Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Wikimedia Awareness Initiative at Bayero University Kano (ID: 22279317)
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Applicant Details[edit]
- Main Wikimedia username. (required)
Gwanki
- Organization
N/A
- If you are a group or organization leader, board member, president, executive director, or staff member at any Wikimedia group, affiliate, or Wikimedia Foundation, you are required to self-identify and present all roles. (required)
N/A
- Describe all relevant roles with the name of the group or organization and description of the role. (required)
Main Proposal[edit]
- 1. Please state the title of your proposal. This will also be the Meta-Wiki page title.
Wikimedia Awareness Initiative at Bayero University Kano
- 2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.
2023-11-15 - 2023-12-15
- 4. Where will this proposal be implemented? (required)
Nigeria
- 5. Are your activities part of a Wikimedia movement campaign, project, or event? If so, please select the relevant project or campaign. (required)
Not applicable
- 6. What is the change you are trying to bring? What are the main challenges or problems you are trying to solve? Describe this change or challenges, as well as main approaches to achieve it. (required)
Bayero University Kano (BUK), a renowned institution of higher learning in Nigeria, has a rich history of academic excellence and a diverse community of students and faculty. However, an opportunity exists to bridge the gap between traditional research methodologies and the vast potential of digital resources.
The main change I aspire to bring is to cultivate awareness about Wikimedia projects, particularly Wikipedia, within the vibrant academic environment of BUK. This includes dispelling the misconception that Wikipedia lacks reliability due to its collaborative editing nature. I aim to establish an active Wikimedia Community within the university and nurture a dedicated group of Wikipedia editors.
Challenges:
- Misconceptions about Reliability: A common notion prevails among some people that Wikipedia's collaborative nature compromises its accuracy and credibility.
- Limited Awareness: Many students and faculty members are unaware of the extensive Wikimedia platform and its potential for contribution and research.
- Engagement Gap: The absence of a structured Wikimedia presence at BUK inhibits engagement and collaborative efforts.
Approaches:
- Awareness Initiatives: I envision organizing workshops, and awareness trips to illuminate the BUK community about Wikipedia's credibility and the broader Wikimedia ecosystem.
- Hands-On Training: Through interactive sessions, participants will gain practical experience in researching, evaluating, and effectively utilizing Wikipedia resources.
- Establishing a Wikimedia Community: My plan is to create a dedicated hub for Wikimedia enthusiasts within BUK, fostering connections and knowledge-sharing.
- Collaborative Partnerships: By collaborating with student bodies and faculty members, I aim to seamlessly integrate Wikimedia initiatives into BUK's academic fabric.
A distinctive aspect of this initiative is to educate participants on utilizing Wikipedia as a research tool effectively. Through these efforts, I intend to not only change the perception of Wikipedia's reliability but also equip BUK's academic community with valuable digital research skills. By creating a dynamic Wikimedia Community and training proficient Wikipedia editors, I aim to fortify the credibility of Wikimedia platforms and their role as reputable educational resources. This initiative mirrors BUK's commitment to fostering quality education and advancing knowledge in the digital age
- 7. What are the planned activities? (required) Please provide a list of main activities. You can also add a link to the public page for your project where details about your project can be found. Alternatively, you can upload a timeline document. When the activities include partnerships, include details about your partners and planned partnerships.
Key Points to consider Collaborate with BUK admin for permissions. Create engaging materials. Interactive workshops for hands-on learning. Clear online training instructions. Encourage community engagement. Evaluate impact through feedback.
This project will be in the duration of eight days, Phase one and Phase two.
Phase 1: Old Site Campus
- Awareness Trip - Day 1: Conduct a one-day awareness trip at the Old Site campus. Engage with students and faculty, distribute informational materials, and address misconceptions about Wikipedia's reliability.
- Physical Workshop - Day 2-3: Organize a two-day physical workshop focusing on Wikipedia editing and research techniques. Teach participants about reliable sourcing, citations, and collaborative editing.
- Online Training - Day 4: Host an online training session, introducing participants to the basics of Wikimedia projects, online collaboration tools, and how to use Wikipedia for research.
Phase 2: New Site Campus
- Awareness Trip - Day 5: Similar to Phase 1, conduct a one-day awareness trip at the New Site campus. Reinforce the awareness messages and engage with a new audience.
- Physical Workshop - Day 6-7: Hold another two-day physical workshop at the New Site campus. Build on the skills introduced earlier, encouraging active participation and hands-on editing.
- Online Training - Day 8: Conduct the second online training session for the New Site campus, focusing on advanced topics such as referencing, creating content, and understanding Wikipedia's editing guidelines.
- 8. Describe your team. Please provide their roles, Wikimedia Usernames and other details. (required) Include more details of the team, including their roles, usernames, Wikimedia group, and whether they are salaried, volunteers, consultants/contractors, etc. Team members involved in the grant application need to be aware of their involvement in the project.
My team comprises myself, with the username Gwanki, I am a graduate of Sa'adatu Rimi University of Education Kano. With over nine years of experience as a Hausa Wikipedia sysop editor, I will lead the project. Additionally, experienced editors Yusuf Sa'adu and A Sulaiman Z they will facilitate online and physical events. We are also collaborating with a student union to engage participants and working with staff members to obtain permissions. Before applying, We have already initiated discussions with both some of the students and staff.
- 9. Who are the target participants and from which community? How will you engage participants before and during the activities? How will you follow up with participants after the activities? (required)
Target Participants and Community: The target participants comprise BUK students and faculty members, spanning diverse academic disciplines. The initiative seeks to engage the BUK community, promoting awareness and active participation in Wikimedia projects.
Engagement Before and During Activities:
- Pre-event Communication: Employ social media platforms, classroom announcements, and university channels to create anticipation. Highlight the rewards of participation and share sneak peeks of the upcoming initiative.
Follow-up After Activities:
- Post-Event Surveys: Administer post-event surveys to gather participant feedback on their experience and newfound insights. Evaluate their perception of Wikipedia's credibility and their inclination to contribute.
- Online Community: Maintain a dedicated BUK Wikimedia user group online. Encourage ongoing discussions, resource sharing, and mutual assistance among participants.
- Collaboration with Hausa Wikimedians: Leverage the existing Hausa Wikimedians User Group to facilitate continuous engagement, knowledge sharing, and collaborative projects.
- Recognition and Incentives: Recognize active contributors through certificates or acknowledgment on university platforms. Introduce incentives to foster a sense of achievement and continued enthusiasm.
- 10. Does your project involve work with children or youth? (required)
No
- 10.1. Please provide a link to your Youth Safety Policy. (required) If the proposal indicates direct contact with children or youth, you are required to outline compliance with international and local laws for working with children and youth, and provide a youth safety policy aligned with these laws. Read more here.
N/A
- 11. How did you discuss the idea of your project with your community members and/or any relevant groups? Please describe steps taken and provide links to any on-wiki community discussion(s) about the proposal. (required) You need to inform the community and/or group, discuss the project with them, and involve them in planning this proposal. You also need to align the activities with other projects happening in the planned area of implementation to ensure collaboration within the community.
I have engaged in thorough discussions to share and gather insights about the project. I initiated conversations with the project team, Yusuf Sa'adu and A Sulaiman Z, aligning our vision and refining our approach. I posted a comprehensive project outline on the Hausa Wikipedia Discussion Page and the Hausa Wikimedians User Group Discussion Page to gather community feedback and suggestions. Additionally, I extended the reach of our initiative by sharing project details through the Kano Wikimedians dedicated WhatsApp group. Recognizing the significance of this endeavor, I have also taken the step of personally emailing the leaders of the Hausa Wikimedians User Group to ensure they are well-informed and can offer guidance and support. The extensive discussions undertaken with the project team, community members, and relevant groups signify a comprehensive and collaborative approach to driving the success of the Wikimedia Awareness Initiative at Bayero University Kano.
- 12. Does your proposal aim to work to bridge any of the content knowledge gaps (Knowledge Inequity)? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Not applicable
- 13. Does your proposal include any of these areas or thematic focus? Select one option that most applies to your work. (required)
Education
- 14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Not applicable
- 15. In what ways do you think your proposal most contributes to the Movement Strategy 2030 recommendations. Select one that most applies. (required)
Innovate in Free Knowledge
Learning and metrics[edit]
- 17. What do you hope to learn from your work in this project or proposal? (required)
I want to learn how well my project at Bayero University Kano works. I want to find out if the activities we do, like workshops and online training, really help people understand Wikipedia better. I also want to see if people keep using Wikipedia for research after the project. By getting this information, I can improve my approach for future projects and help more people learn about Wikimedia.
- 18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
| Other Metrics | Target | Optional description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 80 | The number of total participants is 80, this include 40 from everyone Campus. |
| Number of editors | 60 | For each Campus we will get 30 editors |
| Number of organizers | 4 | Two current Wikimedians and two leaders of the students unions. |
| Wikimedia project | Number of content created or improved |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 200 |
| Wikimedia Commons | 50 |
| Wikidata | 50 |
| Wiktionary | 50 |
| Wikisource | |
| Wikimedia Incubator | |
| Translatewiki | |
| MediaWiki | |
| Wikiquote | |
| Wikivoyage | |
| Wikibooks | |
| Wikiversity | |
| Wikinews | |
| Wikispecies | |
| Wikifunctions or Abtsract Wikipedia |
- Optional description for content contributions.
We will create and improve at least 200 Hausa and English Wikipedia articles as well as 50 Hausa Wiktionary articles
- 19. Do you have any other project targets in numbers (metrics)? (optional)
No
| Main Open Metrics | Description | Target |
|---|---|---|
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
| N/A | N/A | N/A |
- 20. What tools would you use to measure each metrics? Please refer to the guide for a list of tools. You can also write that you are not sure and need support. (required)
I will use Wikimedia Foundation's Dashboard Tool
Financial proposal[edit]
- 21. Please upload your budget for this proposal or indicate the link to it. (required)
- 22. and 22.1. What is the amount you are requesting for this proposal? Please provide the amount in your local currency. (required)
1862000 NGN
- 22.2. Convert the amount requested into USD using the Oanda converter. This is done only to help you assess the USD equivalent of the requested amount. Your request should be between 500 - 5,000 USD.
2415.81 USD
- We/I have read the Application Privacy Statement, WMF Friendly Space Policy and Universal Code of Conduct.
Yes
Endorsements and Feedback[edit]
Please add endorsements and feedback to the grant discussion page only. Endorsements added here will be removed automatically.
Community members are invited to share meaningful feedback on the proposal and include reasons why they endorse the proposal. Consider the following:
- Stating why the proposal is important for the communities involved and why they think the strategies chosen will achieve the results that are expected.
- Highlighting any aspects they think are particularly well developed: for instance, the strategies and activities proposed, the levels of community engagement, outreach to underrepresented groups, addressing knowledge gaps, partnerships, the overall budget and learning and evaluation section of the proposal, etc.
- Highlighting if the proposal focuses on any interesting research, learning or innovation, etc. Also if it builds on learning from past proposals developed by the individual or organization, or other Wikimedia communities.
- Analyzing if the proposal is going to contribute in any way to important developments around specific Wikimedia projects or Movement Strategy.
- Analysing if the proposal is coherent in terms of the objectives, strategies, budget, and expected results (metrics).