Advancing Research Through DataCite’s Global Access Fund: Zimbabwe University Libraries Consortium (ZULC), Zimbabwe

The Zimbabwe University Libraries Consortium (ZULC) recently concluded a comprehensive outreach programme, funded by the Global Access Fund. The programme was aimed at raising awareness of persistent identifiers (PIDs) among Zimbabwean higher education institutions. The programme, which spanned ten months from January to October 2024, focused on promoting the adoption of PIDs to improve the visibility, accessibility, and traceability of scholarly outputs. Through workshops, training sessions, webinars, and advocacy efforts, the project successfully engaged librarians, researchers, ICT staff, and administrators across the country in the adoption and implementation of PIDs. The PID awareness programme began with a research study in January. The study assessed the existing systems and opportunities for PID integration at institutions with research data repositories. This was followed by an institutional assessment phase in February where readiness for PID adoption was evaluated. These early stages were critical for identifying institutions that would benefit most from the initiative and setting the groundwork for a broader rollout of PIDs.