Open Access in Brazil IBICT’s Initiative Drives Country’s Development: The Session Blog
Ramon Martins Sodoma da Fonseca
Presenter: Ramon Martins Sodoma da Fonseca
July 10, 2009 at 9:30 a.m.
Background
Ramon Fonseca participated in the PKP conference on behalf of the Brazilian government as well as representing the IBICT institution. In English, IBICT translates as Brazilian Institute of Information in Science and Technology.
Fonseca started his talk out by firstly acknowledging the sponsorship and invitation from the PKP conference; making it possible for him to be here speaking in Vancouver.
Note: I will attempt to use the Google Translate tool for as many links as possible.
Session Overview
IBICT’s main mission is to promote scientific interchange, training and development; contributing to the progress of technology innovation in Brazil. IBICT strives to expand Brazilian intellectual production nationally and internationally.
One key element of Fonseca’s workshop was to inform the public at large the the Web tools such as blogs, CMS, Google Docs, Twitter, Facebook etc. has allowed numerous opportunities for Brazilians to “have a voice.” The Web provided the tools and Fonseca claimed Open Access has allowed the exchange of knowledge into and out of Brazil possible.
Some IBICT initiatives:
- DiCi (1st attempt at open access)
- Perl (Digital Library Project)
- TEDE (Online Theses and Dissertation Publishing System)
- BOTD (Brazilian Digital Library)
- SEER (meaning OJS in Portuguese)
These software initiatives were launched to specifically to ensure people in Brazil had free access to knowledge. IBICT also currently provides training and support to national journal editors online which is more cost effective than face to face workshops.
Other Services provided by IBICT:
- COMUT (Bibliographic Communication Program)
- CCN (National Collective Catalog Serial Publications)
- CanalCiencia (Science Communication Channel)
Fonseca also talked about the Social Inclusion Program that gives assistance in accessing online knowledge with children in rural areas of Brazil and technical and infrastructure support to Indigenous communities.
One of the issues that Fonseca discussed was the current importance of maintaining the software and ideas. Launching the systems and concepts of Open Access is important but these projects need continual restructuring and continued experience for the sustainability of the programs.
The IBICT continues to look for solutions to Open Access and the impact of the Web for making positive and forward thinking decisions regarding technology, system development and strong partnerships for networking the goals and missions of IBICT.
Audience Input
An audience member asked about using MOODLE as a software for an in-house small college class journal. Fonseca suggested that the college look into OJS because it can adapted into many formats and is a very stable system.
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