ETDs in South Africa: Current Status

ETDs in South Africa: Current Status

Felix Nkwa Ubogu

The paper examines the developments in the ETD scene in Africa in general and South Africa in particular. A survey of the scene in South Africa was carried out with a brief questionnaire that was sent to the directors of university and technikon libraries. Of the 37 universities and technikons in the country, only four request students to submit digital files of their theses and dissertations. Two other universities and a technikon are at the planning stage. The issues and constraints of the ETD projects are discussed. The ETD initiatives by SEALS, SABINET Online, COSALC and the National Research Foundation are also discussed. The way forward for a speedy involvement of academic institutions in a national ETD project is presented.

2002