In the face of ongoing climate change challenges, digital libraries can play a critical role in advancing education, awareness, and action on environmental issues. These libraries are not just a source of knowledge and analysis but also serve as a valuable platform for promoting sustainability and supporting the transition to a more environmentally responsible economy. Moreover, companies can leverage the knowledge and resources available in digital libraries to design and innovate more sustainable solutions that cater to the changing needs of consumers.
Knimbus is one such cloud based platform that promotes sustainability by creating digital libraries using energy efficient servers, thereby reducing e-waste and dependency on physical books, leading to a decrease in transportation. It helps organisations create, manage and deliver digital content, including e-books, research articles, videos, and educational materials from various sources. With over 500 institutional customers and a user base of more than 1 million, Knimbus is contributing to a more sustainable future by reducing its carbon footprint.
In this interview with TheCSRUniverse, Tarun Arora, CEO and Founder of Knimbus, discusses how the growth of digital technologies and online learning has led to a higher demand for digital libraries. He also highlights how Knimbus has evolved to meet this demand and incorporated green initiatives in academic institutions to reduce their carbon footprint. Additionally, he elaborates on the company's sustainability goals, global reach, and efforts to reduce carbon emissions.
Scroll down to read the full interview.
Q. How has the growth of digital technologies and online learning impacted the demand for digital libraries, and how has Knimbus evolved to meet this demand? Please share your views on the growing need to incorporate green initiatives in academic institutions.
The expansion of digital technology and online learning has evidently boosted the demand for digital libraries. With time more and more individuals are turning to digital resources for study and research leading to a higher need for digital library platforms. These platforms can give individuals simple access to a variety of digital materials, such as research papers, journals and historical records.
Knimbus is a digital library platform that has adapted to the growing demand for digital resources. It provides a simple and accessible interface for users to search and share content online. The platform also offers personalised recommendations to users, making it easier for them to discover new content based on their preferences and interests.
With digitisation, academic institutions must prioritise green initiatives to reduce their carbon footprint and minimise the impact on the environment. Knimbus is leading the way by implementing a cloud-based infrastructure that eliminates the need for physical storage and transportation of resources. This eco-friendly approach not only helps reduce the platform's carbon footprint but also contributes to a cleaner and more sustainable future.
Q. What are your sustainability goals? Please elaborate.
One of our primary goals aims to reduce the carbon footprint by implementing eco-friendly practices in our operations. We have adopted energy-efficient technologies and cut down on waste production. Another sustainability goal is to encourage users to adopt eco-friendly practices in their research and learning activities. Knimbus has made this possible to achieve by providing them with access to resources like online tutorials, quizzes, exercises and other interactive content.
Furthermore, Knimbus also contributes to sustainability by supporting open access to knowledge and promoting digital literacy. By providing access to a wealth of digital resources, we aim to reduce the need for physical resources like paper, which can help conserve natural resources and reduce environmental degradation.
Q. Can you provide an overview of Knimbus' global reach and the types of organisations and institutions that primarily use its cloud-based platform? Additionally, could you share some examples of specific organisations or institutions that have implemented Knimbus' platform, and how they have incorporated it into their e-learning and knowledge management strategies?
Knimbus is a cloud-based platform with a global presence that serves a diverse range of institutions and organisations, including educational institutions, research organisations, government agencies and corporates. The platform provides access to a vast collection of resources, including over 24,000+ eJournals, 1,40,000+ eBooks, 2,25,000+ videos, pre-curated collections of open access content and over 33,000+ new online courses. Its resources cover various subjects, such as Science & Technology, MBBS/MD, Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, Commerce and Management, Arts & Social Sciences and Medical and Pharmaceutical Sciences.
Knimbus has a vast network of resources that includes top publishers, content partners and learning and development partners, enabling innovation and promoting knowledge sharing. It is also integrated with large public content collections like NPTEL, NDLI, SWAYAM, and more. Furthermore, Knimbus is indexed in SCOPUS, Web of Science, DOAJ, and more, and its full-text open eJournals are searchable with journal metrics.
Knimbus is used by more than 500 reputable institutions and over 1 million users worldwide, including Engineering & Medical, Management & Law, Government & Corporates and international institutions. Some examples of organisations that use Knimbus include IIT Roorkee, NIT, AIIMS Delhi, Goa Institute of Management, Christ University, Niti Aayog, DTE Kerala, MSN Labs, Cipla, Credai, BITS Dubai, National University Oman and more. These organisations have incorporated Knimbus into their e-learning and knowledge management strategies by utilising its vast collection of resources to support research, innovation and education.
Q. Can Knimbus provide information on its efforts to reduce carbon emissions through its digital libraries and energy-efficient operations? Most importantly, what's your approach to addressing environmental impacts such as e-waste generated by electronic devices?
At Knimbus, we are committed to sustainability, looking for new ways to reduce the impact on the environment. We have energy-efficient operations as one of the ways to lower carbon emissions. Utilising eco-friendly hardware and software and implementing virtual technology to decrease the need for physical resouces are just a few of the initiatives we have put in place to save the environment. Furthermore, we have chosen a cloud-based hosting strategy for our platform, allowing us to consume resources more effectively and cut down on energy use and carbon emissions.
By promoting eco-friendly habits like digital preservation and reducing printing, we also encourage our users to lessen their influence on the environment. Accessibility to digital content lessens the demand for physical resources and enables users to store content, organise and share across the world.
Q. How does Knimbus ensure that its digital libraries are accessible and inclusive for users from diverse backgrounds and communities, including those in low-resource settings or with limited technological infrastructure?
Regardless of the level of technological expertise of its users, Knimbus offers a user-friendly interface. With simple instructions and features that reduce the need for technical knowledge, the platform is made to be simple to use and explore.
Knimbus involves accessible forms of knowledge through audio or text-to-speech choices, for individuals with challenges. Users can access content in their preferred language and learners from various cultures and backgrounds will find it simpler to locate and utilise the materials they require with appropriate functionality.
Q. How does Knimbus measure and evaluate the reach and impact of its cloud-based platform for e-learning and knowledge management, and what metrics does the company use to assess its contribution towards promoting sustainability and climate action among its user base?
Knimbus employs a diverse set of metrics to measure and evaluate the reach and impact of its cloud-based platform for e-learning and knowledge management. These metrics include user engagement, content usage and feedback from customers. The platform's comprehensive analytics and user-friendly dashboard enable educational institutions to closely monitor platform usage and its effect on their students and faculty.
In addition to tracking user growth and platform usage, Knimbus also gauges its contribution towards promoting sustainability and climate action among its user base by monitoring the utilisation of eco-friendly features, such as its paperless library and digital resources. Knimbus is committed to reducing its environmental impact and therefore, assesses the energy consumption and carbon footprint of its platform, taking appropriate measures to minimise its ecological footprint.
To improve the effectiveness of the platform, Knimbus regularly requests feedback from users and incorporates it into its service to better meet their needs.
Q. How can digital libraries contribute to monitoring and reporting progress towards climate and sustainability targets and be integrated with other technological solutions for a holistic approach? What are the benefits, risks, challenges, and opportunities of this integration?
When tracking and reporting on the status of efforts to meet sustainability and climate goals, digital libraries can be quite useful. Governments, businesses and other stakeholders can access and exchange information on sustainability targets. They can track progress and identify loopholes by using digital libraries, which operate as a single repository for data and research.
The efficiency of digital libraries in fulfilling sustainability objectives can be increased by integrating them with other technology solutions. They can offer an accessible forum for exchanging data and status updates, which can contribute to sustainability.
Digital libraries can be effective at tracking and reporting progress towards sustainability goals as well as providing stakeholders the knowledge necessary to meet eco-friendly objectives. Digital libraries can foster creativity in sustainability projects by giving users access to a plethora of data.
Q. What is the potential economic impact of digital libraries on the transition towards a more sustainable economy?
Acting as a central point for information and analysis about sustainability, digital libraries can be an asset in the transition to a more sustainable economy. Digital libraries can drive sustainability innovation by offering a vast pool of data and best practices that can inspire the development of new sustainable technologies, products and services. This can open up new opportunities for businesses seeking to capitalise on the growing demand for sustainable offerings.
By accessing and leveraging the knowledge and resources available through digital libraries, businesses can design and develop innovative products and services that meet the evolving needs of consumers and contribute to a more sustainable future. Ultimately, this can foster a culture of sustainability innovation that not only benefits individual businesses, but also contributes to the broader transition towards a more sustainable economy.
Q. How has Knimbus leveraged its platform to facilitate learning and knowledge sharing on sustainability and climate-related topics, and what impact has it had on research and innovation in fields such as renewable energy, climate modeling, and sustainable agriculture?
In order to promote learning and knowledge exchange about issues relating to sustainability and the environment, Knimbus has been at the forefront. Our platform gives users access to a wide range of tools that are essential for promoting knowledge and innovation in areas like renewable energy, climate modelling and sustainable agriculture. These tools include scholarly articles, research papers, reports, and other materials.
Our platform allows users to quickly search for and find pertinent information on sustainability and climate-related topics as well as collaborate with peers and subject-matter experts. As a result, there is now a thriving community of academics, scientists, and professionals who are promoting innovation and moving society closer to a sustainable future.
Knimbus has contributed to accelerating the development and use of clean energy technology by making the most recent research on renewable energy accessible.
Q. As a provider of digital library services, what recommendations does Knimbus have for academic institutions, corporations, NGOs, and government on how they can effectively leverage digital libraries to support their work and achieve their sustainability & climate action goals and policy making?
As a provider of digital library services, Knimbus has a number of suggestions on how academic institutions, corporations, NGOs, and government might best use digital libraries to assist their work and realise their sustainability and climate change goals. Open access can easily help in ensuring that studies and data on sustainability and climate change are publicly accessible and that decision-makers have the information they need to make informed choices.
By acting as one centre for data and materials about sustainability and climate change, digital libraries may promote collaboration and knowledge exchange. Investing in training and capacity-building programmes that use digital libraries to develop skills and knowledge can help promote environmental sustainability. Digital libraries can be used to track progress, exchange ideas and modify strategies in light of emerging knowledge.
Monitoring and evaluating achievement is essential for fostering ongoing improvement and adapting strategies over time in the pursuit of sustainability and climate action goals.
