Theme for Open Access Week 2024 Continues Call to Put “Community over Commercialization”

We are excited to invite you to join Uganda Martyrs University in celebrating International Open Access Week 2024, taking place from October 28 – November 1, 2024. This year’s theme, ‘Community over Commercialization’, emphasizes the importance of prioritizing open scholarship approaches that benefit the public and academic community, fostering equitable access to research and knowledge.

Why Open Scholarship is important to you?

Researchers: Increases visibility and impact of research, facilitates global collaboration, and fulfills ethical responsibility.

Staff: Enhances professional development, contributes to institutional recognition, and improves teaching quality through access to open educational resources.

Students: Provides equal access to quality resources, fosters independent learning, and prepares for research-based careers.

Surrounding Community: Makes knowledge accessible for local problem-solving, supports evidence-based decision-making, and encourages engagement with local issues.

Overall, open scholarship at UMU promotes a culture of knowledge-sharing and inclusivity, benefiting the entire academic ecosystem and driving both local and global development.

Activities Planned for the Week:

1. Seminar: Hold a seminar entitled “Navigating the Publishing Landscape: Subscription-Based vs. Open Access Models.”

• Date: Wednesday 30th October 2024
• Time: 02:00 pm. – 04:15 pm.
• Speakers: Mr. Charles Batambuze and Mr. David Bukenya 
• Venue: Auditorium and online

2. Online posters: Utilising the university’s social media platforms (Facebook, X, Telegram, LinkedIn, Instagram) to share information about Open Scholarship.
3. Library displays: Set up a display in the university library showcasing open access resources, research papers, and journals that are freely available. This can help raise awareness among students who visit the library.
4. Library webpage on Open Access: Publicise UMU Library’s webpage with information on open access resources
5. Library exposure make-up sessions – To provide additional opportunities for students and staff who missed, ensuring all students have equal access to and understanding of library resources.

How You Can Participate:

Attend Our Events: Be sure to join us for the workshop on Wednesday 30th November 2024.

Explore Open Access Resources: Visit our library’s website for free access to a wide array of open access journals and research repositories.

Spread the Word: Follow us on social media and share our posts to help raise awareness.

Let’s work together to make research and knowledge accessible to all! We look forward to your participation in International Open Access Week 2024.

Thank you for supporting open access and helping to foster a community of learning and collaboration.

The official hashtag for the week is #OAWeek.