IFLA ARL Satellite conference 2023: Inclusiveness through Openness Presentation: "Mapping Openness Across Asian Libraries: Current Practices and Implementation Pathways” by Reysa Alenzuela (CZ), Czech Academy of Sciences. Satellite conference held at Erasmus University, Rotterdam, The Netherlands, 18 - 19 August 2023.

1. Classification: Internal
MAPPING OPENNESS
ACROSS ASIAN LIBRARIES:
CURRENT PRACTICES AND
IMPLEMENTATION
PATHWAYS
Reysa Alenzuela, Ph.D.
Oriental Institute of the Czech Academy of Sciences
Image credit: UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science https://unesdoc.unesco.org/ark:/48223/pf0000379949

2. Classification: Internal
Presentation Outline
Overview
I
II Methodology
Summary of Findings
and Discussion
Conclusion
Recommendations
III
IV
V

3. Classification: Internal
Open Science
Core Values
Diversity and inclusiveness: open science should
embrace a diversity of knowledge, practices,
workflows, languages, research outputs and
research topics that support the needs and
epistemic pluralism of the scientific community
as a whole, diverse research communities and
scholars, as well as the wider public and
knowledge holders beyond the traditional
scientific community, including indigenous
peoples and local communities, and social actors
from different countries and regions, as
appropriate.

4. Classification: Internal
Open Science is still...
Confined WEIRD
Implementation has been
confined to developed
countries (Jin H, Wang Q,
Yang Y-F, et al., 2023)
Western, educated,
industrialized, rich, and
democratic (Henrich et al.,
2010)
UN-Contextualized
Grand (2016) shares
concerns about effectively
contextualizing and narrating
information, data quantity
and quality, and the skills
required for effective
contextualization, mapping,
and interpretation of
information

5. Classification: Internal
How can libraries influence the
forces at play in the current
landscape?
How can libraries serve as
connectors in marginalized
communities and individuals
in the current system,
particularly in resource-
limited areas and those
countries with political
constraints on access and
resources?
?

6. Classification: Internal
Methodology
I. Desktop Research
II. Key Informant Interview
• Bangladesh
• Kazakhstan
• Malaysia
• Myanmar
• Philippines
• Sri Lanka
• Thailand

7. Classification: Internal
Methodology
III. Data gathering
• Researcher- made
interview guide
• Content Validated
⚬ Professor in the
Philippines/
Professional Librarian
⚬ Head of Open Science
in the Czech Academy
of Sciences

8. Classification: Internal
Study Design
UNESCO This study

9. Classification: Internal
Summary of Findings
Central Asia:
Kazakhstan
South Asia: Bangladesh,
India and Sri Lanka
Southeast Asia: Malaysia,
Myanmar,
Philippines,Thailand

10. Classification: Internal
Topics of Discussion
• Frameworks and policies at the national and institutional
level
• Strategies employed by libraries to facilitate the
discovery and dissemination of scholarly information
across disciplines
• Librarians' role in strengthening open science practices
reducing inequalities
• Challenges in achieving global access
• Strategies addressing challenges towards adopting open
research practices
• Future directions and implementation pathways
Involving non-
mainstream
countries in the
discussion
Investigating the
interplay of
political, cultural,
religious factors

11. Classification: Internal
Open Science in selected countries in Central Asia
Kazakhstan - 0
Kyrgyz Republic
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan - even
the internet is highly
censored (World
Report, 2022
Uzbekistan - has
intiatives in
collaboration with
UNESCO
Legal
Framework
Institutional
Repositories
Registered in
OpenDOAR
Other
Initiatives
Kazakhstan - 13
Kyrgyz Republic -
1
Tajikistan - 1
Turkmenistan - 0
Uzbekistan - 0
Kazakhstan - Institutional level
Kyrgyz Republic- Established a national
Open Access Working Group and a plan
to advance open access
Tajikistan
Turkmenistan
Uzbekistan

12. Classification: Internal
Current Status in Kazakhstan (Central Asia)
Current
Status
Initiatives
• Kazakhstan is starting to
develop
• No single policy framework
• The Ministry of Education
doesn't pay much attention,
there are more university
repositories that are not
accessible [for public]
At the University level, in 2019 an open-access
policy has been approved which encourages
the academic community to share their works
in the repository and in open-access
platforms

13. Classification: Internal
Bangladesh
Started February 17, 2017 with a
vision to work as a platform for
advocating open access, open data
and open education
Sri Lanka
The National Science Foundation, mandated to serve and
strengthen the Science and Technology sectors in Sri Lanka,
performs its tasks in accordance with the functions setout in the
enabling Science and Technology Development Act , No 11 of 1994
and its activities conform to the National Science & Technology
Policy. NSF facilitates research, development and innovation to
create a knowledge economy, capacity building, infrastructure
development, technology transfer, knowledge creation and
sharing in all fields of science & technology to improve the quality
of life of the people.
Current Status in South Asia

14. Classification: Internal
Current Status in South Asia
South Asia
• Digital Libraries
• Open Access
Repositories
• Online Journal
System

15. Classification: Internal
Current Status in Southeast Asia

16. Classification: Internal
Open Science in Southeast Asia
(Onie, 2020)

17. Classification: Internal
II. Strategies employed by libraries to facilitate the discovery
and dissemination of scholarly information across disciplines
Central Asia
The Library has engaged in negotiations
with international publishers where they
have subscriptions, securing open-
access publishing for all Nazarbayev
University faculty and researchers. But
the subscription costs remain
considerably high.

18. Classification: Internal
II.Strategies employed by libraries to facilitate the discovery
and dissemination of scholarly information across disciplines
South Asia
Libraries are involved in
educating faculty and
researchers about
pathways for publishing
their works open access.
Librarians try their best to support the equitable and
inclusive development of publishing opportunities by
building infrastructures like open-access repositories

19. Classification: Internal
II. Strategies employed by libraries to facilitate the discovery
and dissemination of scholarly information across disciplines
Southeast Asia

20. Classification: Internal
II. Strategies employed by libraries to facilitate the discovery
and dissemination of scholarly information across disciplines
Southeast Asia
• Libraries provide critical support for the development of open access.
• Librarians try their best to support the equitable and inclusive development of
publishing opportunities, including building infrastructures like open-access
repositories despite a lack of support from the government in some countries.
• They are dynamically involved in educating scholars about pathways for
publishing their works in open access.

21. Classification: Internal
III. Librarians as connectors: Strengthening open science and
research practices reducing inequalities
Central Asia:
Kazakhstan

22. Classification: Internal
III. Librarians as connectors: Strengthening open science and
research practices reducing inequalities
South Asia
Some infrastructures are present (.e.g.
repositories and websites.) This situation could
suggest a need for increased support and
engagement from the library association.
Librarians in SL not only assist in research but
also contributes in scholarly works

23. Classification: Internal
III. Librarians as connectors: Strengthening open science and
research practices reducing inequalities
Southeast Asia

24. Classification: Internal
III. Librarians as connectors: Strengthening open science and
research practices reducing inequalities
Southeast Asia: Gaps
• Malaysia and Thailand are more advanced but the initiatives have not
incorporated GEDSI e.g. training tailored for advocating for research
projects that consider the needs and perspectives of individuals with
disabilities and marginalized communities; integrating accessibility of
data collection which are essential to support researchers; or
enhancing librarians' knowledge about gender biases in research
questions.
• Myanmar's library leaders are relentless in keeping progress, they
continue to promote a culture of open sharing.
• In the Philippines, librarians need to advocate to their
university/institution administrators that they can surpass accreditation
targets and lower costs of acquisition by strategically embracing open
science, fostering collaboration with publishers for lower-cost
subscriptions, and highlighting the value of open access resources.
Are they
willing to
learn?

25. Classification: Internal
IV. Challenges in achieving full implementation of Open
Science
Central Asia

26. Classification: Internal
IV. Challenges in achieving global public access to open
research
South Asia

27. Classification: Internal
IV. Challenges in achieving global public access to open
research
Southeast
Asia

28. Classification: Internal
V. Addressing challenges towards adopting open
research practices
Central Asia
Photo Credit: DKN World
News

29. Classification: Internal
V. Addressing challenges towards adopting open
research practices
South Asia

30. Classification: Internal
Implementation pathways
• Kazakhstan
Image Credit: UNESCO.org - Understanding open science (p:6) following UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science. Documents available in: Understanding open science : English, Français,
UNESCO

31. Classification: Internal
Implementation pathways
• South Asia
Image Credit: UNESCO.org - Understanding open science (p:6) following UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science. Documents available in: Understanding open science : English, Français,
UNESCO

32. Classification: Internal
Implementation pathways
• Southeast Asia
Image Credit: UNESCO.org - Understanding open science (p:6) following UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science. Documents available in: Understanding open science : English, Français,
UNESCO

33. Classification: Internal
Conclusion
These countries under study vary in terms of the development of open science,
each encountering unique issues. Among these challenges, the prevailing ones
include issues related to ICT infrastructure, capacity building, the absence of
governmental frameworks and support, and limited awareness.
Issues of political disruption and passive response from the government were also
mentioned. Most of the countries in this study are oriented toward a bottom-up
approach where the implementation of open science is on an institutional level
and starts with the library, mostly by building repositories.
Promoting gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) in all aspects of
open science is not paid much attention yet as most of the countries struggle to
find the national policies, strategies and framework, infrastructure, monitoring
mechanisms, and funding capacity building.

34. Classification: Internal
Recommendations
1
To address existing gaps, it is essential to firmly incorporate gender
equality, disability inclusion, and social integration (GEDSI) in all
aspects of policy formulation and implementation.
2
3
4
More studies on traditional knowledge sharing are crucial to tailor
open science practices, communication strategies, and ethical
considerations to the specific cultural context.
Library associations must start discussions on open science towards
creating a more cohesive and coordinated work that discuss
inclusivity, diversity and equity.
In Bangladesh, there is a need to gather quantitative data and observe
the varying levels of implementation.
5
In Kazakhstan , the outcomes of the School of Library training are also
interesting to investigate to see the impact of local knowledge-
sharing.

35. Classification: Internal
Recommendations
6
7
Regional and international collaboration is an important
mechanism. Particularly in Myanmar, the association is appealing
for support to keep their repositories working and for them to
implement fully their new project on Citizen Science.
8
9
Thailand and Malaysia are ready for tailored training programs for
librarians that address the needs of diverse groups, including
women, people with disabilities, and marginalized communities.
In the Philippines, a space for scholarly discourse on open science
and open access is highly recommended at various level.
Further study which is broader, deeper and with various
stakeholders involved is needed to have a better picture of
implementation plathways.
10
In Sri Lanka, particularly at Sri Lanka Technological Campus, looking
at best practices can be useful baseline data. Integrating GEDSI in
trainings and workshops are feasible.

36. Classification: Internal
Acknowledgement
The presenter acknowledges the contributions of key informant interviewees from
Bangladesh, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Sri Lanka, and Thailand
who provided critical insights into the current state of open science in their
respective institutions and countries, as well as their opinions on the future
directions of open science.

37. Classification: Internal
References
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