cartago.
  7. Pokรฉmon Competitive Site.
  8. Personal Portfolio.

Closing Event

The closing ceremony of WordPress Campus Connect Cartago 2025 was held on October 11th at COVAO and featured representatives from the HHC Academies, Universidad Latina (which granted the main prize), the Costa Rican Chamber of SMEs, speakers, volunteers, and members of the WordPress community.

Studentsโ€™ parents were invited as special guests to acknowledge their support throughout the process. The institution organized a celebration with refreshments for everyone, strengthening the bond between the community, families, and education.

An additional group of students from other HHC campuses attended as the audience, aiming to inspire them to join future Campus Connect editions and WordPress projects.

Each participant received:

  • A certificate of participation
  • A ticket to WordCampWordCamp WordCamps are casual, locally-organized conferences covering everything related to WordPress. They're one of the places where the WordPress community comes together to teach one another what theyโ€™ve learned throughout the year and share the joy. Learn more. San Josรฉ 2025 (including transportation provided by the institution)
  • A pack of promotional items

Main Awards

First Place:

Second Place:

  • AirPods
  • wag bag
  • Mentorship and business coaching scholarship by Peper La Agencia

The winning project, TuBecaCR, is an initiative that seeks to make access to student scholarships in Costa Rica easier. Christopher Zรบรฑiga will be presenting this inspiring project during WordCamp San Josรฉ 2025.

Special Thanks

We extend a special thanks to Francisco Leitรณn, who served as the main facilitator of the program.
Week after week, he guided students with patience, dedication, and genuine passion for teaching.
His leadership was key in helping participants turn their ideas into real, functional websites โ€” a true reflection of the WordPress community spirit.

Community and Sponsors

Special thanks to the global sponsors โ€” WordPress.com, WooCommerce, Kinsta, Bluehost, and hosting.com โ€” for supporting initiatives that transform digital education.

The success of this project has opened new opportunities: COVAO has made its seven campuses across the province of Cartago available for the WordPress Cartago Community to host future MeetupsMeetup Meetup groups are locally-organized groups that get together for face-to-face events on a regular basis (commonly once a month). Learn more about Meetups in our Meetup Organizer Handbook., WordCamps, and other community events.

In addition, the teaching staff is collaborating to establish a WordPress Study Club, allowing students to continue learning and practicing with new generations.

The WordPress Campus Connect Cartago 2025 shows how collaboration between the community, educational institutions, and local partners can open new doors for students โ€” nurturing interest in open-source technology and creating a sustainable impact in the community.

โœจ When education, community, and a passion for WordPress come togetherโ€ฆ great stories are born! ๐ŸŒŸ