Endorsements

eGranary Digital Library Endorsements

"Our biology teacher told us to research information on evolution from the eGranary and we were surprised to find so much on evolution from the eGranary"

--Chinenye Obiorah

Student of Creative Minds International Academy, Jos, Nigeria (Januaru 27, 2008)

"It was a fantastic success; both the students and faculty were delighted by even a small taste of the eGranary content."

--John Frediani

eGranary Donor, Jos, Nigeria (November 17, 2007)

"I want to thank you for this great initiative which, from the African perspective, is a real godsend.  I am passionate about it and would like to participate in it, as a beneficiary at first and active contributor as well. We need this support at my university urgently. We have serious constraints in terms of information and man power."

--Professor Peter John Opio, Director, Graduate School and International Relations,

Kampala International University, Uganda (December 4, 2005)

"I thank you immensely for your gigantic contribution to education at Usmanu Danfodiyo University (UDU) through the wonderful eGranary Digital Library. Now both the staff and students of UDU are hooked and completely in love with the library. It is comprehensive and fast; now most of our staff and students visit the internet less and less because of the library, thereby saving a lot on bandwidth. I am now under serious pressure from those departments who could not identify any materials for their departments to include them in the library."

--Ahmed Isah Chafe, Director, MIS and Coordinator, Nigerian University Network

Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, Nigeria (November 28, 2005)

"...we have been having difficulties due to the dearth of reference materials in many subject areas. Since the installation of the [eGranary] our lecturers and students have been exposed to a variety of reference sources. Recently our institution played host to a team of resource inspectors from the National Board of Technical Education, NBTE, who came to accredit our programmes. The materials that were accessed in the [eGranary} formed a major plank in the accreditation requirements, which made us achieve the 98% success level at that accreditation exercise."

--Report on the eGranary Digital Library at the Federal Polytechnic Nekede,

Imo State, Nigeria (June 11, 2005)

“The eGranary Digital Library has helped our students and lecturers in accessing academic materials which were not easily accessible due to limited bandwidth. The concept is very good for those with limited or no bandwidth and should be supported. It has become part and parcel of our e-learning platform.”

--Nyaga Gacheru, Network Administrator, Jomo Kenyatta
University of Agriculture and Technology, Kenya (March 24, 2005)

"I've been showing off the eGranary at several places in Haiti.  People are really impressed and I'm sure more interest will be generated.  Today I have an order for two hard drives.  I still have more places to demonstrate; so hope to place more orders for you.  Thanks for your wonderful efforts on behalf of people in undeveloped places."

--Sister Marie Vittetoe, Milot, Haiti (March 2005)

“The eGranary Digital Library concept is the solution for creation and distributing online content challenges currently facing most African countries.”

--Mr. Jacob Mtui
Research and Development, University of Dar Es Salaam

"It might be argued that more knowledge will be spread through this (eGranary Digital Library) project than the Carnegie donation--and that was huge."  (The Carnegie Corporation of New York is famous for funding hundreds of public libraries throughout the U.S.)

--Jim Leach
U.S. Representative, R-Iowa

“The idea is simply GREAT!  We are trying to promote it in Bangladesh, especially educational institutions providing higher studies in remote areas.”

--Mr. Mizanur Munna
Positive Bangladesh Initiatives

“eGranary Digital Library has been a great bridge in the digital divide for us in the University of Jos in Nigeria.  It has served the purpose of bringing the Internet to our doorsteps.  We’ve had problems with bandwidth cost, paying about $6,000 monthly for a bandwidth of 128/64 (that's about the speed of two phone modems being shared by dozens or hundreds of people).  We’ve had to put other expenses on hold in order to pay for bandwidth that is not very reliable.  It is still costly (based on our GDP and general income) for staff and students to pay for Internet access.   So, the eGranary, with about 2 million documents downloaded from the Internet, has been a great asset for us.  We have it up and running on our intranet with no bandwidth cost and it’s accessible at the speed of lightning!  What better motivation for academics!  The eGranary holds great promise for developing economies where bandwidth and the cost of Internet access is high.”

--Dr. Stephen Akintunde
Deputy University Librarian, University of Jos, Nigeria (March 10, 2005)

"Obviously it is an exciting learning/research masterpiece. In fact every day I use it, I get so glued to a wide range of academic information devoid of the distractions associated with the Internet.  And more so, I am not bothered by the fact that our library has no Internet connection for now. Our learners just progress with their work so comfortably.  I JUST LIKE IT!"

--Christopher Agwu
                           Library Principal Technical Officer II, University of Port Harcourt
 

"It’s very symbolic that this project comes from Iowa, the heartland of the Midwest, and is going to the University of Jos, the heartland of Nigeria. This is truly a heartland to heartland connection."

--Jim Leach
U.S. Representative, R-Iowa
 

WiderNet Endorsements

--Misbahu Katsina, University Librarian, Bayero University, Kano, Nigeria (September 2005)

"The group that conceptualized this WiderNet Project is doing a lot of good for higher education institutions in Africa. It is a positive means of bridging the gap in information between the 1st and 3rd/4th Worlds."

--Digitization Workshop in Jos participant

"It (the WiderNet Project) has uplifted us very high in ranking among Nigerian universities.  (The partnership) has been of tremendous assistance in creating awareness of ICT and what it can do in regards to teaching methods, learning methods and research.  The legacy of WiderNet is the way you people have related to us-- the openness and trust -- it is really very touching.  Not many people are prepared to share, but WiderNet shared with us."

--Professor Monday Mangwat, Vice Chancellor of the University of Jos, speaking about the partnership with the WiderNet Project to Dr. Michael McNulty

"You and your organization are highly commended for your concern for developing countries like Nigeria in the area of ICT."

--"Doing More With Less: Your Network Working for You"
workshop participant

"As one of the units receiving part of the resources donated to Ahmadu Bello University by the WiderNet Project, Kashim Ibrahim Library wishes to register our profound gratitude to Cliff Missen and the WiderNet Project. The books we received from the WiderNet Project are the only new books the library has received this year.  Through the donation of these books, you have infused the breath of life into our collection.  We are particularly happy with the four sets of the World Book Encyclopedia, some of which we have sent to our satellite libraries; the excellent hardcover science books, especially in biology and medicine; as well as the books in ICT/computer sciences."

--Professor Doris Bozimo, University Librarian
Kashim Ibrahim Library, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Nigeria (Sept. 1, 2005)

"Although my University back in Nigeria has a fundraising program for the University, today's talk has exposed us to other more effective approaches to achieving success especially as a long-term strategy."

--"Fundraising for the Modern University"
WiderNet Techno Tour 2003 workshop participant

"This training will improve my professional capabilities and bring development in Nigeria and other African countries."

--Wireless workshop participant

"This is a good start for IT in our nation. I am sure within the next two years we will get there and meet up with the rest of the world."

--Wireless workshop participant

"Each time Cliff and WiderNet come here we have changes, positive changes.  WiderNet should be sustained because we will benefit more."

--Wireless workshop participant

"There is hardly any unit in the library that has not benefited from WiderNet.  WiderNet has done so much."

--University of Jos

"WiderNet should remain. There is a lot to be done. We think what we have gained needs to be available to other universities."

--Professor Lennox Liverpool, Chairman, NUNet

“With exposure to the possibilities, you can begin to drive your university forward.  We have attained local connectivity; on that, we are very good.  We have a lot to do; however, having tasted what can be done from experiences abroad. We won’t stop.”

--Wireless Workshop participant

“When playing soccer and there is no goal, it is hard to get a winner, thus, you will play forever”, but going to Iowa and seeing the possibilities helped me to better assess our situation here and made me know that though I thought we were way ahead, there is still a lot to be done and a greater possibility still lies ahead."

--University of Jos

“The WiderNet technician training program has really been rejuvenating; the knowledge I’ve acquired will be very useful for my professional needs and equips me better to re-train my colleagues. There is an urgency to fund the program. It is a capacity building program that will revolutionize the information and communications technology world of Less Developed Countries.  WiderNet: more power to your elbows.”  

--Technician Training Workshop 2002 participant