Dr Tlou Maggie Masenya is a researcher, editor, author and senior lecturer in the Department of Information Systems, Faculty of Accounting and Informatics, at the Durban University of Technology (DUT). with over eight years of working experience in the field of Information Science, Information Systems and Technology. She holds a PhD in Information Science from University of South Africa (UNISA), specialising in Digital Preservation and completed Master’s degree in IT, BA(HONS) Information Science, BA (Information Science) degrees at the University of Pretoria and Advanced Diploma in Management Science Business Administration (Cum Laude) at DUT. 

She published numerous articles in peer-reviewed accredited journals (JSASA), (SAJIM), South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science (SAJLIS) Mousaion, Library Philosophy and Practice, International Journal of Knowledge Management (IJKM) and book chapters in IGI Global: International academic publisher.

So far, she recently published fifteen (15) journal articles and twelve (12) book chapters (7 publications in 2020,12 publications in 2021 and 8 publications in 2022). She has presented papers at local and international academic conferences. 

Her areas of expertise encompass ICT for Development (ICT4D), Digital Transformation, Digitization, Digital Preservation and Curation, Social Media Networks, Technopreneurship and Digital entrepreneurship, Information and Knowledge Management, Indigenous Knowledge System, Application of Internet of Things, Cloud Computing, Artificial intelligence and Blockchain technologies in libraries. 

The  well-rounded researcher has also published book chapters in the field of Human Resource Management and Business Management.

She has edited a book titled “Innovative technologies for enhancing knowledge access in academic libraries”, published by IGI-Global publishers in June 2022. 

She explained that the overall objective of this book was to determine the role of innovative technologies in enhancing knowledge access in academic libraries in the digital transformation era. 

“Knowledge is considered as a fundamental resource and it is critical to the long-term sustainability and success of any organisation. Academic libraries serve as reservoir and repositories of knowledge and information from all fields of learning to ensure that knowledge remain accessible and available to users and future generations of scholars. There is thus a need for proper management of knowledge and information resources to ensure the library’s ability to function effectively, improve library service delivery and provide documentary evidence of scholars and citizens,” she said.

She further explained that academic institutions and information centres across the globe have embraced digital transformation and are thus repositioning their operations and services. 

“These institutions are increasingly adopting and implementing knowledge management systems and innovative technologies such as  Internet of Things (IOT), LibChain, Cloud computing and Blockchain, just to name a few, to deliver their services more effectively and efficiently so as to meet information needs of library users in the new normal environment, characterised by digital globalisation and knowledge-based economy,” she added.

Dr Masenya indicated that this transformation necessitates a need for best practices, reimagining strategies and implementing innovative technologies for managing and preserving knowledge in academic libraries to ensure a sustainable knowledge access and effective knowledge sharing. 

“The book shares diverse reflections, practical experiences and perspectives drawn from scholars and researchers globally and it serves as a valuable and useful tool to provide the researchers, students, records managers, archivists, information specialists, knowledge managers, ICT professionals, policy makers, system analysts with state-of-the art knowledge in the adoption of innovative technologies in organising, sharing, managing, preserving and accessing knowledge and to learn more about new trends, technologies, innovations and developments in digital transformation of libraries from a global perspective,” she stressed.

She conveyed that as academics and leaders, helping students and youth in finding their passions is becoming bigger parts of one’s job. 

“We need to understand the changing digital world, to re-examine the status quo from an operational perspective, and to relentlessly innovate or to foster culture of creativity and innovation among students, in order to stay relevant. My role as an academic is therefore to contribute to the university’s goals, vision and mission (DUT’s ENVISION2030), to impact our society or communities in a transformative way through innovative solutions to their challenges and promote creativity, innovative, entrepreneurial skills among our students and adaptive to changes in the world, while participating productively in the development of our communities, society and the world at large,” said Dr Masenya.

She made mention that she is currently editing another book entitled “Digital preservation and documentation of global indigenous knowledge systems” to be published by IGI-Global publishers in June 2023. 

“The objective of this upcoming book is to determine how indigenous knowledge can be documented and digitally preserved sustainable development of indigenous communities and be accessible for future generations,” she said.

 She added that this book aims to provide the best practices, innovative strategies, theoretical and conceptual frameworks, and empirical research findings regarding digital preservation and documentation of indigenous knowledge systems, worldwide.

“As an academic, it is crucial to consistently write book chapters or journal articles as this will make scientific researchers and practitioners with similar interests aware of new knowledge in their field, you will be able to contribute to the body of knowledge in your field, it helps to advance knowledge, to share knowledge with the wider scholarly community, to address global socio-economic challenges, popularise your research to the world and to grow academically and professionally,” she said.

 Pictured: Dr Tlou Maggie Masenya

Waheeda Peters