Cost-effective authentication gets the library future-ready at Gwanda State University 

This young university has invested in OpenAthens Connect to help it realize its vision. 

Gwanda State University (GSU) in Zimbabwe was established in 2016, providing heritage-based education in animal and veterinary sciences, ecosystems restoration, environmental engineering and more. Recently, its library was on the lookout for a cost-effective authentication solution to underpin its strategy to be driving cutting-edge learning, research and innovation by 2030. 

Extensive library resources 

GSU has around 500 students and nearly 400 staff. They all depend on the library’s diverse, rich digital content – including journals, e-books, databases, conference proceedings and video lectures. And they don’t just need these in the library. They need them right across GSU’s two campuses, in their homes and residential hostels and when they’re out doing practicals. But with no authentication solution in place, accessing the resources meant remembering multiple passwords and navigating a variety of time-consuming login processes. 

It was time, then, to focus on GSU’s priorities to enhance user experience and support changing approaches to learning and teaching in an increasingly digital world.  

Cost-effective authentication 

Like many universities in Africa, GSU was keen to adopt a simple solution rather than one developed for complex, larger organizations. 

“We also needed to strengthen information security through robust authentication standards. And, importantly, we needed a solution that was more affordable than many products on the market.” 

Smooth implementation 

They surveyed the options carefully and we’re delighted to say they chose ours, because it’s secure, user friendly and more affordable than comparable products. Using the guidance we provided, GSU Library’s IT staff managed the OpenAthens Connect implementation themselves, with support from the wider university’s IT team. It was straightforward, and updates and maintenance are routinely handled through what the library staff describe as “seamless communication and collaboration” between the library, the publisher and our support desk. 

His top tips for institutions thinking about adopting OpenAthens Connect are: 

• Engage your information and communications technology (ICT) department early and explain clearly what permissions or support you’ll need 

• Make use of the detailed documentation and support resources provided by OpenAthens, to make the process easier 

• Communicate with staff and users about upcoming changes, so they know what to expect and why it matters 
  

Benefits 

GSU are confident that, for them, OpenAthens Connect hits the ‘sweet spot’. They’re enjoying high-quality, robust and cost-effective authentication and giving users seamless access to licensed electronic resources both on and off campus. Crucially, they’ve achieved it even with the budget and resource constraints that many institutions have. 

The library has gathered user feedback in surveys and focus groups. It is very positive, and summed up neatly by one user: 

“It feels like the library is right here with me, even when I’m off campus.” 

“This kind of feedback has reassured us that implementing OpenAthens Connect has genuinely improved access and supported our users’ needs.”