Capacity Building Workshop 2 (CBW-2)

OPEN-ASIA Capacity Building Workshop 2

VU University, Amsterdam
June 17–21, 2024

As part of the OPEN-ASIA Project, the second Capacity Building Workshop (CBW2) was held at Vrije Universiteit (VU), Amsterdam. The workshop brought together academic and institutional partners from India, Malaysia, Slovenia, Finland, Netherlands to explore the role of Open Science and public engagement in higher education.

Over five dynamic days, participants engaged in expert-led sessions, interactive workshops, and community-driven dialogues. Key themes included Science Shops 2.0, citizen science, knowledge equity, and community service learning. The workshop culminated in institutional action plans, networking opportunities, and a joint vision for embedding Open Science and societal impact into university ecosystems.

One of the key highlights was the ‘Knowledge Equity Symposium’ featuring international experts and panel discussions that emphasized the value of inclusive knowledge systems. Thought leaders explored how knowledge equity could bridge the gap between academic institutions and underrepresented communities, with a special focus on the role of libraries in democratizing access to knowledge.

Participants also visited the Amsterdam Public Library to observe a community science event in action. This live engagement showcased effective collaboration between students, researchers, and local citizens on pressing issues like energy transition, mental well-being, and sustainable urban living—offering a practical model for community-involved research.

Throughout the week, each institution developed customized plans for institutionalizing Science Shops in their own contexts. These collaborative spaces aim to connect academia with real-world challenges through student-led research, fostering both social innovation and experiential learning. The workshop ended on a high note with certificate distribution and a sense of collective purpose toward transforming higher education for societal benefit.