National Open Science policy validation & Scientific publishing - Sierra Leone

Africa/Freetown
Main Conference Hall (New Brookfields Hotel)

Main Conference Hall

New Brookfields Hotel

Freetown, Sierra Leone
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))
Description

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.

Registration
Participants
  • Wednesday, 28 February
    • 08:30 19:05
      National Open Science Policy Validation: Open Science Validation
      • 08:30
        Arrivals and Registration 30m
      • 09:00
        Call to order - Introductions welcome remarks 5m
        Speaker: Mrs Fatmata Kaiwa (Director, Science Education, Ministry of Technical & Higher Education (MTHE))
      • 09:05
        Welcome Remarks 5m
        Speaker: Prof. Jonas Redwood-Sawyerr (Chair, SLREN)
      • 09:10
        Introduction of Workshop 10m
        Speaker: Prof. Edwin Momoh (Chair, Open Science Policy Task Force)
      • 09:20
        Statement from the UK Foreign & Commonwealth Development Office 10m
      • 09:30
        Statement the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation 10m
        Speaker: Salima Mormorna Bah (Minister)
      • 09:40
        Keynote Address 20m
        Speaker: Dr Haja Wurie (Minister, Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE))
      • 10:00
        Tea Break and Photo 30m
      • 10:30
        The Global Open Science policy landscape 30m
        Speaker: Dr Tom Olyhoek (LIBSENSE Network of Experts)
      • 11:00
        The draft National Open Science policy of Sierra Leone 30m
        Speaker: Dr Thomas Songu (CEO, SLREN)
      • 11:30
        Q & A 30m
      • 12:00
        Lunch Break 1h
      • 13:00
        Breakout Session: Implementation Plan for the National Open Science Policy 1h

        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 30m
      • 14:30
        Tea Break 30m
      • 15:00
        Breakout Session : Monitoring and Evaluation Framework 1h

        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 30m
      • 16:30
        Closing 30m
      • 18:00
        SLREN Meeting - Strictly By Invitation 30m
        Speaker: Dr Thomas Songu (SLREN, Njala University, SierraLeone)
  • Thursday, 29 February
    • 08:00 17:35
      National Academic Publishing Platform
      • 08:30
        Registration 30m
      • 09:00
        Call to order - Introductions 5m
        Speaker: Mrs Fatmata Kainwa
      • 09:05
        Welcome Remarks 5m
        Speaker: Jonas Redwood-Sawyerr (Chair, SLREN)
      • 09:10
        Introduction of the Workshop 10m
        Speaker: Dr Thomas Songu (SLREN, Njala University, SierraLeone)
      • 09:20
        Statement from FCDO 10m
      • 09:30
        Statement by Chair, Conference of Vice-Chancellors & Principals 10m
        Speaker: Prof. Edwin Momoh
      • 09:40
        The Publishing Landscape in Sierra Leone 20m
        Speaker: Prof. Osman Sankoh (University of Management & Technology / Sierra Leone Writers Series (SLWS))
      • 10:00
        Teak Break and Photos 30m
      • 11:00
        Mobilising African NRENs for Open Publishing Infrastructures 30m
        Speaker: Sefakor Ankora (DevOps Engineer, WACREN)
      • 11:30
        Q & A 30m
      • 12:00
        Lunch and Networking 1h
      • 13:00
        Breakout Session: Developing a roadmap for scholarly communications in Sierra Leoone 1h

        Breakout sessions focusing on:

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

      • 14:00
        Breakout Reports 30m

        Presentation and collation of ideas and feedback from the breakout session

      • 14:30
        Tea Break 30m
      • 15:00
        Interactive Session: Defining an action plan 1h

        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 30m

        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 30m
        Speaker: Mrs Fatmata Kaiwa