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Virus Outbreak Data Africa Network Expands into Asia

virus-outbreak-data-africa-network-expands-into-asia

After the successful completion of the first phase of the VODAN Africa Project, the initiative has expanded into Asia. As a result of this, the new name for the Initiative is now Virus Outbreak Data Africa Network and Asia (VODANA). This expansion will help to strengthen the achievements recorded in Africa in Asia. The initial partner countries in Asia are China, Kazakhstan, and Indonesia. 

Before the expansion in Asia, one of our technical team members, Aliya Aktau, a master's student at Leiden University Netherlands had tested the FAIR Data Point (FDP) for health data in Kazakhstan during her internship with the Ministry of Health. Another team member and master's student at Leiden University Netherlands, Putu Hadi Purnama Jati is pioneering a research on FAIR Equivalency with Satu Data Indonesia: Use of FAIR Equivalency tool for Indonesia. 

In China, Mingyue Huo is working on FAIR adoption potential for connected health data in China: Assessment of adoption potential in health care settings in China. These researches will promote the adoption of FAIR Data in these countries. In another research, Aliya Aktau is investigating FAIR adoption potential for digital healthcare in Kazakhstan. With these developments, our Asia teams are starting on a good note.

Africa currently has 9 FDPs across Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tunisia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe. 

The Virus Outbreak Data Network is a collaboration between universities, health ministries and Data Science & Artificial Intelligence hubs in Uganda, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe. Members of the Africa Implementation network include: Kampala International UniversityLeiden University and other universities, Addis Ababa University and Mekelle University in Ethiopia, University de Sousse in Tunisia, Tangaza University in Kenya, Great Zimbabwe University in Zimbabwe and Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida UniversityOlabisi Onabanjo University and Data Science in Nigeria. The VODAN network collaborates with researchers based in Asia, particularly in China (Chinese Academy of Sciences), Indonesia and Kazakhstan. The VODAN network also collaborates with researchers in the US, particularly from the San Diego Supercomputing Center (SDSC).