This presentation by Nozuko Zukie Hlwatika was part of OpenCon 2017's Regional Models for Open Research and Open Education panel. In her talk, Zukie covered Open Science, particularly Open Data in Africa. This was done from the perspective of the African Open Science Platform initiative. The status of Open Data in Africa was discussed through the lenses of policy, infrastructure, capacity building and incentives as per the initiatives focus areas. A list of countries actively involved in the advancement of Open Data was highlighted as well as those that need greater intervention. Possible Marginalised models for promoting open science in Africa were shared with the audience.

1. Applying scientific thinking
in the service of society
The African Story of Open Research
Nozuko Zukie Hlwatika
Presented on 11 November 2017

2. Agenda
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• About the Academy of Science of South Africa
(ASSAf)
• About the African Open Science Platform (AOSP)
• The function of an African Open Science Platform
• Africa supporting Open Science: Statements and
Declarations
• Open Data Initiatives in Africa
• Narrative: Open Research in Africa

3. About ASSAf
• Official Science Academy in SA
• Promote and apply scientific thinking in service of society
• Science Advisory Programme
• Conduct systematic & evidence-based studies on issues of
national importance (ASSAf OA Repository)
• Scholarly Publishing Programme
• Enhance capacity to produce and publish research
• Increase quality and visibility of SA research
publications
• Ambassador for Directory of Open Access Journals
(DOAJ)
• Liaison Programme
• Develop strategic partnerships with National and
International Stakeholders
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4. About AOSP
• 3 year project 1Nov 2016 – 31 Oct 2019
▪ Major outcome of the Accord on Open
Data in a Big Data World,
• Aimed at promoting open science in Africa
particularly Open Research Data
• Focus areas include: Policy, Infrastructure,
Incentives and Capacity Building
• Funded by the SA Department of Science
and Technology – National Research
Foundation
• Managed by the Academy of Science of
South Africa (ASSAf)
• Through ASSAf hosting ICSU Regional
Office for Africa (ICSU ROA)
• Direction from CODATA
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5. The function of an African Open Science
Platform
- Effective and efficient open data capacity not only depends on
hard, physical infrastructure
- Also depend on ‘soft’ infrastructure of protocols and procedures at
all levels in science system providing
- Support, advice etc. ensuring research system is conducive for open data
practice
- The African Open Science Platform is conceived as an integrated
set of arrangements that provide this hard and soft infrastructural
frame
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6. Africa Supporting Open Science:
Statements and Declarations
• Status on Open Science Open Data from different
African Countries
• OA2020 (2017)
• Dakar declaration on Open Science in Africa (2016)
• Open Data in a Big Data World Accord (2015)
• Salvador Declaration on Open Access Cape Town
Declaration (2010)
• Cape Town Open Education Declaration (2008)
• Kigali Declaration on the Development of an
Equitable Information Society in Africa
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7. Open Data Initiatives in Africa
Open Data For Africa
Africa Open Data
Africa Open Data Conference
- Tanzania, 2015
- Ghana, 2017
Burkina Open Data Initiative (BODI)
Africa Open Data Institute
DataFirst - Data Seal of approval
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8. 8
Narrative: Open Research in Africa
JKUAT
UbuntuNet Alliance
DataFirst
Africa Open
Data
Conference
Burkina
Open Data
Initiative
White Paper on Open
Research Data
Draft Open
Data Policy
and Strategy
National Draft
Open Data Policy

9. Thank you
Nozuko Zuke Hlwatika
Email: zukie@assaf.org.za
Webpage: www.assaf.org.za and
www.africanopenscience.org.za
Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/AfricanOpenSciencePlatform/
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