1. National Information Focal Unit Report Case of Morocco Otman sebbata Bahri NourEddine ICT Specialist ICM Specialist sebbata@inra.org.ma bahrinour@yahoo.frsebbata@inra.org.mabahrinour@yahoo.fr INRA Morocco Regional Training Workshop "Building National Capacities in Information and Knowledge in support of Agricultural Research for Development in Near East Region" Cairo, Egypt 17-20 May 2009 04/2009 1/15

2. 1. Introduction 2. Priorities set at OMAN meeting Jan 08 3. NARIS Strategy 4. National Level 5. Institutional Level 6. Conclusion Content 2/15

3. 1. Establishment of the National focal unit decided in the Jordan RAIS General Assembly in 2006 and AARINENA institutions members were invited to appoint a NIFU within their ICT and ICM unit. 2. The Information and Documentation unit was designated by the general directorate and is currently coordinating work done on ICM within INRA. 3. No extra resources in terms of Human Ressources and logistics were given to the designated NIFU’s to fulfill its duties within the RAIS projects. 1. Introduction 3/15

4. General A. Develop an information and knowledge management strategy at national/institutional levels. B. Develop information management workflow(s) to ensure proper (coordinated) processing of information objects within the institution, and identify individuals/ focal points responsible for content input and processing. C. Advocate/promote awareness and understanding amongst decision-makers of the full potential of ICM/T in agricultural research for development. 2. Priorities set at OMAN meeting Jan 08 4/15

5. Moroccan priorities : A. advocate/promote awareness and understanding amongst decision- makers of importance and impact of information on agricultural development B. develop IM workflow(s) to ensure proper (coordinated) processing of information objects within the institution - build capacity of all staff/stakeholders involved in the workflow(s) - using external resource persons C. existing content (non-digital): a stepwise process should be developed including: - capacity building for librarian, information managers and info-mediaries D. digitization - scanning and OCR through automated tools/systems reprocessing for retrieval - catalogin, indexin, bookmarks 2. Priorities set at OMAN meeting Jan 08 5/15

6. 3. NARIS strategy 6/15 IssueActions Policy  start with a small-scale pilot network with just a few institutions  define a chart for the NARIS and a consensual yearly action plan with clear objectives Institutions (amongst potential network members)  Ensure champion(s) are identified, preferably in each institution, and form a network made of steering committee member that will take the lead on network development.  Organize consultation(s) with appropriate (selected NARS) institutional stakeholders to gather feedback on system design.  Develop clear and well constructed proposal with appropriate network architecture and appropriate ICM solution/technologies at reasonable (sustainable) cost. People  Human Resources and Staff Development plans for ICM to ensure skilled HR motivation to actively collaborate in the system Content  Coordinate with NARS Steering committee to ensure access to content and appropriate selection of priorities. Technology  Each NARS will provide the necessary IT hardware needed for the NARIS  Secure procurement of adequate technology infrastructure etc through network proposal and advocacy. Financial  Ensure institutional support through system proposal and advocacy. Development of a National Initiatives

7. A Synthesis explanation note prepared and presented to the INRA new General Director. this note relates to the following issues: 1. overview of existing similar system at international level 2. objectives and justification of the AARINENA RAIS project 3. ICT/SC progress reports since 2003 with special emphasis to tools made available for implementing the NARIS. 4. Role of INRA as a Moroccan NIFU and expected actions to be taken for system formalization 4. National Level 7/15 Advocating RAIS project to Decision makers

8. Regular contacts with potential institutions (Training and Research Institutions) 1. Contacts through Emails and On site visits with ICM/ICT managers: 2. First meeting held in 2009 with representatives from four Moroccan institutions at the INRA information and communication division to discuss the launching of the NARIS, expectations, needs and recommendations. 3. A steering committee was set among Research & Training institutions made of ICT/ICM specialists and Decision makers that will define the NARIS chart, vision and action plan for the NAIS. Next meeting is expected in early june 2009. 4.National Level 8/15

9. First meeting Five Institutions attended the meeting 4.National Level 9/15 Institution’s full NameAcronymWebsite Institut National de la Recherche Agromique “INRA” INRAwww.inra.org.ma Institut Agronomique et Veterinaire Hassan II IAVHIIwww.iav.ac.ma Ecole Nationale d’Agriculture de Meknes ENAMwww.enameknes.ac.ma Ecole Nationale forestière d’ingénieurs ENFIwww.enfi.ac.ma Centre National de la Recherche Forestière CNRFwww.eauxetforets.gov.ma

10. First meeting Program: – Presentations made on (a) NARIS sytem with specific reference to the existing fora, (b) RAIS Application tools to be implemented for NARIS system, and ( c) NARIS strategy methodology – Discussions point out importance of existing grey literature made of thesis and research reports, and limited number of ICT/ICM specialist which needed to be strengthened and trained to the RAIS tools and methodology – A steering committee was set among Research & Training institutions made of ICT/ICM specialists and Decision makers that will define the NARIS chart, vision and action plan for the NAIS. Next meeting is expected in early June 2009. 4.National Level 10/15

11. Recommendations of the Meeting with Moroccan Training and Research Institutions Representatives 1. Distribution of RAIS tools and procedures to all NARIS partners 2. Call for assistance from an IARCs such as ICARDA as a facilitator to moderate a one day workshop on NARIS chart, strategy and vision and be a trigger to the starting of the NARIS activities 3. Provide training to ICT/ICM specialists on the tools and procedures set for RAIS 4. Raise awareness of decision makers on NARIS 4.National Level 11/15

12. On going projects initiated by the Information and documentation unit in accordance with priorities set in the Oman Meeting 1. Implementation of Webagris 2.0 interface to query the research output databases that will be made available through the inra website. This interface offer possibility to export data in xml format which is compatible with the RAIS tools; 2. Enhancement of a new Website version of INRA Website using a local application software Widesoft GPP www.widesoft.ma enabling information workflow and serving as a portal to integrate data from INRA’s central and regional Units. In addition research activities and research output will be given an importance and collected data on researchers and research projects will fulfill RAIS requirements. The new website version will be launched in a couple of weeks ; www.widesoft.ma 5.Institutional Level 12/15

13. On going projects initiated by the Information and documentation unit in accordance with priorities set in the Oman Meeting 3. Digitizing of INRA’s information resources made of its Journals Awamia and Les Cahier de la Recherche Agronomique totalling 23000 pages and grey literature (researchers’ Reports) over 300 reports 4. Virtual Library made of INRA”s grey literature and External resources: Information Technology logistics made of file servers for Virtual library provided to the 10 regional centers were most researchers are located. Training and follow up (on-site visits) for system implementation and maintenance provided by the Information and documentation unit 5. Access to online resources: such as AGORA and Tropag (Tropical Agriculture database by Royal Tropical Institute Netherland). In addition means will be provided to access Science direct resources 5.Institutional Level 13/15

14. 6. Conclusion 14/15 1. INRA is fully committed to the RAIS project and to NARIS implementation at national level 2. Substantial support of national NARIS from IARCs will boost development of the AARINENA / RAIS project 3. Special attention must be given to capacity building of ICM/ICT Human Resources at National level. In this regard IARCs assistance and support is highly recommended.

15. Thank You 15/15