In a landmark collaboration aimed at advancing open science principles in North Africa, the Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN), the Training Centre in Communication (TCC Africa), and the Public Library of Science (PLOS) have joined forces to officially launched a strategic initiative to enhance research accessibility, collaboration, and visibility across the region.
Strengthening Open Science Across North Africa
The initiative was officially launched during a highly engagingvirtual webinar on February 26, 2025, attended by over 100 participants, including researchers, institutional leaders, and policymakers. The event served as a platform for discussions on research challenges, opportunities to adopt open science, and identifying potential collaboration pathways to create a more inclusive and globally connected research ecosystem.
A key milestone of the event was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between ASREN, TCC Africa, and PLOS, solidifying their commitment to advancing open science through capacity building, policy advocacy, and sustained stakeholder engagement.
ACollaborative Vision for Open Science Implementation
The partnership will focus on developing national and regional open science dialogues, bringing together institutional leaders, government representatives, and research organizations to shape locally driven open science policies. These efforts will strengthen research networks, promote open-access publishing, and encourage scientific innovation in North Africa.
Prof. Yousef Torman, Managing Director of ASREN, emphasized the significance of the initiative:
“We are here not only to promote and educate but also to implement open science mechanisms, ensuring accessibility and encouraging a strong Open Science culture. This partnership is key to uniting North Africa with the wider African continent in the global open science movement.”
Roheena Anand, Executive Director, Global Publishing & Sales at PLOS, highlighted the importance of regional partnerships:
“PLOS has been collaborating with TCC Africa since 2021 to support open science in Africa. Our partnership with ASREN continues this commitment, ensuring sustained engagement with North African Open Science stakeholders.”
Joy Owango, Executive Director of TCC Africa, highlighted the momentum of open science in the region:
“North Africa has been making great strides in open access and is keen to expand its advocacy in open science. This initiative strengthens the region’s engagement and commitment to fostering an open research culture.”
Key Objectives of the Initiative
The collaboration will prioritize the following focus areas to advance open science in North Africa, including:
- Raising awareness and increasing adoption of open science policies
- Enhancing collaboration among regional stakeholders
- Promoting open-access policies at both institutional and national levels
- Strengthening capacity for open-access publishing
- Improving the understanding of local research ecosystems and networks
Building on Existing Regional Efforts
The initiative builds upon ongoing open science developments in Egypt, Tunisia, and Libya, which have already taken steps towards implementing national open-access strategies. It will also facilitate collaboration with key regional bodies such as the Association of Arab Universities and the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils (FASRC) to expand its impact.
To access the event recording, visit: Watch the Webinar.