Arab world’s long tradition of scholarship is seeing a revival, with universities rising in global rankings and becoming hubs of research.
- As academic systems shift toward social and cultural impact, the development of accessible and inclusive research and education models are key. Open science policies and practises lie at the heart of this transformation, and the Arab world is poised to be a global leader, working with major global organisations to establish a blueprint for equitable and accessible research and education models
· The Forum for Open Research in MENA is a UAE-based non-profit initiative that is spearheading the movement for the Arab world, bringing together policymakers, educators and researchers.
· The initiative’s flagship event, the Annual Forum for Open Research, takes place in a different Arab country each year, and this year it is being hosted in the UAE. The event is focused on practical, collaborative actions, and tangible long-term outcomes.
Sharjah, UAE — 03 October 2025
The Arab world’s legacy of scholarship stretches back centuries, when its centres of learning shaped global discovery. In recent years, that tradition has regained momentum, with universities across the region rising in global rankings and establishing themselves as hubs of advanced research.
At a moment when the world’s academic ecosystems are shifting to prioritise social and cultural impact, the Arab world has a lot to offer. Accessible and inclusive models of research and education are central to this effort, and Open Science, the practice of making data, findings, and methods more widely available, is creating the conditions for faster discovery, broader participation, and benefits that affect society as a whole.
The Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM), an independent, UAE-based initiative, is spearheading this movement in the region. Working with universities, policymakers, and international organisations, FORM is helping the Arab world contribute to and influence global research priorities and innovation pathways.
Its flagship event, the Annual Forum for Open Research in MENA, is held in a different Arab country every year. In 2025, the Forum returns to the UAE, hosted at the American University of Sharjah (AUS) from 20–23 October, under the patronage of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO). The four-day programme will feature 26 sessions, delivered by 88 speakers from over 60 institutions, uniting leading voices from across the Arab world and beyond.
For the Arab world, Open Science represents more than access. It offers the chance to amplify regional academic voices, strengthen local institutions, and ensure that the region’s talent and intellect are recognised globally. Above all, it creates space for the Arab world to influence the direction of international research priorities and innovation pathways.
Registration Now Open
Registration for the 2025 Annual Forum for Open Research in MENA is now open. All in-person sessions will also be livestreamed to ensure full regional accessibility.
For details and registration: https://forumforopenresearch.
