The University of Nairobi recently adopted an open access policy to research articles and other academic material produced by its staff, and simultaneously launched an open access repository. The ACU and INASP collaborated to produce the article Enhancing the Visibility and Accessibility of Research: Demystifying and Promoting Open Access at the University of Nairobi in which Agatha Kabagu, Deputy University Librarian (Planning), University of Nairobi Library, details the reasoning behind the new policy and the steps taken to put it in place.

In the article, Agatha – who is also Country Coordinator of INASP’s PERii Programme – discusses strategic planning, capacity building and collaboration at a national level, all of which proved essential elements in getting the OA policy in place. "The university's management has recognized open access as a means to advance research, and enhance the visibility of what the university itself produces,” she said.

Agatha explains that her university is not the only one which stands to benefit: “At a national level other institutions have intensified their own efforts to promote open access. The Library is committed to continue providing leadership in this area, not only for the University of Nairobi but also for the entire academic community in Kenya."

The article forms part of a forthcoming ACU and INASP publication exploring how university libraries across the region are enabling their institutions to strengthen research and teaching and ensure excellence in what they do.

Read Enhancing the Visibility and Accessibility of Research: Demystifying and Promoting Open Access at the University of Nairobi.