The Journey of Research Data Management and Open Science at Hasselt University: Achievements and Future Directions

Hasselt University, a civic institution rooted in a commitment to societal challenges such as sustainability, diversity, and digitalization, embraces Open Science (OS) and Research Data Management (RDM) as core pillars of its mission. Our Directorate of Research, Library, and Internationalisation has championed numerous initiatives to empower researchers and foster a culture of openness and innovation. Key milestones include the establishment of a dedicated RDM team, the adoption of institutional policies on Open Access and RDM, and the creation of the UHasselt Metadata Repository for Research Data. As a founding member of the DMP Belgium Consortium since 2017, we have promoted standardized data management tools. Enhanced training programs and resources, including an Open Science Framework page and an expanded website, support our researchers' evolving needs. Collaborations extend globally through VLIR-UOS projects with partners in Latin America and Africa, sharing best practices in RDM. We co-founded the FAIRVault Consortium to address the archiving of sensitive datasets and signed the CoARA Agreement, reinforcing our dedication to responsible research assessment. Future plans for 2024 include embedding research managers in institutes to provide tailored support across the research cycle and launching advanced data storage solutions to safeguard sensitive and large datasets. We aim to expand RDM and OS communities, incorporate research software management into our policy, and develop guidelines on Artificial Intelligence use in research.