Open Data: A National Data Governance Strategy for Open Science and Economic Development

The outcome of Open Science is to make knowledge available for use. How much, of this derived knowledge, is openly accessible, is a matter of continuous debate in scholarly and professional settings. This is/has been the basis for open science advocacy. There are evidences to show the linearity of Open Science, knowledge, creativity/Innovation to economic development. Knowledge is encoded in data formats. National data governance ensures that the knowledge (data), is accessible in the right place, time and format. Ekundayo (2021) posit that National data governance in form Open Data boost economy - GDP to the tune of 12%. Data Governance is a framework of activities that makes the data (encoded knowledge) readily available, for strategic use.

Open science is data-based endeavor. It requires scientific collection and analysis of data to arrive at findings that explains phenomenon. Data are either primary or secondary. In a post pandemic world, restrictions are posing challenges to primary data collection for analysis. A sustaining alternative for open science programs is secondary data. These are data collected by a credible sources like government and reputable organizations. How accessible are open data for open science in the MENA region?

The difficulty and/or unavailability of data poses a challenge to open science practices in the region.

In 2013, 150+ governments and organizations committed to open data principles under the umbrella of “Open Data Charter” (ODC), with G7-nations playing leadership role. Open Data Barometer (ODB) was officially tasked with assessing of data openness using the agreed-up principles. The goal was to leverage, this data governance approach for economic growth and development. In 2014, ODB ranked the United Arab Emirates 52nd out of 82 nations. In 2015, UAE ranked 47th with Turkey and South Africa out of 92 countries.

This paper intends to investigates data openness of United Arab Emirates (UAE). The aim is to determine avenues to optimize open science in the region, using the data governance approach of Open data. This study reviews ministries & federal entity’s data openness in the UAE. Potential findings will help determine open data/science strategy in the region. It is significant because it will draw the attention of stakeholder to the opportunities and gaps in a post pandemic economy. It could also serve as a model for MENA nations in pursuance of all-round development.