AICAD headquarters in Juja,Kenya.

In a groundbreaking announcement during a press conference held on July 12, 2023, the African Institute for Capacity Development (AICAD) achieved a major milestone by being chosen as the host for the Africa Open Science Platform (AOSP) Node for the Eastern Africa region. This critical development, aimed at propelling scientific research and data sharing across the African continent, marks a significant step forward in advancing innovation and collaboration.

AICAD, a regional organization dedicated to linking university-generated technologies with communities to combat poverty, will undertake the role of the AOSP node for the East African region for the next five years, commencing in June 2023. The selection process was rigorous and competitive, with the National Research Foundation (NRF) of South Africa appointing AICAD for this crucial responsibility. AICAD's headquarters is situated at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, and it also has country offices at Makerere University in Uganda, Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania, and Egerton University in Kenya.

Acknowledging other notable contributions to the AOSP, two additional African institutions were recognized for their valuable roles. The Egyptian National Authority for Remote Sensing and Space Sciences (NARSS) will represent the Northern African Node based in Egypt, while the Southern Africa Node will be hosted by the UbuntuNet Alliance in Malawi. Each regional node, including AICAD, will serve for five years, with plans to establish additional nodes covering all regions of the continent.

Professor Barnabas Nawangwe, Vice Chancellor of Makerere University, praised AICAD for leading this essential initiative in East Africa and highlighted the university's dedication to research-led transformation. He emphasized that Makerere University fully supports any program that utilizes research to enhance the well-being of communities and societies. As the East African regional node, AICAD will reinforce ongoing efforts to leverage research, science, and data in alleviating poverty across the continent.

Prof. Nawangwe emphasized the significance of data sharing and promoting open science in the innovation process, pointing to the remarkable feat of developing the COVID-19 vaccine as an example. Collaboration and data sharing among research groups played a pivotal role in achieving this milestone in record time.

The regional nodes of the AOSP will play a vital role in coordinating, supporting, and promoting the implementation of Open Science programs at the regional level. Their responsibilities encompass fostering knowledge networks, improving infrastructure access, enhancing regional and global cooperation, and advocating for the UNESCO Open Science Recommendations at national and regional levels. Moreover, the nodes will lead program delivery, coordination, capacity building, societal engagement, and policy support.

The appointment of AICAD as the Eastern Africa regional node for the AOSP signals a momentous stride in advancing scientific research and data sharing on the African continent. This collaboration promises to drive innovation, facilitate collaboration, and contribute significantly to poverty reduction through the power of open science. As the initiative gains momentum, experts and stakeholders eagerly await the positive impact it will have on scientific progress and societal development throughout Africa.

Article by Nyokabi Wanjiku

Photo/Google

https://news.mak.ac.ug/2023/07/aicad-selected-to-host-africa-open-science-platform-regional-node/