Understanding and implementation of OER practices in the African library and information science sector
AUGUST 15, 2022
African libraries are meant to be the driving force for innovation and sustenance of the knowledge economy in the continent. They provide access to information resources needed to drive quality education (formal and informal), and learning at different stages of life for different purposes. It can be argued that information resources are the core raison d’être for the existence of libraries as they are the main tools used for provision of information. However, funding challenges inhibit the acquisition of current and relevant information resources for libraries.
The constantly evolving digital technologies have enabled creating, sharing and recreating of resources and open licensing principles have created the environment of using, adapting, adding to and reusing intellectual works from all over the world without undue restrictions or barriers. Thus, Open Educational Resources came on board. The UNESCO OER Recommendation has given much impetus to the uptake by institutions and libraries in different parts of the world.
AfLIA had worked with OER Africa to raise the awareness of Open Education Resources and take the first steps in knowing how to identify OERs, the open licensing landscape and knowing how to publish Open Access. This webinar aims at probing the understanding of OER by African librarians, the uptake in different countries in Africa as well as challenges experienced or envisaged.
The webinar will answer the following discussion areas;
- Why OER?
- What does the African academic and research sector stand to gain from the practice of OER?
- Share your thoughts on the uptake of the practice and principles of OER in your country or region of Africa.
- Share specific examples on the uptake where necessary
Date: Thursday, 25th August, 2022
Time: 11:30am UTC | 11:30am GMT | 12:30 pm WAT | 13:30pm CAT | 14:30pm EAT
Registration
This is a free webinar. After completing the registration form, you will receive notification via email with details of how to join the webinar.
Carefully read the section on Technical Requirements to help you prepare adequately for this webinar.
Discussants
David Koech is a Librarian (Kabarak University-Kenya), Young African Library Leader, Kenya sign language interpreter (KS L), Digital storyteller, Library Advocate, Program Development and Management and SDG Advocate. David leads a number of impactful initiatives for his community, such as advocating for sustainable development goals to improve Libraries, health, security, peace, & education. He also uses digital storytelling to inform and to educate.
Emmanuel Omeiza Momoh is a young professional who is passionate about understanding and meeting individual/corporate information needs. He is a chartered Librarian (CLN) with a number of publications on critical areas in Librarianship. He also has additional certifications in leadership/team management, communication and project management. He has. Emmanuel is a member of the World Literacy Foundation, the Young African Library Leaders Fellowship and the Innovative Teachers Fellowship and has served as a member of the United Nations Global Schools Advocacy Programme in 2021. Besides, he is a recent fellow of the Savvy Programme for aspiring and early stage entrepreneurs.
Mrs. Lynn Jibril is a Librarian and an Educator. Currently employed by the University of Botswana Library. She has teaching experience spanning over twenty-five years in secondary schools. Mrs Jibril Holds a Master’s Degree in Library and Information Studies as well as a Diploma in Secondary Education. She is passionate about the teaching of Information and digital Literacy skills to both undergraduate and graduates students of the University. Her interests are in Open science issues; Open Educational Resources, Research Data Management as well as Knowledge Management. She has recently joined a team of editors on the Wikipedia platform a job that she does with great passion and commitment. She is also the current President of the Botswana Library Association.
Technical requirements
Upon registration, reminders will be sent to all registrants periodically. This webinar will be hosted on Zoom Conferencing Platform. Participants, who do not have Zoom on their mobile devices and or computers, need to download, install and create an account on Zoom ahead of time (CLICK TO DOWNLOAD). Webinar attendees are encouraged to join early, preferably 15 minutes before the start of the webinar, as one may need time launch the application. The speaker will use a webcam to connect with attendees. Audio and video for the session will be streamed over computer speakers. Attendees are therefore encouraged to connect with a headset or earpiece for maximum utility. Please note that this webinar does not involve certificate of participation.
Webinar materials
A list of resources and further information will made be available at the end of the webinar, to enable thorough engagement with the webinar content. All registrants will have access to the presentation slides. The webinar recording will be uploaded on AfLIA Youtube Channel soon after the webinar to facilitate continuous engagement with the webinar content by webinar attendees and non-attendees. Webinar attendees who are fully present for webinar may be eligible for a certificate of participation from AfLIA.
Queries
For further enquiries and any assistance relating to the webinar, contact us at afliacomm@aflia.net.