On March 25-26, 2025, Tangaza University hosted a two-day training session on FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable) Data Stewardship for Humanitarian Data. The event, held from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM EAT, brought together participants both in person and online. Attendees from various countries, including Ghana, Nigeria, Liberia, Ethiopia, and Uganda, joined the sessions via Zoom.
Day One: Laying the Foundation for FAIR OLR Data
The training commenced with an insightful introduction by Prof. Miriam van Reisen, who provided an overview of FAIR OLR (Online Learning Resource) Data. She elaborated on its principles and the significance of implementing FAIR Data Stewardship in humanitarian settings. Prof. Miriam highlighted that the first day aimed at building a strong conceptual foundation, while the second day would focus on the practical application of these principles.
Following the introduction, the participants engaged in a series of presentations:
William delivered a session on “Building Federated Health Dataspace for Africa,” shedding light on the challenges and opportunities in establishing a federated approach to health data management across the continent.
Joelle presented on the “Goal of EEPA on Information Flow,” explaining the importance of structured and seamless data exchange.
Beatrix led a session on “Process Mapping,” illustrating how data streams function and introducing the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) versions 10 and 11 to contextualize data processing methodologies.
In the afternoon, Prof. Miriam revisited the fundamentals of FAIR Data, emphasizing how computation within containers enhances data security. She discussed the use of RDF (Resource Description Framework) algorithms to query each container, underlining the importance of metadata in search queries and ensuring that local container data remains secure and free from backdoors.
Later in the day:
Lin introduced the “RDF Transformation Framework and DENOVO,” demonstrating how the RDF query language (SPARQL) functions within data structures.
Maxwell presented on “DENOVO and AFYA KE,” explaining how the FAIRification process is applied within these projects to improve data management and accessibility.
The first day of training concluded with a group photo session at Tangaza University, capturing the collaborative spirit of the participants and facilitators.
The second day of training focused on practical implementation, applying the knowledge gained on day one to real-world scenarios. Stay tuned for further insights from day two of the training!
