Entomology, Department of
Document Type
Article
Date of this Version
2012
Citation
Youm, O. (2012) Enabling Learning and Enhancing Education in IPM in the Midst of Dwindling Financial Resources: Why Open Access to Resources and Publishing Could Be a Strategic Step to Support Students Today and Tomorrow? Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology 1:1, pp. 1-2.
doi: 10.4172/2161-0983.1000e102
Abstract
When I was invited to join the editorial board of the journal Entomology, Ornithology & Herpetology (EOH), I read carefully the note coming with the invitation and also looked at the content and scope. Then two things came into my mind as I stopped a few minutes to reflect on a couple of issues: (1) how the new journal links and is relevant to Integrated Pest Management—IPM (for those who understand its definition)—and (2) the issue of open access and relevance in the current situation of an ailing global economy, particularly in the vulnerable developing nations.
In the latter, more than ever, higher education is of prime importance, yet, looking at the current world trends showing a higher number of trained scientists per million people in developed countries (UNDP Human Development Report), the developing nations in many instances trail, although many are making progress. It is now well documented that the issue of open access is here to remain for years to come, and this is even more fueled by the recent and ongoing disruption of the global economic stability.
While having learned and practiced the principles and applications of IPM, are we still faced with either its narrow or broader definition? What are the implications of the birth and growth of EOH, and how can the journal play a critical role in addressing gaps in information availability and cost in a global ailing or recovering economy? How would this play for students with limited resources, yet with a strong desire to excel and get quality training and education?
Comments
Copyright © 2012 Ousame Youm. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.