Deep South v.3 n.2 (Winter 1997)
When invited to write a guest editorial for Deep South, I was delighted to accept, for it gives an opportunity to highlight the important role that this electronic journal has assumed in the development of postgraduate studies at Otago.
As part of its Strategic Direction towards the year 2000, the University has given priority to transforming pedagogy to ensure that students have acquired lifelong learning skills by the time they graduate. On top of this, a concerted effort is being made to deepen and enhance a postgraduate research culture at the University, involving a strengthening of links between postgraduate students at Otago and other scholars in the international academic community engaged in research into literature, drama, theory, and film studies.
Deep South is central to both these initiatives, particularly because of the opportunity it provides for postgraduate students to learn how modern technology can be integrated into research, and facilitate interchange between those who are engaged in it. This was acknowledged in March 1997, when a Department of English working party concluded that the electronic journal should be integrated more fully into the Department's postgraduate studies programme.
Accordingly, postgraduate students are to be encouraged to participate in all stages of the preparation, editing, and formatting of material for publication in Deep South, and their contribution will be recognized in the form of testimonials to support applications for grants, admission to overseas universities, and employment.
Apart from fostering teamwork and an awareness of how electronic publishing can be used as a means of communication and professional advancement, it is anticipated that this development will provide students with the opportunity to develop practical vocational skills, including knowledge of editing skills involved in the preparation of text for electronic publication; expertise in the use of HTML; the ability to run net softwar e; the ability to scan graphics; and knowledge of the conventions governing Web printing. The Department of English regards this as an exciting initiative that may serve as a flagship for other developments in the future.
Finally, it is pleasing to report that Deep South attracts increasing attention from overseas browsers of the Web, with a total of more than 127 832 hits from January 1996 to May 1997. That is an average of 268 hits per day. Our congratulations are extended to the members of the editorial team and all those both from the University of Otago and from overseas, who have contributed to the outstanding success of this venture.
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