NWU Community Engagement Showcase highlights the LIS's strides in Engaged Scholarship in Information Literacy for everyday life contexts.
On 30 September, North-West University (NWU) proudly hosted a lively CE-Community Engagement showcase at the Great Hall on the Mahikeng campus. This event brought together various stakeholders, including representatives from the Science Project, and NWU Library and Information Services (LIS) took a prominent role in promoting its community engagement initiative.
The LIS stall attracted considerable attention, showcasing its involvement in enhancing information literacy within the North-West Province, Khuma, and Kokosi townships. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with a digital story depicting the LIS efforts to improve information literacy skills in everyday life contexts. Notably, two research papers related to these initiatives are in progress for publication in accredited journals.
During the showcase, NWU Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Bismarck Tyobeka, underscored the university's dedication to securing funding for community engagement initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4, emphasising quality education. He also announced that all community engagement activities would now receive automatic ethical clearance for research purposes.
Corporate Relations and Marketing interviewed Ms. Jo-Ann Manotwane from the LIS Science Project, highlighting the library's substantial involvement in the initiative.
Ms. Jo-Ann Manotwane addressed several key points regarding the LIS outreach and community engagement projects in her interview. She mentioned that the Science Shop, the LIS flagship engaged scholarship project, included needs analysis, Information Literacy training intervention, and evaluations to ascertain impact.
When asked about the skills fostered during the Science Shop project, she emphasised the importance of training individuals in information literacy skills applicable to their daily lives. This included teaching participants how to conduct advanced Google searches and use Google Scholar and AI tools (such as Ask Meta AI).
Furthermore, Ms. Manotwane highlighted the practical application of these skills in everyday life. The NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) youth were also sensitised to the ethical use of information and information evaluation to identify misinformation, empowering them to navigate the digital landscape more effectively.
The event also featured a panel discussion focused on integrating teaching, learning, research, and community participation in line with NWU's strategic vision for 2024.
The showcase underscored the vital role of NWU LIS in fostering community engagement and promoting information literacy. This commitment paves the way for continued collaboration and a lasting impact in the region.
NWU Community Engagement Showcase highlights the LIS's strides in Engaged Scholarship in Information Literacy for everyday life contexts.
On 30 September, North-West University (NWU) proudly hosted a lively CE-Community Engagement showcase at the Great Hall on the Mahikeng campus. This event brought together various stakeholders, including representatives from the Science Project, and NWU Library and Information Services (LIS) took a prominent role in promoting its community engagement initiative.
The LIS stall attracted considerable attention, showcasing its involvement in enhancing information literacy within the North-West Province, Khuma, and Kokosi townships. Attendees had the opportunity to engage with a digital story depicting the LIS efforts to improve information literacy skills in everyday life contexts. Notably, two research papers related to these initiatives are in progress for publication in accredited journals.
During the showcase, NWU Vice-Chancellor and Principal, Prof. Bismarck Tyobeka, underscored the university's dedication to securing funding for community engagement initiatives aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4, emphasising quality education. He also announced that all community engagement activities would now receive automatic ethical clearance for research purposes.
Corporate Relations and Marketing interviewed Ms. Jo-Ann Manotwane from the LIS Science Project, highlighting the library's substantial involvement in the initiative.
Ms. Jo-Ann Manotwane addressed several key points regarding the LIS outreach and community engagement projects in her interview. She mentioned that the Science Shop, the LIS flagship engaged scholarship project, included needs analysis, Information Literacy training intervention, and evaluations to ascertain impact.
When asked about the skills fostered during the Science Shop project, she emphasised the importance of training individuals in information literacy skills applicable to their daily lives. This included teaching participants how to conduct advanced Google searches and use Google Scholar and AI tools (such as Ask Meta AI).
Furthermore, Ms. Manotwane highlighted the practical application of these skills in everyday life. The NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) youth were also sensitised to the ethical use of information and information evaluation to identify misinformation, empowering them to navigate the digital landscape more effectively.
The event also featured a panel discussion focused on integrating teaching, learning, research, and community participation in line with NWU's strategic vision for 2024.
The showcase underscored the vital role of NWU LIS in fostering community engagement and promoting information literacy. This commitment paves the way for continued collaboration and a lasting impact in the region.
JoAnn Manotwane, Potchesftroom Campus
Maropene Ramabina, Vanderbijlpark Campus