The Africa University Network on Fair Open Science (AUN‑FOS) is a charitable trust legally incorporated in the Republic of Kenya under the Trustees (Perpetual Succession) Act, Cap 164.
Africa University Network is a network of the collaboration of East African-based Digital Innovation and Skills Hub (DISH), Virus Outbreak Data Network Africa (VODAN-A), research programs on social transformation, and the Globalization, Accessibility, Innovation and Care (GAIC) Network.
AUN‑FOS brings together African universities, research institutions, and scientific leaders committed to transforming how knowledge is created, shared, and used. We champion Fair Open Science grounded in the FAIR principles — Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable — and adapted to African realities, values, and priorities.
Data is the new gold and the oil of the new economy. Africa must fully benefit from the data it produces. Through academic diplomacy, our universities are forging partnerships that transcend borders, bringing together the best minds in Africa to tackle the challenges we face. They are creating a new generation of data stewards and scientists who are committed to the principles of openness, collaboration, and ethical data management.
The Africa University Network on FAIR Open Science has been established to facilitate a science to support Africa-based knowledge, economies and development based on its own heritage. The network is proud that it is comprised of public and private university programmes from Ethiopia, Kenya, Liberia Uganda and Zimbabwe.
All are welcome to join. The network appreciates the value that all universities bring, especially the regional and localized universities, rooted in communities. Collaboration is a win-win. The network presents an opportunity to work with university networks across the globe.
The point of collaboration is data is local, ownership of data is local, and knowledge is local. By creating interoperability between locally owned data, we can increase collaboration, and retain the value in Africa.
The African University Network on FAIR Open Science has three major programmes:
- The Digital Innovation and Skills Hub (DISH) provides opportunities for all students, including those that dropped out, to learn skills, discover talents and contribute.
- The Virus Outbreak Data Network Africa (VODAN-Africa) presents an African Approach to make data locally owned and yet interoperable. This has incredible potential in the science sector, health, climate, and industry. VODAN-Africa presented the first operational cross-border collaboration of health data stored locally and analysed across nine countries. It is ahead of global developments and showing the way for the digital future.
- The Globalisation, Accessibility, Innovation and Care (GAIC) Research programme serves as an example of science collaboration across the continent and with other geographies. The programme trains specialised academics, with interdisciplinary backgrounds through its dedicated PhD programmes.
The African University Network on FAIR Open Science embraces global standards on FAIR Open Science and contributes to it. As an African network, it works with African organisations to promote African science and collaborations with international partners in the European Union and elsewhere.
Founding Institutions
- Mekelle University
- Tangaza University
- University of Nairobi
- Equator University of Science and Technology
- University of Grand Bassa
- Great Zimbabwe University
The Chair and Vice-Chairs are:
- Dr. Eyasu, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Mekelle University Ethiopia.
- Prof. Dr. Mwania, Vice-Chancellor, Tangaza University Kenya.
- Prof. Dr. Mpezamihigo, Vice-Chancellor, Equator University of Science and Technology.
POWERFUL TEAM
``If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.`` – African Proverb
Prof. Mouhamad Mpezamihigo
ChairmanExperienced Vice Chancellor, Academic leader, People Person with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry. Skilled in Nonprofit Organizations, Microsoft Excel, Data Analysis, Program Evaluation, and Strategic Planning.
Prof. Francisca Oladipo
Supporting PartnerNigerian Professor of Computer Science, administrator and author.
As of 2022, she is the She is the executive director, Virus Outbreak Data Network Africa and Asia and Vice Chancellor of Thomas Adewunmi University.
Prof. Tayo Arulogun
Horizontal HeadA smart pprofessor of computer system enngineerring and astute manager of peopleware, hardware and software.
He is currently the Center Director at LAUTECH Open and Distance Learning Center, Ogbomoso, Nigeria.
Prof. Munyaradzi Mawere
He is Professor Extraordinarius of Interdisciplinary Research at Unisa. He is also a Full Professor and Research Chair at Great Zimbabwe University (GZU). Mawere holds a PhD in Social Anthropology (UCT), an MA in Philosophy (UZ) and an MA in Development Studies (GZU), as well as a number of professional certificates.
Dr. Reginald Maudlin Nalugala
He is a postgraduate tutor at Tangaza University College, Karen, Nairobi. He teaches PhD and Masters in Social transformation.
The key courses are Governance Principles, Politics and Democracy in Africa,
Anti-radicalization Measures and Leadership in Africa.