E-Latin american digital huB for OpeN Growing cOmmunities in physics

The EL-BONGO physics project, focused on the digital transformation of higher education in Latin America, stresses the importance of virtual research and learning communities and open science practices. This project, built on the successes of the LA-CoNGA physics program, aims to create a network of research communities in physics across Central America and the Andean region. This network will involve 18 Latin American and European universities from nine countries. Five universities are from Central America (Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador), and eight are from Colombia, Ecuador, Perú, and Venezuela. We have four universities from Europe, three from France and one from Spain.

The main objective of EL-BONGO Physics is to establish a network of Research and Learning Communities (RLC) across four subfields of physics.

Promote Digital Research and Learning Communities and Open Science by integrating international cooperation, using advanced digital tools and sharing open-access resources in daily activities. The Open Science MiLAB framework of digital Professional Tools (GLab, compLab, chatLab, dataLab, confLab and instrumLab) will be used in all RLC processes (planning, researching, training, data collecting, data analysis, to mention a few).
Use Advanced Digital Infrastructure: Providing state-of-the-art Open Science MiLAB platforms, research databases, high-performance computing and virtual laboratories to support innovative learning and research practices in Central America.
Develop Practical Skills in Digital Fabrication by fostering hands-on experiences in digital fabrication through FABLab environments and enhancing skills in building scientific instruments.
Implement a Hybrid Bologna Master Program for the three new research-learning communities: Offering a flexible, problem-oriented advanced training program in space weather, seismology, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing tools in physics. The master courses will be based on short modules configured by the interest of the R&D project of the community.
Develop a Collaborative Hub for Science and Education, or Science Gateway, that caters to the academic and research-learning community and engages the broader society in lifelong learning and science education.
Foster capacities in international relations among the partner institutions. This proposal aims to create an efficient network of international relations offices that promote capacities for obtaining international funding in the region.