National Open Science policy validation & Scientific publishing - Sierra Leone

28 Feb 2024, 02:00 → 29 Feb 2024, 18:20 Africa/Freetown

Main Conference Hall (New Brookfields Hotel)

Thomas Songu (SLREN, Njala University, SierraLeone), Osman Sankoh (University of Management & Technology / Sierra Leone Writers Series (SLWS)), Fatmata Kaiwa (Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE))

Following the establishment of the National Open Science Policy Development taskforce, MTHE, SLREN, and SLWS propose to host a two-day workshop to validate the National Open Science Policy on the first day and on the following day,  towards establishing a national platform for Academic Publishing for Sierra Leone.  The academic publishing workshop on Day 2 will explore how the methodologies and networks of SLWS can be adapted/strengthened for scientific literature, thereby enhancing the visibility and accessibility of Sierra Leonean research.

Objectives

1. Validate the National Open Science policy
2. Assess the current landscape of scientific publishing in Sierra Leone, identifying gaps and opportunities.
3. Determine how the Sierra Leonean Writers Series can serve as a template or partner for scientific publishing.
4. Engage with diverse stakeholders to form a collaborative network supporting this initiative.
5. Develop a clear, actionable plan for establishing and sustaining the national scientific publishing platform.

Who will attend? 
Key players from science, education, and research communities, alongside policy-makers, library practitioners, civil society representatives, tech hubs, IT professionals, and funders.  
Day 2 will include a multifaceted assembly, including university professors, Deans, Heads of Departments, independent researchers, government officials from education and science sectors, technology experts, representatives from the Sierra Leonean Writers Series, librarians, publishers, and international collaborators.

Expected Outcomes

• Validated National Open Science Policy: A robust foundation for transparent and collaborative research practices. 
• Comprehensive Reporting and Strategies: A roadmap that outlines recommendations and a clear strategy for implementing and using the national platform. 
• Stakeholder Network: A committed network primed to support and promote the national platform in a sustained and collective effort.
• Action Plan for Sustainability: A tangible plan for securing funding, resources, and technical infrastructure.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) generously funds this critical event.

Wednesday, 28 February

08:30 → 19:05 National Open Science Policy Validation: Open Science Validation

08:30 Arrivals and Registration

09:00 Call to order - Introductions welcome remarks

Speaker: Mrs Fatmata Kaiwa (Director, Science Education, Ministry of Technical & Higher Education (MTHE))

09:05 Welcome Remarks

Speaker: Prof. Jonas Redwood-Sawyerr (Chair, SLREN)

09:10 Introduction of Workshop

Speaker: Prof. Edwin Momoh (Chair, Open Science Policy Task Force)

09:20 Statement from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office

09:30 Statement the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation

Speaker: Salima Mormorna Bah (Minister)

09:40 Keynote Address

Speaker: Dr Haja Wurie (Minister, Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE))

10:00 Tea Break and Photo

10:30 The Global Open Science policy landscape

Speaker: Dr Tom Olyhoek (LIBSENSE Network of Experts)

11:00 The draft National Open Science policy of Sierra Leone

Speaker: Dr Thomas Songu (CEO, SLREN)

11:30 Q & A

12:00 Lunch Break

13:00 Breakout Session: Implementation Plan for the National Open Science Policy

Group 1: Priority Area1: Enabling policy environment for open Science

Group 2: Priority Area 2: Open Science Infrastructure and Services

Group 3: Priority Area 3: Human Resources and capacity building for open science

Group 4: Priority Area 4: Fostering a culture of open science and aligning incentives and rewards for open science

Speaker: Tom Olyhoek (LIBSENSE Network of Experts)

14:00 Breakout Reports

14:30 Tea Break

15:00 Breakout Session : Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

Group 1: Priority Area1: Enabling policy environment for open Science

Group 2: Priority Area 2: Open Science Infrastructure and Services

Group 3: Priority Area 3: Human Resources and capacity building for open science

Group 4: Priority Area 4: Fostering a culture of open science and aligning incentives and rewards for open science

Speaker: Tom Olijhoek

16:00 Breakout Reports

16:30 Closing

18:00 SLREN Meeting - Strictly By Invitation

Speaker: Dr Thomas Songu (SLREN, Njala University, SierraLeone)

Thursday, 29 February

08:00 → 17:35 National Academic Publishing Platform

08:30 Registration

09:00 Call to order - Introductions

Speaker: Mrs Fatmata Kainwa

09:05 Welcome Remarks

Speaker: Jonas Redwood-Sawyerr (Chair, SLREN)

09:10 Introduction of the Workshop

Speaker: Dr Thomas Songu (SLREN, Njala University, SierraLeone)

09:20 Statement from FCDO

09:30 Statement by Chair, Conference of Vice-Chancellors & Principals

Speaker: Prof. Edwin Momoh

09:40 The Publishing Landscape in Sierra Leone

Speaker: Prof. Osman Sankoh (University of Management & Technology / Sierra Leone Writers Series (SLWS))

10:00 Teak Break and Photos

10:30 Global trends in scientific publishing and the role of national platforms

Speaker: Dr Tom Olyhoek (LIBSENSE Network of Experts)

11:00 Mobilising African NRENs for Open Publishing Infrastructures

Speaker: Sefakor Ankora (DevOps Engineer, WACREN)

11:30 Q & A

12:00 Lunch and Networking

13:00 Breakout Session: Developing a roadmap for scholarly communications in Sierra Leoone

Breakout sessions focusing on:

1) Policy/governance/funding,
2) Infrastructure
3) Capacity building

14:00 Breakout Reports

Presentation and collation of ideas and feedback from the breakout session

14:30 Tea Break

15:00 Interactive Session: Defining an action plan

Development of a national action plan for scholarly publishing across higher education and research communities

Speaker: Prof. Oluwadiya Kehinde (USL/ SLWS)

16:00 Task Force Establishment

Establish taskforce to implement action plan.

Speakers: Osman Sankoh (University of Management & Technology / Sierra Leone Writers Series (SLWS)), Dr Thomas Songu (SLREN, Njala University, SierraLeone)

16:30 Closing

Speaker: Mrs Fatmata Kaiwa