WACREN – 2022 Conference

Are you ready for #WACREN2022

THEME

As the world moves towards implementing the UNESCO Global Recommendations on Open Science, there is the need for more conversation on how to advance institutional, national and regional policies, create and share interoperable infrastructure as well as build the competencies required to exploit the benefits to the region and Africa as a whole.

In light of this, WACREN 2022 with its theme: ‘Open Science in Africa – Connecting the Dots’ will convene the community, stakeholders and decision-makers in Abidjan to share ideas and exchange knowledge on the topic.

Owing to travel challenges and public health safety concerns posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2022 Conference will be in a hybrid format (face to face and remote participation).

HOST

This year’s flagship event, slated for Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, on 25 and 29 April 2022, is on the theme ‘Open Science in Africa – Connecting the Dots’. Key stakeholders in the open science in Africa and beyond, will gather to exchange thoughts on how Africa can advance in open science through LIBSENSE’s key activities.

WHY ATTEND?

At #WACREN2022, you’ll enjoy engaging presentations, receive insights as well as discover opportunities for research collaboration. You will have the opportunity to network with a community of R&E professionals and technocrats from across the world. You’ll know the current trends in R&E across the world and available opportunities.

WHO COMES THERE

You can expect to meet a richly diverse group of professionals, practitioners and technocrats and decision-makers within the research and education field. Part of this list is government leaders, funding bodies, open science activists, publishers, editors, HE administrators, IT and network technicians as well as students and researchers.

Pre-Conference Events

National Open Science Symposium

Stakeholders meet to develop an action plan at the national level. As part of the LIBSENSE National Open Science Roadmaps, this national symposium aims to present a concrete plan for rolling out open science, including policies, infrastructure, and capacities.

LIBSENSE Regional Policy Development Workshop

Collaboration with regional Higher Education and Research associations to focus on moving from the high-level goals and principles articulated in the UNESCO recommendations on Open Science to the role of institutions in implementing these policies.

Regional High-Performance Computing Workshop

Collaboration with the Digital Science and Technology Network (DSTN) on a special session on High-Performance Computing (HPC). This session brings together R&E, private and international partners to set up a regional and sustainable collaborative network on HPC.

SCHEDULE

SPEAKERS

Key speakers and panellists will share depth of experience and provide ideas on how Africa can adapt the principles, policies, infrastructure and services of open science to advance.

Prof. Bakayoko-Ly

KEYNOTE SPEAKER | Permanent Delegate of Cote d'Ivoire to UNESCO

Prof. Tim Unwin

KEYNOTE SPEAKER | UNESCO Chair in ICT4D

Prof. Stephen Curry

KEYNOTE SPEAKER | Chair, Declaration of Research Assessment (DORA)

CONTRIBUTE & REGISTER

Registration

Call for Papers (CFP)

Participants List

HEALTH & TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

ECOWAS citizens do not need VISA to enter Cote d’Ivoire. Any other participant needing VISA can apply online at https://snedai.com/e-visa/

The Ministry of Health, Public Hygiene and Universal Health Coverage of Côte d’Ivoire has announced that visitors do not need to show a negative PCR test as long as they can prove that they are fully vaccinated. Please visit https://deplacement-aerien.gouv.ci/ for more information.

You may need to show a valid Yellow Fever vaccination certificate on arrival at the airport.

VENUES

Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny Amphitheatre is the venue for the WACREN Conference – Thursday, 28 April and Friday 29 April 2022.

Palm Club Hotel is closest to the conference venue (28 and 29 April 2022). It is about 3.7 km from Université Félix Houphouët-Boigny. The group booking price is 65000FCFA and guests can make room reservations through this dedicated website.

Ivotel will host the pre-events of the Conference. Transportation will be provided to the Conference venue on 28 and 29 April 2022.

The group booking price is 65000F. For reservation, send an email to b.ndri@ivotel.com

20

Expected countries

30

Expected speakers

150

Expected participants

7

Planned sessions

300

Global audience

GALLERY

Memories of past WACREN Conferences.

MORE CONFERENCE PHOTOS