Forum on Open Data and Open Science in Agriculture, Kenya
The Kenya Agricultural and Information Network (KAINet) partner institutions Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Ministry of Agriculture (MoA-AIRC), Kenya Forestry and Research Institute (KEFRI) and Jomo Kenya University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT), and the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), is pleased to announce the ‘KAINET Open Data and Open Science’ Workshop to be held in Jacaranda Hotel, Nairobi, from 15-18th June, 2015.
Background
Since 2006 Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has supported activities aimed at enhancing the visibility and access to digital agricultural sciences and technical content generated in Kenya. The support has focused on building individual and institutional capacities in managing and sharing digital agricultural information; establishing the enabling environment for information sharing; sharing tools for digital information management; establishment of Kenya Agricultural Information Network (KAINet); and technical advice and support in setting up institutional and KAINet digital repositories.
Developments and current trends in managing, disseminating and sharing of scientific and technical content using modern information and communication technologies and methodologies, including social media; and the establishment of the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), have brought about the need to update, share knowledge and discuss on how best to manage, share and enhance the visibility of agricultural sciences and technical information and data generated in Kenya.
Main Goal
The goal of the proposed event is to provide a forum for stakeholders in agricultural research organizations in Kenya to share knowledge and propose strategies on improving the visibility and access to agricultural sciences and technical content.
Objectives
The objectives of the workshop are to;
- Advocate ‘Open data and Open science’ in the agriculture sector in Kenya and;
- Provide capacities to information management specialists to support researchers in the management and publication of data.
Expected Outcomes
The expected outcomes are:
- Understanding of open data and open science enhanced
- Institutional and national policy implications for open data and open science clarified
- Tools and standards for enhancing open data and open science demonstrated
The above outcomes will also provide inputs and contributed to the achievement of Outcome 5: Access to and use of information, innovation, a global pool of knowledge and expertise drives holistic growth in the agricultural sector outlined in the FAO Country Programming Framework for Kenya 2013-2017. The outcome focusses on Knowledge generation through the use of innovative approaches, knowledge capture focusing on data collection and management, knowledge sharing through use of efficient and effective methodologies and technologies, knowledge application focusing on adaptive knowledge application and evidence based decision support (FAO Country Programming Framework for Kenya 2013-2017).
Target Participants
Participants at the forum will be policy makers, senior research scientists, information management specialists, and information technology specialists from institutions involved in the generation, management and dissemination of agricultural sciences and technical content. Specifically, participants come from the following institutions (by invitation only, for more information contact us) :
- Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Fisheries (especially from the Agricultural Information Centre – AIC)
- Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO)
- Kenya Forestry Research Institute (KEFRI)
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
Proposed Approach and Activities
Activities for the four-day forum will be expert and senior policy officers panel discussions, group work, presentations, demonstrations and discussions in plenary session.
Agenda
Monday, 15th June 2015
08:30 - 09:00 - Opening session
09:00 - 11:00 - Panel session on Open Data and Open Science
- ICT Centre of Excellence and Open Data (iCEOD) by Prof. Muliaro Wafula - ICT Centre of Excellence and Open Data (iCEOD), KENYA
- Forum on Open Data in Agriculture by Ms. Jackie Olang - Programmes Director, Network of African Science Academies (NASAC), KENYA
- Open Data and Big Data Capacity Building Initiative by Dr. Simon Hodson - Executive Director, International Council for Science : Committee on Data for Science and Technology, FRANCE
- Building E-Infrastructures or Cyberinfrastructures in Kenya by Prof Meoli Kashorda - Executive Director, Kenya Education Network (KENET), KENYA
- Open Data & Open Science in Agriculture: experiences and opinions by Prof. Abukutsa Mary O.Onyango- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, KENYA
- Open Access Initiatives and Challenges in Kenya: Universities by Ms. Jacinta Were – Consultant - Information Management & Capacity Building, KENYA
- Forum on Open Data and Open Science in Agriculture in Kenya: African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development by Ms. Mary Njeri Karanu - Assistant Editor, African Journal of Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development (AJFAND), KENYA
- Open Data and Open Science in Agriculture: Management by Dr. Lusike Wasilwa - Acting, Head Crops Systems, Kenya Agricultural & Livestock Research Organization, KENYA
Tuesday, 16th June 2015
08:30 - 09:00 - General introductions to lecturers and participants and overview of the workshop by Boniface O. Akuku (KALRO)
09:00 - 10:30 - Open Access and Open Data, on overview by Imma Subirats (FAO of the UN)
10:30 - 11:00 - Coffee break
11:00 - 12:30 - How open knowledge, open access, open data are handled in my Institution? 10 min presentation by each institution
12:30 - 13:30 - Lunch
13:30 - 15:00 - Institutional Policies and workflows on management and exchange of agricultural data (1) - working groups/open discussion
15:00 - 15:30 - Coffee break
15:30 - 17:00 - Institutional Policies and workflows on management and exchange of agricultural data (2) - working groups/open discussion
Wednesday, 17th June 2015
09:00 - 10:30 - Social Media Tools in knowledge sharing/management & Tools for managing and exchanging information by Justin Chisenga (FAO of the UN)
10:30 - 11:00 - Coffee break
11:00 - 12:30 - Fundamentals and applications of the Semantic Web , Open Data , Linked Data & Linked Open Data by Imma Subirats (FAO of the UN)
12:30 - 13:30 - Lunch
13:30 - 15:00 - Advocacy - working groups/open discussion
15:00 - 15:30 - Coffee break
15:30 - 17:00 - Conclusions
Thursday, 18th June 2015
09:00 - 10:30 - DSpace at ILRI : A semi-technical overview of “CGSpace” by Alan Orth - International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
10:30 - 11:00 - Coffee break
11:00 - 12:30 - Efficient & effective data management for research projects : ILRI's Data Management Platform by Carlos Quiros - International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)
12:30 - 13:30 - Lunch
13:30 - 15:00 - Training on tools for managing and exchanging information: Drupal (AgriDrupal) by Antonella Picarella (FAO of the UN)
15:00 - 15:30 - Coffee break
15:30 - 17:00 - Wrap up
