Lekki Open University

Kampala International University and Tangaza University College Sign Agreement for Cooperation in Research and Academic Collaboration

mendes — Sun, 14 May 2023 09:07:21 +0000

On Monday, May 8th, 2023, Kampala International University (KIU) and Tangaza University College (TUC), entered into a collaboration agreement for cooperation in research and academic collaboration. The signing ceremony was held at the office of Sr. Prof. Jacinta M. Adhiambo, Deputy Vice-Chancellor Academic & Student Life at TUC.

KIU was represented by the Vice-Chancellor KIU and Chair of The Africa University Network on FAIR Open Science, Prof. Mouhamad Mpezamihigo, while Tangaza University College was represented by the DVC, Academic & Student Life, and Dr. Reginald Nalugala from the Institute of Social Transformation, TUC.

DVC, Academic & Student Life, Sr. Prof. Jacinta M. Adhiambo and Vice-Chancellor KIU and Chair of The Africa University Network on FAIR Open Science, Prof. Mouhamad Mpezamihigo.

The collaboration agreement allows researchers from both institutions to work together on research designs, data collection, and writing co-authored articles. It will foster the exchange of academic staff which includes teaching, public lectures, and participation in joint conferences.

Furthermore, the staff of KIU and Tangaza University College can work on joint publications, joint support and supervision of Ph.D. students, organize joint conferences and coordinate policy development and dissemination.

Prof. Mouhamad Mpezamihigo, Sr. Prof. Jacinta M. Adhiambo, and Dr. Reginald Nalugala

As members of the Africa University Network on FAIR Open Science, KIU and TUC have worked together on many projects that have added value to the African continent. These include the Virus Outbreak Data Network Africa (VODAN-Africa), The Digital Innovation and Skills Hub (DISH), and The Globalisation, Accessibility, Innovation and Care (GAIC). The Africa University Network on FAIR Open Science was established to facilitate a science to support Africa-based knowledge, economies, and development based on its own heritage.

VODAN Africa Platform Presentation November 23, 2022

mendes — Sat, 19 Nov 2022 11:40:09 +0000

The Virus Outbreak Data Network (VODAN)-Africa invites you to the presentation of the VODAN Africa Platform on Wednesday, November 23rd, 2022. The meeting will take place in Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC) Main Building, P-05-034, in Leiden and Online. Participants can join using this link.

We foresee an exciting program, on the cutting edge of data analytics, with among others:

Demonstration of the data and platform of VODAN-Africa
Life demonstration of queries and analytics
Presentation of the next phase

Time: 12:00 – 14:00 CET/WAT; 14:00 – 16:00 EAT

Please come and give your input, digitally or in person!

Sincerely,

The VODAN-Africa Team

Internet of FAIR Data and Services: The Urgency of Africa-Europe Collaboration

mendes — Sun, 30 Oct 2022 13:17:01 +0000

Presentation by Prof. Dr. Mirjam van Reisen, LUMC, FAIR Data Science, Leiden Global, 31 October 2022

Download the presentation

The Genesis of Africa University Network

mendes — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 08:43:26 +0000

Background

The Globalization, Accessibility, Innovation, and Care (GAIC) research network was established with the aim of ensuring access to health care in low-income and rural communities and post-conflict areas as well as vulnerable people. Researchers at GAIC has since been engaged in broad-spectrum area to reach the community. Basing our engagement on research, with design in practices in Africa and capacity building, the African University Network (AUN) emerged.

Main Initiatives

Cognizant of the importance of data science and its relevance in fighting pandemic the Virus Outbreak Data Network (VODAN)-Africa was established as a platform to enable access to critical data needed from Africa to fight the novel COVID-19. In an effort to reach community of youth and women to develop employment skills, the Development Innovation Skills Hub (DISH) was created as an e-learning platform to contribute to stability, peace and resilience. The FAIR (Findability Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reusability) guiding principles have also been adopted in the management of data among our researchers.

Implications

There is a lack of capacity on FAIR data production and management since it is an emerging concept. Creating a good data stewardship program requires development of new skill sets even for those that already have format education. This entails the need for further funding and engament of multiple stakeholders. In VODAN-Africa, the design practice followed is human-centered. The health workforce is not only the beneficiary of the developed system but also owner and contributes to the product. The following FAIR-ORL governance framework has been established.

FAIR-OLR

The principles of engagement we follow are Ownership, Localization and compliance to the Regulatory framework. The main pillars are the FAIR guiding principles, Ownership, Localization and compliance with the Regulatory frameworks of each of the partnering institutions – while making sure we comply with GDPR and other global standards as well. We have made sure data is federated, stays in residence, is secure, and is available for data visiting.

Priority Actions

Establishment of African University Network on FAIR ethical quality data to create and use AI-ready data.
Creating a FAIR Digital Health Information system – Harnessing the value from VODAN Africa and scale-up of best practices.
Strengthening the Datastewardship program – empowering communities and fostering innovation through the DISH platform and the lessons gained from it through the support from NUFFIC.

Key Findings

Developed DISH and VODAN-A MVP Software Platforms.
Deployed VODAN-A MVP in 88 health facilities across 9 African countries.
Enrolled >10,000 students in 6 countries via 9 partners, and 15 courses.
9 PhD students engaged in Research and Development activities.
Globalization and Partnerships with African Universities.

Useful Links

Ugandan Vice-Chancellor’s Forum: 12th Annual Conference

mendes — Sun, 09 Oct 2022 10:24:52 +0000

Theme: Open Science in Uganda

Special Guest of Honour: Hon. Dr. Monica Musenero

Venue: ISBAT University, Uganda

Date: October 7th, 2022

European Development Days 2022

mendes — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 18:15:59 +0000

The European Development Days (EDD) is Europe’s leading forum on international partnerships. Organised by the European Commission, the forum brings key actors together to share ideas and experiences in ways that inspire new partnerships and innovative solutions to the world’s most pressing challenges.

EDD 2022 focused will focus on “Global Gateway: Building Sustainable Partnerships for a Connected World”. Global Gateway is the new European Strategy to boost smart, clean, and secure links in digital, energy, and transport and strengthens health, education, and research systems across the world.

Session Update

Our experts will be participating in 5 sessions during EDD 2022. The sessions are organized around the following themes – quality education, open and secure internet, security of supply chains, and development of local manufacturing. The session on quality education will discuss the progress we have made under DISH alongside the ICC TFV approach to Peace Education, the ACP-EU Culture program on cultural and creative approaches to the socio-economic development of ACP countries.

The session will take place both physically at the Brussels EXPO, as well as online from June 21-22, 2022.

Click the links below for more information (Time in CET)

June 21

15:45 – 16:30 – Treatment of trauma on Mobile Phone
17:00 – 17:45 – Black Holes in the Internet
16:30 – 16:50 – Social transformation and experience of over-internet shut-outs
18:30 – 19:15 – E-learning Online & Offline with Cultural Literacy

June 22

09:30 – 09:50 – Healthcare during connectivity blackouts

Global Impact in Health Symposium

mendes — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 17:55:52 +0000

On Monday, the 30th of May 2022, The VODAN African will be participating in the Global Impact in Health Symposium during the European Life Sciences & Health Week at Leiden University Medical Centre (LUMC). The hybrid symposium (LUMC and online) promises to discuss “the importance of global academic, public and private partnerships in solving the greatest global health threats of our time”

The VODAN-Africa team will participate in a high-level expert session on “Co-Creating The Future of a Global Digital Health Data Space” which will be moderated by Prof. Dr. Mirjam van Reisen, VODAN-Africa Global Coordinator and Professor of FAIR Data Science at Leiden University Medical Center. Also Prof. Francisca Oladipo, the VODAN-Africa Executive Coordinator will also speak at this session.

The closing keynote on “Take-aways from the break-out sessions and reflections on reverse linkage and localization of knowledge” will be taken by Prof. Mouhamed Mpezamihigo, Chair VODAN-Africa Implementation Network and Vice-Chancellor of Kampala International University

The event will showcase speeches, high-level discussions, and presentations by various stakeholders and players across drug- and vaccine development, cross-sector, and cross-border collaborations, and sustainable health systems.

Critical Issues For AU-EU Collaboration On Health And Science

mendes — Sun, 18 Sep 2022 02:05:31 +0000

The African University Network on FAIR Open Science has three major programmes:

The Digital Innovation and Skills Hub (DISH) provides opportunities for all students, including those that dropped out, to learn skills, discover talents and contribute.
The Virus Outbreak Data Network Africa (VODAN-Africa) presents a Pan-African Approach to make data locally owned and yet interoperable. This has incredible potential in the science sector, health, climate, and industry. VODAN-Africa presented the first operational cross-border collaboration of health data stored locally and analysed across nine countries. It is ahead of global developments and showing the way for the digital future.
The Globalisation, Accessibility, Innovation and Care (GAIC) Research programme serves as an example of science collaboration across the continent and with other geographies. The programme trains specialised academics, with interdisciplinary backgrounds through its dedicated PhD programme.

The Pan African University Network on FAIR Open Science embraces global standards on FAIR Open Science and contributes to it. As a Pan African network, it works with Pan African organisations to promote African science and collaboration with international partners in the European Union and elsewhere.

Collaborating Countries

Tunisia, Liberia, Uganda, Nigeria, Tanzania, Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Senegal, South Sudan, Sudan, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa

Chair
Prof Mpezamihigo,
VC, Kampala International University