DATE: 24th April 2026
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
[Dar es Salaam, 24th April 2026] A delegation of twenty‑two (22) participants from Daystar University is at the University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, attending an intensive two-day Open Science (OS) forum from 23rd to 24th April.
The FOSTER Project’s, OS forum which is shaping a discourse under the theme: Advancing Open Science Ecosystem for Higher Education Institutions in Sub Saharan Africa, has highlighted the urgent need to scale up Open Science (OS) in universities. This is the second OS forum, following the inaugural forum held at Daystar University Nairobi Campus along Valley Road, between April 24th to 25th, 2025.
The University of Dar es Salaam forum was preceded by a consortium meeting between 21st and 22nd April 2026 that brought together partner institutions from the European Union (EU), Tanzania and Kenya. The OS agenda aims at making research open, accessible and inclusive.
Speaking during the opening of the OS forum, Daystar University Vice Chancellor Prof. Laban Peter Ayiro, a Professor of Research and Statistics who is also leading the Daystar University delegation, emphasized the potential within the OS framework. He pointed out that the OS model will see Daystar University’s researchers work with communities to provide solutions to existing socio-economic challenges.
“Africa has a unique opportunity to co‑create knowledge with communities by embracing Open Science and citizen science ecosystems that place people, not just institutions, at the centre of research and innovation,” he argued.
Prof. Ayiro exemplified the proposed Kibera Citizen Science project under the OS framework as a Daystar-led tangible project, where researchers will partner with community members to develop research tools, data collection and contribution to qualitative aspects.
“Kibera is an informal settlement within Daystar University environments, and the community must feel the value of the University in its precincts. As researchers, we must collaboratively scale up Open Science through Citizen Science to provide answers to inherent problems in Kibera community, such as; flying toilets, sanitation and scarcity of water.” Prof. Ayiro emphasized.
He noted that the global shifts towards Open Science (OS) and Citizen Science (CS) ecosystems impinge on the value of universities in society. The VC stated that the engagement with EU partners presents opportunities to African universities for co-creating knowledge with communities, build capacities through availing open access, to improve Africa’s contribution to global research.
“Through strategic collaboration with European Union partners under the FOSTER Project, universities can strengthen research governance, build credible Open Science systems, and position themselves as regional hubs for societal impact in Africa”. Prof. Ayiro added.
Daystar University’s efforts towards scaling up OS in the institutional framework corresponds to the ideals within the University’s 2025-2030 Strategic Plan (SP). The objective is to strengthen institutional credibility in research and innovation and reduce over-reliance on tuition-based revenues.
On the other hand, Deputy Vice Chancellor, Academic Research and Student Affairs (DVC-ARSA), Prof. Samuel Muriithi echoed Prof. Ayiro’s clarion call on OS, noting that, OS was first initiated in the university in the April 2025 forum. He emphasised commitment to advance OS agenda through sensitization initiatives for the Daystar community through workshops, seminars, and open days.
In her address to the forum, the EU-FOSTER Project Coordinator, who is also the Protocol and Research Officer in the Vice Chancellor’s Office, Ms. Grace Mbogo-Liyai evidenced responsible science strategies within the FOSTER project.
“The FOSTER project is strengthening collaborative and responsible science, technology and innovation ecosystems in Kenya and Tanzania by advancing Open Science principles such as open access, FAIR data, community participation, and supportive infrastructure and policies.” She articulated.
This was made possible through national consensus building, capacity development, and concrete institutional outputs. In addition, FOSTER’s support to universities in Kenya and Tanzania, is credited with the transition towards sustainable Open Science practices that make research more accessible, inclusive, and impactful.
In her presentation, the University Librarian Ms. Jane Wambua-Yobera outlined existing OS infrastructure built on UNESCO recommendations. She showcased how open resources, used in the e-library and the Learning Management Systems (LMS) within the ODeL infrastructure, could be leveraged in the promotion of OS.
Despite gaps in scaling up OS identified in the forum, it was noted that Daystar University has an institutional repository, open access publishing approach, and a focus on collaborative research. This enabling environment cultivates collaborative research between faculty and students, promoting a multi-disciplinary approach to improving OS and in turn contributing to global knowledge.
Other efforts in Daystar include initiatives to integrate OS into curricula, developing policies to enable OS, and dissemination of OS practices from the University management, Senate, faculty and students through media and communication outlets.
