Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good morning, and welcome to the Annual National Research Data Workshop 2024. We are thrilled to participate here today under the auspices of the Data Intensive Research Initiative of South Africa (DIRISA). This event marks a significant milestone in South Africa’s research landscape, bringing together minds from diverse fields to exchange knowledge, collaborate, and pave the way for future innovations.

When considering the transformation within the research ecosystem, it’s challenging to identify a greater change than the advent of persistent identifiers (DOIs and ORCiDs being two notable examples). Emerging from the initial digital transformation of research in the internet age, persistent identifiers were developed to consistently reference the same digital object over time, even as all supporting infrastructure might evolve.

While persistent identifiers (PIDs) may seem like a technical solution from a narrow perspective, their true innovation lies in the development of an expansive social infrastructure. This infrastructure represents an ongoing invitation to collaborate, with origins that extend well beyond the internet era.

At the heart of this workshop lies a groundbreaking collaboration that I am particularly excited to highlight. Today, we are looking at the DOCID Integration Initiative with MISADI—a pioneering partnership between the Africa PID Alliance and MISADI/MISAVA. This initiative embodies our shared vision of enhancing data discoverability, shareability, and interoperability across the continent.

Over the next two days, we will embark on a journey filled with insightful discussions, engaging workshops, and invaluable networking opportunities. This workshop is not just an event; it is a celebration of our collective commitment to advancing research and data management in South Africa and across the African continent.

The Importance of Research Data Management in Africa

Africa is a continent of immense diversity, encompassing over 50 countries, each with its own unique cultural, linguistic, and scientific landscapes. This diversity is both a strength and a challenge when it comes to research data management. The need for a robust, interoperable, and inclusive digital infrastructure has never been more critical.

Our continent is home to vast amounts of indigenous knowledge, cultural heritage, and innovative research. However, much of this valuable data remains fragmented, underutilized, and difficult to access. The challenges we face include:

• Lack of Digitized Research Output: A significant portion of African research exists in gray literature, often not digitized or easily accessible.
• Inconsistent Data Management Practices: Varying standards and practices across institutions hinder data sharing and collaboration.
• Limited Infrastructure and Resources: Many research institutions lack the necessary infrastructure to manage and share data effectively.
• Preservation of Indigenous Knowledge: Ensuring that the rich and diverse indigenous knowledge is preserved, protected, and accessible to future generations.

To address these challenges, we must adopt innovative solutions that cater to our unique needs and promote the FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) sharing of data. This is where the DOCID Integration Initiative with MISADI comes into play.

The DOCID Integration Initiative with MISADI

Our collaboration with MISADI/MISAVA will focus on three crucial phases:

Phase 1: Assessment and Planning

• Conducting a thorough assessment of MISADI/MISAVA’s existing infrastructure.
• Developing a detailed project plan and timeline to ensure seamless integration of DOCID™.

Phase 2: Implementation and Testing

• Setting up a pilot environment to test DOCID™ integration.
• Conducting extensive testing to verify functionality and ensure compliance with international standards.
• Exchange trainings and knowledge between MISADI/MISAVA staff and the Africa PID Alliance leadership team.

Phase 3: Full-Scale Deployment and Evaluation

• Rolling out DOCID™ across all relevant systems and repositories.
• Monitoring performance and gathering user feedback.
• Evaluating the project’s success and planning for future enhancements.

This initiative is more than just a technical upgrade; it is a commitment to preserving and promoting our indigenous knowledge, cultural heritage, and innovative research. By implementing DOCID™, we are ensuring that our digital objects are globally identifiable and persistently accessible, thereby enhancing the visibility and impact of African research on the global stage.

The Diversity of Africa

Africa’s diversity is one of its greatest assets. From the bustling metropolises of Johannesburg and Nairobi to the vast savannas and rainforests, each region brings a unique perspective and wealth of knowledge to the table. Our languages, traditions, and scientific inquiries are as varied as the landscapes they come from.

This diversity necessitates a flexible and inclusive approach to research data management. The DOCID system is designed to support multiple languages and adapt to the specific needs of different regions, ensuring that every voice is heard and every piece of knowledge is valued.

Call to Action

As we stand at the cusp of this new era in research data management, I urge each one of us to actively participate in the discussions and workshops over the next two days. Your insights, feedback, and collaborations are vital to the success of this initiative.

This is our opportunity to contribute to a transformative project that will shape the future of research in our nation and across Africa.

Dr. Sithole spoke about Data sovereignty, and the importance of embracing artificial intelligence advancement. What we can also preserve and integrate in our technologies is indigenous knowledge and cultural heritage intelligence and keep innovating with considerable inspiration from our roots and our human heritage.

In closing, let us embrace this opportunity to work together, innovate, and lead the way in research data management. Together, we can achieve remarkable milestones and ensure that our research continues to make a profound impact locally and globally.

Thank you, and I look forward to an inspiring and productive workshop.

 

Annex:

Africa PID Alliance Website: https://africapidalliance.org/resources/