We are thrilled and honoured to officially announce that our Host Partner for the 4th Annual Forum for Open Research will be the American University of Sharjah (AUS), of the UAE. The event will take place from the 20th-23rd of October in Sharjah, at the gorgeous conference facilities at AUS.
About our Host Partner
American University of Sharjah (AUS) was founded in 1997 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed AlQasimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates and Ruler of Sharjah. Sheikh Sultan articulated his vision of a distinctive institution against the backdrop of Islamic history and in the context of the aspirations and needs of contemporary society in the UAE and the Gulf region. Firmly grounded in principles of meritocracy and with a strong reputation for academic excellence, AUS has come to represent the very best in teaching and research, accredited internationally and recognized by employers the world over for creating graduates equipped with the knowledge, skills and drive to lead in the 21st century. AUS values learners not driven only by academic success, but by those that embrace our dynamic campus life and embody our ideals of openness, tolerance and respect. This combination of academic excellence and community spirit ensures AUS is filled with world-class faculty and students, poised to become the innovators, thinkers, contributors and leaders of tomorrow.
About the 4th Annual Forum
Bringing together leading international experts and key regional stakeholders, the Annual Forum for Open Research in MENA supports the Arab world’s transition towards more accessible, sustainable and inclusive research and education models, by providing a valuable arena for librarians, researchers, government policy makers, universities and international experts to discuss and debate key themes and issues relating to the development and implementation of open science policies and practices in Arab research communities.
Reflecting the overarching message of last year’s Annual Forum concerning the need to collaborate as individuals, as institutions, as communities and countries – within our local environment and as a region – this year’s theme focuses on building our open science communities and developing our open science capacities. The Call for Papers and further logistical event details will be available on our website shortly, and the proceedings and galleries from previous events are also available.
“The American University of Sharjah welcomes you to the 4th Annual Forum for Open Research 2025. Supported by the AUS Library, and Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research, this year’s FORM continues to build a community, driving progress to open research through collaboration and impactful initiatives” Kara Jones, University Librarian, American University of Sharjah
“We are so excited to be able to host this year’s Annual Forum in the UAE, which has always welcomed us and supported our mission. And to have AUS as our Host Partner is a particular pleasure, as many representatives from the institution have joined our previous events and shared in the discussions and debates. As we continue to go from strength to strength, I think this will be the best Annual Forum yet!” Emily Choynowski, Director, Forum for Open Research in MENA
