The year 2022 was truly remarkable for us as we embarked on an exciting journey with our BHKi bioinformatics campus outreaches. These outreach programs have proven to be of utmost importance in creating awareness and closing the knowledge gap between early-career researchers and bioinformatics experts. With a focus on sensitizing and educating undergraduates about bioinformatics and open science, we have successfully conducted three outreaches at the Technical University of Kenya (TUK), Mount Kenya University (MKU), and Chuka University College. These outreaches have been instrumental in introducing students to the fascinating world of bioinformatics and open science, fostering curiosity, and providing valuable insights into the latest trends and use cases worldwide. The BHKi/Chuka University outreach, in particular, was a collaborative effort with the student leaders, which facilitated seamless communication and maximized attendance.
Following the successful Sensitize and Train phases of BOSS EVENTS, we delved into the dynamic Hack phase, presenting participants with an opportunity to apply their newfound skills through engaging mini-projects. The Bioinformatics and Open Science Skills (BOSS) mini-project spanned three weeks, allowing selected trainees to collaborate, practice, and deepen their understanding of bioinformatics and open science concepts.
During the second phase of BOSS EVENTS, we facilitated an enriching workshop focused on empowering participants with essential bioinformatics analysis skillsets while integrating open science practices in their bioinformatics projects. The workshop, held virtually from November 1st to 5th, 2021, offered a comprehensive curriculum covering a wide range of topics.
The journey towards empowering and imparting Bioinformatics and Open Science skills in researchers began with securing the necessary funding. With the funds in hand, we embarked on putting our road map into action: sensitize - train - hack - collaborate - community. The activation of #BOSSEvents marked the commencement of this transformative journey.