Science cannot be easily wished away! It is part and parcel of our daily lives and to a great extent influences the outcome of any undertaking/intervention in various disciplines based on its application. Academia is no exception! Between Thursday 24th and Friday 25th April 2025, intellectuals drawn from five top

universities, researchers and policy makers convened at Daystar University, Valley Road for an Open Science Forum themed "Advancing Open Science Ecosystem for Higher Education Institutions in Sub-Sahara Africa”. The five universities led by St. Paul’s University are partnering to work towards developing an Open Science infrastructure for an equitable, just and fair higher education landscape. This is an initiative of the Foster co-funded by the European Union.

The forum was kicked off with a key note address from Prof. Mike Kuria, the CEO for the Commission for University Education, who called for Africa taking charge of its future by embracing Open Science - a paradigm shift that would boost independence, drive innovation, and position the continent as a leader in global knowledge creation. Thereafter, participants engaged in an enlightening discourse on the topic “Strengthening Open Science Ecosystem", led by a four-member panel that comprised of: Prof. Abraham Waithima, Deputy Vice Chancellor Academic Affairs St. Paul's University; Joy Owango, Founding Director, Training Centre in Communication; Mr. Cyrus Kamau, ICT Director at Teachers Service Commission; Dr. Henry Waruhiu, Director Research and Management consultancy at ESAMI. Each of the speakers shared insight on the day’s topic with respect to advocacy, ethics, change resistance, funding, and the future of Open Science.

The discussions were moderated by Dr. Kevin Ndereba, Head of Department for Religion, History, Mission and Practical Theology at St. Paul's University.