Enabling Open Science and Increasing Somali Research Visibility through the SomaliREN–DataCite Consortium

Tuesday 8 Sept 2026, 11:00 → 12:30 Africa/Mogadishu

Online

Mohamad Mostafa (Community Specialist, DataCite)

SomaliREN is committed to advancing Open Science and strengthening Somali research infrastructure through sustainable solutions. As part of this effort, SomaliREN is exploring a partnership with DataCite, a global non-profit registered in Germany that supports more than 1,800 organizations across over 70 countries by providing persistent identifier (PID) infrastructure and advancing Open Research practices.

Join SomaliREN and DataCite for a webinar introducing the proposed SomaliREN-DataCite Consortium, and how it can give Somali universities and research organizations a sustainable, cost-effective pathway to access DataCite's infrastructure, register DOIs for more than 30 types of research outputs, and enhance the visibility, discoverability, accessibility, and impact of Somali research.

Who should attend: Repository managers, librarians and library directors, research office staff, research managers, data stewards, Open Science practitioners, policy makers, and IT and repository administrators, open to SomaliREN members and the wider Higher Education Institution (HEI) community.

11:00 → 11:10 Welcome & Introduction by SomaliREN — Advancing Open Science and strengthening Somali research infrastructure

11:10 → 11:30 Introduction to Persistent Identifiers (PIDs) — types of PIDs, their role, and importance for Open Science, research visibility, and discoverability

11:30 → 11:50 Introduction to DataCite — DataCite's global community, services, and PID infrastructure

11:50 → 12:15 The SomaliREN–DataCite Consortium — benefits, membership model, and how institutions can participate

12:15 → 12:30 Questions & Discussion