Sure here is it :
Hello Harold,
Your observation regarding the interests of individuals joining GOSH is insightful and aligns well with the findings from the systematic review I conducted, as well as with the ideas that emerged from the workshop on the growth of Open Science Hardware (OSH) in Africa, for which I am preparing the report.
Indeed, few people (at least those we have managed to attract so far) from Africa work directly in Open Science Hardware. However, they are generally individuals with an interest in OS broadly. They are often innovators who do not see themselves as scientists and who work to create tools that can facilitate the resolution of societal problems.
To grow the movement and aim for “ubiquity” in the next two years, it would be interesting to implement a strategy with two main phases. First, identify the key socio-economic change needs that can be solved through open hardware innovation. This will allow us to simultaneously identify innovators working in this field or potential youths with the energy and motivation to solve these problems with the philosophy of Open Science. Africa’s demographic advantage leads me to believe that we will find these individuals. These individuals can be connected with their peers from Africa and other continents to form project teams focused on solving local problems. Once this is done, these innovators, who have already completed undergraduate studies and have tested the practical aspects (often absent in education in Africa), will be easier to ‘transform’ into OSH activists through opportunities to pursue research-focused studies.
A textual analysis of articles addressing OSH in Africa has allowed us to understand that SDGs 9, 3, 4, and 15 have been the subject of previous reflection. Actions to develop industry, innovation, and infrastructure with good governance, quality education, and good health are needed.
I believe that with the initiatives that the council has already launched and projects like Jenny’s in Kenya, if we can multiply similar pilot projects that solve fundamental problems in sustainable agriculture (ecology and resilience to the effects of climate change), health (to help improve healthcare), and education (by generalizing the use of low-cost kits to teach science), we will make great progress.
But the idea is to concentrate efforts to establish a beachhead, learn from it, and then repeat the experience in other areas.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the continent is vast, and once initiatives are tested and proven, scaling up is often at an exponential rate for projects. I will advocate for this approach of creating small innovation hubs with the vision to test approaches, identify the best, and facilitate knowledge transfer.
I also wanted to highlight that across the continent, we have nascent initiatives promoting research.
In my country, Benin, the government is ensuring the development of a Sub-regional Innovation Hub called Sèmè City (Home - Sèmè City), which has an X-ray Techniques Laboratory (https://www.xtechlab.co/). A nascent ecosystem with innovators and scientists trying to advance research. I was thinking that it could also be a potential location for organizing the next gathering.
Returning to the point regarding the supervision of ambassadors, we do not want to ensure supervision that will direct the ambassadors’ approaches, but rather to ensure monitoring that allows us to have a record of the actions undertaken by each to be able to evaluate and better inform our future actions for achieving our ubiquity objectives.
Building on the previous message, I proposed, for example, an open innovation initiative to promote Open Scientific Hardware (OSH). Apply here for GOSH’s 2022 Regional Events Funding! (Round 1) - #3 by TOKO
In line with our objectives to expand the reach and impact of Open Science Hardware (OSH), I have proposed an initiative that not only champions open innovation but also places a strong emphasis on education as a vehicle for spreading awareness of the OSH movement.
I envision a project that integrates OSH into science education, making it an integral part of the curriculum. This would not only introduce students and educators to the practical and collaborative aspects of OSH but also inspire them to become active participants in the movement.
For instance, consider the project “Unveiling the Potential of Foldscope in Science Education Across Africa” (Unveiling the potential of foldscope in science education across Africa. | Experiment). This initiative is a prime example of how low-cost scientific tools can revolutionize learning and open up new opportunities for discovery. By incorporating such tools into our educational project, we can make science more accessible, engaging, and interactive for students across the continent.
Such initiatives not only foster a deeper understanding of science but also encourage innovation and problem-solving from a young age. By tapping into the natural curiosity and ingenuity of students, we can cultivate a generation of thinkers and makers who are equipped to tackle the challenges of the future with open-source solutions.