Identify, Learn, Think, and Mentor - Learnings and Takeaways from DCW’s first Train-a-Wikipedian Program

Learning is a lifelong process that teaches us at every step, age and language, beyond books, blackboards and classrooms.

28 May 2025, Khadeeja, Member, Wiki Club AMU COT. Keywords: Train a Wikipedian

Deoband Community Wikimedia (DCW) has been continuously contributing to open knowledge spaces since its inception in 2021. In early 2025, DCW reconstructed “Train a Wikipedian” (TaW), once a simple training program conducted by the Centre for Internet and Society - Access to Knowledge (CIS-A2K), and gave it a different outlook, transcending beyond training about the basics of Wiki editing - to develop a sense of criticality within the community of students and scholars associated with it.

We want to contribute to the development of sustainable leadership of our community in the open knowledge ecosystem, particularly in the Wikimedia world and move a step further than addressing content and knowledge gaps on the Wikimedia projects. This helps in strengthen under-represented communities and emerging changemakers to actively participate in open spaces. Through leadership training, practical guidance, and exposure to the ecosystem, we see TaW as a holistic program, which effectively engages its participants in a critical and collaborative environment, make informed decisions, and drive positive change within their communities.

Exploring TaW’s first Edition

The inaugural TaW event took place in New Delhi on 22-23 February 2025, engaging over 18 Wikimedians. Structured around the lifecycle of Identify, Learn, Think, and Mentor, it featured enlightening sessions that aimed to instill critical thinking and develop academic rigor, while equipping participants with the skills, confidence, and conceptual understanding required to contribute meaningfully to the larger open ecosystem. DCW brought the best of its volunteers from Wiki Club AMU, Wiki Club Jamia, along with other generic contributors, to engage in some critical questions.

Launched as part of DCW's Leadership Development Program, TaW responds to surveys highlighting the challenges faced by community members in open spaces, particularly significant knowledge gaps related to Muslims and their low participation rates. The initiative aims to mentor community members within these ecosystems.

Scholars, Speakers, and Subjects!

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  Aafi
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  Manavpreet Kaur
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  Chitraparna Sinha
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  LiAnna Davis
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  Tanveer Hasan

DCW invited a selective group of participants with a keen interest in the organizational and encyclopedic aspects of the Wikimedia movement for this residential program. The event featured insightful sessions featuring — Manavpreet Kaur, Lianna Davis, and Tanveer Hasan, who joined virtually, and Chitraparnaa Sinha in-person.

The program successfully combined wiki and academic elements, fostering critical thinking. The first day began with an engaging icebreaker, "Crazy Kitchen," where participants were divided into two teams. Each team wrote down random food ingredients, swapped them, and then creatively used the received ingredients to prepare dishes. The teams produced impressive recipes, including Passion Fruit Delight and Rosemary Salad. This lively activity encouraged teamwork and creativity while prompting participants to develop solutions in challenging situations.

The first session, led by Manavpreet Kaur, a dedicated Wikimedian known for her contributions to Punjabi Wikipedia, focused on Digital Public Goods (DPG). Conducted virtually, the session explored Wikipedia's recognition as a DPG, its significance, and the importance of addressing biases and closing knowledge gaps. This was followed by a session titled "All About DCW - What do we do?”, discussed by Aafi, the founder of the DCW, who currently chairs its Executive Board. He shared DCW's vision, achievements, and impact in disseminating knowledge and supporting communities since its inception in 2021. This was followed by a session on the DCW Conversation Hour, led by Ariba Shoaib from the DCW Executive Board. She discussed the initiative's evolution and its role in facilitating knowledge sharing through open conversations.

After lunch, Faiz Anjum delivered an engaging session on Cognitive Skills, featuring a Kahoot quiz that tested critical thinking and foundational knowledge of Wikimedia projects. The session highlighted how being a Wikipedian enhances essential skills, such as active listening, public speaking, and effective communication. The final session of the day, "Getting Started with Wikimedia Projects," presented by Aafi, focused on his journey in establishing the DCW. He encouraged participants to start with a clear vision and take gradual steps as Wikimedians. The session demystified contributions through editing, translating, and uploading photos, making it accessible for beginners. To wrap up the day, participants enjoyed a scenic walk around Jamia's campus, taking in the wildflowers and lush greenery.

The second day began with new members eager to explore Wikimedia. LiAnna Davis, Chief Programs Officer at the Wiki Education Foundation, led the first virtual session, highlighting students' global contributions—from translations to research summaries. She distinguished between being digitally savvy and literate, urging participants to engage meaningfully. Davis outlined beginner steps, such as writing, translating, and uploading photos to Wikimedia Commons, emphasizing that these actions can enhance Wikipedia’s reputation as a collaborative and trustworthy resource.

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Next, Chitraparna Sinha led a session titled "Systemic Biases and Communication in Open Knowledge Spaces," reminiscent of school-day brainstorming. She highlighted that systemic biases distort knowledge on Wikipedia. Participants engaged in discussions to identify these biases and their impact on communication, exploring solutions through case studies on policy changes and resource distribution to promote equitable knowledge documentation.

In the next session, Aafi discussed "Academic Rigor and Wikipedia," focusing on Good and Featured articles. He shared interesting facts and clarified the standards for these articles: Verifiability, Coverage, Content, Citations, and Media. Emphasizing the importance of authenticity, he addressed challenges like vandalism and bias. Aafi also noted how Wikipedia’s talk pages, peer reviews, and community support can transform academic loneliness into meaningful collaboration.

Tanveer Hasan wrapped up the day with a Concluding session, where he shared a powerful message: change starts with curiosity, patience, and a willingness to devote time to what matters, without succumbing to imposter syndrome. He encouraged students to engage with the University system with criticality. You can do it! He prompted learners to consider the concept of knowledge activism - "the systematic gap exists because voices are missing. Ask tough questions. Challenge the status quo."

TaW concluded with an exploration of Delhi through a wiki-walk to India Gate, led by Monib Ahmad, where snapshots and conversations flowed as freely as the evening's soft breeze.

Is DCW’s TaW a Success?

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The resounding success of the pilot program was a collective effort of everyone who was a part of it, most importantly, its organising team, who put their heart and soul into ensuring a smooth and welcoming experience for all attendees. Thus, it was not just an event but an amalgamation of learning, experiences, and memories created with passionate individuals who selflessly united by a shared purpose. TaW is not just training volunteers but also nurturing leaders who can reclaim their representations in open knowledge with empathy and rigor.

DCW empowers Wikimedia communities through workshops and conversation hours, inspiring individuals to lead and impact the free knowledge movement. By deepening understanding of representational gaps and systemic biases, the initiative encourages volunteers to tackle community challenges and embrace open spaces. Despite a busy schedule, the team also strengthened their bonds through informal interactions, with memorable moments including Wiki Walks at Jamia Millia Islamia and India Gate, creating a fun, engaging learning environment filled with laughter and snacks.