The Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM) is delighted to welcome the Arab Community of Open Access (ACOA) as a new member of our network. Founded in 2020, ACOA is a dynamic regional initiative dedicated to advancing a culture of openness in science and scholarship across the Arab world. Through awareness-raising campaigns, capacity-building programmes, strategic collaborations, and the development of Arabic-language resources, ACOA works to make scientific knowledge more accessible, inclusive, and impactful.
To mark ACOA’s joining of FORM, we invited Professor Abdelrahman Farrag, Founder and General Coordinator of ACOA, to share insights into the community’s journey, challenges, and vision for the future.
A Community Born During a Global Crisis
The origins of ACOA can be traced back to the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, a period that underscored the urgent need for greater access to scientific knowledge. The idea for the community emerged during the first Arab Open Access Week in 2020, an event that attracted widespread interest and participation across the region.
Reflecting on this Pivotal Moment, Professor Farrag Explained:
The congress highlighted the essential role that Open Access could play during times of global crisis. It was then that we realised the importance of building a sustainable, collaborative platform to promote Arabic-language research and Open Access principles throughout the Arab world.
What began as a single event quickly evolved into a lasting movement. From the outset, ACOA’s mission has been to foster openness, inclusivity, and regional collaboration in the dissemination of scientific research.
A Lifelong Commitment to Open Science
Professor Abdelrahman Farrag brings to ACOA a deep and longstanding commitment to Open Science. He is a Professor of Library and Information Science at Beni Suef University, Egypt, and earned his Ph.D. from Cairo University, where he specialised in the role of early Arabic journals in scientific communication.
My engagement with Open Access started in the early 2000s, he shared. “I authored bibliographies, contributed to the development of MASDAR — Saudi Arabia’s first national digital repository — and co-translated UNESCO’s Open Access Policy Guidelines into Arabic.”
Throughout his academic career, Professor Farrag has been dedicated to promoting equitable and inclusive models of scientific publishing, helping to lay crucial foundations for the Open Access movement in the Arab region.
Overcoming Challenges with Grassroots Resilience
Like many initiatives working to promote Open Science in the Arab world, ACOA has encountered a number of challenges, from limited researcher awareness to underdeveloped research infrastructures. However, one of the most persistent difficulties has been the lack of institutional and financial support.
Since our founding in 2020, ACOA has operated entirely on a volunteer basis, Professor Farrag explained. “Despite these constraints, our passionate team continues to build momentum by engaging communities, leveraging digital platforms, and forging partnerships with like-minded organisations and individuals.”
The community’s resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to the dedication of its members and their shared belief in the power of open knowledge.
Joining FORM: A Strategic Collaboration
ACOA’s decision to join FORM was driven by a shared vision for the future of Open Science in the Arab region.
Collaboration is essential for real progress, said Professor Farrag. “FORM represents a vital platform for advocacy and momentum-building, and we see it as an opportunity to strengthen both our work and the broader Open Science movement.”
The partnership promises to create new avenues for joint events, training initiatives, and regional outreach efforts, amplifying the impact of both organisations across the Arab research landscape.
Looking Ahead: Reviving a Legacy of Openness
Reflecting on the broader significance of Open Science in the Arab world, Professor Farrag emphasised the region’s historical contributions to global scientific knowledge.
Historically, openness and collaboration were key pillars of Arab and Islamic scholarship, he noted. “By embracing Open Science today, we are reconnecting with that proud legacy and helping to ensure that scientific knowledge benefits all of humanity.”
The establishment of ACOA, and its growing collaboration with FORM, signals a promising future for Open Science in the Arab region — one rooted in shared values, community-driven initiatives, and a renewed commitment to open, equitable research practices.
Interested in joining the movement?
If you’d like to learn more about FORM’s membership and partnership programmes, or how your organisation can get involved in promoting Open Science across the Arab region, please get in touch at contact@forumforopen.org or visit our website.
