Enabling Open Science in Côte d'Ivoire: Establishing a DataCite Consortium to Strengthen National Research Infrastructure

Mohamad Mostafa delivered a virtual presentation titled “Enabling Open Science in Côte d'Ivoire: Establishing a DataCite Consortium to Strengthen National Research Infrastructure” during Open Access Week 2025 Côte d'Ivoire, held on 1–2 December 2025 and hosted by the Virtual University of Côte d'Ivoire (UVCI). In his presentation, Mohamad provided an overview of the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science, highlighting its four core pillars and their relevance to national research systems. He emphasized the central role of open research infrastructure and Persistent Identifiers (PIDs)—including DOIs, ROR IDs, and other identifiers—in improving research visibility, transparency, and trust. Mohamad introduced DataCite and its global community, demonstrating how DataCite services support institutions in registering over 33 types of research outputs, resources, and activities, ranging from datasets and theses to reports, software, and funding information. He showcased how PID-enabled metadata strengthens national research infrastructure by enhancing discovery, interoperability, and long-term stewardship. A key focus of the session was exploring a path toward establishing a national DataCite Consortium in Côte d'Ivoire, enabling local research organizations to adopt shared infrastructure, register DOIs efficiently, and collaborate through a unified national framework. This initiative aims to accelerate the adoption of open science practices across the country and support a sustainable, interconnected ecosystem for Côte d'Ivoire’s research community.