Advancing Open Science: UMS's Efforts and Challenges in Data Sharing
Tampere, Finland (15-19 April 2024) – Universiti Malaysia Sabah (UMS) advanced its open science agenda during a recent seminar at Tampere University in Finland. Under the leadership of Prof. Ir. Dr. Rosalam Sarbatly, Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research & Innovation, UMS discussed its journey in open science adoption, focusing on research data sharing and the related challenges. Topics covered included open science policy, infrastructure, educational courses, and Open Science Shop 2.0.
In Malaysia, particularly in the biodiversity-rich state of Sabah, open science is becoming increasingly vital for sustainable development. Making scientific research and data freely accessible fosters collaboration to preserve Sabah's unique ecosystems and promotes sustainable agriculture. This open approach encourages innovation by allowing researchers to develop solutions tailored to Malaysia’s environmental needs. Moreover, open science empowers policymakers to make informed decisions with current data, supporting effective strategies. Open science advocates in Malaysia push for robust policies that support data sharing while maintaining data integrity and privacy.
The seminar, with participants from Finland, the Netherlands, Slovenia, India, and Malaysia, allowed UMS to outline its policies encouraging open science, covering intellectual property rights, copyright, and plagiarism prevention. Despite these policies, UMS recognizes the need for a stronger framework to ensure secure research data sharing.
Prof. Dr. Awang Asri, Chief Digital Officer at UMS, highlighted the significance of open science in fostering innovation and collaboration. UMS engaged with partner universities at the seminar, exploring best practices and policy frameworks for secure data sharing, addressing the gap between existing policies and their practical implementation.
UMS's commitment to open science is evident through its active leadership in the seminar. While challenges remain, UMS is dedicated to advancing open science in the Asian region. Insights from the seminar will guide UMS's efforts to create a secure and collaborative research environment.
The seminar also featured Associate Professor Dr. Fatimah Ahmedy, a project coordinator, and Dr. Farashazillah Yahya, the Director of the Data and Information Management Centre at UMS, further demonstrating UMS's commitment to open science and secure data sharing. Their involvement underscores the university's readiness to lead in this evolving field.