Open Data: A National Data Governance Strategy for Open Science and Economic Development - A case study of the United Arab Emirates

Open science is data-based endeavor. It requires scientific collection and analysis to arrive at findings, that explains a phenomenon. Data are either primary or secondary. In a post pandemic world, restrictions are posing challenges to the collection of primary data for scientific analysis purpose. This is due to limited financial and/or time resources and/or some form of social distancing. A sustaining alternative for open science program is secondary data. These are data collected by a credible source like government and reputable organizations (Chinelo Igwenagu, 2016; Morgan & J.Harmon, n.d.). 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 MENA region. This paper intends to investigates open data for open science and economic development in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) as a leading country in the MENA region. The aim is to identify the region’s open data and open science gaps based on the Open Data Barometer (ODB) framework and proffer insight for optimization, using the national data governance approach of Open data as per the Open Data Charter (ODC) principles of 2015. This study reviews a 63 randomly selected list of government entities & ministries open data practices in the UAE. Potential findings will help assess open data and open science strategy in the region. This is significant because it will draw the attention of MENA government and stakeholders to the gaps and opportunities in the revival of a post pandemic economy. It could also serve as a model for other MENA nations in their pursuance of all-round development.