Grants:Programs/Wikimedia Community Fund/Rapid Fund/Wikimedia Awareness in University of Benin School of Medicine and Teaching Hospital (UBTH) (ID: 23759886)
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Applicant Details
[edit]- Main Wikimedia username. (required)
Lazborn
- 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 in University of Benin School of Medicine and Teaching Hospital (UBTH)
- 2. and 3. Proposed start and end dates for the proposal.
2026-02-04 - 2026-05-31
- 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)
Other (please specify) Wikimedia Awareness and and capacity building University of Benin School of Medicine and Teaching Hospital n the community
- 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)
Opposition to the use of Wikipedia in academic institutions in teaching, learning, and research is widespread [1]. Academics and other people often dismiss Wikipedia because they think "anyone can edit it," so the info must be junk. But that mindset means students miss out on a massive chance to actually build real-world skills such as fact-checking, sharp research, and thinking for themselves all while learning things they’d never find in a standard textbook. Since joining the institution as a staff, I have noticed that majority of academic and students within the institution have limited knowledge of Wikipedia let alone Wikimedia projects and its potentials. To bridge this gap and tap into Wikipedia and other Wikimedia project’s full potential hence, I’m puting forward this project specifically for the academic community of the University of Benin School of Medicine and Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and Teaching hospital. We aim to not only educate but to show them how to fact-check like professional, add reliable sources to existing articles, and use the platform to actually enhance their teaching and learning. It’s about giving them the digital tools and leverage Wikipedia in starting and/or furthering their research to stay sharp in a fast-paced research environment. The following program goals will be achieved and sustained:
1. Awareness and recruitment: create awareness among the esteemed staff and students of University of BeninUniversity of Benin School of Medicine and Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and Teaching Hospital regarding the benefits of utilizing Wikipedia and its sister projects, such as Wikicommons and Wikidata, as invaluable tools for teaching, learning, and research purposes. By embracing these platforms, they will gain unparalleled access to a wealth of information while also learning to evaluate and create new knowledge relating to health, culture and heritage of their host community. Furthermore, recruitment of new editors, encouraging enthusiastic individuals within the academic community to actively engage with Wikimedia and contribute to its growth. 2. Foster a transformative mindset shift within the academic community, replacing their skepticism towards Wikimedia sources with a willingness to allow students to cite Wikipedia sources. This change in perspective will broaden their horizons and enable students to harness the comprehensive knowledge available on Wikimedia while citing it appropriately in their academic endeavors.
3. Provide comprehensive training sessions to both staff and students, equipping them with the necessary skills to edit Wikimedia articles and add reliable citations. By enabling them to contribute to this esteemed platform, we empower them to actively participate in the creation and dissemination of reliable and accurate information. This initiative and strategy will strengthen the pool of knowledgeable contributors, enriching the platform with diverse perspectives and fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement.
- 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.
A one-day awareness session will be organized within the school, inviting both staff and students to participate. This event will serve as a means of sensitizing the wider academic community about the project and its objectives.
Two-day training program will be conducted for the staff and students, providing them with the necessary knowledge to create Wikimedia accounts, effectively search for articles requiring citations using tools like Citation Hunt, and learn various editing techniques to enhance Wikipedia articles. The first day of the training will focus on elucidating the importance of acquiring Wikimedia editing skills and the wide-ranging benefits it offers, including enhancing digital literacy, research capabilities, critical thinking, and more. This session will specifically target the students and staff of University of University of Benin School of Medicine and Teaching Hospital (UBTH). The second day of the training will be dedicated to the staff and students of the staff of University of University of Benin School of Medicine and Teaching Hospital (UBTH) and Teaching Hospital (UBTH). It will emphasize the significance of possessing Wikipedia editing knowledge, highlighting its potential to improve digital literacy, research skills, critical thinking, and other relevant competencies.
Two-day online training program and office hour will be conducted. This online component will ensure that participants have continued access to valuable resources and can further develop their Wikimedia editing skills at their own pace.
A structured guided mid-level edit-a-thon event will be organized, allowing participants to put their newly acquired knowledge into practice. This interactive session will provide an opportunity for practical application, and participants who demonstrate exceptional engagement and contribution will be recognized and rewarded. Certificates will also be awarded to all participants, acknowledging their active involvement in the project.
Activate Community: To maintain continuous contributions, editors retention, and mentoring, a community will be created to where participants will receive follow-up support to assess their progress and improvement in the skills gained during the project. This follow-up initiative aims to provide continuous guidance and assistance, ensuring that participants can effectively apply their new found knowledge in their academic pursuits and beyond.
- 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.
Lazborn is a medical professional with the University of Benin School of Medicine and Teaching Hospital (UBTH), an experienced Wikimedian and an Alumni of the Train The Trainer Program of the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria. He has participated in several campaigns as team member and/or as a participant in an edit-a-thon. He served as the Wikidata Trainer and Technical Support for the Promoting Awareness and Knowledge Access in Crisis-Prone Communities. A participant in the AfroDemics project, Top Contributor in the [Event:Wikimedia Awareness in Kwami - Meta-Wiki Wikimedia Awareness in Kwami Project]. He will be leading this project along with other experienced Wikimedians. Umar2z is an experienced Information Technology professional with expertise in information systems management, project leadership, and cybersecurity. He has a strong track record in organizing Wikimedia activities through the Wikimedia Gombe Network, including trainings, edit-a-thons, and awareness campaigns. With skills in data analysis, programming, and project management, Umar will join online as facilitator. Hackesan is an experienced Wikimedia editor and trainer. He is the community lead for the m:Esan Wikimedias Community and will be available for the physical training and awareness drive in academic community. Saalyha Eeman is a two time award-winning creative and experienced Commons contributor. She will be joining via online to facilitate session on Introduction Commons and Creative Commons Licenses. Offi gems A volunteers editor of the University of Benin and will be serving as a communication and creative designer for the campaign/communication materials and will be stipend.
- 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)
The target participants for our project are the members of the university school of medicine and teaching hospital, who have limited or no prior experience with Wikipedia and its sister projects. We will engage potential participants through various means, including interactions with the student union, associations, faculty officers, and lecture halls. During the project, we will actively facilitate the training, ensuring that participants gain the necessary knowledge and skills to contribute to Wikipedia and sister projects. Additionally, we will monitor the three-week online edit-a-thon to prevent any vandalism or misinformation. The project will contribute to the development of Wikipedia, Wikidata, and Wikimedia Commons by building knowledge and creating more active editors, as well as improving the quality of photo uploads. To ensure sustainability, we will create a WhatsApp group called University of Benin School of Medicine and Teaching Hospital (UBTH) Wikimedia Community, where participants can stay in touch, discuss Wikimedia projects, and stay updated on the latest events and workshops. Additionally, they will be introduced to the Wikimedia User Group Nigeria community to ensure continued engagement and participation in Wikimedia projects
- 10. Does your project involve work with children or youth? (required)
Yes
- 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.
We will strictly adhere to the Wikimedia friendly space policy and code of conduct before the event starts. We are also taking active measures to create a safe, supportive, and equitable environment for all participants. This includes providing a welcoming and inclusive atmosphere. We are also providing the necessary resources and materials to assist participants and addressing any concerns or issues that may arise during the activities.
- 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 informed Wikimedia User Group Nigeria Community here. The idea of the project has also been pitched to staff WhatsApp group and members express readiness to upskill and contribute to open knowledge and documenting the notable medical and health practitioners within the community and Edo State in general
- 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)
Cultural background, ethnicity, religion, racial
- 13. Does your proposal include any of these areas or thematic focus? Select one option that most applies to your work. (required)
Advocacy
- 14. Will your work focus on involving participants from any underrepresented communities? Select one option that most apply to your work. (required)
Ethnic/racial/religious or cultural background
- 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)
- Has the participants perception about Wikipedia and sister projects change positively?
- Did the project train new editors to have the required skills for editing Wikimedia projects?
- Did the participants contribute content to Wikipedia and its sister projects?
- Did the project create a sustainable group of Wikimedia editors at University of Benin School of Medicine?
- Did the project contribute new items/Wikipedia article or portrait to wikimedia projects?
- 18. What are your Wikimedia project targets in numbers (metrics)? (required)
| Other Metrics | Target | Optional description |
|---|---|---|
| Number of participants | 55 | |
| Number of editors | 50 | |
| Number of organizers | 4 |
| Wikimedia project | Number of content created or improved |
|---|---|
| Wikipedia | 100 |
| Wikimedia Commons | 100 |
| Wikidata | 150 |
| Wiktionary | |
| Wikisource | |
| Wikimedia Incubator | |
| Translatewiki | |
| MediaWiki | |
| Wikiquote | |
| Wikivoyage | |
| Wikibooks | |
| Wikiversity | |
| Wikinews | |
| Wikispecies | |
| Wikifunctions or Abstract Wikipedia |
- Optional description for content contributions.
N/A
- 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)
Event Registration Tool and outreach dashboard will be utilise to manage participation and track contributions
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)
3988954 USD
- 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.
2876 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).