Open Access to Digital Information at the University for Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland

Abstract

This paper addresses the challenges and the impacts of Open Science and Open Access to digital information encountered in research and education at the University for Applied Sciences and Arts Western Switzerland (HES-SO). The HES-SO with its six faculties and its network of schools of higher education, spread throughout seven states (Cantons) in Switzerland, is a recognized player within the Swiss and international landscape of higher education. This educational site mirrors more complex international educational environments on a smaller scale. It is therefore an interesting site in which initiatives' life cycle are easily monitored. In order to set a framework for our study, concepts derived from Open Science, in particular Open Access, Open Data, and Open Innovation are defined; more general common notions such as digital information and "Openness" are contextualized; then the social and cultural environment with which the HES-SO interacts is described. More specifically, the several levels of interaction that structure Switzerland (canton/state, federal, inter-state or national) are explained. Following that, we address the challenges that the HES-SO faces and list them for each of the defined concepts. The education and social aspects for these challenges are underlined. Tools and contents that were developed at the HES-SO are presented in a third section in particular for the Open Access concept. Finally, the last section illustrates the importance of education and training, which act as a vector for the transition and adaptation to a world revolving around digital information.