FOSTER – Fostering Digital Transformation of Science in Kenya and anzania
Project summery
The project supports the digital transformation of higher education and research in Sub-Saharan Africa by embedding Open Science principles across universities in Kenya and Tanzania.
By aligning with European best practices, FOSTER strengthens governance, infrastructure, and human capacity to promote Open Access, Open Data, FAIR data principles, citizen science, and responsible research and innovation.
The initiative enhances the role of higher education institutions as drivers of socio-economic development, while contributing to more transparent, inclusive, and sustainable research practices.
Specific objectives
Promote an Open Science culture and build national and institutional consensus among key actors in Kenya and Tanzania by Month 36.
Enable university transition to sustainable Open Science practices through the introduction of new courses at Master, PhD, and lifelong learning levels, combined with staff capacity-building by Month 21.
Advance Open Science infrastructure by developing interoperable research data repositories and institutional OS portals meeting FAIR standards by Month 21.
Embed Open Science in university policies and advance national regulatory frameworks supporting OS adoption by Month 36.
Foster Citizen Science initiatives by creating five OS Hubs and securing their sustainability through Memoranda of Understanding by Month 36.
Project Results
Project Management Handbook: Comprehensive guide outlining the project’s management structure, procedures, and coordination mechanisms.
Project Webpage: Official online platform providing visibility, communication, and access to project information and outputs.
Monitoring & Evaluation Manual: Operational manual defining indicators, methods, and procedures for monitoring and evaluating project progress.
Quality Assurance Report: Report assessing the quality of project activities, deliverables, and compliance with established standards.
Progress Report: Interim report summarising project implementation, achievements, and challenges during execution.
Final External Evaluation Report: Independent evaluation analysing project performance, outcomes, and long-term impact.
Open Science Country Profile (Kenya): Comprehensive profile analysing Kenya’s Open Science capacities, policies, and practices.
Open Science Country Profile (Tanzania): Comprehensive profile analysing Tanzania’s Open Science capacities, policies, and practices.
Advanced Needs Analysis: In-depth assessment of institutional, national, and individual needs for Open Science implementation.
Open Science Infrastructure Development Plan of the PCHEIs: Strategic plan for developing interoperable and FAIR-aligned Open Science infrastructure in partner HEIs.
Open Science Formal and Informal Curriculum of the PCHEIs: Curriculum integrating Open Science principles into formal Master/PhD programmes and informal training.
University Open Science Policies: Institutional policies advancing Open Science practices, governance, and regulatory frameworks in PCHEIs.
Dissemination and Exploitation Strategy: Comprehensive strategy for communicating, disseminating, and exploiting project results at all levels.
Sustainability Plan: Plan outlining measures to ensure continuity, institutionalisation, and long-term use of project outcomes.
Sustainability and Impact Maximisation Report: Final report analysing strategies for maximising project impact and ensuring sustainable adoption.