Annual Programme 2026

Information & Digital Literacy

Every Wednesday · 2:00 – 4:00 PM · University Library & Online

Weekly Sessions
Free for All
In-Person & Online
About the Programme

What is IL/DL Training?

The IL/DL Programme follows a rolling, mixed-cohort model. Foundational, core and research-focused sessions run every semester for new students, postgraduates, academic staff and administrative staff.

All sessions are free and facilitated by qualified library professionals. No registration required — just walk in every Wednesday at 2pm.

8/15 students
requested database training
8/15 students
requested AI tools training
10/13 staff
requested academic publishing
9/13 staff
requested reference management

Source: Umma University Library Survey, Jan–Feb 2026

IL training

Programme Details

Every Wednesday, 2:00–4:00 PM
University Library, Labs & Online
Free — no registration required
Open to all students and staff
Runs all three semesters

Contact for group/class sessions:

lib@umma.ac.ke
+254 746 790 207
Topics Covered

What You Will Learn

Each topic is delivered in a dedicated session — rotate through the year

Library Orientation

Navigating the library, OPAC catalog, shelf arrangement and finding print resources.

Database Navigation

MyLOFT walkthrough, JSTOR, EBSCOhost, PubMed and subject-specific databases step by step.

AI Tools for Research

Using ChatGPT, Claude and Perplexity responsibly for literature searching and academic writing.

Zotero & Mendeley

Installing, saving references, and generating automatic bibliographies in APA, Harvard, Chicago.

DrillBit & Plagiarism

Running similarity checks, understanding reports and maintaining academic integrity.

Research Data Management

Data management plans, ethics, sharing, storage and compliance for postgraduate research.

Academic Publishing

Choosing journals, the peer-review process, open access, predatory journals and author metrics.

Open Access & Repository

Depositing in DSpace, finding free full-text articles via DOAJ, PubMed Central and AJOL.

ORCID & Research Visibility

Creating your ORCID iD, Google Scholar profile and tracking your citations and impact.

Literature Searching

Boolean operators, controlled vocabulary, PRISMA systematic searching and citation chaining.

Academic Writing Support

Structuring literature reviews, avoiding plagiarism, using sources correctly and citation styles.

Institutional Repository

Submitting theses and research papers to Umma University's DSpace repository.

2026 Schedule

Three-Semester Programme Calendar

Semester 1
January – April 2026
Weeks 1–4 – Weeks 13–14 · New & continuing students
Weeks 1–4
Foundations

Library orientation, OPAC, searching basics, citation and academic integrity

Weeks 5–8
Core Skills

Advanced searching, MyLOFT databases, Zotero, open access, repository

Weeks 9–12
Research Skills

Research data management, data ethics, publishing from research, impact

Weeks 13–14
Applied Sessions

Subject-specific IL, research clinics, one-on-one consultations

Semester 2
May – August 2026
Weeks 1–4 – Weeks 13–14 · Postgraduates & continuing students
Weeks 1–4
Re-Orientation

Library orientation (new intake), academic sources, searching, academic integrity

Weeks 5–8
Advanced Skills

Advanced searching, PRISMA basics, reference management, digital scholarship

Weeks 9–12
Thesis Focus

Research data compliance, data ethics, publishing from your thesis, research impact

Weeks 13–14
Research Clinics

Discipline-specific sessions and individual research consultations

Semester 3
September – December 2026
Weeks 1–4 – Weeks 13–14 · Academic staff & postgraduates
Weeks 1–4
Publishing

Scholarly publishing, copyright, predatory journals, research metrics and impact

Weeks 5–8
Digital Identity

ORCID profiles, institutional repository, AI tools for research and learning

Weeks 9–12
Collaboration

Digital scholarship tools, grant requirements, discipline-specific resources

Weeks 13–14
Review

Programme review, research clinics and feedback sessions

Join Us Every Wednesday at 2:00 PM

No registration needed. Free for all Umma University students and staff. Contact us to arrange a dedicated session for your class or department.

lib@umma.ac.ke Ask a Librarian Download Guides