The Chapman Library of the Christian Service University in partnership with its counterpart at the Regional Maritime University has organized a one-day workshop for researchers, heads of academic departments and research institutions on the adoption of ORCID in Ghana at the CSU SDF Lab on Monday November 4, 2024. The participants were drawn from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Garden City University College (GCUC), CSIR-FORIG, Wesley College (WESCO), Ghana Communication Technology University (GCTU), AAMUSTED, Kumasi Technical University (KsTU, Christ Apostolic University College (CAUC) and Christian Service University (CSU).
Opening
The Librarian of the Chapman Library of the CSU, Ms. Vivian Amponsah, in her opening remarks noted that global scholarship was going through a transformative phase and that it was time Ghanaian scholars take advantage of the ORCID platform to position themselves on the map of global industrious researchers. She explained the rationale for the workshop and appealed to them to take advantage of the opportunity to transform their academic research fortunes.
The Vice Chancellor of the CSU, Prof. Sam Afrane, who was represented by the Pro Vice Chancellor, Dr. Stephen Banahene noted that CSU had rolled out a strategic plan beyond the University’s Charter status to partner likeminded institutions to champion quality research across all disciplines. Locally and globally. He pledged the management’s support for the workshop and its fallouts.
Deliberations
The workshop was facilitated by Dr. (Mrs.) Amy Pascalia Abra Asimah, the Librarian of Regional Maritime University and was structured in two parts. The first part focused on theoretical and general information about the ORCID platform in the context of integration and recognition of scholars on the global “mind sharing space”. Topics covered included: how to obtain an ORCID ID, how to share ORCID ID, benefits of using the platform, the linkages between funders, researchers, institutions and publishers, how to update ORCID records and many others. This part ended with questions and answers session. The second part focused on live demonstration on how ORCID functions: how to edit profile and duplicate accounts, how to add works, synchronize with other search engines and research platforms, how to receive updates in a current and consistent manner, how to use one ORCID ID to avoid ambiguities; and how to strategically populate the page.
The ORCID platform is an open system that provides opportunity for institutions, funders and scholars to be visible in the world of academia. The benefits of the ORCID are enormous including – discovery, connection with academia, access to publishers and funders. The again the platform distinguishes users from others, matching students with mentors, saving time in reporting and assessment when applying for grants, publishing and research activities. ORCID delivers value throughout entire workflows of beneficiaries.
Closing
In her closing remarks, Ms. Vivian Amponsah expressed appreciation to the facilitator and the participants and urged them to constantly engage the ORCID platform to promote scholarship in Ghana.
Story By
Rev. Justice Boffah Pokumensah
Director, IAO
