By patricia.ngevao@awokonewspaper.sl
Freetown, SIERRA LEONE – Sierra Leone marked a significant step forward in advancing scientific research and academic publishing with the commencement of a two-day Workshop on the Validation of National Open Science Policy and the establishment of a National Platform for Scientific Publishing at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown.
Organized collaboratively by the Sierra Leone Research and Education Network (SLREN), the Sierra Leone Writers Series (SLWS), and the Ministry of Technical and Higher Education (MTHE), with support from the Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), the event brought together a diverse group of participants including university professors, government officials, technology experts, and representatives from international organizations, aiming to empower local researchers and scholars, envisioning a future where Sierra Leonean scientific knowledge is easily accessible and recognized globally.
Thomas Songu (PhD), providing an overview of the event, recalled the collaborative efforts of SLREN and LIBSENSE in hosting key stakeholders to discuss open science practices in Sierra Leone last year, disclosing that the symposium aimed to foster an environment conducive to adopting such practices across the research community.
He elaborated on the resolutions adopted, including the establishment of a task force to develop a national open science policy and the creation of a supportive environment for open science practices, emphasizing the involvement of experts from various fields in drafting the policy.
Drawing attention to the need for a robust academic publishing platform in Sierra Leone, Songu underscored the challenges faced by local scientists and scholars in disseminating their work nationally and internationally. He highlighted “the role of the Sierra Leonean Writers Series (SLWS) as a successful local model for publishing and distribution. We have plans to leverage SLWS’s expertise to establish a governance framework and implementation roadmap for a LIBSENSE academic publishing pilot,” aiming to enhance the visibility and accessibility of Sierra Leonean research.
Speaking to Awoko, the workshop’s objectives, as outlined by him, encompass validating the National Open Science Policy, assessing the scientific publishing landscape, and developing a clear plan for establishing and sustaining the national scientific publishing platform.
Emphasizing on the expected outcomes which include a validated policy, an action plan for implementation, and enhanced awareness within the academic community, Songu affirmed the follow-up actions, which include finalizing the policy, disseminating it across institutions, and engaging with potential donors and partners to secure long-term support for the platform’s development.
In his keynote address, Deputy Minister of technical and Higher Education, Sarjoh Aziz Kamara, praised the collaborative efforts of SLREN and stakeholders, hailing the validation workshop as a significant milestone for Sierra Leone. He emphasized the commitment to advancing science, technology, and innovation (STI) as part of the global community, highlighting the importance of translating policies into actionable initiatives.
Bah underscored the Ministry’s intentional support for ecosystem development, citing the establishment of key bodies such as the national science, technology, and innovation council, as pivotal in fostering open science principles.
Stressing the pivotal role of effective implementation of the national open science policy in responding to international agendas on sustainable development, he emphasized its potential to bolster Sierra Leone’s contributions to initiatives like the African Union’s Agenda 2063 and the 2030 agenda for sustainable development goals.
He highlighted the importance of sustained support for the full implementation of the policy, recognizing the collaborative efforts of partners like WACREN in advancing Sierra Leone’s open science ecosystem.
Additionally, he expressed gratitude to all supporting partners and reiterated the transformative potential of open science and knowledge sharing in achieving the government’s strategic objectives outlined in the Sierra Leone medium-term national development plan 2024-2030.
During the event, attendees were enlightened on a comprehensive presentation on the global open science policy landscape. This session offered invaluable insights into the current state of open science initiatives worldwide, shedding light on emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the landscape.
Furthermore, a presentation on the draft national open science policy of Sierra Leone provided attendees with a localized perspective on the principles and objectives driving open science within the country. This, not only showcased Sierra Leone’s commitment to fostering transparent and collaborative research practices but also underscored the importance of tailoring open science policies to suit the unique needs and aspirations of individual nations.
Collectively, these presentations contributed to a deeper understanding of the evolving discourse surrounding open science, emphasizing the significance of global collaboration and contextualized policy frameworks in advancing research transparency, accessibility, and innovation on both local and international scales. PSN/1/3/2024