The Deputy Development Director at the British High Commission in Nigeria, Susan Mshana, says the LIBSENSE program aligns with the UK government’s vision for Science, Technology & Innovation (ST&I) and its commitment to open science.
Speaking at the 8th LIBSENSE Open Science Symposium in Abuja, Ms Mshana stressed in her opening address that the UK government has made ST&I and open science a central pillar of its policy, recognising their potential to uplift the world’s poorest and promote shared prosperity.
To demonstrate this commitment, the UK actively pursues open bilateral and multilateral partnerships and ongoing work through the African Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI) to leverage ST&I to tackle modern global challenges such as health pandemics, food insecurity, climate change, and more.
“In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of open access to scientific knowledge became evident, leading to a call for greater urgency in addressing the broader issue of scientific access”.
“The UK is collaborating with LIBSENSE, stakeholders and strategic government partners to strengthen the capacity for open science within Nigerian academia. This collaboration will provide a platform for policy direction and foster innovation”.
She reiterated the UK’s dedication to being a reliable and trusted partner, offering world-class expertise and capabilities to collaborate with international partners.
The UK consistently demonstrates that scientific research and innovation are essential drivers of economic growth, safeguarding shared values, and enhancing collective resilience and security. This is exemplified by the critical support extended via the Foreign Commonwealth Development Cooperation (FCDO) to the Science Granting Councils Initiative (SGCI).
The commitment to open science and collaboration with LIBSENSE reflects the UK’s dedication to using its global influence for the public good and supporting local ownership. It needs to pursue sustainable and transformative impacts in Nigeria and beyond.
