Page 7 - Unisa Library Flipbook

5. The Year in Review
Library services are central to the educational mission and to the quality of the student learning experience at any university. In Unisa, the centrality of the Library is further accentuated by the Open Distance e-Learning (ODeL) business model which the institution has adopted in previous years. Driven by this awareness, and building on the institutional vision, the Library’s e orts were focused on supporting the Unisa strategic plan 2016 – 2030 to:
Set out a strategic and co-ordinated approach to research and innovation to ensure an increase in the production of postgraduates, excellent research activity, outputs and innovation at Unisa
Provide quality educational o erings, and becoming producers and discerning users of Open Educational Resources (OERs)
Become a leading participant in and producer of research and innovative solutions in identi ed niche areas, with particular focus on identifying African solutions and global responses to African/continental strategic focus areas and concerns
Foster e ective engagement with communities, to be responsive to community needs, and make a meaningful contribution to upliftment and empowerment
To develop a transformative work environment that enhances high performance, sta wellness and promotes the qualities of an engaged workforce
6. Highlights
The year under review was marked by many agship moments in the execution of the Library’s mandate to support research, teaching and learning. The report highlights the role of the library as an integral part of the Portfolio Research and Innovation with speci c reference to the focus on strengthening Unisa as the leading provider of postgraduate programs in Africa and a leading research institution. The Unisa Library is one of the most modern and well-equipped research Libraries in Africa and one of Unisa’s considerable research strengths. Taking snapshots of the year, the highlights were:
6.1 Library Initiating Research Data Management for the Unisa Research Community
Good research data management practice allows reliable veri cation of results and permits new and innovative research built on existing information. This is important if the full value of investment in research is to be realised. This new requirement of research funding bodies like the National Research Foundation (NRF) drives the implementation of Research Data Management (RDM) in research and academic institutions. In 2016, the Unisa Library convened the RDM Task Team. The Task Team is co-chaired by the Executive Director of the Library and the Executive Director of Research, and reports to the Senate Research, Innovation and Postgraduate Degrees Committee (SRIPGDC). It is comprised of representatives from the Library, Research, ICT, and the colleges. The RDM Task Team drafted the rst Unisa RDM Strategy. The Library RDM Project Team also developed a draft RDM Roadmap for Unisa research community. The roadmap marks a step closer to the implementation of this globally recognised move to store and share research data.
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