SESAME and Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN) are collaborating with Global Access Fund (GAF) on a transformative initiative to enhance the accessibility, management, and sharing of research data to its user community. The GAF is part of the DataCite Global Access Program (GAP) made possible by grant from the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative. The scope of the project is to create a scalable infrastructure that enhances data discoverability, citation, and accessibility, advancing Open Science and international collaboration. SESAME’s role in this initiative underscores its commitment to scientific progress and global partnerships.
In addition to SESAME’s efforts, ASREN plays a vital role by providing the technical infrastructure needed for Open Science initiatives in the Middle East and Africa. True to its mission to implement, manage and extend sustainable pan-Arab e-Infrastructures dedicated to the use of research and education communities, ASREN will facilitate data sharing among research institutions through high-capacity networks.
This collaboration places SESAME in a unique position to foster scientific cooperation in politically diverse regions. With its (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) FAIR data practices and partnerships with global organizations like DataCite, SESAME is helping researchers from the Middle East contribute significantly to global scientific knowledge. The comprehensive experimental data and its metadata associated with Digital Object Identifiers (DOI) support researchers in sharing their findings transparently and collaborating with the global scientific community, raising the visibility of Middle Eastern scientists and promoting new opportunities for partnerships.
The initiative also follows the Experimental Data Management Policy of SESAME, which regulates the storage, ownership, and access of experimental data produced at the facility, ensuring that it remains conserved and accessible for authorized use. By assigning DOIs to datasets and managing full metadata, SESAME adheres to international Open Science standards, ensuring that its data is discoverable and citable globally.
The overarching goal of the GAF initiative is to create a sustainable infrastructure for global research data sharing. By integrating DOI services, metadata management, and providing targeted training, the project ensures that researchers receive proper credit for their data contributions and can measure the impact of their work. This focus on sustainability involves engaging local communities, providing ongoing support, and securing long-term funding for infrastructure, ensuring that Open Science practices can thrive and continue to benefit global scientific progress.