Arab Science and Technology Foundation - ASTF

Arab Science in Transformation: 27 Years of Data From 0.8% to 3.8% of global research output in less than three decades — the Arab world’s scientific trajectory is shifting, and the numbers tell the story. 📈 Three Decades of Acceleration 22 Arab countries grew their share of global research output from 0.8% (1996) to 3.8% (2022). Around 2019, combined Arab output overtook Iran, Israel, and Turkey combined. ↳ Bizri, IJIMT, 2025 🏆 8 Arab Nations on the 2025 Global Innovation Index • UAE — 30th (highest-ever) • Saudi Arabia — 46th • Qatar — 48th • Morocco — 57th (highest-ever) • Bahrain — 62nd • Jordan — 65th • Oman — 69th • Kuwait — 73rd WIPO names Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Bahrain, and Jordan among the world’s fastest innovation climbers since 2019. ↳ WIPO GII 2025 🤝 The Open Opportunity Only 16% of Arab research involves intra-Arab collaboration. The other 84% doesn’t. The next frontier is connective tissue within the region itself. 🔑 Why It Matters Collaboration isn’t sentimental — it’s mathematical. Collaborative research averages 16.5 citations vs. 5.4 for solo work — roughly 3× the impact. ↳ El Rassi et al., Journal of Global Health, 2018 🔬 The Researchers’ Voice A 2025 study of 286 researchers across 17 Arab countries identified two structural needs: stronger publication support, and regional peer-review networks. ↳ Ahram et al., Accountability in Research, 2025 🌍 Why Now Climate, AI, health security, food and water systems — none respect borders. The foundation is built. The remaining work is connecting Arab researchers to each other. 🤝 ASTF’s Role The Arab Science and Technology Foundation is a non-profit building collaborative networks across the Arab world — Arab scientists, those of Arab origin, Arabic speakers, and everyone invested in the region. Our four pillars: 1. Supporting researchers 2. Connecting scientists with institutions 3. Providing collaboration platforms 4. Empowering the next generation 💬 Your turn: What’s the single most impactful step toward stronger Arab scientific collaboration — funding, joint programs, shared infrastructure, or something else? 📚 Sources: [1] Bizri, IJIMT 2025: https://lnkd.in/gTjZjymu [2] WIPO GII 2025: https://lnkd.in/eRtBHX7s [3] El Rassi et al., JoGH 2018: https://lnkd.in/gR64RvAd [4] Ahram et al., AiR 2025: https://lnkd.in/gaenqumC 🌐 ASTF.NET #ArabScience #ScientificCollaboration #Innovation #MENA #ResearchAndDevelopment #ASTF #GII2025 #HigherEducation #ScienceDiplomacy

Thank you to the partners and sponsors who made AMSTRO 2026 possible. AMSTRO — the Asia and Middle East Society of Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology, a specialized network of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) — extends its appreciation to the organizations whose partnership shaped the inaugural AMSTRO 2026 Global Oncology Conference. 📍 Zayed University Convention Center, Dubai · 6–8 February 2026 The impact: 🔹 1,300+ specialized oncology professionals — clinicians, medical physicists, researchers, and policymakers — convened from 70+ countries 🔹 161 scientific papers and abstracts received from researchers worldwide 🔹 A scientific program spanning AI-driven care, SBRT, MR-guided therapy, and immunotherapy 🔹 Formal adoption of the AMSTRO Declaration — a strategic framework for equitable cancer care and regional capacity building High-level global representation included the Presidents and senior leadership of: 🌐 IAEA · ESTRO · ASTRO · UICC · ASCO · AAPM · MEFOMP · ESRO · EORA · FARO · PSCO · GHC, and many more. Your investment translated directly into knowledge shared, capacity built, and better outcomes for cancer patients across the region. 🏅 Platinum: SEHA - Abu Dhabi Health Services Co. 🥇 Gold: Varian · Siemens Healthineers · 🥈 Silver: IBA · EZMedical · Accuray (with Al Naghi Medical ) · Vision RT Ltd · United Imaging Healthcare - Middle East, Africa, & Türkiye - · MEDITEL HEALTHCARE · Mevion Medical Systems · Zahrawi Group 🥉 Bronze: Brainlab · ZAP Surgical Systems, Inc. · Atlas Medical LLC · Elekta · BAYAN MEDICAL COMPANY · Standard Imaging, Inc. 🤝 Other Sponsors: Precimed Medical Supplies LLC And this is just the beginning. AMSTRO 2027 is set to be bigger, bolder, and more global — with broader reach, deeper scientific depth, and unprecedented opportunities for our partners to lead the conversation in shaping the future of cancer care. The momentum from AMSTRO 2026 has built a powerful foundation — and we’re inviting our sponsors and partners to grow with us as we take this platform to the next level. Save the date. Join us in 2027. Be part of something even greater. 🌐 www.amstro.org · www.astf.net #AMSTRO2026 #AMSTRO2027 #ASTF #RadiationOncology #CancerCare #Dubai #GlobalHealth

🎙️ Behind the Scenes at AMSTRO 2026 — Where the Real Conversations Happen A rare, unscripted glimpse into the moments that defined this year's conference — candid conversations, unfiltered insights, and the people moving the field forward. What you're seeing is just the surface. ▶️ ON THE NETWORK'S YOUTUBE CHANNEL The full conversation is waiting for you — and it's just one of many. Our channel features exclusive interviews and footage with: ▸ Distinguished leaders shaping the future of the field ▸ Voices from across the AMSTRO Network ▸ Heads and representatives of every participating organization ▸ All conference speakers — from keynotes to panelists ▸ Innovators, researchers, and clinicians from across the region and beyond ▸ Behind-the-scenes moments from across the conference floor ▸ Keynote highlights, panel discussions, and roundtables ▸ Conversations with the people advancing therapeutic radiation and oncology across Asia and the Middle East ✨ WERE YOU AT AMSTRO 2026? You might just see yourself. From speaker spotlights to candid moments captured in the audience — explore the channel and find your moment from the conference. Tag yourself, share with colleagues, and relive the experience. ✨ COULDN'T MAKE IT? Don't worry — we've got you covered. Every keynote, every panel, every conversation worth having is on the channel. Catch up on what you missed. Whether you're a clinician, researcher, partner organization, industry stakeholder, or simply passionate about advancing cancer care in our region — there's something here for you. ═══════════════════════════════════════ 🌐 FOLLOW THE NETWORK EVERYWHERE ▶️ YouTube — for the full library of interviews, sessions, and exclusive content youtube.com/@amstro-org 🔗 LinkedIn — for official announcements, partnerships, and professional updates https://lnkd.in/d-f7GbjP 📸 Instagram — for daily highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, and conference coverage @amstro_org 🐦 X (formerly Twitter) — for real-time updates, live conversations, and community engagement @AMSTRO_ORG ═══════════════════════════════════════ 🔍 ABOUT AMSTRO The Asia and Middle East Society of Therapeutic Radiation and Oncology (AMSTRO) is a specialized network within the Arab Science & Technology Foundation (ASTF) — bringing together leading clinicians, researchers, and institutions across the region to advance the science and practice of radiation oncology. Don't just follow the field. Follow the people moving it forward. #AMSTRO #AMSTRO2026 #ASTF #RadiationOncology #CancerCare #MedicalResearch #ScienceInTheMiddleEast #ResearchCollaboration #MedicalInnovation #Healthcare #Oncology #ClinicalResearch #ScientificLeadership #MENAhealthcare #AsianHealthcare #PrecisionMedicine #CancerResearch #HealthcareLeadership #MedicalConference

🌱 Announcing GHAN — The Green Hydrogen Arab Network We are pleased to invite researchers, engineers, scientists, and institutions across the Arab world to attend the founding virtual meeting of the Green Hydrogen Arab Network (GHAN), one of the specialized networks operating under the umbrella of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF). Established by Decision No. 3 of 2026, GHAN was created to build a regional scientific platform that connects expertise in the production, storage, and applications of green hydrogen and fuel cells — areas central to the global energy transition and to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy). ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ 📅 Date: Sunday, 7 June 2026 💻 Format: Virtual platform — open to all ━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━ ▸ Six strategic objectives GHAN's work is structured around six pillars defined by Article 3 of its regulatory framework: attracting Arab scientific talent, supporting research and applied partnerships, executing joint research projects, transferring and localizing knowledge and technologies, preparing a renewable energy roadmap, and serving as an advisory platform for decision-makers. ▸ Network leadership The network is chaired by Dr. Shrok Allami , a leading Iraqi scientist in hydrogen energy, advanced materials, and fuel cell research. Dr. Allami has over 30 publications in the International Journals and 43+ years of research experience at the Ministry of Scienceand Technology, Baghdad. ▸ Why this matters The Arab region has unmatched solar and wind potential — the foundational ingredients of green hydrogen. GHAN aims to translate that geographic advantage into scientific leadership, industrial capability, and a tangible role in the global clean-energy economy. ▸ How to join 1️⃣ Visit our page: astf.net/ghan 2️⃣ Submit a membership application 3️⃣ Confirm your attendance for the founding meeting We welcome researchers, engineers, institutions, and policy makers who share our commitment to advancing sustainable energy across the Arab world. 📩 Contact: ghan@astf.net 🔗 Website: astf.net/ghan The future of Arab energy starts here. From knowledge to sustainable power. #GHAN #GreenHydrogen #CleanEnergy #ASTF #ArabScience #RenewableEnergy #SDG7 #EnergyTransition #HydrogenEconomy #Sustainability #ResearchCollaboration #MENA

🌟 The Founding Story of ASTF — As Recounted by Our President, Dr. Abdalla Alnajjar Alhammadi How a single conversation at a dinner table in Sharjah, twenty-six years ago, sparked the creation of one of the Arab world’s leading independent scientific institutions. This is the founding chapter of the Arab Science & Technology Foundation, in the words of its founding President. On April 24, 2000, the University of Sharjah opened a symposium that would change the course of science in the Arab world. 425 Arab scientists and researchers — from within the region and from the diaspora — gathered under one roof, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah. Dr. Abdalla Alnajjar Alhammadi, then Director of Research at the University and Chair of the Symposium’s Organizing Committee, sensed something larger forming by the second day — beyond the papers, beyond the panels. The turning point came on the evening of April 25, at a dinner in the Holiday International Hotel. Dr. Alnajjar turned to his colleagues and posed the question that would reshape Arab scientific cooperation: “Why don’t we establish an institution that brings us together? An institution that engages with scientists and serves researchers across the region — beyond political, religious, or factional boundaries — working solely for science and for this nation.” The silence was brief. The faces around the table lit up. When the idea reached His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi, he embraced it immediately — as if he had been waiting for this voice to come from the scientists themselves. On April 26, 2000, the symposium concluded with a single recommendation: the establishment of an independent Arab foundation to serve science and technology across the region. In October 2000, a group of 55 distinguished Arab scientists and officials convened to draft the Foundation’s bylaws — producing a system that was global in standard yet regional in flavor, one that has protected ASTF’s independence ever since. The UAE’s leadership stood at the heart of this movement. His Excellency Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan (then Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research) and His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan (then Minister of State for Foreign Affairs) both received the founding board and affirmed the Foundation’s role. Today, ASTF connects more than 70,000 members across 120+ countries — a quarter-century of independent Arab scientific work, born of a single conversation. 📖 The full story is available on our website: astf.net

Bridges of Light — A Reading of "Hope for Future" 🌉 Journalist Ibrahim Taha's article on the Hope for Future (HfF) initiative — one of several initiatives by the Arab Science & Technology Foundation (ASTF) — opens with Yaseen, a young Sudanese man holding a high school certificate with burnt edges amid the rubble of war. His story reflects an entire generation displaced by conflict. HfF is not charity. It is an operational framework engineered around total quality standards — where the scholarship is the beginning of empowerment, not the end. They call it "educational sustainability." 🏛️ Under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi — Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Sharjah, and Honorary President of ASTF — HfF is led by Dr. Mona Amer (Secretary General) and Mr. Salah Abdullah (Member of the General Secretariat). 🌍 Strategic partnerships span 10+ universities and educational institutions across Türkiye, the UAE, Egypt, Iraq, Oman, the Czech Republic, and beyond — part of ASTF’s wider network of regional and international partnerships. 🌹 ASTF extends its sincere gratitude to journalist ibrahim taha for this thoughtful reading — writers like him build the bridges between action and awareness. 📌 Note: The actual scale of HfF — including scholarships, partnerships, and figures — is significantly larger than what's referenced here. This carousel reflects only what was mentioned in the article and does not include recent expansions. 🔗 Full article (Arabic): https://lnkd.in/dtmSszsB #ASTF #HopeForFuture #HigherEducation #Scholarships #MENA #Sharjah #SocialImpact #IbrahimTaha

Announcing the 27th Board of Directors of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) for the 2026–2027 term. We are honored to introduce a distinguished group of 13 scientists, scholars, and entrepreneurs from 9 countries — united in their commitment to advancing scientific research, innovation, and human capital development across the Arab world. • Chairman: Dr. Abdalla Alnajjar (United Arab Emirates) — Professor of Experimental Solid State Physics • Vice President: Prof. Hanan I. Malkawi (Jordan) — Professor of Biotechnology, Yarmouk University • Vice President: Prof. Mohammed Ahachad (Morocco) — Professor of Energy Efficiency, Abdelmalek Essaâdi University • Prof. Ahmed Obeid (Sudan) — Director General of the Federation of Chambers of Industry in Sudan, Sudan, • Prof.Dr. Eng. Ali H. Reshak (Iraq) — Professor of Laser Sciences & Vice President, University of Basrah • Mr. Osama Al Khajah, CPA (Bahrain) — Chairman, Spire Technologies • Dr. Hassan BOUKCIM (France / Morocco) — CEO, Valorhiz Group • Prof. Rasha Takieldin (Egypt) — Professor of Private International Law, Mansoura University • Prof. Ali Abdou (USA / Egypt) — Director of Nuclear Engineering, GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy • Mr. Mohamed El-Hawary (United Kingdom / Egypt) — Executive Director & Editor-in-Chief, Al-Fanar Media • Eng. Mohammed Kateeb, BSc and MBA. (USA / Jordan) — Technology Entrepreneur, Investor & Strategic Advisor • Dr. Mawadda Arteimi (UAE / Libya) — Chairwoman, Entrepreneur and investor across healthcare, oil & gas, and international trading • Dr. Walid Aboulhosn (USA / Lebanon) — CEO, IGNOSI Holding The 27th Board reflects ASTF’s continued mission since 2000: bridging Arab scientific talent across geographies, sectors, and disciplines to build a stronger knowledge economy in the region. 🔗 Learn more at ASTF.NET https://lnkd.in/dErkaDrd #ASTF #ArabScience #ScienceLeadership #Innovation #Research #STEMLeadership #ArabWorld #ScientificResearch #BoardOfDirectors

The Next Chapter — Our Vision for What’s Coming At the Arab Science & Technology Foundation, we don’t stop at what we’ve built — we build on it. What you’ve seen so far was just the beginning. Here’s a glimpse of what’s next. 📅 AMSTRO 2027 Following the historic success of AMSTRO 2026, which brought together 11 leading international organizations and 800+ participants in the UAE, we are preparing for a larger, deeper, and more impactful edition. This progress builds on the strong momentum achieved by the network under the leadership of Dr. Hussein AlKushi (President) and . Prof. M. Saiful Huq PhD, FAAPM, FInstP (Vice President), alongside dr. Nadeem Pervez (General Secretary), whose efforts have played a key role in advancing AMSTRO’s regional and global impact. 📅 A Growing Portfolio of Specialized Conferences The Foundation continues to expand its global engagement through a series of major events, with more than three conferences planned in the upcoming phase. Each conference will be dedicated to a specific specialized network or initiative within ASTF, ensuring focused, high-impact engagement across different domains. This builds on a long-standing track record, with the Foundation having organized over 100 conferences and scientific events over the years. 🌐 New Networks & Initiatives in Development Five new platforms joining our ecosystem soon: • The Arab Council for Law & Technology • The Arab Network for Industrial Design • The Science Media Leaders Program • The Trusted Scientific Awareness Initiative • The Nuclear Culture Platform 💼 From Science to Market — A New Innovation Track We’re launching an integrated ecosystem to translate Arab research into ventures, companies, and measurable economic impact: • An independent endowment company • A holding company for projects • Valorhiz Consulting — environment, agriculture, and energy • From Idea to Impact: AI for science • AI applications in oil & gas ✨ And this is just the beginning. Everything you’ve seen in this announcement — the upcoming events, networks, and initiatives — is only what we’ve chosen to reveal today. Behind the scenes, larger plans are taking shape. More networks. Wider initiatives. Deeper partnerships. Follow us — what’s next is greater. 🌐 ASTF.NET 👥 70,000+ members across 120+ countries We invite researchers, institutions, investors, and partners worldwide to engage with us as we enter this new phase. Whether through collaboration, consultation, or joining one of our emerging networks — there is a place for you in this journey. #ArabScience #ScienceDiplomacy #Innovation #STEM #ASTF #ASTFv2 #FutureOfScience #ResearchToImpact #MENA #UAE #KnowledgeEconomy #AI #ScienceCommunication #DeepTech

Six Networks. Six Stories. One Vision. The Arab Science & Technology Foundation (ASTF) is proud to share the six specialized networks and initiatives that have emerged from our ASTF v2 conference — a strategic blueprint translated into living, working communities of Arab scientists and innovators across the region and the diaspora. Each network addresses a critical challenge facing the Arab world. Each one is led by distinguished experts. Together, they represent how serious science cooperation can scale impact without scaling overhead — operating on a 100% volunteer model. 🎓 Hope for Future (HfF) — Education in the face of conflict A humanitarian initiative providing scholarships and academic partnerships to university students from Arab countries affected by wars, conflicts, and natural disasters. Because education is the bridge that rebuilds nations. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/d5wZ5kpn 🌱 Emerging Pollutants Network (EPN) — Science protecting communities The first Arab network monitoring emerging environmental pollutants like PFAS and microplastics. Behind it: the first Arab PFAS report (data from 9 countries), the first Arabic podcast on emerging pollutants, and the first official Arab membership in the international IPEN network. 🔗 https://astf.net/epn/en/ 🏥 Asia & Middle East Society for Therapeutic Radiation Oncology (AMSTRO) — A regional voice in cancer care A society uniting leading specialists in radiation oncology across Asia and the Middle East. AMSTRO 2026 brought together 11 leading international organizations (IAEA, ESTRO, ASTRO, UICC, ASCO, AAPM, and more) under one roof in the UAE. 🔗 https://www.amstro.org ⚡ Green Hydrogen Arab Network (GHAN) — Clean energy from the heart of the region The first Arab regional platform for green hydrogen, building active partnerships extending from the US to Europe to every corner of the world. Bringing together Arab researchers and engineers in the homeland and the diaspora. 🔗 https://astf.net/ghan/ 📚 Arab Science Knowledge Initiative (ASK) — From understanding to knowledge creation A knowledge initiative restoring the place of science in Arab society — promoting deep scientific understanding as the foundation for authentic knowledge creation. Because the nation that understands its sciences is the nation that builds its future. 🔗 https://astf.net/ask.i/ 🚀 Youth Council (YC) — Bridging legacy and ambition A bridge between the experience of our senior scientists and the ambition of our youth. A strategic partnership with real authority — Arab youth driving ideas into impactful initiatives, working alongside the foundation's pioneers in shaping decisions, platforms, and the digital transformation. 🔗 https://astf.net/youth/ These six networks are more than organizational structures — they are how we turn Arab scientific excellence into measurable impact for people, the environment, and the future of the region. — there is a place for you in this journey.

Numbers speak for themselves. During its 26th cycle, the Arab Science and Technology Foundation delivered results comparable to large, well-funded institutions — yet achieved through a fully volunteer-driven model. Key highlights: 🌐 Global Reach • 70,000+ registered members • Across 120+ countries 🤝 Partnerships • 16+ international partners • 11 global organizations engaged in AMSTRO 2026 📱 Digital Presence • 182,000+ accounts reached • 110,000+ digital views • 4 new platforms launched 📚 Scientific Output • 8+ publications and reports • 9 webinars and scientific sessions ⚖️ Governance • 88% board resolution implementation rate • 5 approved governance policies Most importantly: All of this was achieved through a 100% volunteer model. This shows that impact is driven by clear vision, strong collaboration, and commitment — not just resources. More ahead. 🔗 astf.net #ASTF #ArabScience #ScientificCommunity #Research #Innovation #Volunteering