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 Science activities over the years. This has included workshops and training sessions delivered by Dr Alwaleed Alkhaja, Head of Open Access and Copyright at Qatar National Library, alongside the Library’s support for regional dialogue and community engagement initiatives. In 2024, Qatar National Library also hosted the 3rd Annual Forum for Open Research in MENA in Doha, bringing together researchers, librarians, publishers, institutions, and Open Science advocates from across the region and beyond.

Opened in 2018, Qatar National Library is a leading knowledge hub dedicated to providing open and equitable access to information while fostering research, innovation, and cultural understanding. As the custodian of Qatar’s documentary heritage, the Library preserves these records while promoting broader global understanding of the Gulf region.

Through its extensive physical and digital collections, the Library supports lifelong learning across the community. Committed to Open Access and international collaboration, Qatar National Library works to expand access to knowledge while integrating emerging technologies to enhance accessibility and user experience. In doing so, the Library continues to strengthen its role as a dynamic centre for knowledge, discovery, and intellectual empowerment.

FORM’s membership community brings together universities, libraries, research institutions, publishers, and organisations working to strengthen more open, inclusive, and collaborative approaches to research and scholarly communication throughout the region. Qatar National Library’s longstanding commitment to Open Access and knowledge sharing makes the Library a valuable addition to this growing network.

Speaking about the membership, Dr. Alwaleed Alkhaja, Head of Open Access and Copyright at Qatar National Library, shared:

“We are delighted to join FORM and become part of a truly regional, collaborative community of open science advocates. Our membership in FORM reflects our ongoing commitment to advancing open science initiatives, which are central to our library’s mission. We are dedicated to ensuring free, open, and unrestricted access to our collections and services, including Qatar Research Repository Manara. We look forward to collaborating with regional partners to promote equitable open access to research and to support the growth of open science across the region.”

Welcoming Qatar National Library to the community, FORM noted that the Library’s leadership in Open Access, digital knowledge services, and regional collaboration strongly reflects the shared values and long-term vision that FORM seeks to foster across the MENA region.

FORM looks forward to continuing its collaboration with Qatar National Library through community activities, training initiatives, regional dialogue, and wider efforts supporting Open Research and Open Science across the Arab world.

If you would like to learn more about FORM membership and opportunities for collaboration, you can find further information here.