The Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM) is pleased to welcome Qatar National Library (QNL) as a new institutional member, marking an important addition to the growing regional community advancing Open Research and knowledge accessibility across the Arab region. The membership also reflects a longstanding relationship between FORM and Qatar National Library, which has continuously supported a range of regional Open Research and Open

We are hugely delighted to announce the 5th Annual Forum (2026) will take place online on 19th and 20th October 2026. This year’s theme is Resilience in Research: The Role of Open Science in the Arab World. The Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM) is organising a special regional symposium addressing the topic of open science in challenging circumstances, including conflict, famine, disease, and

The Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM) is pleased to welcome the University of Doha for Science and Technology (UDST) as a new member institution, marking an important step toward strengthening regional collaboration and expanding institutional engagement in Open Research across the Arab world. Established in 2022, the University of Doha for Science and Technology is Qatar’s first national university specialising in academic, technical,

The Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM) is pleased to welcome the Institute for Policy Research and Governance (IPRG) as a Strategic Partner. Based in India, IPRG is an independent youth-led public policy and research organisation committed to advancing inclusive governance, evidence-based policymaking, and interdisciplinary academic research. The organisation works across several interconnected areas, including public policy, governance, international relations, sustainable development, law, and

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