We are pleased to welcome the Arab Federation for Libraries and Information as a new member of the Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM). This collaboration brings into our network a leading regional organisation with a longstanding commitment to strengthening the role of libraries and information professionals across the Arab world. Founded in Tunisia in 1986, AFLI serves as a central platform for library

The Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM) is pleased to welcome Al-Fateh Institute of Health Sciences (AFIHS) as a Strategic Partner. Based in Pakistan, AFIHS is a multidisciplinary institution dedicated to bridging healthcare and technology education through practical, globally connected training. Its work focuses on strengthening professional capacity in health sciences while promoting more accessible and collaborative knowledge environments. AFIHS is already engaged with

This interview with Rosalie Lack, SCOSS Project Coordinator, sheds light on the vital importance of the service which SCOSS provides to the global Open Science community, and highlights some important ways in which local advocates and Open Science Communities can also contribute. Open Science is often described in terms of open outputs—articles, data, and code—but those outputs only become truly open and usable through the

FORM’s regional network continues to grow with communities committed to inclusion and knowledge sharing, and we are pleased to welcome the Fez ACM-W Chapter from Morocco. The Fez ACM-W Chapter, the first of its kind in Morocco, is dedicated to supporting, celebrating, and advancing women in computing and technology. As a local branch of the Association for Computing Machinery’s Women initiative, the chapter strives to

A warm welcome to Ilays Library Initiative, now joining the Forum for Open Research in MENA as a member. Across Somalia, libraries are playing an increasingly important role in education, research, and community development, often serving as vital spaces for learning and access to reliable information. ILAYS works directly within this landscape, supporting libraries not only as institutions, but as engines for knowledge equity and

We are pleased to welcome Al Akhawayn University (AUI) as a new member of the Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM). This partnership brings together a shared interest in strengthening research cultures, encouraging openness, and supporting meaningful exchange across institutions in the region. Based in Morocco, Al Akhawayn University has built a strong academic profile through its emphasis on critical inquiry, interdisciplinary learning, and

We are pleased to welcome CLOCKSS as the newest Strategic Partner in the Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM). CLOCKSS brings to our community a longstanding commitment to digital preservation, open infrastructure, and the long-term safeguarding of scholarly knowledge. Their participation strengthens the collective effort to ensure that research produced across our region remains accessible, reliable, and preserved for future generations. CLOCKSS operates as

We are pleased to welcome the RCSI Medical University of Bahrain as the newest member of the Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM). This partnership reflects a shared commitment to strengthening access to knowledge, supporting responsible research practices, and encouraging collaboration across the region’s scholarly and medical communities. RCSI Bahrain has established a distinctive role in the Gulf’s medical education landscape, bringing together teaching,

We’re pleased to introduce Almayzab Digital Library as the newest member of the Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM). Based in Sudan, Almayzab joins our network with a shared goal of expanding access to knowledge and strengthening research connections across the region. The initiative reflects a clear dedication to openness and collaboration, and we look forward to building on that through joint projects and

This year’s Annual Forum for Open Research in MENA, our 4th in the event series, was a huge success! It was held in was held in Sharjah (UAE), at the American University of Sharjah who generously agreed to be our host partners. We were also honoured to have ALECSO as our Patron this year. With 154 in person delegates from 14 countries and 84 institutions,