Leave a Legacy. Contribute to Iskwiki.
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title="" base="http://www.dilc.upd.edu.ph/media/videos/">iskwikiPERR.flv|Pres.Emerlinda R. Roman</flv>
I am delighted to see that the Diliman Interactive Learning Center (DILC) is launching an important online service called iskWiki!. iskWiki! is UP's attempt to build its own knowledge base. It is UP's online encyclopedia, catalog, dictionary, almanac and many more--all in one site.
In a sense, the Internet itself (or at least a good part of it) is one colossal wiki: people from diverse backgrounds, with varying intentions, contribute or exchange materials which the potential audience may find useful. By far the most successful of all the wikis is the Wikipedia. But amidst questions about its accuracy and susceptibility to devious modification, perhaps having a wiki of our own--the UP iskWiki!--can help clarify matters that directly relate to the University. Through the iskwiki, we are given the opportunity to clarify, in cyberspace, misconceptions, inaccurate and incomplete information about the University. Because it is written by the UP community itself, it is expected to give the more accurate description of the University. its people and their interests. Much information about UP is publicized out there, but part of it is at least inaccurate if not wrong altogether. As iskWiki! is written by the UP academic community itself, it is in a unique position to accurately describe the University, its institutions and organizations within, and the pursuits of its people.
I am glad to see how UP's modernization efforts have come in full circle. Modernization is not just about the acquisition of new computers and modern buildings and infrastructures. It is also, most of all, a matter of outlook. A modern outlook entails openness to ideas and collaborative ways of finding answers to questions. And iskWiki! is a concrete expression of that modern outlook! The University, as a knowledge center, can ill afford to limit the production and dissemination of knowledge to only few of its members. There is knowledge about the world in general, there is knowledge about ourselves, and there is knowledge of the limits in knowing about both. Members of the UP academic community--individually or collectively--can bring to the fore such spheres of knowledge by contributing to iskWiki!
I urge our UP faculty, students, and staff to contribute to iskWikis in various ways--as writers, editors, fact-checkers, photographers, illustrators.
Congratulations to DILC on the launching of iskWiki!