scholarly journals How the Botswana International University of Science and Technology Library Engages its Stakeholders in Connecting Information Resources, Services, and Space

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (3/4) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ayanda Agnes Lebele
Keyword(s):  
Science And Technology ◽  
Information Resources ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Engagement Strategies ◽  
Different Types ◽  
International University

In the quest to develop more innovative customer-focused library services, the Botswana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST) Library embarked on the development of robust initiatives that involved the engagement of various stakeholders. The emerging consultative and engaging trend is premised on the key values of facilitating access to information and demand-driven inclusive library services. The paper presents how the BIUST Library engages stakeholders in the development of multiple and flexible opportunities to access and use information. In doing so, it describes the recreation of internal library structures, space, and processes in a way that accommodates and demonstrates the categories and functional roles of different types of library stakeholders. The paper further points to how the stakeholders’ cultures and systems create a divide or imbalance in the access and usage of library services. The paper also argues for a need to define library stakeholders and develop engagement strategies that are entity and initiative specific.

University of Zululand Library and Inclusive Education: Responding to the Needs of Students with Disabilities

Mousaion ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Dorothy Eneya ◽  
Dennis N. Ocholla ◽  
Bertha Janneke Mostert
Keyword(s):  
Students With Disabilities ◽  
Inclusive Education ◽  
Assistive Technologies ◽  
Equal Access ◽  
Disability Policy ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Persons With Disabilities ◽  
Education Agenda ◽  
The University

This paper investigates the University of Zululand Library’s response to the university’s inclusive education agenda with respect to the accessibility of library services to students with disabilities. This was a qualitative study within the interpretive paradigm that used Michael Oliver’s social model of disability as an underpinning theory. Semi-structured interviews were used to collect data from students with disabilities and library staff. In addition, physical inspection of the library building was also conducted. Data analysis was done by thematic analysis. The study reveals that the University of Zululand Library services are not inclusive. Students with disabilities struggle to access library services. They faced such challenges as inaccessibility of library services, unavailability of resources in alternative formats and assistive technologies, and the lack of a disability policy. The study also found that the library faced the following challenges in providing services for students with disabilities: limited funding, a lack of staff awareness and training, the lack of a disability policy and a lack of collaboration. Formulating regulations to enforce the implementation of disability policy and legislation, developing institutional disability policies, and providing assistive technologies are critical in ensuring the accessibility of library services to students with disabilities at the University of Zululand. Unless students with disabilities have equal access to information, the university’s inclusive education agenda will remain a distant dream. Access to academic library services is critical to the full participation of students with disabilities in education. Likewise, inclusive university education can only be realised when students with disabilities have equal access to information. This aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals and the United Nations Convention on the Rights for Persons with Disabilities, which promote equal access to services and facilities to persons with disabilities. This paper raises awareness for both library staff and university management about the current status of library facilities and services with respect to accessibility for students with disabilities and how to address inclusiveness in library service provision.

scholarly journals A Survey on Robotic Technologies for Forest Firefighting: Applying Drone Swarms to Improve Firefighters’ Efficiency and Safety

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 363
Author(s):  
Juan Jesús Roldán-Gómez ◽  
Eduardo González-Gironda ◽  
Antonio Barrientos
Keyword(s):  
Augmented Reality ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
Team Leaders ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Multiple Tasks ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Complete Survey ◽  
Virtual And Augmented Reality ◽  
Robotic Technologies

Forest firefighting missions encompass multiple tasks related to prevention, surveillance, and extinguishing. This work presents a complete survey of firefighters on the current problems in their work and the potential technological solutions. Additionally, it reviews the efforts performed by the academy and industry to apply different types of robots in the context of firefighting missions. Finally, all this information is used to propose a concept of operation for the comprehensive application of drone swarms in firefighting. The proposed system is a fleet of quadcopters that individually are only able to visit waypoints and use payloads, but collectively can perform tasks of surveillance, mapping, monitoring, etc. Three operator roles are defined, each one with different access to information and functions in the mission: mission commander, team leaders, and team members. These operators take advantage of virtual and augmented reality interfaces to intuitively get the information of the scenario and, in the case of the mission commander, control the drone swarm.

scholarly journals Species functional traits and abundance as drivers of multiplex ecological networks: first empirical quantification of inter-layer edge weights

2020 ◽  
Vol 287 (1939) ◽  
pp. 20202127
Author(s):  
S. Hervías-Parejo ◽  
C. Tur ◽  
R. Heleno ◽  
M. Nogales ◽  
S. Timóteo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Species Traits ◽  
Abundant Species ◽  
Modular Organization ◽  
Vertebrate Species ◽  
Multilayer Network ◽  
Functional Roles ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Seed Dispersers ◽  
Natural Communities

Many vertebrate species act as both plant pollinators and seed-dispersers, thus interconnecting these processes, particularly on islands. Ecological multilayer networks are a powerful tool to explore interdependencies between processes; however, quantifying the links between species engaging in different types of interactions (i.e. inter-layer edges) remains a great challenge. Here, we empirically measured inter-layer edge weights by quantifying the role of individually marked birds as both pollinators and seed-dispersers of Galápagos plant species over an entire year. Although most species (80%) engaged in both functions, we show that only a small proportion of individuals actually linked the two processes, highlighting the need to further consider intra-specific variability in individuals' functional roles. Furthermore, we found a high variation among species in linking both processes, i.e. some species contribute more than others to the modular organization of the multilayer network. Small and abundant species are particularly important for the cohesion of pollinator seed-dispersal networks, demonstrating the interplay between species traits and neutral processes structuring natural communities.

NBIC-Convergence and Technoethics

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 77-84 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Grebenshchikova
Keyword(s):  
Technology Development ◽  
Science And Technology ◽  
Applied Ethics ◽  
High Technology ◽  
Ethical Reflection ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Biomedical Field ◽  
Ict Ethics

Technoethics is a new, but rapidly developing field of ethical reflection of technoscience. It can claim to unite the various ethical projections of the science and technology development in a common approach. One of the starting points of understanding this role of technoethics may be NBIC-convergence. The ethical dimensions of the NBIC-projects is represented in these sub-areas of applied ethics as a nanoethics, bioethics, neuroethics and ICT ethics. In this article particular attention is paid to the biomedical field, which is a prime example of innovative high technology, as well as the interaction of different types of ethics.

scholarly journals Fabrication and function of polymer membranes

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Volker Abetz ◽  
Torsten Brinkmann ◽  
Mustafa Sözbilir
Keyword(s):  
Science And Technology ◽  
Polymer Membranes ◽  
Human Beings ◽  
High Significance ◽  
Different Types ◽  
And Function ◽  
Membrane Science

Abstract The paper gives an introduction to membrane science and technology, an area of research of high significance for the development of a sustainable life for human beings. It is therefore intended to be a guide for teachers in the areas of chemistry, physics, or biology, who can incorporate the presented materials in their respective courses. The paper gives some insights into the different types of membranes, their functions, production and use in some selected areas.

scholarly journals Schooling at the Library in Italy for the Social Inclusion: The “Biblioscuole” Project

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisa Marquardt
Keyword(s):  
Social Inclusion ◽  
School Library ◽  
Pilot Project ◽  
Easy Access ◽  
Library Services ◽  
Access To Information ◽  
School Librarians ◽  
Training Course ◽  
The Social ◽  
And Training

“Biblioteche nelle Scuole” (in brief, “Biblioscuole”, i.e. Libraries at Schools), a three year school library pilot project, has been carrying out since 2004 in Italy to improve school librarians competencies and school library services in order to provide an easy access to information for teachers, pupils and their families, and to promote social inclusion. The Project and some reflections - based on learners’ interaction - about the first part of the education and training course, are presented here.

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