Open Polytechnic kaimahi becomes Member of the Archives Council  

Dr Eric Boamah speaking at the International Council for Distance Education World Conference last year.

Dr Eric Boamah, Principal Academic Staff Member of Open Polytechnic’s Library and Information Studies LIS programmes, has been appointed as a Member of the Archives Council for the next three years. 

The Archives Council works alongside Archives New Zealand, as the archival advisory body, established under New Zealand’s Public Records Act 2005 and provides advice directly to the Minister of Internal Affairs.

  
When Eric was notified of his appointment, his mind went back to when he changed his career 15 years ago, from being a village teacher in Ghana, to becoming an information manager.   
“It feels great,” Eric said.

  
“It is humbling to be appointed by the Minister as a member of such a body.”

  
“I never dreamt I would one day be part of any elite advisory group in the field in Ghana, let alone in a country like New Zealand. I am very humbled and excited for the upcoming learning opportunities.”

  
Eric was encouraged to apply after completing one of his research projects in 2024, looking at the issues facing school archivists in New Zealand, published in the journal of the Archives and Records Association of New Zealand (ARANZ)- ARCHIFACTS. 

 
Some leaders in the archival community of New Zealand, suggested that ideas from his study will provide useful advice to the Minister on Archives in Education and encouraged him to apply to join the Council. 

 
“I hope to make the most impact on society as much as possible through my LIS career, both nationally and internationally,” he says.

  
“Being a member of the New Zealand Archives Council will benefit my career by opening me up to a bird’s-eye view of opportunities in the field, including networking and mentorship opportunities, as well as connections with relevant authorities in the field.”

  
“It will help build my skills in research and understanding of issues affecting records relating to New Zealand history and education. I will have a stronger voice to advocate for the value of archives.” 

 
According to Eric, when it comes to LIS education and research, this appointment is a testament that research and contributions from Open Polytechnic can have a relevant impact and be recognised to support government decision-making processes.

  
“My membership on the Archives Council will benefit the Open Polytechnic in many ways. It puts the name of the Open Polytechnic as one of the top institutions, making relevant contributions to the development of the LIS field in New Zealand,” Eric says.

  
Eric, who started working for Open Polytechnic in 2013, will continue in his current position, with his three-year stint as Member of the Archives Council responsibilities, including attending four meetings each year, able to be completed alongside his Open Polytechnic duties.

  
The LIS field comprises of different sectors, including libraries, archives, museums, galleries, and information management.

  
New digital technologies have also opened even more new roles, including digital archivists, digital librarians, digital information managers, data curators, knowledge facilitators, data specialists, and research partners across a variety of sectors.

  
For further details about Library and Information Studies programmes go to the Open Polytechnic website.