The Information and Data Access Group (IDA-WG) was created in November 2013, since the inception of the Marie Curie Alumni Association. The group’s chair, Mauricio Manfrini, tells us more about this group, its activities and how members can help them serve the MCAA better.
Providing background information about how he became chair of the IDA-WG, Manfrini explains, “I was elected to the first MCAA board. During the first board meeting, we assigned key working groups to each board member that was necessary to the establishment of the MCAA. Given my science and technology background, I became chair of the IDA-WG.”
WHAT DOES THE GROUP DO?
The IDA-WG is primarily responsible for taking care of the MCAA database, and for improving the platform and web portal for MCAA members and EU officers. It is, as Manfrini outlines, “the communication channel – the backbone between MCAA members and the contractors who support and produce the MCAA portal.” The working group strives to ensure that what is on the MCAA web portal is meaningful. “In the past this was not the case, as there was a lot of unsuitable and uninteresting information,” notes Manfrini.
To prevent the reappearance of such information, the IDA-WG collects input from MCAA members, the board and the EU officers. Monthly online discussions are also held with the contractors where priorities and workplans are assigned to ensure the implementation of requests. A special annual meeting is also held to go over the workplan for the coming year.
IDA-WG NEWS
Due to the 2019 General Assembly last February, the working group has been busy with making sure the dedicated pages on the web portal and material for this event were ready. In addition to these activities, online reimbursement forms for all MCAA calls have been rolled out.
“Today, there is much more content available on the portal such as webinars, documents, MCAA Academy and more,” reports Manfrini. “There is also a lot of new cool features too. Those who have been with the MCAA for some time will be able to see how much the portal has improved from the early days, which is a continuous effort – sometimes there are small or major updates, but they are constant.”
HELPING THE IDA-WG
The main purpose of the working group is to serve the MCAA – to make sure that the information on the web portal is relevant, secure and properly stored as well as complies with regulations. It is for these reasons Manfrini stresses the need for people to become more active when it comes to informing them about any issues they encounter, if there are things they believe should be changed or if there are any other features they would like to see on the portal.
“This helps to ensure that the working group continues their work in a more efficient way. As most of the time, we receive feedback when it’s too late,” advises Manfrini.
WANT TO JOIN THE IDA-WG?
“We are very open to new members - to receive more help. Anyone is welcome to join,” says Manfrini.
More information about joining this work group can be found at: https://www.mariecuriealumni.eu/groups/information-and-data-access-working-group
