Open Science in Tanzania. Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH)

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Silas Jennings
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1 Open Science in Tanzania Tanzania Commission for Science and Technology (COSTECH) 3 rd Sci GaIA Workshop 2016

2 VISION AND MISSION Vision To be the prime driver of science, technology and innovation for sustainable development in Tanzania Mission To drive technology advancement, high-value research, evidence-based decision making and large-scale innovation and entrepreneurship for rapid sustainable socio- economic development 9/5/16 2

3 ROLE OF THE COMMISSION Mandate: Principal advisory organ of the government on scientific research & technology development in the country (Section 5(1) of the Act No. 7, 1986) Functions: Advise on formulation of policy on S&T Promotion and coordination of scientific research, technology development and technology transfer Popularization of S&T and dissemination of scientific and technological information. Foster regional & international cooperation 9/5/16 3

4 COSTECH Strategic Objectives 1. To strengthen evidence-based decision making culture 2. To promote wider application of technologies with high impacts 3. To increase strategic research with national impact 4. To strengthen science, technology and innovation culture 5. To strengthen COSTECH institutional capacity 9/5/16 4

5 To strengthen science, technology and innovation culture Making scientific research, data and dissemination accessible to all over ICT and Analogue platforms 9/5/16 5

TanBIF portal To promote, co-ordinate, Design and implement the compilation, linking, standardization, digitization and dissemination of the country s biodiversity data and information for policy and

6 TanBIF portal To promote, co-ordinate, Design and implement the compilation, linking, standardization, digitization and dissemination of the country s biodiversity data and information for policy and decision making on national multisectoral issues for sustainable socio-economic development TanBIF is Government initiated (CEPDEC), and participant. funded, in response to societal needs in biodiversity information access and management A national node of GBIF 9/5/16 6

7 Tanzania Biodiversity Information Facility Biodiversity Information management Bioinformatics Biodiversity informatics Ecoinformatics 9/5/16 7

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9 Platform for data acquisition, processing and sharing Exploration and discovery mobilization and digitization (standards e.g. Darwin Core) Integration and visualization availability and accessibility (GBIF IPT) Interpretation and Use - Analysis and Packaging (TanBIF QGIS, Catalogues) 9/5/16 9

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11 Ramani Huria (ramanihuria.org) Community-based mapping project in Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania. Capacitating university students and community members to use the OpenStreetMap plaform to create sophisticated and highly-accurate maps Outcomes - start up opportunities (BUNI Hub), engaging other MDAs (MoLHS) 9/5/16 11

12 IST Africa ( ) Partners IIMC (Ireland) and Ministries and National Councils responsible for Information Society, ICT and/or STI (Science, Technology & Innovation) adoption, policy and research Focus - International Innovation, Research and Policy Cooperation; Knowledge Sharing and Skills Transfer between IST-Africa Partners; Collaborative Innovation, Entrepreneurship & Adoption of Living Labs; Africa - EU Strategic Partnership (Information Society, ICT, Innovation) 9/5/16 12

13 Research management In 2016/2017 COSTECH intends to ensure research and innovation outputs) are translated into knowledge products and disseminated In-house technology hubs in collaboration with SPIDER-DSV are to provide ICT solutions and expertise 9/5/16 13

14 Research Communication Consortia of Tanzanian University Libraries (COTUL) that provide journal access with support from INASP to universities. Development of a portal with filtering capabilities and training for administrators on how to manage and trouble shoot the portal. 9/5/16 14

15 Other OS initiatives The Environment Portal VPO Open Government Initiative 9/5/16 15

16 Research Communication WIPO/ ARDI - ensuring access to patent databases for technologies HINARI AGORA AOL 9/5/16 16

17 Opportunity ICT Acceptance Price of PC and maintenance Going forward Strategy In collaboration with partners e.g. Tanzis, Sida, HDIF, EU promote ICT opportunities to public Demonstrate the use of ICT in daily operations, start up culture, governance, STI policy Government remove importation TAX Training HERIs IT staff on maintainenance of network infrastructure 9/5/16 17

18 Opportunity Power Availability Bandwidth Price Software Strategy Installing backup power for COSTECH NOC; Renewable energy Working with the ministry to get education tariffs for HERIs Collaborating with Microsoft, Nokia, Google on development of apps (mobile & desktop) Hosting & Sponsoring software development competition (i.e. Hackathon) 9/5/16 18

19 Opportunity Human Capital Strategy In collaboration with partners e.g. MCC, Sida, EU, HDIF, WB build skills for data mining, cleaning, science, informatics Sustainability Use of CC4 licensing, privacy fees for access, linkages between public and private sector 9/5/16 19

20 Questions. Comments.? Thank You! 9/5/16 20

2010/3 Science and technology for development. The Economic and Social Council,

Resolution 2010/3 Science and technology for development The Economic and Social Council, Recalling the 2005 World Summit Outcome, which emphasizes the role of science and technology, including information