OAU Digitization Project

1. OAU Digitization Project
1
 The paper (CM/1793 (LIX) Add.2: 2) of 1994 noted
that “The reorganisation of the Archive Unit and the
storing of documents using scanning techniques will
guarantee safety for all past and future historical
documents of the OAU”

2. Resource mobilization for the project
2
 A list of resources required was made
 Human resource = one archivist, two cataloguers, a
laboratory technician and a bilingual secretary. (All these
to be new recruits)
 Equipment = an impressive list including cameras, book
cradles, microfiche
 More emphasis was placed on equipment than on the
human resources
 no indication of how the project related to the other departments
beyond the archives and how they were expected to contribute.
 Not apparent who was to champion the project
 The diverse skills requirements for digitization were ill represented.
 Apparent that skills were lacking

3. Resource mobilization strategy
3
 No particular strategy was put in place.
 The archives had a budget of $100,000.00 approved
by the Council of Ministers
 UNDP was targeted for the supplementary human
resources (Electrical Engineer and a database
officer).
 The project ran on consultancy
 Money was not the problem

4. Problems
4
 No comprehensive and documented resource mobilization
 No documented strategy
 Not much ownership from the organization
 No monitoring or evaluation
 Consultants finished their job
 Commented about the internal incompetency
 Handed over the project and that was the end
 Archives staff left
 A new senior officer came in, cleared the Equipment clutter
THAT WAS THE END OF THE PROJECT AND NOTHING OF IT
REMAINS TO DATE
 AU Turns a New Page