DATABASE ON AFRICAN THESIS AND DISSERTATIONS (DATAD) PROF. ANABA ALEMNA University of Ghana Legon

Outline of Presentation Introduction Objectives of DATAD Participating Institutions Role of AAU Funding of DATAD DATAD Product Electronic Access to Thesis at Univ. of Ghana Achievements of DATAD The Future of DATAD Contacting DATAD

Introduction For many reasons, African research results are rarely indexed in major international databases, a problem that is further exacerbated by the inaccessibility of theses and dissertations completed in the region, many of which contain local empirical data that is not available in international literature. This inability to learn about and access African material is frustrating to students and scholars-both on the continent and overseas.

Introduction (Cont.) Over the years, a number of organisations have discussed the need to do something about African theses and dissertations, but with the exception of print bibliographies compiled by individual universities and a few computerised databases, little had been done at regional level, and adhoc efforts have not been sustained.

Introduction (Cont.) Thanks to the digital and information/ communication revolution, the AAU has, through the DATAD project, begun to come to terms with this problem in February, 2000

Objectives of DATAD Working with participating institutions to build a regional database of theses and dissertations. Contributing towards the creation of an environment conductive for research and publication in African universities and the region as a whole. Creating capacity in African universities for the collection, management and dissemination of theses and dissertations electronically. Providing visibility and improving accessibility to the work of African scholars both within and outside of the content.

Objectives of DATAD (Cont.) Facilitating the development of relevant copyright procedures and regulations which will promote the protection of the intellectual property rights of African University researchers and scholars. Providing support for AAU programs which aim at capacity building in the area of research, promotion of cooperation among member universities and networking of institutions.

Participation Institutions Institution Country University Younde 1 -Younde, Cameroon Addis Ababa Univ.- Addis Ababa, Ethiopia Univ. of Dar-es-Salaam -Dar-es-Salaam, Tanzania Mekerere Univ. - Kampala, Uganda Univ. of Ghana - Accra, Ghana Univ. Cheikh Anta Diop- Dakar, Senegal Eduardo Mondlane Univ. - Maputo, Mozambique Univ. of Zimbabwe - Harare, Zimbabwe Univ. of Jos -Jos, Nigeria Obafemi Awolowo Univ. -Ile-Ife, Nigeria New institutional subscribers as well as individual registered users are encouraged.

Role of AAU Capacity building at institutional level for the establishment of infrastructure and management structures that support DATAD policies, activities and training Establishment and maintenance of an Internet access to DATAD Providing access to the online database and alternative data formats for dissemination, e.g., CD-ROM or print

Funding of DATAD Implementation of the DATAD Pilot Project has been made possible through grants from the Ford and Rockefeller Foundations to the AAU.

DATAD Product A record in the database will have bibliographic information including: Contact information of University Type of degree Date of degree Statement of availability Abstract Call number Records will be available over the Internet through the AAU-DATAD homepage and later on CD-ROM

Electronic Access to Theses at the Balme Library, Univ. of Ghana DATAD online database was launched on 30 th April, 2003 at the Balme Library, Univ. of Ghana, since then we have had electronic access to theses at aau.org/datad/database Even though faculty used the facility a lot after the launching, the interest in DATAD - has waned a bit, probably for the following reasons: Faculty cannot access this facility in the comfort of their offices because the online Database can only be accessed in the Balme Library. They cannot have access to the full text of some of the theses they are interested in because – these are not available at the Balme Library.

Electronic Access to Theses at the Balme Library, Univ. of Ghana (Cont.) Breakdown and non-replacement of equipment.

Impact of DATAD at University of Ghana, Legon Encouraged the creation of a databases of University of Ghana Thesis. More thesis have been processed in the Cataloguing Department than before. Enhanced the sharing of knowledge across countries.

Achievements of DATAD DATAD Online ( the abstracts with founding records from the pioneering institutions was launched on 30 th April, DATAD has now changed from a project to a program and is open for expansion. A DATAD Methodology Manual is available at for reference. DATAD has also moved from abstracts, to fulltext and now into assisting in the establishment of Institutional Repositories in Universities

AVLIN AND DATAD Need for collaboration between the two, as both aim at the acquisition and sharing of information. Both AVLIN and DATAD also aim at building capacity at integrated virtual library services. AVLIN and DATAD also aim at Africa-related research and development.

How Can this be Done? AVLIN and DATAD have a common platform –DSpace Need to develop common standards for information exchange. Need to develop common information input processing. Need to sort out issues regarding copyright of documents.

Advantages of Collaboration Duplication of materials avoided Easy access to materials Savings in money and other resources by AVLIN and DATAD AVLIN can then adopt a federated system by harvesting from DATAD and other agencies

The Future of DATAD Within the framework of the long term objectives, The DATAD Program will focus on expansion, sustainability, access, preservation, copyright & intellectual property management. Efforts are made for three regional networks: the Arab thesis network, the East Africa thesis network and the South Africa repository network, to be linked to the AAU server. All African higher education institutions are therefore called upon to participate in this wide knowledge-sharing project.

Contacting DATAD The Coordinator Database of African Theses and Dissertations Association of African Universities P. O. Box AN 5744 Accra, Ghana. Tel: ( ) / Fax: ( )

THANK YOU