As part of an exchange of information and experience on data management and the development of the CCCA's research data repository, the opportunity arose to welcome a delegation from Gaza and the West Bank to the CCCA Data Centre.

The meeting was organised by TU Wien as part of an ERASMUS exchange and Research Data Alliance Austria activities. Representatives from various institutions at universities in Gaza and the West Bank found out about data management, organisation and software at the CCCA Data Centre, as well as the expertise involved in building a national research data repository. Alongside insights into the technical implementation – such as open data, licences, data storage and visualisation – the focus was on the question of the synergistic use of a cross-institutional implementation, as seen at CCCA.

Even seemingly simple questions, such as what our first dataset was, sparked a lively debate. It became clear here too that initiating the sustainable development of a research data infrastructure is neither an easy nor a quick process, but rather one that must be pursued with patience and persuasiveness. After an enjoyable afternoon in a pleasant atmosphere, we'd be delighted to build on these connections and pursue further collaborations.