As head of the Cheikh Anta Diop University of Dakar Press (PUD) since 2023, Dr. Moussa Samba is working to strengthen the dissemination of scientific output. Through initiatives like the Annual Scientific Publications Promotion Week from April 21-25, 2026, he aims to bring research closer to the general public and reposition the university press as a key player in academic and societal influence. Here, Dr. Samba discusses the actions that could restore the prestige of Cheikh Anta Diop University.

Since I took over as director in 2023, I observed a lack of dissemination for research results. That's why my team and I took the initiative to strengthen the promotion of scientific publications. We are organizing a dedicated week for this promotion. It is tied to World Book and Copyright Day, celebrated each April 23 under UNESCO's auspices. This year, we will host 13 authors who will present their works. On April 23, we will also hold a roundtable on the theme 'Reading at University.' This choice is driven by concerns over declining student performance, often attributed to a reading deficit. We are questioning reading practices. Who actually reads at university? This meeting will bring together policymakers, teachers, administrative staff, students, researchers, and all stakeholders interested in books and research.

First, we must speak of 'press' in the plural. This allows a distinction from the traditional news media. University presses fall under scientific publishing: they publish monographs and journals, meaning books and academic publications. We are not in journalism, even though we work in content production and dissemination. Our mission is centered on scholarly publishing. Since 2023, I have worked to raise the profile of this structure, which was still not very visible, even within UCAD. Today, the situation has evolved. Scientific output has intensified. Where there were very few publications, we have, for example, published seven books in March alone.

This is an essential question. This year, UCAD is ranked among the top thousand universities in the world, which is a significant step forward. The publication and dissemination of scientific work have a direct impact on international visibility. Researchers are read and cited, which strengthens the university's reputation and the recognition of Senegalese research quality. Thanks to platforms like CROSSREF, our publications are accessible to millions of users worldwide. I am convinced that UCAD can regain its standing in Africa. Africa produces a lot, but its output is insufficiently disseminated. That is where efforts must be concentrated.

It is very important to make our publications more accessible to the public. This is, in fact, one of the goals of this week. We encourage authors to engage directly with the public. A scientist's strength is the ability to explain complex concepts simply. Therefore, it is essential to strengthen this link between the university and society. Books must become everyday tools, both for learning and for cultural enrichment.