Century old connection cemented with naming of Carnegie Research Commons

The association between Stellenbosch University and the Carnegie Corporation of New York which spans more than a century was “cemented” on Friday when the Research Commons in the JS Gericke Library of Stellenbosch University was renamed after the corporation’s founder, Andrew Carnegie.

Proff Tade Akin Aina from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Arnold van Zyl, Vice Rector: Research at Stellenbosch University unveil the new name of the Carnegie Research Commons. (Photo: Justin Alberts)

Given the long association between the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the special value that the Corporation has made to teaching and research at Stellenbosch University, the University decided to rename the new research area in the JS Gericke Library, after Andrew Carnegie, in particular the Carnegie Research Commons.

In his message, delivered by Prof Tade Akin Aina, Dr Vartan Gregorian, President of the Carnegie Corporation of New York, said: “Libraries are an essential part of the roadmap that leads to the future of every citizen of this country and is the key to the progress of any nation that values knowledge.

“It is the place of freedom – where anyone can learn about any subject. It is the place where the past opens up to any man, women or child and where one can start to envision the future.”

Prof. Arnold van Zyl, Vice Rector: Research at the SU, gave an overview of the long history between the Carnegie Corporation and the SU and added that the University has committed itself, through the HOPE Project, to serving society as a whole.

“Our challenge is to build strong knowledge networks and to strengthen our teaching and research excellence and to do it in a trans-disciplinary way, crossing borders of all kinds across countries, regions and continents.

“And that is why the CCNY is such a strategic partner to us. We share a conviction that knowledge is the key to unlocking people’s potential. This is a golden thread that characterises the engagement between Carnegie and Stellenbosch. And it is now coming to fruition in a transformed context in a way that is most appropriate to our contemporary challenges.

“It is coming full circle in this Research Commons, which has been partly funded by the Carnegie Corporation of New York. For this facility is an enabler of Stellenbosch University’s HOPE Project. It’s a place where scholars from our university, working with our partners from across our continent, are evolving the next generation of Africa’s academics.

“It cements our relationship – a partnership with a long history, and a bright future – to the benefit of the people of our country and continent.”

Ms Ellen Tise, Senior Director of the Library and Information Service, thanked the CCNY for their support and said: “We are extremely privileged to be associated with a philanthropic organization such as the CCNY.”

Prof Magda Fourie-Malherbe, Vice Rector: Teaching; Prof Tade Akin Aina and Ms Rookaya Bawa, both from the Carnegie Corporation of New York, Ms Ellin Tise, Senior director of the Library and Information Service and Prof Arnold van Zyl, Vice Rector: Research at the SU, at the newly renamed Carnegie Research Commons.

The University and the Library and Information Service was recently privileged to be the recipient of a $ 2.5 million grant from the Corporation for implementing the second phase of a project in South Africa through which  a new model of research support by academic libraries to their respective academic communities will be established.

The project includes three related components: That is, the creation of a research area (“research commons”) for use by postgraduate students, academics and researchers; the establishment of a research portal with a suite of search aids accessible to postgraduate students, academics and researchers; and the development of staff that will ultimately lead to a new cadre of skilled and knowledgeable research librarians who are equipped to work closely with academics and deliver a new standard of service.

The creation of the Research Commons in the JS Gericke Library that was officially opened in May and forms part of the Library and Information Service’s HOPE Project initiative – aimed at the promotion of research at the University – is a concrete outcome of the financial contribution that the Carnegie Corporation has once again made to the great benefit of the university community at Stellenbosch.

• • Read Prof Arnold van Zyl’s speech here.