IAU Project – OER and the Academic Librarian

• IAUInternational Association of Universities

• Members120 countries, approx. 600 member institutions and 30 member organisations

• Secretariat(15 people) located in UNESCO’s compound in Paris, France

• Why OER?

IAU Constitution (1950)The IAU Secretariat shall …

“develop means for the better distribution and exchange of laboratory material, books and other equipment for university study and research”…

IAU Project – OER and the Academic Librarian

OER are:

“Digitized as well as non-digitized teaching and learning materials eitheropenly released or released in the public domain that can beused and reused by all, everywhere"(source: UNESCO)

• Why OER (2)?

IAU Statement Universitiesand ICTs (2004):… IAU will pursue its efforts to act as a platform for information sharing in regard to the use of ICTs in higher education, stimulating exchange of expertise and disseminating examples of good practices such as the Open Educational Resources…

IAU Project – OER and the Academic Librarian

• Why academiclibrarians?

One of the first constituenciesto support the wider open access movement

They play a central role in higher education institutions

Are for the IAU the best placedand trained to advocate for and promote the use, creation, and dissemination of OER.

• Accra (Ghana) Seminar

To validate the concept for the need of a specific Training and Support Programme for Academic Librarians on OER Use, Reuse, and Production.

20 librarians from 10 Africananglophone countries

With support of UNESCO and African Association of Universities

IAU Project – OER and the Academic Librarian

Results:

• Participants’ knowledge on OER was updated

• They confirmed their possible role in the promotion of OER at the university and beyond

• They validated the projectpurposes and format (promotion and multiplication of OER throughcapacity building and support)

Unfortunately, up to now, the IAU has not been able to develop the project

But IAU new strategywhich is being draftedcomprises an item on ICTsthat could include OER

IAU Project – OER and the Academic Librarian

So, the purpose of thisonline discussion is :

1. To get information on what has changedconcerning OER at libraries since Accra

In your library? Do you have OER in your catalogue? Do you often search for OER?

At your university? Is your university producing OER? Is the library involved in the production / dissemination of local OER? Do youhave an OER policy?

More generallyHas your institution moved from OER to MOOCs? Is reaching people withdisabilities part of OER development?

2. To get your viewpointon what should be ournext move

Mary ARKORFUL Ghana Head Librarian, Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAPTC)

Gifty BOAKYE Ghana Deputy Librarian, University of Ghana

Plaxedes CHAITEZVI Zimbabwe Sub-Librarian, Women’s University in Africa

Mac-Anthony COBBLAH Ghana University Librarian, Methodist University Library

Clement ENTSUA-MENSAH Ghana Librarian, University of Cape Coast

Olukemi FADEHAN Nigeria University Librarian, University of Lagos

Amina KABUDI Tanzania Director, University Library, University of Dar esSalaam

Richard LAMPTEY Ghana Head of Electronic Information, Kwame University of Science and Technology (KNUST)

Ntombikayise NomsaMATHABELA

Swaziland Assistant Librarian, University of Swaziland

Buhle MBAMBO-THATA South Africa Executive Director, Library Services, University of South Africa

Elijah MENSAH Ghana University Librarian , University of Professional Studies

Kaelo MOLEBATSI Botswana Deputy Director, Resources Management, University of Botswana

Balungile Brightness MOLEME South Africa Subject Librarian, University of KwaZulu Natal

Matseliso MOSHOESHOE-CHADZINGWA

Lesotho University Librarian, National University of Lesotho

George Gitau NJOROGE Kenya Chief University Librarian, Kenyatta University

Amanda SUDIC France Librarian / Documentalist, IAU

Isabelle TURMAINE France Director, Information Projects and Services, IAU