A review of the open access concept in the UAE

Purpose: This paper seeks to highlight the recent open access (OA) initiatives in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Design/methodology/approach: The paper finds that the UAE open access initiatives may be the beginning of advances towards encouraging contributing to OA peer-reviewed article publication for enabling knowledge creation. The OA initiative appears to be a harbinger of things to come particularly at UAE institutions of higher learning where most of the academic research happens. For librarians, the time has come to be involved with the creation of institutional repositories as their roles evolve. Findings: The research is based on literature rather than a field study. This means an actual survey may be more informative in the future. Research limitations/implications: It is important for librarians and the academic community to understand what OA means in order to both contribute and benefit from it. Practical implications: OA as a concept implies giving the responsibility to librarians to give more advice to patrons about effective use of OA resources. Originality/value: This paper reinforces many of the concepts being discussed regarding OA initiatives both in the UAE and globally. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited

Relationship between Knowledge Management and Academic Integrity in a Middle Eastern University

The difference between knowledge sharing as enabled in a knowledge management (KM) environment, and academic honesty continuously needs clarification and reinforcement in academic institutions. Teaching includes getting students to realize that knowledge is an asset that can be ethically used for creativity and innovation, resulting in the enhancement of the corporate image and effectiveness of a university. Studies have confirmed that academic dishonesty is an ethical challenge facing many academic institutions of higher learning. In the Middle East, the use of English as a second language is often cited as a contributing factor to students\u27 plagiarizing, but the problem extends to the use of Arabic language sources too. Conflicts in approach may arise because KM works well in an environment of sharing, and yet acknowledging academic productivity of others may not always happen spontaneously. This is a challenge faced in MOOCs and by institutions of higher learning the world over

Analysing the future of Zimbabwe\u27s academic libraries: From their historical past to preparedness for current realities and requirements

The functions of academic libraries and librarians are evolving due to rapidly changing globalized information environments. This chapter explains the development of academic libraries in Zimbabwe reflecting a realization of their importance to every institution of higher learning. The implication, for the Zimbabwe librarian, is therefore to continuously find ways of re-tooling in order to remain relevant and proactive in order to be able to meet or anticipate new needs and demands that result from a knowledge-driven academic environment. The reality is that libraries in Zimbabwe face big technological challenges and lack adequate funding while pursuing their desire to support the academic community in a competitive manner. However, the motivation to support academic communities in an effective and efficient manner keeps them on the lookout for opportunities. Enhancement of librarian training and national investment in education, and specifically support for libraries and librarians, can contribute towards the reinforcement of human capital development programmes. © 2014 The editors and contributors All rights reserved

THE IMPACT OF CLOUD COMPUTING ON THE FUTURE OF ACADEMIC LIBRARY PRACTICES AND SERVICES

Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to discuss issues involved in navigating the modern information environment where the relevance of cloud computing is unavoidable. This is a way of shifting from the hardware and software demands of storing and organizing data, to information access concerns. That is because with the exponential growth in information sources and all accompanying complexities, the limited capacity of libraries to host their own in its entirety necessitates opting for alternatives in the cloud. Design/methodology/approach: A review of current literature about the topic was performed Findings: Literature used reveals that currently, libraries are using the cloud for putting together user resources, i.e. using Software as a Service (SaaS), such as in library catalogues, WorldCat, Googledocs, and the aggregated subject gateways like SUMMON, and others; the web Platform as a Service (PaaS) as in the use of GoogleApp Engine; or Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS) as in the use of D-Space, FEDORA, and others. The cloud is confirmed as a facilitator in storing and accessing information in addition to providing a unified web presence with reduced local storage capacity challenges. Originality/value: The value of these findings is to remind librarians of the shift in focus towards which devices provide the easiest access to data and applications. This is one of the reasons they in many instances are currently having to address issues relating to the use of electronic media tools such as smartphones, iPad, e-book readers, and other handheld devices. The largely borderless information resources also bring to the forefront considerations about digital rights management, fair use, information security, ownership and control of data, privacy, scholarly publishing, copyright guidance, and licensing that the librarian has to be knowledgeable about. It has become necessary for librarians who make use of commercial cloud services to be conversant with the implications on institutional data. To avert the ever present dangers and risks involving cyber-security, it is usually practical for institutions to keep policies, procedures, fiscal, and personnel data in private clouds that have carefully crafted access permissions. Being aware of these implications enables thoughtful, adaptive planning strategies for the future of library practice and service. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited

International Accreditation and Recognition of the Master’s in Library and Information Science (MLIS) Degree Curriculum: A Case Study of Zimbabwe

This opinion paper discusses the impact of the Library and Information Science (LIS) course/program accreditation, and implications for graduating students when it excludes an international element. The case study describes the accreditation status of Zimbabwe’s LIS training and qualifications, while also gathering insight from international practices. Results reveal the need for a solid support system to the LIS profession from various constituents including LIS curriculum developers, library associations, and an environment that encourages library and information professionals to possess qualifications relevant to their respective markets and innovation. The paper concludes with a recommendation for international accreditation practices, principles and standards that produce well-equipped, versatile LIS professionals. In exploring the process and implications of international accreditation and recognition of library science qualifications in Zimbabwe, the paper holds promise for informing other situations beyond Zimbabwe

Research Data Management: A review of UAE academic library experience

Purpose: This paper is a review of the status of Research Data Management (RDM) efforts in UAE public university libraries. Approach: The investigation is through examining available literature about the topic using region-specific articles when available, librarian comments, and the information provided by UAE university library websites. Existing lessons and policy documents are sought, and plans suggested for local solutions, suggesting avenues for progress. Findings: Though not a new concept, findings indicate that local RDM activities are emerging, but knowledge of their importance of exists. Research limitations: This review is limited to public university libraries though the results and experiences could be generally relevant to more research establishments. Practical implications: Taking advantage of the existing awareness to organize tangible RDM efforts can facilitate retrieval and availability of data relevant to the region. Value: An intricate range of activities involved in the organization of RDM services is revealed

Citation Tracking in Academic Libraries: An Overview

© 2016 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved. Citation Tracking in Academic Libraries: An Overview presents results from the overarching need for researchers to get relevant advice for their scholarly pursuits. This is even more critical in the fast changing environment, where even those who are established scholars find the new scholarly publishing paradigm hectic, and amateurs get easily intimidated. In the wake of the competitive ranking of universities, there is an added requirement for faculty to be involved with research activities so they can enhance the standing of their parent institutions. That means there is a need to use valid and authentic platforms for publishing. Making reference to already existing texts and answering questions that have been encountered by the author, the book is compiled to make easy, short, and concise reading that is an overview on the tracking of citations. Besides giving suggestions on how academic librarians can provide support to scholars, it includes the benefit of having librarians who are also scholars. Explains the role of the academic library in citation tracking matters Presents an explanation of what the academic librarian does in the scholarly publishing arena Articulates the role of a research agenda in giving direction to research activities Provides reasons to discuss the collaborative nature of library work and other offices of the university that support scholarly productivity

Integrating Experiential Learning Into Information Literacy Curriculum

© 2017 All rights reserved. In the information literacy (IL) curriculum, courses can be designed to provide students hands-on experience, based on concepts that relate to Kolb\u27s theory of experiential learning (EL). If accompanied by reflective practice as discussed by Brookfield and Moon, it helps not only IL teaching, but also encourages librarians to enhance their practice. IL teaching is enhanced when it follows a general curriculum that is geared towards service learning. Service learning involves community outreach with IL integrated into the educational processes. This approach increases the chances that IL skills will be retained even after formal classes have ended. At Zayed University (Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates), the provision of field-based EL with reflective practice, where previous work-related knowledge may be scarce, is intended to prepare graduating students to be work-ready

Gender analysis: Sub-Saharan African nurses' migration experiences - a systematic review

Alleviating the global shortage of health workers, particularly nurses, is critical for health systems and health worker performance. Nurses are mostly women and make up the majority of the health workforce. Several factors have been identified as key players in the shortage crisis and migration is one of these factors. Nurses' migration from Sub Saharan Africa (SSA) increases the nurse shortage in the region and further constraints the already struggling health systems. Migration literature has dominantly focused on macro push-pull, brain drain and ethics theories of migration with limited exploration of relationships, interaction, norms, beliefs and values shaping migration trajectories and decisions. Despite the potential role of gender as an influential component of migration trajectories, there has been little research done to investigate gender in the context of migration of SSA nurses. This review aims to identify, describe, and summarize SSA nurses' migration experiences by assessing the influence of gender on these experiences. The dissertation is organized into 3 parts. Part A is a systematic review protocol that describes the background, justification and methodology of the review. A scoping exercise is conducted to to familiarize with the literature. This is followed by a qualitative systematic approach is utilised and the literature in eight databases is searched using key words and terms derived from an initial scoping exercise and the review questions. Suitable articles are defined and selected using a set inclusion and exclusion criteria. The suitable articles are then appraised and a thematic analysis using a gender focal lens is applied to them. Part B is a literature review of existing primary and theoretical research on health worker shortages; migration and gender analysis in health worker migration and shortages. It provides a background for the systematic review by defining migration, gender and gender analysis as well as presenting the scope on health worker and nurse shortages. The literature review encompasses the scoping exercise and concludes on the relevance of a gender-focused research on nurse migration. Part C. is the full systematic review presented as an article for Human Resources for Health Journal. Articles published on Sub-Saharan African (SSA) nurses' migration experiences between 2005 and 2016 are presented, subjected to a gender analysis to illuminate the results. The discussion and conclusion then follow. The results indicate that there is a paucity of empirical work on nurse migration experiences that is explicitly gender-focused. Gender analysis that is situated in social contexts and identifiers revealed that SSA nurses continuously renegotiate and reconfigure gender roles in child care as they move from one social context to another. Moreover migrating SSA nurse face challenges and limitations at macro, meso and micro levels of the system- that are linked to their identities as either professionals, African migrants and/or women. Therefore, the review underscores the importance of the relationships between gender and local/individual nuances and global/national determinants of migration. However, these studies are limited in their explicit gender and social focus and how it contextually affects health worker performance and quality care provision. More empirical studies are needed to investigate gender influences for migrating male nurses; nurses who remain; and by different geographical & cultural region – to allow comparison across different groups of nurses and determine conceptual generalizations for doing gender research. This dissertation will likely increase understanding of the role of gender in migration decision-making and experiences for SSA nurses across different professional, migrant and woman identities. This understanding has impacts on nurse motivation, capacity and capability as well quality care provision. Additionally, the dissertation provides a better understanding for incorporating gender analysis in health systems research, and also identifies avenues for future research

Investigating channels of cash circulation adopted by unbanked (African) migrants in Pretoria Central Business District (CBD)

Research Report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements of a Master of Arts Degree in Development studies by Coursework and Research Report. Faculty of Humanities, University of Witwatersrand 2016This study explored cash circulation channels adopted by unbanked migrants in Pretoria Central Business District (CBD), South Africa. To understand the complex nature of cash circulation and the subjective practices of migrants, in-depth interviews were conducted with sixteen migrants selected through snowballing sampling. Collected primary data were analysed thematically, from particular to general themes depending on the responses provided by the informants. The study adopted the Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (SLF) as an analytical tool to show how in the face of structural and institutional barriers, unbanked migrants have the capability to adopt digital solutions and socially embedded channels which are more flexible and sustainable in their livelihoods. These include informal channels such as hawala, malaichas and digital solutions like Kawena and Mukuru. By using this framework, the report reveals what unbanked migrants are doing on the ground, what shapes adopted cash circulation processes and the resultant livelihood outcomes. The study aimed at contributing to previous research on money transfer mechanisms adopted by unbanked African migrants. The conclusion reached is that, by adopting various socially embedded cash circulation channels, unbanked migrants circumvent structural constraints and, by so doing, financially include more people who were previously excluded. Although the study was limited to a small sample, it raises strong implications for policy makers to look at the inherent strength of migrants as development actors. Findings from this exploratory study are critical in that they open new niches for research on migrants and financial exclusion in Africa and beyond.GR201