Daystar University ,Nairobi hosts delegates for the Open Science Forum - advancing collaboration and innovation through open Science.

[Nairobi Campus, April 24-25 2025] Daystar University hosted a two-day inaugural conference titled Open Science Forum, on the theme: “Advancing Open Science Ecosystem for Higher Education Institutions in Sub-Saharan Africa.

The Forum was held in collaboration with the University of Dar es salaam in Tanzania, alongside other consortium partners: University of Zaragoza Spain, Vrije University Amsterdam, St. Paul’s University and Garissa University in Kenya, ESAMI in Tanzania, the International School of Social and Business Studies Slovenia, and the European Union Policy Development and Research Institute, Slovenia.

The event attracted policy makers, researchers, advocates of open science, and notable guests who included Daystar University Ag. Vice Chancellor Prof. Muturi Wachira, St. Paul’s University DVC Academic Affairs, Prof. Abraham Waithima, and members of the Daystar University Management Board. The Forum was officially opened by the CEO, Commission for University Education (CUE), Prof. Mike Kuria.

In his keynote address titled “Unlocking Africa’s Future through Open Science,”  Prof. Kuria gave an insightful presentation to illustrate Africa’s potential in utilizing open science to curb common problems ailing the continent.

“This forum will provide a platform where we can relate better as Africans and contribute to a better world by eliminating sexism and racism through open science,” remarked Prof. Kuria. He outlined the possible benefits of Open Science to Africa,

• A key to Africa’s independence and transformation in science through developing technology that is appropriate to Africans.
• Enables Africans to shift from consumers to producers by joining the production table in the global industry.
• Initiating collaborative discussions to provide solutions to problems.
• Accelerate growth in terms of equitable share in knowledge creation in matters relating to justice in the community.

In his welcome remarks, DVC FAP Prof. Muturi Wachira set the tone by welcoming the guests to Daystar University. He gave a brief introduction to Daystar and its continuous mandate in upholding integrity.

“As we gather here for this Forum, let us keep in our minds that open science is more than just open access; it  is guided by the values of transparency,” he said, further adding that Daystar University was committed to building trust and openness.

Prof. Kuria concluded by urging the government to invest in knowledge creation and the necessary infrastructure needed to enhance Open Science in Kenya.

“Let this conference be a clarion call for those working in government to invest in infrastructure, to prioritize knowledge and equity in order to advance Open Science,” he asserted.

The Forum was co-coordinated by Mrs. Grace Mbogo-Liyai from Daystar University.  In her remarks, Mrs. Liyai outlined the key tenets of Open Science, which she said was guided by three principles of open access, open data, and open research.

“Policymakers and researchers present here today play a crucial in the genetic makeup of the Open Science system,” she stated, further adding that the three-year project will culminate in December 2027.

The lead Project Coordinator, Dr. Olesea Sirb gave the footprint from where it all begun,

“We started Open Science in Europe then moved to Asia, Botswana and Zambia, and now we are in Kenya,” she said.

Day two of the Forum involved an interactive session, which was moderated by Marjolein Zweekhorst and Dr. Sarju Sing Rai from the University of Vrije.

Participants were grouped to discuss the concept of citizen science embedded in the Open Science ways in which researchers in institutions can collaborate with the communities through involvement to be a mutual benefit for both involved parties.

The event reached its peak with an insightful panel discussion, moderated Dr. Kevin Murithi from St. Paul’s University on the topic “Strengthening Open Science Ecosystem.” It featured St. Paul’s University DVC Academic Affairs Prof. Abraham Waithima, the Teachers’ Service Commission Director of ICT Mr. Cyrus Kamau, the Founding Director, Training Centre in Communication Ms. Joy Owango, and the Director, ESAMI Research and Management Consultancy Dr. Henry Waruhiu.

Prof. Waithima focused on relevant policies regarding Open Science in universities, stating that because universities can be ivory towers where sometimes researchers operate by themselves, robust policies on Open Science can break these barriers.  He emphasized the need for institutions to strengthen their repositories to move from descriptive to a more concise global data.

The main takeaway from the panel discussion was need to strengthen Open Science infrastructure such as library repositories, and Open Science advocacy, through public awareness as a way of nurturing the Open Science concept.

In his closing remarks, Garissa University DVC Academics, Prof. Irura Nganga, encouraged the audience to make concerted efforts to develop national policies and embrace training on openness in Open Science, and research to realize the opportunity that Africa holds.

Undertaking the Open Science project is truly an exciting journey for Daystar University and other African universities interested in advancing African ideologies on the global stage through science and research.