ORCiD Launch

The ORCiD launch was held at the Library Auditorium on the 25th of October 2016. Eighty five people attended the function, consisting of UP researchers, members of executive and library staff.

The launch was led by the programme co-ordinator Ms Lindiwe Soyizwapi, Deputy Director of the Department of Library Services (DLS). The Library Director of the DLS, Mr Robert Moropa, gave an overview of the services offered by the library, after which Ms Soyizwapi elaborated on the role of the library in promoting research visibility at the University of Pretoria.

Prof Stephanie Burton, Vice-Principal: Research and Postgraduate Education, discussed reasons why ORCiD is important to both researchers and the institution.  Prof Wilhelm de Beer, a researcher at the Department of Microbiology, presented on his experience using an ORCiD ID. The keynote speaker, Karen Walstra from Google, presented on the relationship between Google and academic research. The function ended with the thanking of speakers and everyone who was involved with the arrangements. 

The launch would not have been possible without the appointed ORCiD team, who were responsible for arranging the venue, speakers, refreshments, decor, marketing and branded materials. This team includes Hilda Kriel, Lindiwe Soyizwapi, Christelle Steyn, Sunette Steynberg, Carike Schoeman, Cora Bezuidenhout, Magriet Lee, Shirley Gilmore, Nonceba Mnkandla and Nadia Grobler who was led by Dr Leti Kleyn, Open Scholarship and Digitisation Programme Manager.