Digital Access to Research (DAR) Country Focal Points Gathering held in Geneva, Switzerland
Digital Access to Research (DAR) Country Focal Points Gathering was held in ILO Head Office, Geneva, Switzerland during 3-7 December 2018. The program was organized by the United Nations Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries.
The Country Focal Points of 12 LDCs (Bangladesh, Bhutan, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nepal, Rwanda, Senegal, Uganda, Tanzania), DAR Country Coordinators, DAR Administrative Support Team, WHO Country Office DAR Liaisons, UNOPS Team, Research4Life Support Team, Representatives of ILO, WHO, WIPO, INASP and MLA/Librarians without Borders participated in the program.
The Country Focal Points of Bangladesh Md. Abdul Hayee Sameni, Librarian, Shahjalal University of Science & Technology (SUST), Sylhet and Shah Abdul Kabej, Deputy Librarian, Bangladesh University of Engineering & Technology (BUET) attended the program. Dr M. Mostafa Zaman also attended as the representative of WHO Country Office, Bangladesh.
The program covered Digital Access to Research – background and context, Reports from 12 participating countries, various aspects of Research4Life, UNOPS Procurements, DAR Support Tools, DAR Budgets, INASP distance learning, PR and Communications, etc. The Country Report of Bangladesh was presented jointly by Md. Abdul Hayee Sameni and Shah Abdul Kabej. During this presentation, Gaby Caro Salazar, Country Coordinator-DAR, Bangladesh and Barbara Aronson, Coordination Manager, DAR were present on the dais.
The program was inaugurated with the welcome address of Richelle Van Snellenberg, Head, ILO Library and was concluded with the introduction of the participants and concluding remarks by Mr Joshua Setipa, Managing Director, UN Technology Bank through video conference.
The 5-day long program was conducted by Kimberly Parker, HINARI Program Manager, WHO. Barbara Aronson, Coordination Manager, DAR played a vital role in carrying out the program.
The formal program was followed by a Group Outing on 8th December.