In recognition of Open Access Week, the Library and Information Systems Directorate at the North-West University (NWU) recently hosted several discussion sessions on the theme: “Open for Whom? Equity in Open Knowledge”.
Open Access Week was celebrated across the three campuses and various topics were discussed. These ranged from the different components of open science, remarks on the challenges specific to open access, and illustrations on the ways in which new technology and tools can improve research in terms of collaboration, efficiency, and productivity.
In her welcoming address, Hendra Pretorius, library manager on the campus in Vanderbijlpark, explained that this year marks the 12th global celebration of Open Access Week, and that the NWU proudly takes part in this worthwhile endeavour.
She furthermore said that researchers should be viewed as architects of innovation and henceforth their research should benefit society directly. This can however only happen when their research findings are effectively shared within the academic community and society at large.
“Until now, the sharing of such research information has traditionally been facilitated by peer-reviewed closed journals which can only be accessed by means of a paid subscription,” Hendra explained. She added that the dawn of open access (OA) provides not only a cheaper alternative to traditional printing, but also a greater free-flow of information between researchers and their audience.
During the course of Open Access Week, all three the NWU’s campuses hosted information and discussion sessions.
Potchefstroom Campus
Open Access Week was officially launched on Monday, 21 October by Dr Mathew Moyo, chief director for library and information service. The following speakers took to the podium: Prof Andries van Aarde (commissioning editor, AOSIS scholarly books), Prof Pierre de Villiers (managing director, AOSIS scholarly books) , Prof Jako Olivier (UNESCO chair on Multimodal Learning and Open Educational Resources) and Valencia Wagner (SADiLaR).
Vanderbijlpark Campus
On Wednesday, 23 October Prof Andries van Aarde spoke about the advantages of open knowledge resources, followed by Prof Verona Leendertz (director for TELIT-SA) and Dr Clarise Mostert (lecturer in Management Sciences). Prof Leendertz and Dr CMostert presented a talk on how the Faculty of Economic and Management Sciences at the campus in Vanderbijlpark incorporates open education resources within its Business Management module.
Mahikeng Campus
The NWU’s Open Access Week programme drew to a close on Thursday, 24 October at the campus in Mahikeng. The main speaker, Prof Simeon Materechera (director of the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Centre) focused on the topic “Can open access enhance access to indigenous knowledge?”. He was followed by Prof Mpine Makoe from Unisa who talked to the topic of equity of knowledge through the use of open educational resources.
Prof Jako Olivier, Dr Mathew Moyo, Prof Pierre de Villiers, Valencia Wagner and Prof Andries van Aarde.
Prof Verona Leendertz.
