This October, American University of Sharjah will host the 4th Annual Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM), a leading regional event dedicated to advancing open access, collaboration, and community capacity building across the Arab world. Zendy is proud to be among the official sponsors of this year’s Forum, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to making research more accessible and equitable for all.
Organised by the non-profit Forum for Open Research in MENA, the fourth edition will bring together:
- 26 sessions across four days
- 88 expert speakers
- Representation from 60 global institutions
- Delegates from 27 countries
- Dozens of formal and informal networking opportunities, connecting thought leaders, practitioners, and advocates throughout the MENA region
Participants will explore strategies to strengthen open science practices, build sustainable infrastructures, and promote shared learning across borders.
A Shared Vision for Accessible Knowledge
Zendy’s mission to make academic knowledge affordable and accessible worldwide aligns closely with FORM’s goal of fostering open, collaborative research communities in the region. As a sponsor, Zendy supports initiatives that not only expand access to scholarly literature but also empower researchers, educators, and students to participate in a more transparent and connected research ecosystem.
Hosted by the American University of Sharjah
This year’s Forum, hosted by the American University of Sharjah, arrives in the UAE under the national theme, “The Year of Community.” The theme underscores the importance of collective progress and shared learning—values that sit at the heart of both open science and Zendy’s approach to research discovery.
Theme Spotlight: “Becoming Open—Capacity Building and Community Collaboration”
The 2025 theme, “Becoming Open,” highlights the human side of open science: community collaboration, capacity building, and sustainable growth. Through workshops, panels, and discussions, the Annual Forum will address how regional institutions can implement open research policies, share resources effectively, and strengthen local research infrastructures.
Join us in Sharjah from October 20–23, 2025, as we celebrate and support the growing movement toward open science across the Arab world.
The registration is now open, visit https://forumforopenresearch.com/registration/