The Durban University of Technology’s Library held a panel discussion to celebrate Open access week…

The Durban University of Technology’s Library held a panel discussion to celebrate Open access week. The panel discussion featured Vice Chancellor of DUT Professor Bawa, Dr Derek Keats a consultant, formerly of Wits and University of the Western Cape, Dr Hussein from University of Cape Town, Dr David Spurrett from UKZN and Mr Nico Fassen.

Open Access Week is a global event which is now in its fourth year. It gives the academic and research community the chance to continue to learn about the potential benefits of Open Access. Information is shared with colleagues, to help inspire wider participation which assists in making Open Access a new norm in scholarship and research.

The Panelists discussed Open Access to, information, free and immediate online access to the results of scholarly research and the right to utilise and reuse those results.

Last year the Open Access college lecture by Eve Gray raised critical challenges to renew thinking on scholarship. The lecture led to a discussion paper on Open Access which is being tabled for dialogue at the Senate and an Author Publisher Addendum to ensure DUT authors retain their rights when signing publishing agreements.

– Andile Dube