UNIMAS Open Science Conference 2026

About the Conference

Where Open Science Shapes the Future

The UNIMAS Open Science Conference brings together researchers, policymakers, and innovators to advance the principles of making scientific research and data accessible to all. Hosted by Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, this landmark event is co-funded by the European Union under the Open Asia initiative.

Our mission is to enable Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable (FAIR) research data, reinforce open scientific inquiry and integrity, enable better research management, and promote data-intensive research across the globe.

Explore Themes →

Conference Themes

Exploring the frontiers of open science, digital transformation, and citizen-driven research

Key Features

Conference

Interactive Exhibition

Product Showcases

Networking

Key Topics

Digital Transformation

Open Science

Citizen Science

Data Management

Meet Our Speakers

World-Class Experts

Leading voices in open science, research data management, and digital innovation from around the globe

Keynote Speakers

Datu Hii Chang Kee

Deputy State Secretary (Operation)

Mdm. Anelia Anak Siam

Sarawak Museum Department

Speakers

Prof. Dr. Noorsaadah Abd. Rahman FASc

Academy of Sciences Malaysia

Prof. Ir. Dr. Shaliza Ibrahim

Universiti Malaya

Prof. Dr. Wan Hashim Wan Ibrahim

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Prof. Dr. Ramlah Zainuddin

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Prof. Dr. Liew Chee Sun

Sunway University, Malaysia

Prof. Ir. Dr. Rosalam Sarbatly

Universiti Malaysia Sabah

Mdm. Zaliha binti Mohamad Ali

Sarawak Multimedia Authority

Dr. Jongkar Grinang

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

Mr Kelvin Egay John

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak

International Speakers & Panelists

Prof. Dr. Marjolein Zweekhorst

Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, Netherlands

Prof. Dr. Maninder Singh

Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, India

Prof. Dr. Jayakumar Singh Bondili

Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies, India

Prof. Dr. Nada Trunk Širca

International School for Social and Business Studies, Slovenia

Dr Erika Lilja

Tampere University, Finland

Why Attend

Expand Your Network & Brand

🎯Thought Leadership Platform — Share your research and ideas on a global stage
🤝Networking Opportunities — Connect with researchers, policymakers, and industry leaders
📣Enhanced Brand Visibility — Showcase your organisation to a targeted academic audience
🌍Targeted Audience Reach — Engage with decision-makers across open science and digital research

Programme

Conference Agenda

Two days of keynotes, panel discussions, citizen science, and networking

8:00 – 8:30 AM

Registration

Arrival and conference kit collection

Registration

8:30 – 11:00 AM

Opening Ceremony

Welcoming remarks by the Vice-Chancellor of UNIMAS. Official Remarks & Keynote Address by Datu Hii Chang Kee (Deputy State Secretary, Operation)

Ceremony

11:00 – 11:30 AM

Coffee Break

Break

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Keynote Session — Mdm. Anelia Anak Siam

Director, Sarawak Museum Department — Bridging the Knowledge: Open Science, Indigenous Wisdom, and Museum Curation

Keynote

12:00 – 12:30 PM

Prof. Dr. Noorsaadah Abd. Rahman FASc

Academy of Sciences Malaysia — Accelerating the Malaysia Open Science Platform (MOSP): Strategies for Local Researchers

Speaker

12:30 – 2:00 PM

Lunch & Networking

Break

2:00 – 2:30 PM

Zaliha binti Mohamad Ali

Sarawak Multimedia Authority — Frameworks for the Future: Navigating Data Management in Data-Intensive Research

Speaker

2:30 – 3:00 PM

Prof. Ir. Dr. Shaliza Ibrahim

Universiti Malaya — Rethinking Research Assessment: Harnessing the Synergies between Impact and Open Science

Speaker

3:00 – 3:30 PM

Prof. Dr. Marjolein Zweekhorst & Dr. Sarju Sing Rai

Vrije Universiteit (VU) Amsterdam, Netherlands — Empowering the Public: The Growing Role of Citizen Science

Speaker

3:30 – 4:00 PM

Prof. Dr. Maninder Singh

Thapar Institute of Engineering & Technology, India — Advancements in Data Management: Technological Perspectives from Indian Institutions

Speaker

4:00 – 4:30 PM

Prof. Ir. Dr. Rosalam Sarbatly

Universiti Malaysia Sabah — Citizen Science in Action: Collaborative Community Methodologies in Malaysia

Speaker

4:30 PM

End of Day 1

Closing

8:00 – 9:00 AM

Registration

Day 2 arrival

Registration

9:00 – 9:30 AM

Dr. Erika Lilja

Tampere University, Finland — Universal Accessibility: Successful Open Science Models from Finland

Speaker

9:30 – 10:00 AM

Prof. Dr. Nada Trunk Širca & Assoc. Prof. Dr. Aleš Trunk

Intl. School for Social & Business Studies / University of Primorska, Slovenia — Strengthening Trust: Open Scientific Research and Research Integrity

Speaker

10:00 – 10:30 AM

Prof. Dr. Liew Chee Sun

Sunway University, Malaysia — Digital Tools and Infrastructure: The Role of Artificial Intelligence in Open Science

Speaker

10:30 – 11:00 AM

Coffee Break

Break

11:00 – 11:30 AM

Prof. Dr. Jayakumar Singh Bondili

Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS) — Bridging the Gap: Open Science Interoperability and FAIR Data in India

Speaker

11:30 AM – 12:00 PM

Citizen Science 1 — Dr. Jongkar Grinang & Mr Kelvin Egay John

Universiti Malaysia Sarawak — From Public Data to Societal Impact: Community-Driven Science

Citizen Science

12:00 – 1:00 PM

Lunch

Break

1:00 – 2:00 PM

Panel Discussion

Unifying Science Across Borders: Navigating the Global Implementation of FAIR Data Standards
Moderator: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Abang Allan Mohamad (UNIMAS)
Panelists: Prof. Ir. Dr. Shaliza Ibrahim, Prof. Dr. Marjolein Zweekhorst, Prof. Dr. Maninder Singh, Prof. Dr. Nada Trunk Širca, Prof. Dr. Jayakumar Singh Bondili, Dr. Erika Lilja

Panel

2:00 – 2:30 PM