PrashantNews
Doon University Vice Chancellor Prof Surekha Dangwal on Saturday strongly supported the open access movement in India saying its adoption would foster greater academic dissemination and collaboration.
Speaking at a workshop on “Open Access Publishing,” organized by the Central Library of Doon University in collaboration with Central University, Himachal Pradesh, Prof Dangwal emphasized that research scholars could significantly enhance their visibility and citation impact by publishing in Open Access Journals. She strongly supported the Open Access Movement in India, advocating for increased adoption of this model to foster greater academic dissemination and collaboration.
The workshop, held at Doon University’s campus, saw participation from over 100 attendees, including research scholars, academic professionals, and library experts from 20 institutions across the country.
Dr. Ashish Kumar, University Librarian at Doon University, delivered the welcome address, providing a brief introduction to the workshop’s objectives and the Open Access Movement. He highlighted the workshop’s focus on critical issues such as predatory journals, the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ), and the Open Journal Systems. Dr. Kumar also noted the university’s ongoing efforts to enhance research quality by raising awareness among researchers and organizing various related activities.
Prof. H.C. Purohit, the Dean of Student Welfare and Dean of Management, warmly welcomed the resource persons and addressed the gathering with an inspiring opening. His remarks set a positive tone for the event, emphasizing the significance of the workshop’s themes and the valuable contributions of the speakers.
The first session of the workshop was led by Dr. Shivrama Rao from Central University, Himachal Pradesh, who emphasized the critical importance of “Open Education Resources” in advancing both research and education. Dr. Rao’s presentation underscored how these resources can enhance the accessibility and dissemination of academic knowledge, thus supporting more effective learning and research practices.
Following this, Dr. Mohit Garg from IIT Delhi tackled the pivotal question of “Why Open Access?” and explored its significance in the contemporary educational landscape. Dr. Garg’s discussion illuminated the essential role that open access plays in democratizing knowledge, enhancing research visibility, and fostering greater academic collaboration. His insights highlighted the growing need for open access to ensure that valuable research findings are freely available to scholars and the broader public, thereby advancing educational and scientific progress.
The third session featured Dr. Arvind R. Nair, a distinguished member of the Open Journal System, India, who delivered an in-depth exploration of the “Open Journal System” platform. Dr. Nair’s presentation offered a comprehensive overview of how the platform operates, detailing its features and benefits for academic publishing. His insights provided attendees with a clear understanding of how the Open Journal System can facilitate the management and dissemination of scholarly journals, ultimately enhancing the accessibility and impact of academic research.
The final session of the workshop was dedicated to the “Directory of Open Access Journals,” providing attendees with a thorough overview of this invaluable resource. This session highlighted the directory’s role in cataloging and facilitating access to a wide range of open access journals across various disciplines. Participants gained a deeper understanding of how the directory can serve as a crucial tool for researchers seeking quality, peer-reviewed publications without subscription barriers, thereby supporting broader dissemination and engagement with academic research.
Dr. Ashish Kumar concluded the workshop by thanking all participants and speakers for their contributions. To cap off the event, a quiz competition was held, with prizes awarded to the top three winners.
The workshop proved to be an exceptional platform for knowledge exchange, highlighting the critical role of open access publishing in advancing both research and education. Attendees from various institutions expressed their gratitude for the valuable insights and practical information shared throughout the sessions. The event was well-attended by notable figures including Prof. R.P. Mamgain, Prof. Rajesh Kumar, Prof. Harsh Dobhal, Prof. Reena Singh, Dr. Ashish Kumar, Dr. Himani Sharma, Dr. Charu, Dr. Arun Kumar, Dr. Avijit Shahay, Dr. Abhilasha Kanojiya, Dr. Udita Negi, Dr. Rama, and Dr. Rajneesh Kumar. The workshop received widespread appreciation from participants and was thoroughly enjoyed by all.