SRO I Overview

During 24-26 April 2000 the University of Sharjah organized an international scientific symposium under the name of "Scientific Research Outlook in the Arab World and the New Millennium: Science and Technology".

More than 400 Arab scientists from all over the world participated in the symposium, among them were leading figures in the scientific community at the Arab and international levels.  The conferees touched on various issues of scientific research that were categorized under specialized scientific topics, some of which covered aspects of scientific research in the Arab world and the others dealt with specialized themes in science and technology.

The first group of topics was discussed with a view to identifying the points of weakness in scientific research in the Arab world and finding ways to promote it, particularly in the fields of social and economic development, institutional scientific research and ways of encouraging and supporting researchers.  The second group of topics was dealt with in an effort to specify the orientation of research activities in those areas that are expected to have a great impact on the progress of science and technology in the first decades of the new millennium.

The symposium lasted for 3 days during which 30 sessions were held.  Parallel sessions were the dominant mode of delivery in the first two days, as stated in the Program Book.  This gave participants the opportunity to present more than 150 papers.  On the third day, however, some alterations were made to the program, as per the will of participants, so that the conferees could meet in one room to discuss the ways for overcoming the crisis of technological under development in the Arab world.  In this plenary session the participants expressed their desire to reach practical solutions and unequivocal resolutions that can put scientific and technological development at the forefront of Arab priorities and pave the way for the Arab nation to effectively benefit from Arab scientists from inside and outside the Arab world.  This dialogue brought forth a new spirit in the Arab scientific community when the participants called for the establishment of an independent Arab organization (non-governmental and nonprofit) that supports outstanding Arab scientific efforts within the framework of collective endeavors in service to the Arab world as a whole.  Thus, encouraged by the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al-Qassimi, Member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Sharjah, the participants declared the establishment of the Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF), and chose the city of Sharjah to host its headquarters.  His Highness showed his full support for the nascent project by donating a million dollars, out of his private funds, to the newborn Foundation pledging to provide it with continuous support during the initial phase of its operation through the University of Sharjah.  The international program committee was entrusted with the initial operation of ASTF till the proper regulations are laid down.

Finally, we hope that we have been successful in documenting the proceedings of this unique symposium in a way that preserves the vigor of its activities.  We also hope that the recommendations and conclusions reached effectively contribute to the attainment of the major change desired.

SRO I Objectives:

• Studying the current state of scientific research in the Arab World and its future in light of the technological transformation and globalization at the beginning of the new millennium. 
• Proposing ways for striking a balance between developing and using modern technology and making original studies in new fields. 
• Determining for the third millennium the sciences that will promote the sources of power in the Arab World and selecting new areas for scientific distinction in the next decade. 
• Studying the role of scientific research in developing curricula and encouraging investment and defining the role of institutions of higher learning, scientific research and economic centers in the scientific awakening. 
• Emphasizing the twining of modern sciences with technology on the one hand and the sciences indigenous to the Arab culture on the other. 
• Assisting the role of various other sectors in society in supporting scientific and technological progress, especially the economic sector. Deepening Arab cooperation and complementarily in the field of scientific research