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Arab Science and Technology Foundation

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33 views20 pages

Arab Science and Technology Foundation

find everything inside

Uploaded by

John Moon
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Seeking Independent Funding;

The Arab Science and Technology


Foundation (ASTF)

by Abdalla Alnajjar
President, ASTF

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 1
• What needs to be done and is being done
to utilize S&T to promote economic growth
and development in the Arab world?

• How does ASTF fit in?

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 2
5 Years Ago
(24-26 April 2000)

• 425 Arab scientists met in Sharjah to review S&T in the


Arab world and the new Millennium. They characterized
the main problems with Arab S&T as follows:
(1) The disconcerting discrepancy between the Arab
countries and the West in the field of science and
technology,

(2) The widening gap that separates Arab scientists


from the development needs of their countries,
(3) The lack of coordination and collaboration between
Arab scientific organizations,
(4) The pressing need for an umbrella organization for
all Arab scientists of all affiliations.

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 3
Establishment of ASTF
(Arab Science & Technology Foundation)

• Established by the Scientific Community in April 2000.


– 1st Board of Directors elected on April 26, 2000.

• A non-governmental, non-profit organization with


independent corporate identity.
– Statutes drafted by 55 distinguished scientists.

• A Catalyst, Mediator and Supporter of innovation in


Science & Technology in the Arab World.

• Adopts International Standards in all its activities


(transparent, merit-based)

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 4
ASTF’s Attributes

• Autonomy Free to interact with regional and international bodies.


• Responsiveness ASTF reacts promptly to innovation and new ideas.
• Conversance Aware of the needs of research institutions in the region.
• Linkage Networks Arab scientists all over the world.
• Flexibility Flexible organizational structure to meet new challenges.
• Focus Programs focus on specific research areas.
• Sustainability Political stability provided by Sharjah and the UAE.
• Credibility Ability to leverage funds and HR from other partners.
• Impartiality Unbiased treatment with all partners.

• 50% of ASTF Board of Directors are Diasporas scientists.

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 5
S&T Challenges Facing the Arab Region:
& ASTF’s Areas of Activity (Remedies)

• Isolated members of the S&T community


 Networking Community

• Lack of inter-regional inter-sector scientific activities.


 Collaborative Research

• Lack of resources for excellent R&D practices.


 Funding Innovative R&D

• No appreciation for the impact of scientific research.


 Investment in Technology
“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 6
What has ASTF Done?
(examples)

• Networking S&T Community


– Biennial symposium (SRO1- 4),
– Database & e-PR program,
– Networking Website (coming soon),
– Iraqi S&T community
• Collaborative Research
– Virtual Research Centers
– Solar Water Desalination Project
• Fund Innovative R&D
– 1st pan-Arab merit-based Research Grant program,
– ASTF- IFS (Stockholm) on “ Young Scientist Fund” program.
• Investment in Technology
– Bi-annual “Investing in Technology Forum”,
– Establishment of 1st Arab Early Stage VC (soon).

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 7
ASTF New Website
(Coming Soon)
“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 8
Collaboration with the West

S&T Challenges
for International Partners in the
Arab World

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 9
• What are the factors affecting developing
collaborations with the West?
• What does the Arab world want from the
West?
• How has ASTF demonstrated successful
partnerships with the West
• How can the West help?

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 10
Arabs and the West
(scientific community)

• The US is a great country. Arabs love many aspects


of the American way of life,

• The Arab S&T community admires the American


and European S&T programs,

• There is a lot to learn from the West,

• American scientists of Arab origin can build bridges.

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 11
Challenges for International Partners
in the Arab World

• Defining priorities/needs of local community


• Identifying potential partners and
determining the organizational nature of
potential partners
• Identifying potential funding sources from
local and foreign (matching)
• Developing methods to assess and
communicate the benefits of the activity

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 12
S&T Partnerships Challenges
with the Arab World

• Too many actors dispersed across a wide geographic region


• Narrow national focus with very little regional coordination and
sharing of limited resources
• Limited diffusion of results into the community
• Lack of awareness of international opportunities
• Lack of competition for Research Grants and designation for
posts.

This lead to:


• International cooperation is mostly bilateral, hence isolated
and limited
• Receiving little international S&T support (few programs and
organisations target middle and upper middle-income countries)

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 13
ASTF’s Role
(How can we help?)

1. To provide Access to the Arab S&T Community,


2. To strengthen links between research teams in the Arab world
and internationally- i.e. supporting & creating networks,
3. To form inter-Arab research consortia, virtual research
centers, and joint-research projects (aim: institutional capacity-
building),
4. To raise funds for Arab-International research collaboration.
To help increase pluralistic (multi-source) funding for inter-Arab
research,
5. To help streamline local research agenda with
international research priorities (e.g. health, water,
Millennium Goals) i.e. strengthening the user relevance of
research.

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 14
Partnership with ASTF: Benefits
Less Cost; More Efficiency

1. Providing ‘insider’ knowledge of the Arab region,


2. Brokering initiatives between the Arab region and
international partners,
3. Reducing administrative burdens (due to its status as an
independent NGO),
4. Coordination and management of multiple projects with the
Arab world,
5. Leveraging multiple funding sources,
6. Wider diffusion of results by forming inter-country inter-
institutional teams,
7. Flexibility and long-term commitment due to its NGO
status.

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 15
ASTF Partnerships with the West
(examples)

• Sandia National Laboratories (US)


– CMC collaboration on Iraq scientist engagement
• World Renewable Energy Network (UK)
– on going collaboration on Solar Energy activities.
• International Foundation of Science (Sweden)
– “Young Scientist Funding” program (starting soon)
• European Desalination Society
– Held a joint workshop on WD in Marrakech, May 2004.
• Held A dialogue meeting between scientists and policy
makers on Arab-US cooperation in S&T.
– Delegates from DoE, NAS, NSF and 12 Arab country in Abu
Dhabi, UAE on March 2002,
• Many joint activities with UN & international entities (UNESCO,
ESCWA, UNDP, UNIDO, TWAS, ..) and Many western professionals
participated in our activities

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 16
• How can Western scientists move past ad-
hoc interactions to develop broader
relationships across the Arab world?

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 17
How Can Western Scientists Deal
With The Arab World ?

• Using S&T to build bridges.


• Partnering with Pan-Arab science
organizations.
• Establishing long-term inter-institution
partnerships.
• Engaging in multi-team inter-country R&D
projects.
• Adopting a multi-lateral approach to
cooperation initiatives.

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 18
Call for Action
(Some of Many)

• Start cooperative programs.


• Organize a workshops to introduce models
of private sector involvement in R&D
activities (Venture Capital, Start-Ups ..etc.)
• Facilitate access to scientific publications
(Electronic access to end-users &
Copyright concessions to local publishers)

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 19
Strengthening Arab
Science through
partnership benefits all
of us.

Building strong Scientific


Programs improves the Thank You
Arab Community and
[email protected]
increases our mutual
understanding. www.astf.net

“Science in the Arab World”, AAAS Symposium, Washington DC, February 19, 2005 20

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