ARAB WORLD: Network of networks for collaboration

Egypt-based Bibliotheca Alexandrina has launched a 'Network of Networks' for science and technology in the 22 Arab states. The network will act as a platform for international and regional scientific collaboration among universities.

"The project will facilitate networking and the exchange of knowledge and expertise among Arab researchers in universities and S&T centres," said Karim Nashaat Rizk. "It will make finding a researcher in certain field at the click of a mouse."
Rizk is a contact person for the project and research specialist in the Center for Special Studies & Programmes at Bibliotheca Alexandrina.

Besides facilitating science collaboration between Arab researchers, the Arab Network of Networks for Science and Technology will work to make leaders and policy makers more involved in enhancing the role of science and technology, as well as supporting young researchers and encouraging them to better contribute to enhancing science education at Arab universities.

The Arab network also aims to raise awareness, improve communications within the Arab World and reach out to the rest of the world

It will construct a website, including a directory for all science and technology universities, institutes and organisations in the Arab region, a database for reports and articles by S&T institutes or individuals, and forums for public and expert discussions as well as information about grants, awards, scholarships and scientific programmes and projects.

"Thirteen researchers from the US, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Egypt, Oman, Norway and Uganda were part of the taskforce that initiated the network," Rizk explained. "This means it will bring together not only scientists and researchers from the Arab region but from the whole world.

"We're currently working on collecting contacts and data to be the seed for the project, and we're planning to have it published in a month from now. The database shall be available to anyone through the website. Members will be only requested to register to get a free access articles and lectures."

Mohammed Kuchari, an associate professor of microbiology at King Abdul Aziz University in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, said the network must serve as a tool for the transfer of knowledge and information and best practices between Arab universities as well as enhancing their innovation-based capacities to serve business, public, scientific and education communities.