USIU-Africa Celebrates Open Access Week 2024: Championing

By Fred Adika and Horace Okoth

USIU-Africa’s annual Open Access Week, celebrated from October 22 - 24, 2024, was a testament to the power of accessible knowledge. With this year’s theme, "Community Over Commercialization," the university embraced a vision that prioritizes learning communities and equitable knowledge sharing over profit-driven access to information. This event, filled with interactive sessions, competitions, and awards, showcased how open access can enrich academia and inspire global change.

A Week of Engaging Activities

The celebration began with a lineup of events that sparked enthusiasm across campus. Activities like photo campaigns and board games created an energetic atmosphere, inviting students and staff alike to engage with the idea of open access in fresh, innovative ways. The photo campaign, for example, encouraged participants to capture moments that symbolized the essence of open access, adding a personal touch to the week's theme of inclusivity and collaboration.

One of the highlights was the Librarians’ Competition, which challenged USIU-Africa’s library professionals to identify three high-quality open-access textbooks suitable for the university’s online MBA and MA. Communication Studies programs. This event emphasized the real-world benefits of open resources in academic settings, particularly as online programs expand and students seek cost-effective materials. The competition underscored the librarians' essential role in finding resources that bridge academic gaps and support students across various disciplines.

Building Community Through Inclusive Games

The spirit of Open Access Week was also celebrated through an inclusive games session, where librarians and students came together in friendly competition in a goalball game. Goalball, a sport designed for visually impaired players, served as a symbolic reminder of inclusivity, one of open access's core principles. The session provided a unique bonding experience, reinforcing the notion that open access, like goalball, fosters an environment where everyone has an equal opportunity to participate, learn, and excel.

Honoring Academic Contributions at the Grand Finale

The event’s grand finale was held at the School of Humanities and Social Sciences, drawing together faculty, librarians, and students to honor those who have actively contributed to the open access movement over the past year. This climactic event was an inspiring moment for the university community, as it recognized faculty members whose research has been made openly accessible, expanding the reach and impact of their work. Prof. Caren Ouma, Amb. Prof. Ruthie Rono, and Prof. Juliana Namada were celebrated for their dedication to making their publications freely available, marking them as champions of knowledge sharing.

Their achievements reflect the university's commitment to dismantling the barriers of information accessibility, empowering readers, researchers, and learners around the globe. Each awardee's contribution exemplifies how openly available research can drive progress, inspire students, and enhance academic collaborations across borders.

Recognizing Librarians' Role in Knowledge Accessibility

Librarians Ms. Susan Cherono and Mr. Jackson Wamiti were also recognized for their exemplary work in the Librarians’ Competition. Their efforts to source relevant, high quality open-access textbooks not only underscore the value of open resources but also demonstrate the proactive role that librarians play in shaping accessible learning environments. By selecting resources that support online learning, Cherono and Wamiti set a precedent for future initiatives to make education more inclusive and sustainable.

A Thought-Provoking Keynote Address

The keynote address by Mr. Joel Nakitare, University Librarian from Rongo University, was a thought-provoking highlight that left a lasting impact on attendees. Speaking on the topic, "Consolidating Open Access Initiatives to Foster Global Knowledge Exchange," Nakitare eloquently discussed the role of open access in democratizing knowledge. He emphasized how open access could reduce inequalities in education, enabling students from all backgrounds to access world-class resources.

Mr. Nakitare’s address also highlighted the global responsibility of educational institutions to make knowledge accessible. He challenged the audience to view open access not only as a tool for academic success but as a force for global transformation one that can bridge educational divides, inspire innovations, and foster understanding across cultures. His insights added a profound dimension to the event, encouraging students and faculty to think beyond the walls of their university and consider their role in a global knowledge-sharing network.

A Legacy of Learning and Inspiration

As Open Access Week came to a close, the impact of the celebrations remained strong. The week highlighted USIU-Africa’s role as a champion of accessible knowledge and strengthened its community’s commitment to knowledge equity. Faculty, librarians, and students left the event with renewed motivation to support open access initiatives, recognizing that shared knowledge is a powerful tool for both academic and social progress.

USIU-Africa’s Open Access Week 2024 was a resounding success, showcasing how the principles of community and inclusivity can transform academia. By honoring the contributions of faculty and librarians, the event reinforced that open access is not just about availability but about building a community that values and shares knowledge freely. As attendees return to their studies and research, they carry with them the inspiration to champion open access, ensuring that knowledge remains a resource accessible to all.

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