Sabinet and the University of KwaZulu-Natal Library Partnership: Empowering Knowledge during Open Access Week Workshop
Nov 27th, 2023

With Open Access Week commemorated in the month of October, The University of KwaZulu-Natal Library services in partnership with Sabinet launched the UKZN Open Access Journals on the OJS by Sabinet system.

UKZN Library is renowned for its diverse range of academic and general expertise books, and accredited journals.

The University of KwaZulu Natal Libraries implementation includes:

  • African Journal of Governance & Development
  • Journal of Inclusive Cities and Built Environment
  • African Thought: A Journal of Afro-centric Knowledge (ATJACKN)
  • Alternation Journal
  • Journal of Education
  • Journal of the International Society for Telemedicine and eHealth

“The University of KwaZulu-Natal Library Services is excited about partnering with Sabinet in publishing our Open Access Journals on a safe and secure platform like Open Journal Systems (OJS)” says Faith Magwaza, Principal Librarian at the University of KwaZulu-Natal.

Together, Sabinet and UKZN will ensure that the Open Scholarship content reaches the global scholarship community with the seamless integration between OJS and the Sabinet African Journals platform. This partnership will enable the library to enter a new era in online content management and creation and ensure the longevity of scholarly research. This integration allows for a complete Open Access solution. There are six Open Access Journals, with three more joining this year, that are part of the partnership agreement, and we anticipate that more journals will be incorporated into the OJS by Sabinet platform in the near future. These journals are disseminated through Sabinet African Journals, a comprehensive platform focusing on research information from or about Africa.

Sunél van Rensburg, Sabinet Online Publishing Specialist presented Online Publishing Solutions. With a BIS: Publishing Studies degree from the University of Pretoria and over 15 years of experience in the publishing industry, Sunél has worked with various platforms and tools such as OJS, OMP and now production systems, to help journals achieve high-quality standard publishing and sustainability. Sunél has a keen interest in the latest trends and innovations in online publishing, such as open access, peer review, metadata, indexing and analytics. She is also passionate about helping authors, editors, and publishers to create and disseminate impactful research that advances knowledge in society and increases their efficiency with online publishing solutions.

The Solution

UKZN, a prominent South African university, recognized the need to streamline its publishing workflow and centralize its publishing strategy. In collaboration with Sabinet, they have implemented a comprehensive end-to-end publishing solution that addresses these challenges. The core features of this partnership include:

  1. Integrated, Parallel Publishing Workflow: Sabinet has facilitated an integrated publishing workflow that streamlines the process from manuscript submission to publication. This integration enhances efficiency and reduces the complexities associated with the publishing process.
  2. Centralized Publishing Strategy: The partnership enables UKZN to establish a centralised publishing strategy, ensuring a unified approach to their publications. This strategic alignment promotes consistency and coherence across their academic works.
  3. End-to-End Publishing Solution: Sabinet offers a holistic solution that covers all aspects of academic publishing, from manuscript management to online dissemination. This comprehensive approach minimizes the need for multiple tools and services.
  4. Local Company Supporting Local Journals and Publishers: UKZN benefits from the support of a local company, Sabinet, which understands the unique needs and challenges of South African journals and publishers. This localisation ensures a tailored approach to publishing.
  5. Integration with Established Journal Platform: Sabinet’s solution seamlessly integrates with UKZN’s existing journal platform, making the transition to the new system smooth and hassle-free.

The partnership offers two primary products: Open Journal Systems (OJS) by Sabinet for the online publishing solution and Sabinet African Journals for the effective global dissemination of research, providing a diverse set of tools to meet the university’s publishing needs.

The partnership between UKZN and Sabinet brings forth numerous benefits for the university, which extend beyond cost-effectiveness.

UKZN has set the stage for a more cost-effective, efficient, and high-quality publishing experience. This collaboration not only addresses the current needs of the university but also lays the foundation for the future of academic publishing in South Africa and beyond.

This launch not only showcased Sabinet’s technological prowess but also emphasized its support for the broader academic community in South Africa and beyond, solidifying the foundation of future collaborative achievements.

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| Press Office.