11 research outputs found
Innovative Open Education: Fostering Resilient Societies for Sustainable Economic Development. Conference Proceedings – PCF11 Selected Papers
No full textThis book of proceedings presents selected papers from the Eleventh Pan-Commonwealth Forum (PCF11), co-hosted by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) and the Government of Botswana in Gaborone from 10–12 September 2025. The purpose of this publication is to curate and disseminate high-quality, peer-reviewed contributions that reflect both scholarly insight and practical innovation. It serves as a resource for advancing policy, practice and research in open and distance learning (ODL) in support of Sustainable Development Goal 4 on inclusive, equitable quality education and lifelong learning.
The central theme of PCF11, also reflected in the title of this book—Innovative Open Education: Fostering Resilient Societies for Sustainable Economic Development—highlights the role of openness in building social resilience, widening access, reducing inequities and supporting sustainable economic growth. The book is organised around four interrelated sub-themes that structure the proceedings and frame contemporary debates in the field: (1) changing mindsets for inclusive open education; (2) gender, technology and innovation in open education; (3) skills development through lifelong open education; and (4) sustaining communities of learning and practice in innovative open education.
The volume includes a carefully selected set of papers identified through a rigorous two-phase blind peer review process, with sub-theme leaders nominating the highest-ranked contributions for publication. Together, these papers illustrate diverse experiences, evidence-based practices and policy-relevant insights from across the Commonwealth.
The primary target audience for this book comprises policymakers, development practitioners, academics, researchers, technology innovators, COL stakeholders and partner institutions engaged in open, online and flexible learning. As such, the proceedings aim to inform decision-making, inspire innovation and strengthen collaboration in pursuit of resilient, inclusive and sustainable education systems.
Title: Recognition of Prior Learning and Micro-credentials for Enhancing Inclusion, Access and Success in the UCT Postgraduate Diploma in Blended and Online Learning Design: A Social Justice Lens
Author(s): Tabisa Mayisela; Shanali Govender; Daniela Gachago Pages: 11–22
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.001
Title: Changing Mindset for Open and Distance Learning System: University of The Gambia Experience
Author(s): Kayode S. Adekeye; Ousainou Sarr; Raphael K. Ayeni; Mbemba Hydara; Jane-Frances Agbu; Francisca U. Ezike
Pages: 23–42
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.002
Title: Unlocking the Potential of Open Educational Practices in Bangladesh — Why Mindset Shift Matters
Author(s): Mostafa Azad Kamal; Jane-Frances Agbu; Md. Mahfuzur Rahman
Pages: 43–54
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.003
Title: Pedagogy of Care in a Blended Teaching and Learning Distance Teacher Education Programme
Author(s): F. R. Aluko; M. A. Ooko
Pages: 55–64
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.004
Title: Enhancing Teacher–Student Interaction through Open Education in Hybrid Learning in Cameroonian Universities
Author(s): Shaibou Abdoulai Haji; Jane-Frances Agbu
Pages: 65–77
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.005
Title: Leveraging Technology-Enabled Learning and Open Educational Resources for Educational Equity: A Case Study in a Small Island State
Author(s): Romeela Mohee; Anjusha Durbarry
Pages: 79–88
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.006
Title: Empowering Future Teachers: Skills Development and Training Needs for AI Integration in ODL Teacher Education
Author(s): Geesje van den Berg
Pages: 89–99
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.007
Title: Leveraging AI-Driven Chatbots to Enhance First-Year Student Support: The USP SEM ZERO-GPT Initiative
Author(s): Raveena Goundar; Rajni Chand; Mohammed Hussein Pages: 100–110
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.008
Title: The Use of Artificial Intelligence in Teacher Education Students’ Assessment Practices in Open Distance E-learning
Author(s): Patience Kelebogile Mudau
Pages: 111–124
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.009
Title: Gender and Disability-related Influences on Teachers’ Access to Technology-Mediated Professional Learning in Tanzania
Author(s): Sara Hennessy; Kristeen Chachage; Saalim Koomar; Calvin Swai; Taskeen Adam; Fika Mwakabungu; Winston Massam; Jonathan H. Paskali; Nidhi Singal
Pages: 125–139
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.010
Title: The Vocational Training Development Institute: An Investigation into the Utilisation of Digital Learning Strategies in TVET to Facilitate Accessibility, Flexibility, Engagement and Skills Development
Author(s): Jacqueline Solomon-Wallder; Mark McKnight; Roxanne Hinds
Pages: 141–164
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.011
Title: Implementing Blended Delivery in TEVET: Insights from a Preparatory (PBDT) Course in Zambia
Author(s): Twaambo Chiinza; Alice P. Shemi
Pages: 165–178
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.012
Title: Engaging NEET Youths through Vocational Education: A Case of the Open School of Bangladesh Open University
Author(s): Md. Mizanoor Rahman; Santosh Panda
Pages: 179–187
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.013
Title: Open Schooling in Southern Africa: Progress, Challenges and Opportunities
Author(s): Ephraim Mhlanga
Pages: 188–197
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.014
Title: Building Resilient Graduates: Moi University’s Model for Enhancing Employability and Lifelong Learning in a Dynamic Labour Market
Author(s): Lumala Masibo; Jako Olivier
Pages: 198–208
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.015
Title: Stakeholders’ Perceptions of the Adoption of E-apprenticeship Programmes in Technical and Vocational Education and Training in Nigeria
Author(s): Michael Shittu; Robert Okinda; Anthony C. Achuenu; Alabi M. Olowo
Pages: 209–223
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.016
Title: Towards a Commonwealth Credit Transfer Framework for Micro-Credentials: Advancing Education for a More Resilient Workforce Author(s): Jako Olivier; Jane-Frances Agbu; Schontal Moore; Sanjaya Mishra; Betty Ogange; Evode Mukama; Robert Okinda Pages: 225–236
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.017
Title: Collaborative Approaches in Open Education: Leveraging OER Creation, Adaptation and use for Sustainable Development Author(s): Shepherd Mlambo; Nokulunga Sithabile Ndlovu; Thabo Gina
Pages: 237–248
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.018
Title: Empowering Voices in Open Education: Reflections and Future Directions from the Global OER Graduate Network’s 10th Anniversary Author(s): Robert Farrow; Carina Bossu; Beck Pitt
Pages: 249–257
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.019
Title: Collaborative Peer Learning for International Course Development in the Empowering Women and Girls (EWG) Project: Challenges and Lessons Learned Through this Case Study
Author(s): Philip Uys
Pages: 258–268
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.020
Title: Building Sustainable Communities of Practice Through Mentor-Supported OER Development: An Iterative Approach in Pacific STEM Education
Author(s): Amanda Grey; Betty Ogange; Rajni Chand; Ashish Agrawal
Pages: 269–282
DOI: https://doi.org/10.56059/11599/6064.02
Structural Modeling of Food Safety Knowledge, Attitude, and Practices of Food Handlers in Highway Tourist Stop-Over Food Service Establishments in Uganda
No full textThe study examines the socio-demographic characteristics, food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices of food handlers in highway tourist stop-over food service establishments in Uganda. The study further explores the relationship between the above factors using the Structural Equation Model (SEM). Understanding food safety knowledge, attitudes, and practices of food handlers can inform future interventions toward food safety assurance in food service establishments. The study used a cross-sectional design and data was collected using a self-administered structured questionnaire. Data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) Version 22 and Analysis of Moment Structures (AMOS). Approximately half of the respondents had adequate knowledge of food safety and good practices. The results from SEM confirmed that food safety knowledge significantly affected practices (β= 0.37 p<0.05), attitude insignificantly, and negatively affected practices (β= -0.04 p>0.05). Only 13.3% of the changes in practices were explained by the knowledge and attitudes of the respondents (R-squared 0.133). The majority of the food handlers were males, had experience of more than 2 years, attended food safety training, and had limited knowledge about Hazard Analysis Critical Control Points (HACCP). The study is the first of its kind in Uganda. The findings suggest that future interventions should look beyond food safety knowledge and attitudes of the food handlers in food safety assurance efforts
Profile and Operations of Highway Tourist Stop-over Foodservice Establishments in Uganda
No full textABSTRACT
This study was set out to identify and document the highway tourist stop-over foodservice establishments (HTSFE) characteristics; thus, creating a profile and grading for informed choice by tourists. The study adopted a cross-sectional design and quantitative data was collected from managers of establishments. The questionnaire was interviewer- administered in addition to an observational check-list. The study involved 30 HTSFE identified with the assistance from Uganda Tourism Board (UTB) and Uganda Safari Guides Association (USAGA). The response rate was 100%. Most of HTSFE were located in Western (47.6%) and Eastern Uganda (36.7%). Some were either stand-alone restaurants (40%) or part of a bigger hotel (43%). A considerable number (30%) employed between 1-5 food handlers and most (63.3%) had operated for more than 10 years. Majority (58.6%) were inspected by UTB in addition to either local council or city council. The commonest complaint recorded was delay in service (73.7%). The dishes prepared included local dishes (90%) and international cuisines (66.7%). Most HTSFE used water from National Water and Sewerage corporation (79.3%). None of the HTSFE had a food safety management system. The HTSFE belonged to three grade categories: B (36.6%), C (30%) and Non-graded (33.3%). The findings of the study suggest the need for implementing food safety management systems and more regular inspections and trainings for food safety assurance
The sterility and antimicrobial potential of 3M™ Micropore™ tape in a lower- to middle-income country
No full textMedical adhesives such as tape are used in wound care to hold down wound dressings onto the skin. Among these, 3M™ Micropore™ tape is widely used; however, limited data are available on its sterility and antibacterial effects, especially in environments where infection control practices may be compromised. We explored the sterility and antibacterial potential of factory-packaged 3M™ Micropore™ surgical tape. This study employed a prospective, experimental laboratory-based research design. A total of 48 separate pieces of tape were assessed. To investigate sterility, a thioglycollate broth and Sabouraud dextrose with chloramphenicol agar plates were used to detect bacterial and fungal growth, respectively. To assess antimicrobial properties, pieces of tape were placed on Mueller-Hinton agar plates lawned with 0.5 McFarland suspension of Bacillus subtilis to detect zones of inhibition around the tape. All samples of the tapes analysed found no evidence of bacterial or fungal growth after appropriate incubation periods. Antibacterial activity was not demonstrated. Evidenced by our results, we can conclude that the tapes are sterile. In vitro, the tape did not possess any antimicrobial properties.
Contribution: These results suggest that tape-assisted closure, together with safe tape handling, may be, in the future, an important adjunct in the plastic surgeon’s armamentarium. Especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), where cost and supply constraints may limit access to sterile wound dressings, 3M™ Micropore™ tape may offer a viable alternative when applied under hygienic conditions
Fighting HIV/AIDS: Reconfiguring the State?
No full textThe author wishes to thank the anonymous reviewers of the article and the ESRC for funding part of this research
TRAGOM MOG DRUŽENJA S ANTOM GLAVIČIĆEM (Zabilješke iz dnevnika)
No full textRemembering his friendship with the late Prof. Ante Glavičić – in this first decade – the author states: we, as we live now, work and try to do only good things, like him, but we will also inevitably disappear when it is our time, not knowing when that will be?!
Ante’s time came when he was 72, studiously working 41 years of service. He lived 6 years into his pension, although still working and useful. He left unexpectedly, calmly, not burdening anyone with his patient’s pain. His friends said: and so they leave life those who the Almighty rewarded believing that – or maybe not - we might also experience it ourselves? According to the author it would be true happiness! With this unavoidable fact and behind him now only memories live of the remaining trace different from the others – obviously due to people’s various ways of life. The memory is
bordered with personal conduct, character and a wide human activity, which someone performed or by some facts separated himself from others by their habits and preferences. Does the author also really believe that this was the case with Prof. Ante Glavičić!? With his declining years the author of these lines understood that there is only one happiness, and that is the duty which we have (or don’t have!), and too often the only consolation is work, because the secret of the human being is not only in that it lives, but in that – for that
which it lives? Ante obviously knew why he wanted to live from his days of studies to the last conversation about his Senj and Velebit, which he also intrinsically embraced with his gained knowledge. For the author he has remained Velebit’s Ante, because it is also there that he best got to know how to follow him on his trial, when he had the opportunity and possibility, so again he returns alongside him again on this trail…Sjećajući se mog druženja s pokojnim prof. Antom Glavičićem - pri ovom prvom desetljeću - svjestan sam činjenice – da mi, koji sada živimo – radimo i nastojimo činiti samo dobro, kao i on, ali ćemo i mi neminovno nestati kada za to naš čas dođe, ne znajući kada će to biti?! Antin čas došao je u njegovoj 72. godini, marljivo odradivši 41 godinu radnog staža. U mirovini je živio 6 godina, ali i dalje radno i korisno. Otišao je neočekivano – po mom mišljenju smireno, ne opterećujući nikoga bolesničkim mukama. Moji stari su govorili: "tako iz života odlaze oni koje je Svevišnji nagradio vjerujući da – ili – ne,
možda doživimo i sami? Po mome, bila bi to zaista sreća! S tom neumitnom činjenicom i iza njega sada dalje žive samo sjećanja na ostavljeni trag različit od drugih – očito zbog ljudski različitog načina života. Sjećanje je omeđeno osobnim ponašanjem, karakterom i širinom ljudske aktivnosti, koju je netko obavljao ili se po nekim činjenicama izdvajao od drugih vlastitim navikama i sklonostima. Mislim, da je i u njega zaista bilo tako!? Uza svoje staračke godine shvatio sam da je samo jedno sreća, a to je dužnost koju imamo (ili nemamo!), a prečesto jedina je utjeha rad, jer tajna čovjekova bića nije samo u tome što se živi, već u tome – za što se živi?. Ante je očito znao za što želi živjeti od dana studija do zadnjeg razgovora o svom Senju i Velebitu, koje je istinski i prigrlio svojim stečenim znanjem. Za mene je ostao velebitski Ante, jer sam ga tamo i najbolje upoznao prateći ga na njegovu tragu, kada sam za to imao priliku i mogućnost, pa se sada ponovo vraćam uz njega na taj trag
The Revived Bogoslovska smotra in the Service of the Second Vatican Council. The Contribution of the Bogoslovska smotra in Spreading and Deepening Council Thinking in the Church amongst Croats
No full textAutor u ovom napisu piše o obnovljenoj Bogoslovskoj smotri, stručnom teološkom časopisu Katoličkoga bogoslovnog fakulteta Sveučilišta u Zagrebu. Izvješćuje kako je došlo do prekida izdavanja Bogoslovske smotre 1945. godine i kako je došlo do obnove časopisa 1962. godine. Izvješćuje, dalje, o prvim godištima Bogoslovske smotre, o njezinim teškoćama i mukama te o njezinu nastojanju da bude vjerna nauku Drugoga vatikanskog koncila. Autor je 1970. godine po mandatu Fakultetskoga vijeća postao urednikom BS i to ostao sve do 1994. godine. Kao glavni urednik BS nastojao je da časopis slijedi koncilsku teologiju i da je prenese našim domaćim teolozima i svim drugim čitateljima BS. Budući da je časopis svake godine objavljivao radove Teološko-pastoralnoga tjedna, autor pokazuje kako je na tom području BS od godine do godine vjerno slijedila koncilsku teologiju i nju prenosila našim čitateljima. Zbornici radova TPT-a su od nezaobilazne važnosti za razvoj teološke znanosti na hrvatskome prostoru. U to se može svatko osvjedočiti svatko tko pomno čita stručne teološke radove, objavljene u BS. Osim zbornika, autor ističe još nekoliko godišta BS koja su išla tragovima Drugoga vatikanskog koncila. Zadnje godište BS koje je pisac ovih redaka potpisao kao glavni i odgovorni urednik bio je četverobroj BS, zbornik radova u čast pokojnome profesoru i kolegi Jerku Fućaku (BS 64 (1994.) 1-4, 514 stranica). Na dužnosti glavnoga i odgovornoga urednika naslijedio ga je Stjepan Kušar, jer je autor u jesen 1991. godine bio imenovan predstojnikom Ureda za prognanike i izbjeglice Vlade RH.In this article the author writes about the revived Croatian theological periodical Bogoslovska smotra, a theological periodical of the Catholic Faculty of Theology, University of Zagreb. He reports how the publication of the Bogoslovska smotra was suspended in 1945 and how it was resumed in 1962. Furthermore, he deals with the earliest volumes of the Bogoslovska smotra, with its troubles and difficulties, and with its endeavours to be true to the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. By mandate of the Faculty Council, the author of this article was appointed the editor-in-chief of the Bogoslovska smotra in 1970 and held that position until 1994. As editor-in-chief of the Bogoslovska smotra, he made efforts for the periodical to follow the Council theology and to convey it to our native theologians, as well as to all other readers of the Bogoslovska smotra. As the periodical every year published the writings of the Theological-Pastoral Week, the author shows that in this field-year in and year out - the Bogoslovska smotra, faithfully followed the Council theology and conveyed it to our readers. The Proceedings of Theological-Pastoral Weeks have been of utmost importance for the development of theological science in Croatian regions. This can be confirmed by anyone who attentively reads the theological articles published in the Bogoslovska smotra. Besides the Proceedings, he points out a few more volumes of the Bogoslovska smotra that followed the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. The last volume of the Bogoslovska smotra, of which the undersigned was executive editor-in-chief, was a quadruple issue, Essays in Honour of the late professor and colleague Jerko Fućak (ThR 1994, Nos 1-4,514 pages). The then executive editor-in-chief was succeeded by Stjepan Kušar since in the autumn of 1991 the undersigned was appointed Head of Office for Displaced Persons and Refugees of the Government of the Republic of Croatia
A Prospective Study Consortium for the Discovery and Validation of Early Detection Markers for Ovarian Cancer ("PREDICT") - Baseline findings for CA125
No full textAbstract
Purpose:
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a lethal malignancy. CA125, the “best” available marker for detecting EOC, has insufficient sensitivity and specificity for earlier-stage disease and is not a meaningful screening tool, motivating the search for further biomarkers. Cancer biomarker discovery is enhanced by “omics” technologies. Discovery studies for EOC biomarkers should be conducted in pre-diagnosis blood samples from prospective cohorts to maximize likelihood of identifying markers that can detect disease before usual diagnosis and in earlier disease stage, while reducing methodologic biases. Experimental
Design:
Individual cohorts with pre-diagnosis blood samples have insufficient sample size for such studies. thus, we established “PREDICT” (“Prospective Early Detection Consortium for Ovarian Cancer")—a collaboration of nine prospective studies—to assemble a sufficient number of EOC cases with blood samples collected ≤18 months before diagnosis plus controls. The 457 cases and 1,687 controls have circulating CA125 measured using a clinical assay.
Results:
The discrimination capacity for single CA125 measurements in samples collected <6 months prior to diagnosis was high (area under the curve (AUC), PREDICT overall=0.92; range across cohorts of non-pregnant individuals=0.89–0.98), and declined with extended time between blood collection and diagnosis. Between-cohort variability in CA125 levels and predictive performance was observed.
Conclusions:
Ongoing investigations in PREDICT are evaluating the early detection potential of tumor-associated autoantibodies and microRNAs, using CA125 as a benchmark. PREDICT is a well-characterized resource for identifying and validating detection markers for EOC that may then be used in multi-modal screening, as a complement to CA125 and combined with imaging.Abstract
Purpose:
Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a lethal malignancy. CA125, the “best” available marker for detecting EOC, has insufficient sensitivity and specificity for earlier-stage disease and is not a meaningful screening tool, motivating the search for further biomarkers. Cancer biomarker discovery is enhanced by “omics” technologies. Discovery studies for EOC biomarkers should be conducted in pre-diagnosis blood samples from prospective cohorts to maximize likelihood of identifying markers that can detect disease before usual diagnosis and in earlier disease stage, while reducing methodologic biases. Experimental
Design:
Individual cohorts with pre-diagnosis blood samples have insufficient sample size for such studies. thus, we established “PREDICT” (“Prospective Early Detection Consortium for Ovarian Cancer")—a collaboration of nine prospective studies—to assemble a sufficient number of EOC cases with blood samples collected ≤18 months before diagnosis plus controls. The 457 cases and 1,687 controls have circulating CA125 measured using a clinical assay.
Results:
The discrimination capacity for single CA125 measurements in samples collected <6 months prior to diagnosis was high (area under the curve (AUC), PREDICT overall=0.92; range across cohorts of non-pregnant individuals=0.89–0.98), and declined with extended time between blood collection and diagnosis. Between-cohort variability in CA125 levels and predictive performance was observed.
Conclusions:
Ongoing investigations in PREDICT are evaluating the early detection potential of tumor-associated autoantibodies and microRNAs, using CA125 as a benchmark. PREDICT is a well-characterized resource for identifying and validating detection markers for EOC that may then be used in multi-modal screening, as a complement to CA125 and combined with imaging
Osobno i privatno religijsko iskustvo u biblijskim psalmima
No full textThe intention of this work is to demonstrate and present the biblical psalmist as a
subject in his individuality, and particularly in his religious experiences which are also
manifest in his privacy. Though the author of this dissertation recognizes the importance of
the collective experiences of the Israelites in their public religious manifestations (temple
liturgies, sacrificial practices) we are also conscious that the psalmist is an individual, and not
merely a puzzle piece in the puzzle of the collective. All through the biblical texts it is evident
that Judaism is not an elitist, clergy-centred religion, with the cult and liturgy, which solely
shapes its religiosity. There are clear indications throughout the Old Testament that Israelite
religion is ‘religion of the heart’, which also highlights an individual in his individuality. This
we present in this work with the analysis and aspects of individual anthropology. The psalmist
as a pious individual exercises his piety not only in the public religious events, but even more
profoundly as an individual in his/her privacyOvim se radom biblijskog psalmistu prikazuje kao pojedinca, odnosno kao subjekt i
individuu, u svoj osobnosti i privatnosti, pri čemu se ukazuje na distinkciju između pojmova
osobno i privatno koji se pak, ali neispravno, ponekad poimlju kao sinonimi. Psalmista, kako
ga percipiramo temeljem Psaltirskog teksta, nije tek bezimeni dijelić u slagalici kolektiva.
Psalmista bjelodano iskazuje svoje religijsko i vjersko iskustvo, svoja emotivna stanja i
emocionalne reakcije kao pojedinac. Bilo kao osobno angažirani pojedinac u životu zajednice
i kolektiva (osobno) ili kao pojedinac koji svoja vjerska ili emotivna iskustva ne iskazuje na
javnom mjesto već in privato (privatno). U psalmodisjkim studijima kroz dulje vrijeme
postoji tendencija da se psalmistu ne doživljava kao pojedinca, u njegovoj osobnosti kao
subjekta ili privatnosti, nego tek kao sinegdohu, gdje bi ono ‘Ja’ prvog lica jednine, psalmista
zapravo bio samo dio kolektivne slagalice i bio zamjena za veću cjelinu. Suprot kolektivnom
‘ja’, imamo rojalističko ‘franz-jozefinsko’ ‘Mi,car...’, što je pluralis majestatis (ili pluralis
amplitudinis) kao množina dostojanstva i veličanstva, iako se referira na (cara) kao subjekt
pojedinac. Takva se množina veličanstva na više mjesta javlja u starozavjetnom tekstu u
odnosu na Boga i Njegovo veličanstvo (usp. Post 1:26; Iz 6:8).1 Nasuprot ovome, mnogi
istraživači biblijske psalmodije zaključiti će upravo suprotno od već spomenute množine
veličanstva. Oni zaključuju da je ‘Ja’ prvog lica jednine u Psaltiru (npr. ‘Gospod je pastir
moj’, Ps 23:1) zapravo reprezentativno za kolektiv i zapravo predstavlja cijelu zajednicu. U
tom bi slučaju psalmista imao biti apstraktan, a ne konkretan čovjek. Veoma mnogo
psalmodijskih tekstova ne potkrepljuju takvo poimanje i generalizaciju. Stoga, autor ovoga
rada usmjerava svoje analize na psalmistu kao konkretnoga čovjeka. Iako niti smijemo, niti
možemo zanemariti činjenicu da neki psalmodijski tekstovi jesu pisani u prvom licu, a
zapravo su reprezentativni za cjelokupnu zajednicu, ne možemo generalizacijom ‘izgubiti’
psalmistu kao pojedinca u osvojoj osobnosti i privatnosti. Štoviše, o tome da bi psalmista
imao biti konkretan čovjek svjedoče mnogi psalmodijski tekstovi, iz raznih rakursa
promatranja (antropologijskih, temporalnih, lokacijskih).
Ipak, pri identifikaciji psalmiste kao individue, postoje i neki potencijalni prijepori i
upitnici. Naime, je li moguće da je ‘psalmista’ iz Psaltira ili biblijske psalmodije izvan
Psaltira, bio takav poetski virtuoz koji nam podastiru vrhunske poetske uratke? I jesu li svi ovi
psalmi autobiografskog karaktera?
INTERPRETACIJA I APROPRIJACIJA
Pri identifikaciji psalmiste kao subjekta pojedinca, naznačili smo eventualne
neizvjesnosti oko poetske virtuoznosti psalmiste. Ukoliko su biblijski psalmodijski tekstovi,
unutar i izvan Psaltira, autobiografskog karaktera, kolika je vjerojatnost da su svi 'psalmisti'
bili poetski virtuozi u stanju osmisliti i ostvariti poetska virtuozna djela dostojna Psaltira i
biblijske psalmodije? Primjerice, jesu li onodobne biblijske žene, kao što je Ana majka
Samuela (1Sam 2) ili Marija majka Isusova (Lk 1), uopće bile osnovno obrazovane u čitanju i
pisanju ili su ? Je li Zaharija (Hvalospjev Zaharijin) (Lk 1) bio literarno kompetentan da
kompilira ovakav mesijanski psalam? Postavlja se pitanje, da li je 'psalmista' kao pojedinac, u
svojoj individualnosti bio autor svog autobiografsko-poetskog djela? Ili je psalmista
svojevrsna konstrukcija identiteta i literarni konstrukt? Tradicionalno i uobičajeno, u Psaltiru
se govori o ‘psalmistu’. Kadgod se rabi ovaj termin, misli li se pri tome o psalmistu kao
profesionalnom pjesniku, možda o kompilatoru uredniku i sakupljaču psalama ili pak o
'izvođaču' (public spokesman or liturgy leader).
No, možemo li u psalmistu ipak prepoznati i pojedinca kao subjekt u svojim osobnim i
privatnim iskustvima? U takvom scenariju, psalmista ne bi bio samo literarni konstrukt kao
mimetički lik, sa ‘simboličkim posredovanjem iskustva vremena’ (Biti,227) nego i konkretan
čovjek. U odnosu pak na mimezu, ona je u povijesti umjetnosti i literature, svojevrsno
oponašanje, odraz i prikazivanje, koje dočarava stvarno ljudsko iskustvo i djelovanje; bilo
kako pojedinca ili cijele zajednice. Psaltir bi se možda trebao promatrati i kao mimetička literatura u kojoj 'psalmista' (= interpret-pjesnik) u svojoj poeziji jednakomjerno predstavlja i
pojedinačni subjekt ali i cjelokupnu zajednicu. Kako bismo bolje razumijeli cjelokupnu
složenost oko identifikacije psalmiste kao subjekta i privatne osobe, treba nam razmotriti
pojmove: interpretacija i aproprijacija (vidjeti: 2.3. Appropriation and interpretation).
Interpretacija
Interpretacija je svakako najstarija metoda suočavanja s nekim tekstom. S njome su se
služili biblijski egezegeti, nekada i danas. Interpretacija nekog teksta, bila je ili jest (?)
gramatičko-tehnička-analitička disciplina. Ona nema nužno prioritetni zadatak uživjeti se u
tuđi doživljajni svijet, nego ga bolje razumijeti. Interpretacija postaje 'komprehezivna znanost'
(verstehnde Wissenschaften), samo s potencijalnom nakanom uživljavanja u 'tuđi doživljajni
svijet' (usp.Biti,149-153). Interpretant nastoji povezati i posredovati u tekstu i
komunikacijskom kontekstu, ali to čini više logičkom nego kognitivnom dinamikom. Unatoč
dobrohotnosti interpretacije kao metode, ona najčešće ostaje u području jezika i jezičnih
značaja i značenja, a daleko manje u području kognicije i (s)uživljavanja. Nije stoga slučajno
da su se početna psalmodijska proučavanja usredotočila na analize literarnih formi u Psaltiru
(Formgescichte). Mada su neki već i tada upozoravali da bi se analiza forme mogla pretvoriti
u analizu formula (usp. Martin Noth, u Broyles,1989:18). Ovime bi se, bez ikakve dvojbe,
učinio korak unazad u možebitnom nastojanju oko suživljavanja sa psalmistom-pojedincem.5
Aproprijacija.
Interpretacija je analitička metoda, koja teži razumijevanju teksta (jezičnom,
povijesnom, religijskom) ali se najčešće izdvaja iz dinamičkohg procesa suživljavanja.
Aproprijacija je kognitivno preuzimanje i samoidentifikacija. Naime, interpretacija, kao
interpretativni tekst, opet je tekst koji bi se dalje mogao interpretirati. Oko takvih
interpretativnih nastojanja, Vladimri Biti, to sažimlje ovako,
ubrzo se pokazalo da ni psiha ni kultura ni povijest ne mogu ponuditi nikakva
nepobitna uporišta interpretaciji književnih djela jer su i same tekstovi koji se mogu
razumijeti na više načina (Biti,151)
Nema sumnje da su mnogi psalmi mimetičke naravi, ali isto tako nema dvojbe kako je
veliki broj psalama u Psaltiru zapravo vrlo osobni kao i privatni čin empatijskog preuzimanja i samoidentifikacije. Aproprijacija podrazumijeva i opisuje usvajanje kao pod svoje, i ne kao
krađa tuđih ideja, već bliskog i osobnog poistovjećivanja. Aproprijacija je 'čin empatije,
odnosno uživljavanja u tuđi doživljajni svijet' (Biti,149), a dodali bismo ovdje, da u procesu
aproprijacije, 'preuzimanja', taj svijet prestaje biti 'tuđi svijet'. U tom slučaju ono
interpretacijsko i kolektivno 'ja', odjednom postaje vrlo osobno 'ja' pslmiste, kao subjektapojedinca. U tom slučaju i mimeza prestaje biti imitacija, a postaje snažno i osobno
'posvojenje' iskustva, u kojem slučaju i nije od presudne važnosti da li je 'psalmista' kao
subjekt poetski virtuoz ili je 'samo' apropriator u samoidentifikaciji.
Interpretacija je metoda, u svojoj naravi analitička, ona analizira jezik, literarne
forme, sadržaje, uvid u religijsku-povijesnicu itd. Aproprijacija je u svojoj osnovi kognitivne
naravi. Utoliko ona prelazi interpretaciju, obzirom da je osobni čin usvajanja teksta kao samoidentifikacije s tekstom. Najprikladnijih primjera aproprijacije i samoidentifikacije s tekstom
nalazimo kod Isusa iz Nazareta, ali ne u odnosu na njegovo interpretativno referiranje na
psalmodijske tekstove (usp. 'pisano je u Psalmima'). Isusova aproprijacija psalmodijskih
tekstova, njegovo je poistovjećivanje sa biblijskim psalmistom. Ono posebno dolazi do
izražaja u njegovim smrtnim mukama (Ps 22) i umiranju na križu (Ps 31)
