DIGITISING UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES IN GHANA: HOW TECHNOLOGY IS FACILITATING ACCESS TO DIGITAL CONTENT AND SERVICES

Mousaion ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 33 (3) ◽  
pp. 95-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
Perpetua Dadzie ◽  
Thomas Van der Walt
Keyword(s):  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Digital Content ◽  
Cape Coast ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
The University

The study investigated the extent to which technological advances are affecting the development of digital libraries in universities in Ghana. Using the case study approach, interviews were conducted with university librarians and information technology (IT) officers of three public universities in Ghana. In all, six staff members (i.e., two representatives each from the three libraries at the University of Ghana (UG), the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), and the University of Cape Coast (UCC)) were interviewed. Their views on the available information communications technology (ICT) infrastructure which would enable access to digital content and services, such as online databases, institutional repositories, online public access catalogues (OPACs) and World Wide Web (www) resources, were obtained. The findings revealed that all three universities have the basic ICT infrastructure to enable users to access digital content. However, there was restricted access to the OPAC; lack of visibility of the library website; and inadequate use of Web 2.0 tools in some of the libraries. Therefore, the study recommends the hiring of more multi-skilled librarians who would provide the necessary support for digital resources and services.

Access and Use of Digital Resources: A Survey of Their Value for Faculty in Three Ghanaian Universities

Libri ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Perpetua Dadzie ◽  
Thomas van der Walt
Keyword(s):  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Faculty Members ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Survey Method ◽  
Cape Coast ◽  
Digital Resources ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
Kwame Nkrumah ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

AbstractThis paper is culled from a doctoral study that investigated the development and management of digital libraries in selected academic libraries in Ghana. In this article, the authors report on the value that faculty members place on access to and use of digital resources and their implications for library services in three Ghanaian universities. The survey method was used to administer a structured questionnaire to 230 faculty members. Using convenience sampling, 10% of faculty were selected from the University of Ghana, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, and the University of Cape Coast. Univariate and bivariate analyses were done to construct frequencies and establish relationships among respondents. Findings showed that less than half of the faculty members were aware of and used digital resources such as the online databases, institutional repositories, the library’s website and the online public access catalogue (OPAC). Nevertheless, the impact of the resources on them was very positive. The study recommended the need for university librarians to interact with faculty during orientation sessions for new faculty as well as new heads of departments. Additionally, subject librarians should work closely with departmental heads to be allocated periods for presentation on available digital resources, their usefulness for their own career enhancement and for their teaching role. The underlying implications of this study show that more advocacies are required from university libraries to enhance the use of digital resources.

Open and Distance Learning in Asia

2012 ◽  
pp. 40-50
Author(s):  
Tian Belawati ◽  
Udan Kusmawan ◽  
Suci M. Isman
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Public Access ◽  
Learning Support ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Online Tutorials ◽  
Future System ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
Printed Materials

Universitas Terbuka (UT) is committed to making higher education open to all Indonesians. All efforts are directed to address and maintain UT’s openness, flexibility, and accessibility. As a result, UT successfully provides higher education to about 600,000 students who come from various social and economic backgrounds. Due to limited ICT infrastructure in Indonesia, UT still uses printed materials as the main learning media, supplemented with various non-printed materials. UT also provides learning support in the form of face-to-face and online tutorials, digital libraries, and other online resources. The advancement of ICT and greater public access to the Internet has allowed students to have easier access to UT’s programs and services. The remaining challenge for UT is balancing the quality of materials and learning supports for different students with different learning circumstances. It is very important for UT that no potential students are marginalized due to their lack of access to certain technologies. Nevertheless, it is envisioned that UT will increase the utilization of ICT in its future system.

Scholarly Communication in a Digital Environment: Populating the Institutional Repository of the University of Botswana

Libri ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 65 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Olugbade Oladokun
Keyword(s):  
Performance Management ◽  
Academic Staff ◽  
Scholarly Communication ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
Academic Excellence ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
University Of Botswana ◽  
The World ◽  
The University

AbstractThis paper examines the numerous benefits of digital scholarly communication made visible through institutional repositories (IRs) that have become trendy in institutions of higher learning in developed countries of the world. In line with its vision to be a leading centre of academic excellence in Africa and the world, the University of Botswana (UB) established its own IR known as the UB Research, Innovation and Scholarship Archive (UBRISA). This paper discusses the challenges of profiling digital scholarly communication on UBRISA, a technology brimming with potential but which UB staff has largely ignored. The consequences of this neglect are seen in the paltry submissions to it during its four years of existence. The paper explains the implementation policy, and the involvement and functions of a tripartite team that drives UBRISA. The paper notes that the problem of tardiness experienced in populating the digital repositories of other institutions is also deeply rooted in UB. It shares some failed efforts made to populate UBRISA through the instrument of the performance management system – an annual contract which the academic staff members sign at the beginning of the year. The paper then analyses the efforts of the Scholarly Communication in Africa Programme (SCAP) that worked with UB in training its staff regarding the operation of the IR, and also established a workflow process for vetting, describing and uploading content to the IR so that UB scholarship could become more visible to the world. Some recommendations are also offered.

scholarly journals PERCEPTION OF GRADUATE STUDENTS ON THE USE OF THE INSTITUTIONAL REPOSITORY OF THE UNIVERSITY FOR DEVELOPMENT STUDIES, TAMALE, GHANA

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 437-447
Author(s):  
A. K. Ibrahim ◽  
H. Mohammed ◽  
S. Bawa
Keyword(s):  
Graduate Students ◽  
Development Studies ◽  
Institutional Repository ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
Level Of Satisfaction ◽  
Do It Yourself ◽  
Ict Infrastructure ◽  
Effective Use ◽  
The University ◽  
Descriptive Survey

This study examined the perception of graduate students in the use of the institutional repositories particularly in relation to the institutional repository of the University for Development Studies (UDS), Tamale, Ghana. The study examined the level of students’ awareness, attitude towards the IR, level of use and level of satisfaction, and the challenges facing them in their utilisation of the UDS IR. The study adopted the descriptive survey approach and was conducted on the four campuses of the University for Development Studies (UDS) in Wa, Navrongo, Nyankpala and Tamale in May, 2019. A total of 104 copies of a questionnaire were distributed to graduate students based on random sampling and 88 copies of the questionnaire were completed and returned. Only 85 copies were found usable and thus were used for the analysis. The study revealed that 67% of the respondents were aware of the IR. However, utilization was only occasional among them. The study also revealed that majority (75%) of graduate students use the IR to access theses and dissertations. The lack of awareness creation about the IR and the inadequate ICT connection and infrastructure were the challenges that hinder effective use of the IR. The study suggests that library orientation should be organised to educate graduate students on the benefits of using the IR for their studies especially in doing research. The study also recommended improvement in ICT infrastructure to ease access to the IR. Do-It-Yourself (DIY) short videos could be put on the IR interface and the Library website to guide students on how to use the IR. Keywords: Institutional Repository, Perception, Graduate students, Utilization, University for Development Studies, Ghana

Conference on Research and Consultancy in Public Administration in Africa

1966 ◽  
Vol 4 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-107
Author(s):  
Ansu K. Datta
Keyword(s):  
Public Administration ◽  
Active Part ◽  
Royal Institute ◽  
Cape Coast ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Institute Of Public Administration ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
Economic Commission ◽  
Assistant Director ◽  
The University

This conference was held at Achimota under the auspices of the three Institutes of Public Administration at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, at the University of Ife, and in Ghana. The planning committee comprised F. G. Brown (Zaria), R. S. Butler (Ibadan), G. R. Dennison (Achimota), J. Nti (Achimota), and J. H. Smith (Kaduna). Visiting participants came from a number of African countries, including Nigeria, Liberia, Niger, Ethiopia, Sudan, and Somalia. The U.N. Economic Commission for Africa was represented by the Chief of its Public Administration Section. The Assistant Director of the Institute of Public Administration, Dublin, and the Director of Studies of the Royal Institute of Public Administration, London, also attended and took an active part in the conference. Understandably, the largest contingent came from Ghana (27 out of a total of 36), of whom, apart from those associated with the Institute of Public Administration, most were senior civil servants, with a few staff members from the Universit of Ghana and the University College of Cape Coast.

scholarly journals Responding to COVID-19 in an African university: the case the National University of Lesotho library

2020 ◽  
Vol ahead-of-print (ahead-of-print) ◽  
Author(s):  
Buhle Mbambo-Thata
Keyword(s):  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Digital Content ◽  
Library Services ◽  
African Countries ◽  
New Normal ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Digital Services ◽  
National University ◽  
The University

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to discuss the National University of Lesotho Library’s shift to supporting of contact teaching to e-learning because of COVID-19. The university library increased access to digital content and broadened digital services. Design/methodology/approach This case study is based on reflective practice methodology in which practitioners learn from their practice, reflect and adapt to change as they improve on their practice. The library team members were reflective participants in the transformation of library services from on-site to digital services. The main research questions are “How did the digital libraries meet the needs of the digital community?” and “What will be the new normal after COVID-19 experience in digital libraries and their communities?” The literature review juxtaposes reports on transformation of library services to digital services. Findings The library transformed from on-site to digital services library. It also reports on observed increase in databases usage during lockdown. Research limitations/implications The nature of a case study is limited by time and geography. Practical implications This paper has implications and possible applications for other university libraries in African countries that are resources constrained such as Lesotho. Originality/value This paper makes a valuable contribution to lessons on how African universities’ libraries respond to pandemics such as COVID-19. It speaks to the need to strengthen existing infrastructure and digital content, while ensuring the library staff and the university community adapts to the new normal.

SRU/W-based CRIS systems search profile

2014 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 140-166 ◽  
Author(s):  
Valentin Penca ◽  
Siniša Nikolić ◽  
Dragan Ivanović ◽  
Zora Konjović ◽  
Dušan Surla
Keyword(s):  
Digital Libraries ◽  
Scientific Research ◽  
Research Data ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Institutional Repositories ◽  
Data Store ◽  
Novi Sad ◽  
The University ◽  
Search Modes ◽  
Practical Implications

Purpose – The main aim of this paper is to develop a CRIS systems search profile that would enable CRIS users to perform unified and semantically rich search for the records stored in the CRIS systems. Design/methodology/approach – Prior to the search profile construction, diverse representative types of the scientific research data store systems (CRISs, digital libraries, institutional repositories, and search portals) were analyzed versus available search modes, indexes and query types. Findings – The new SRU/W standard based search profile (CRIS profile) for the purpose of searching scientific research data was proposed, that supports search for all types of data identified through an exhaustive analysis covering all major scientific and research data store systems. Research limitations/implications – Constraints of the proposed profile could appear from the fact that data identified in analyzed systems do not comprise all scientific research data recognized by CERIF standard which, in turn, could call for the profile extension. Practical implications – Search profile has been verified on the data in the existing CRIS systems at the University of Novi Sad. The CRIS search profile enables unified and semantically rich search for the data stored in heterogeneous distributed scientific research data store systems. Originality/value – The new SRU/W-based search profile extensively supports the search domain of scientific research data in CRIS systems. Commitments to SRU/W and CQL standards enable interoperability among heterogeneous, distributed scientific research data sources.

The consolidation of microscopy technology into a university research support facility: Reflections on the 1980's and projections for the 1990's at the university of iowa

1993 ◽  
Vol 51 ◽  
pp. 476-477
Author(s):  
Kenneth C. Moore
Keyword(s):  
Laser Scanning ◽  
Freeze Fracture ◽  
Freeze Substitution ◽  
Research Support ◽  
University Of Iowa ◽  
Staff Members ◽  
The Past ◽  
Research Grade ◽  
The University ◽  
Support Facility

The University of Iowa Central Electron Microscopy Research Facility(CEMRF) was established in 1981 to support all faculty, staff and students needing this technology. Initially the CEMRF was operated with one TEM, one SEM, three staff members and supported about 30 projects a year. During the past twelve years, the facility has replaced all instrumentation pre-dating 1981, and now includes 2 TEM's, 2 SEM's, 2 EDS systems, cryo-transfer specimen holders for both TEM and SEM, 2 parafin microtomes, 4 ultamicrotomes including cryoultramicrotomy, a Laser Scanning Confocal microscope, a research grade light microscope, an Ion Mill, film and print processing equipment, a rapid cryo-freezer, freeze substitution apparatus, a freeze-fracture/etching system, vacuum evaporators, sputter coaters, a plasma asher, and is currently evaluating scanning probe microscopes for acquisition. The facility presently consists of 10 staff members and supports over 150 projects annually from 44 departments in 5 Colleges and 10 industrial laboratories. One of the unique strengths of the CEMRF is that both Biomedical and Physical scientists use the facility.

KURIKULUM DAN TANTANGANNYA Studi Kasus Jurusan Perbankan Syariah di SMK Ibnu Sina

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eny Puspita Ningrum
Keyword(s):  
Curriculum Reform ◽  
Face To Face ◽  
Educational Curriculum ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Technological Advances ◽  
Life Education ◽  
Real Picture ◽  
In The Beginning

Education is an important thing that has become a necessity for every human being in order to achieve a better quality of life. Education cannot be separated from the educational curriculum, which is where the curriculum continues to develop following every development of society and technological advances. The curriculum is the heart of education and is dynamic in nature where the curriculum must always be updated or changed. From this curriculum reform and change, it is a challenge for teachers to continue to innovate to improve the quality of education. By using a qualitative research method a case study approach, it is hoped that it can explain the real picture that is being experienced by the teacher at SMK Ibnu Sina. which focuses on the Sharia Banking major due to changes in the adjusted curriculum because the world is being faced by COVID-19. In the era of COVID-19, the educational curriculum must be adjusted, which in the beginning learning can be face-to-face now has turned into a distance learning online learning model.

scholarly journals Sustainability and Stakeholder Awareness: A Case Study of a Scottish University

2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (8) ◽  
pp. 4186
Author(s):  
Abdulhakeem Raji ◽  
Abeer Hassan
Keyword(s):  
Signaling Theory ◽  
Relevant Information ◽  
Voluntary Exercise ◽  
Communication Tool ◽  
Individual Interviews ◽  
Study Approach ◽  
Research Findings ◽  
Definition Of ◽  
The University

This paper adopted a case study approach to investigate the sustainability practices of a Scottish university in order to understand if sustainability forms part of its central policy agenda. As such, the paper focuses on the levels of awareness and disclosure of their sustainable practices, measuring the impacts and effectiveness of those initiatives. This paper introduces signaling theory to explore the idea that appropriate communication via integrated thinking can close the gap between the organization and its stakeholders. We believe that the provision of this relevant information will lead to better communication between the organization and its stakeholders, supporting a signaling theory interpretation. Therefore, we are suggesting that integrated thinking is an internal process that organizations can follow to increase the level of disclosure as a communication tool with stakeholders. From the literature reviewed, four themes were identified (definition of university sustainability, sustainability awareness, disclosure framework within universities, and level of accountability). The research adopted a pragmatic view and conducted individual interviews with participants belonging to three stakeholder groups (members of the university’s senior management, the governing council, and the student union executive). Although this study focused on just one Scottish university, it should still provide some insight for the better understanding of the underpinning issues surrounding the sustainability accountability practices of Scottish universities in general. The research findings indicated that the university prioritized only two sustainability dimensions—economic and environmental—and that the university still perceived sustainability as a voluntary exercise. Additionally, it is evident that the university had no framework in place for measuring its sustainability delivery—and therefore had no established medium of communicating these activities to its stakeholders. Moreover, research findings showed that the social and educational context of sustainability was lacking at the university. The university has done little or nothing to educate its stakeholders on sustainability.

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