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A team from the University of Botswana (UB) recently visited Amsterdam, Netherlands as part of the OSCAR 2.0 Open Science research initiative funded by the European Commission.

The OSCAR 2.0 project, which stands for Open Science Collaboration and Research in Higher Education in Sub-Saharan Africa, commenced in February 2024 and will run for up to three (3) years. The project aligns seamlessly with UB's commitment to advance Open Science and promote transparent research practices.

Deputy Vice Chancellor-Teaching and Learning, Professor Richard Tabulawa, led the team comprising Director of Library Services, Dr Alphege Maisire, Head of the Computer Science Department, Dr Edwin Thuma and Senior Lecturer, Dr George Anderson, to present on the University of Botswana's role and objectives within the OSCAR 2.0 project. Further, the aim was to deliberate and support Open Science policy development at both institutional and national levels.

Consequently, the visit to the Netherlands by the UB team marked the beginning of an innovative project aimed at fostering collaboration, knowledge sharing, and innovation among researchers in Higher Education Institutes (HEIs) in Botswana and Zambia.

The OSCAR 2.0 project team is Led by Dr. Audrey Naledi Masizana and comprises key members from the Computer Science department: Dr Anderson, Mr Bigani Sehurutshi and Mr Monkgogi Mudongo. The initiative aims to prepare and capacitate targeted participants within HEIs through capacity building working (CBW) programmes, including study visits to EU partners. The programmes are designed to develop an Open Science Framework in their institutions.

Dr Masizana expressed excitement about the project, stating, "The OSCAR 2.0 initiative is a significant step towards enhancing research collaboration and transparency within our institution and beyond. We are committed to fostering an environment that supports Open Science and Innovation."

The OSCAR 2.0 project is expected to bring substantial benefits to the academic and research communities in Botswana and Zambia, promoting a culture of open and collaborative research that can drive societal and economic development in the region. The collaboration with European universities will enable UB to strengthen its academic, research and networking capabilities, ultimately contributing to the development of a robust knowledge-based economy.

Accordingly, the University of Botswana's involvement in the OSCAR 2.0 project underscores its dedication to international collaboration and its role as a leader in higher education and research in Sub-Saharan Africa. Therefore, the visit to the Netherlands was just the beginning of what promises to be a transformative journey towards greater academic and research excellence.