Advancing Research Sharing Through DataCite's Global Access Fund: ASREN-SESAME

The Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN) and the Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East (SESAME) have partnered to advance open science and research data management in the region. Through support from DataCite's Global Access Fund (GAF), this collaboration focuses on building the technical infrastructure needed to support experimental data in line with the FAIR principles. 

SESAME, the first synchrotron light source in the Middle East, generates vast amounts of experimental data across its six active beamlines, contributing to more than 200 peer-reviewed scientific publications (e.g., collection for beamlines and accelerators) since its opening. ASREN, as the pan-Arab research and education network and a DataCite Consortium Lead, brings expertise in federated infrastructures and open science services. By applying for GAF support, ASREN, and SESAME aimed to address critical challenges: ensuring reliable data citation, strengthening interoperability, and improving global discoverability of SESAME's experimental data. The project's goals are to integrate DataCite's DOI services into SESAME's repository infrastructure and data portal, enhance data traceability, and ultimately empower regional researchers to collaborate more effectively with the global scientific community.

The ASREN–SESAME collaboration focuses on a dedicated SESAME data repository integrated with DataCite DOI services. The repository is designed to securely manage, register, and disseminate experimental datasets produced by SESAME's beamlines with the option of expanding it to include more. These datasets, which range from megabytes to terabytes per day, represent critical resources for advancing regional and international research in spectroscopy, tomography, materials science, and many other related fields.

Implementation Highlights

From the outset, the project focused on aligning SESAME's existing Experimental Data Policy (based on ESRF and PaNData frameworks) with DataCite's Metadata Schema. This ensures that all experimental datasets are registered with DOIs, making them globally discoverable, traceable, and properly citable. The integration also enables harmonization with international open science infrastructures and FAIR principles.

To put this into practice, SESAME's technical team, supported by ASREN and in consultation with DataCite experts, began developing repository workflows for assigning DOIs and mapping metadata to community standards. Pilot datasets from SESAME's research and development activities were prioritized for initial registration, allowing for early pre-commissioning and refinement of the system. 

Progress So Far

• Repository framework drafted and aligned with SESAME's data policy.
• Metadata schema mapping with DataCite specifications initiated.
• Storage expansion unit integrated to span the metadata for the landing page.
• Pilot datasets identified for DOI registration and workflow testing.
• Stakeholder engagement sessions were conducted with SESAME researchers and ASREN technical teams.
• Initial capacity-building activities were organized for technical staff.

Challenges Encountered

A major challenge has been assigning DOIs to datasets already collected in the past from different beamlines across different file formats (XDI, HDF5, DAT, and DXFile). Integrating DOI assignment into existing datasets added complexity, as technical and staff had to adapt to new workflows and sub-systems to be used temporarily.

On the other hand, the technical team adopted an extended scalable storage solution, web-based portals, and began exploring advanced transfer technologies such as Globus for high-speed data movement.

Impact of DataCite Integration

The integration of DataCite DOI services into SESAME's infrastructure represents a significant step for research data management in the Middle East. For the first time, SESAME datasets are being registered with persistent identifiers, ensuring their long-term visibility, accessibility, and reuse. This directly enhances the impact of SESAME-related publications by improving citation practices and enabling reproducibility. 

More broadly, the project strengthens the role of ASREN as a regional enabler of open science infrastructures, demonstrating how federated approaches can support national and regional research organizations. By embedding DataCite services within SESAME's repository, the collaboration provides a scalable model for how Arab institutions can align with global best practices in research data management and contribute meaningfully to international scientific collaboration.

Fostering Open Science in the Middle East

The ASREN–SESAME project, supported by the GAF, has highlighted both the complexity and promise of building sustainable research data infrastructures in the region. Implementing DOI registration across SESAME's diverse beamlines required navigating technical challenges—such as handling large-scale data, harmonizing metadata, and integrating new workflows into established practices. Yet, these challenges also created opportunities for capacity building, knowledge exchange, and the introduction of advanced tools for data transfer and management. In terms of ensuring sustainability and the ability to register DataCite DOIs for datasets beyond the GAF project, SESAME has joined the ASREN DataCite Consortium as a Consortium Organization to ensure long-term access, global visibility, and persistent identification of its research outputs. 

Looking ahead, this collaboration has positioned SESAME and ASREN at the forefront of open science in the Arab region. By embedding DataCite DOI services into SESAME's repository, we are not only strengthening data citation and reproducibility but also fostering a culture of trust, transparency, and collaboration. We see this as the beginning of a long-term relationship with DataCite, one that extends beyond technical integration toward regional awareness-raising, training, and community building.