Statement on open access to scholarly information
The Group of Eight vice-chancellors, representing Australia's
pre-eminent research universities, record their commitment to open
access initiatives that will enhance global access to scholarly
information for the public good.
The vice-chancellors note that:
* information, if it is to achieve maximum benefit for society,
must be readily available to a global audience
* the rapid development of digital communication technologies
provides expanded opportunities for the widespread dissemination
of scholarly information
* new business models are required to ensure that scholarly
publishing is cost effective
* any development in digital publishing must incorporate the
current framework of scholarly publishing standards relating to
the quality of inquiry and reporting
* digital publishing initiatives must appropriately recognise and
protect the intellectual property of the authors and require
accepted standards of attribution
* the Group of Eight universities are providing leadership in the
development of digital publishing initiatives in Australia.
The vice-chancellors support:
* ongoing development of open access initiatives in Group of Eight
universities
* digital publishing practices that underpin the timely,
cost-effective dissemination of the highest quality scholarly
information with a commitment to good practice
* further examination of criteria for promotion in new publishing
models.
Professor Ian W. Chubb AO
Chair, The Group of Eight
Vice-Chancellor
The Australian National University
Professor James McWha
Vice-Chancellor
The University of Adelaide
Professor Kwong Lee Dow AM
Vice-Chancellor
The University of Melbourne
Professor Richard Larkins AO
Vice-Chancellor
Monash University
Professor Mark Wainwright
Vice-Chancellor
The University of New South Wales
Professor John A. Hay AC
Vice-Chancellor
The University of Queensland
Professor Gavin Brown
Vice-Chancellor
The University of Sydney
Professor Alan Robson AM
Vice-Chancellor
The University of Western Australia
April 2004
--
V. Sasi Kumar <vsasi(a)hotpop.com>