Thirty four trainers and participants from eight countries have successfully completed a landmark professional training programme in FAIR data architecture and systems engineering.
We are pleased to announce the successful completion of the VODAN FAIR Engineering Training Programme, conducted from 13 February to 22 May 2026. This intensive professional development initiative brought together participants from across Africa and Europe to strengthen expertise in the design, deployment, integration, and governance of FAIR-based digital data infrastructures.
The programme provided specialised training across four engineering tracks: Systems Integration, Data Modelling, Data Space Engineering, and Team Coordination. Participants engaged in practical and collaborative learning activities focused on building sustainable and interoperable FAIR data ecosystems for health and humanitarian data.
- Total partcipants:Â 34
- Countries represented:Â 8
- Specialised training tracks:Â 4
- Training duration:Â 14 weeks
Training Leadership and Facilitation
The training programme was facilitated by an international team of FAIR engineering experts and coordinators:
- Onesmus Wanjiku -Lead FAIR Architecture Systems Integration Engineer
- Joëlle Stocker -Lead FAIR Architecture Data Model Engineer
- Philip Opiyo -Lead FAIR Architecture Team Archiving Engineer
- Rens Kievit -Lead FAIR Architecture Data Space Engineer
- Kai Smits -Senior FAIR Architecture Data Space Engineer
- Danial Zemchal -Lead FAIR Architecture Team Coordination Engineer
The programme was led by Prof. Dr. Mirjam van Reisen (VODAN Principal Investigator, AUN-FOS) and Dr. Reginald Nalugala (VODAN Coordinator, Tangaza University).
Participants by Country
KenyaÂ
- William Nandwa – Junior FAIR Architecture Systems Integration Engineer
- Maxwell Omare – Senior FAIR Architecture Systems Integration Engineer
- James Ngoge – Senior FAIR Architecture Systems Integration Engineer
- Dr. Esokomi S Nuni – Apprentice FAIR Architecture Systems Integration Engineer
- Whitney Atieno – Apprentice FAIR Architecture Data Model Engineer
- Sophie Chebet -Apprentice FAIR Architecture Team Coordination Engineer
- Rita Mazocchi– Senior FAIR Architecture Team Coordination Engineer
EthiopiaÂ
- Dr. Mehammed Ahmed -Senior FAIR Architecture Systems Integration Engineer
- Gebrehiwot Teklehaymanot Abraha – Senior FAIR Architecture Systems Integration Engineer
- Haftom Mekonen Mihretie -Senior FAIR Architecture Systems Integration Engineer
- Zinabu Haile Abirha -Senior FAIR Architecture Systems Integration Engineer
- Mulugeta Gebremedhin -Apprentice FAIR Architecture Systems Integration Engineer
- Zebrhe Guesh -Senior FAIR Architecture Systems Integration Engineer
- Winta Kidanemariam – Senior FAIR Architecture Data Model Engineer
- Medhanye Kahsu – Senior FAIR Architecture Data Model Engineer
- Gebretadkan Teklehaymanot – Apprentice FAIR Architecture Data Model Engineer
- Yemane Seged – Senior FAIR Architecture Team Coordination Engineer
RwandaÂ
- Mahoro Viviane – Apprentice FAIR Architecture Data Model Engineer
UgandaÂ
- Obinna Osigwe – Senior FAIR Architecture Team Coordination Engineer
- Nzabonimana Victor – Junior FAIR Architecture Systems Integration Engineer
Ghana
- Abigail Quaicoe -Apprentice FAIR Architecture Team Coordination Engineer
Namibia
- Beatrix Callard – Apprentice FAIR Architecture Team Coordination Engineer
Guinea-Bissau
- Maél Fernando Infande – Apprentice FAIR Architecture Data Model Engineer
Netherlands
- Liam van Dreumel: Lead FAIR Architecture Data Space Engineer
- Julius Ruigrok -Junior FAIR Architecture Systems Integration Engineer
- Mirte Balke – Apprentice FAIR Architecture Team Coordination Engineer
- Lina Dadic-Junior FAIR Architecture Systems Integration Engineer
- Arya Deshmukh– Junior FAIR Architecture Systems Integration Engineer
Certificates were officially issued on 22 May 2026.
We extend our sincere congratulations to all graduates, trainers, coordinators, and partner institutions for their commitment and contribution to advancing FAIR digital infrastructure capacity across regions.
For programme inquiries or certificate verification, please contact the VODAN team through the official website.
