UbuntuNet Alliance is pleased to introduce the OPAR Open Science Webinar Series, a new public learning and engagement platform designed to advance open science and strengthen the visibility of African research. The series will bring together librarians, researchers, repository managers, data stewards, NREN teams, institutional leaders, policymakers and open infrastructure partners for expert presentations, practical demonstrations and interactive discussions.
The webinars will explore topics including open institutional repositories, research data management, metadata quality and interoperability, persistent identifiers, FAIR and CARE principles, DSpace and Dataverse, research discoverability, open science policies and sustainable repository services. Each session will connect expert knowledge with African experiences and provide participants with practical insights they can apply within their institutions and communities.
The series forms part of the wider project, “Unlocking Potential: Elevating Open Institutional Repositories in Africa for Global Impact,” led by UbuntuNet Alliance with support from Invest in Open Infrastructure (IOI). The project seeks to strengthen open research infrastructure, institutional capacity and the availability and discoverability of African research outputs.
Across the project, UbuntuNet Alliance and its member NRENs are delivering in-country training for librarians and repository managers, building the technical capacity of NREN system engineers, supporting the development of DSpace as a managed service and establishing a continental Community of Practice. These activities complement the development of OPAR as a pan-African repository and metadata aggregator.
Together, the webinars, trainings, infrastructure development, repository services, community engagement and openly available learning resources provide 360-degree coverage of the open science ecosystem. They connect infrastructure with skills, institutional adoption, knowledge exchange and long-term community support.
IOI is providing essential financial and strategic support for this work, including expertise in sustainable, community-led open infrastructure. Webinar recordings will be shared through UbuntuNet TV, while presentation slides and related resources will be archived on OPAR, ensuring that the knowledge remains openly accessible beyond each live session. Details of upcoming webinars, speakers and registration opportunities will be announced through the UbuntuNet Alliance and OPAR communication channels. Get involved by signing up to the OPAR Community of Practice here: https://opar-cop.ubuntunet.net/