The Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM) and the West and Central African Research and Education Network (WACREN) have renewed their partnership with a new five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). This collaboration aims to enhance open science and provide advanced digital services to higher education institutions across Africa.
Building on the success of their 2021 MoU, the renewed agreement focuses on improving the accessibility and visibility of scientific and scholarly communication among RUFORUM researchers and librarians. The MoU was signed by Prof. Patrick Okori, Executive Secretary of RUFORUM, and Dr. Boubakar Barry, CEO of WACREN. It is set to expand open science in Africa through tailored strategies and solutions, delivering cutting-edge digital services at scale and reducing associated costs.
The partnership will enhance access to scientific publications and research outputs for students, researchers, and faculty across African higher education institutions. Additionally, it will develop training programs to build capacity in using digital technologies to address agricultural and climate challenges.
Investments will also be made in digital research infrastructure to improve agricultural and climate outcomes. This includes the development and maintenance of advanced digital platforms and data-sharing tools. Efforts will also focus on creating and strengthening science policies and institutional frameworks that support sustainable development and innovation in the agricultural and climate sectors.
Prof. Okori highlighted the importance of this partnership, noting that it marks a significant step towards revolutionizing access to scientific knowledge and digital services in Africa. By working together, RUFORUM and WACREN aim to enhance the capacity of higher education institutions to drive innovation and address critical challenges in agriculture and climate change.
Reflecting on the positive outcomes of their initial cooperation, Dr. Barry expressed optimism that this new phase will significantly impact the RUFORUM research community. He emphasized that WACREN’s upgraded infrastructure and platforms will meet the community’s needs, amplifying the voice and impact of African agricultural researchers on a global scale while benefiting local economies.
This renewed partnership between RUFORUM and WACREN is poised to drive significant advancements in open science and digital service delivery, fostering innovation and sustainable development across Africa's higher education landscape.
Article by RB Reporter
Photo/WACREN
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