Privacy Policy

At SA IORAG, we are committed to protecting the privacy and personal information of all our members. This Privacy Policy outlines how we collect, use, store, and safeguard your data when you use our platform.

1. Who We Are

This platform is managed by the National Research Foundation (NRF) – SAEON. It is designed to support academic collaboration among Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA) member states.

2. Information We Collect

We collect the following personal and professional information when you register or interact with the platform:

  • Full Name and Contact Information
  • Institutional Affiliation and Country
  • Academic Background and Research Areas
  • Uploaded Articles, Publications, and Projects
  • Profile Photos (optional)
  • Login credentials and access logs (for security purposes)

3. How We Use Your Information

Your data is used to:

  • Create and manage your researcher profile
  • Facilitate academic networking and discovery
  • Connect users with shared interests or complementary expertise
  • Support conference/workshop invitations or collaborative projects
  • Improve the functionality and relevance of the platform

We do not sell, trade, or rent your personal information to third parties.

4. Data Sharing

Your profile is only visible to verified, logged-in users of the SA IORAG platform. We may share aggregate usage data (not linked to individuals) for reporting or analytical purposes with IORA or affiliated government departments.

5. Data Storage and Security

All user data is securely stored using industry-standard encryption and authentication protocols. Access is restricted to authorized personnel only. We regularly review our systems to ensure the protection of your data.

6. Your Rights

You have the right to:

  • Access and update your personal data
  • Request deletion of your profile
  • Withdraw from the platform at any time
  • Contact us about data concerns at iora.ag.sa@gmail.com