The Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) is an independent, nongovernmental, non-profit regional and international organization. Scientists and researchers from inside and outside the Arab world as well as representatives of Arab and international science centers and organizations have contributed to its establishment. It is based in Sharjah, UAE, and is seeking to set up branches and links in those Arab and world capitals that have scientific entities willing to participate in its activities.
ASTF aspires to be an influential Arab and international entity supporting the efforts of Arab scientists and researchers and defending the interests of the region in scientific and technological development.
It seeks not only to strengthen the links between universities and research centers inside and outside the Arab world through joint projects, agreements and programs, but also to attract businesses, companies and individuals capable of allocating endowments to fund University research posts in those fields that are vital for the Arab countries.
Collaborative Research:
ASTF promotes the dissemination of know-how by coordinating the efforts of collaborative research centres throughout the Arab world. The main aim is to obtain outcomes at international standards yet at cheaper costs, with the creation of simple solutions to common Arab problems.
One main interest of ASTF is Water & Energy. On this front, ASTF has the following two lines of activities:
Developing a road map on water desalination and purification for the Arab world. Two forums have been held so far for handling this issue.
Signing an agreement with the National Bureau for Research & Development in Libya to implement a Joint Arab Project Water Desalination by Solar Energy.
Investing in Science and Technology:
ASTF Business Development department assists ‘technopreneurs’ to secure funding for their startup companies from ASTF network of investors. ASTF will also assist the technopreneur in developing the necessary documents, like business plans and placement documents, needed to approach such investors.
ASTF network of investors consists of regional and international venture capital funds, angel investors, development agencies, and large corporations. Over the years, ASTF has developed excellent relationship with many of these entities, and positioned itself as a trusted source for investment opportunities.
ASTF also organizes the Investing in Technology Forum every 6 months. The Forum has become the event of choice for those seeking or working in funding technopreneurs. It also plays a pivotal role in ASTF assistance program to the projects it supports by presenting these projects to the distinguished audience that attends the forums.
Funding Activities:
The Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) has been persisting ever since its establishment, to support, promote and facilitate scientific research and development in the Arab World. Toward this end, ASTF created a Research Funding Program designed to make material all over the world. Through available funds, equal opportunity is given to all of the competing proposals according to the guidelines and priorities set by ASTF management. All competing proposals, which meet ASTF criteria are evaluated and judged by independent peers of high repute in their field, with scientific merit as the decisive factor in arriving at the final selection of proposals to be funded.
The Arab Science and Technology Foundation's Mission
- Identify and support outstanding scientific research activities, conducted in the field of science and technology in the Arab world.
- act as a mediator between those who develop and fund the scientific research and who benefit from it.
- Being the first organization to bring together scientists from inside and outside the Arab world, with the aim of utilizing local and expatriate expertise to serve the Arab world and the humanity in general.
- Become main center for assisting the performance of scientific programs, and branding as powerful international Arab organization that defends the region's interests in scientific and technological progress.
- Represent the interests of an enormous group of people bound together by strong bonds, like: language, history, common traditions and inhabiting enormous geographic area extend from the northern coasts of Africa on the Atlantic and across the Eastern Mediterranean to the coasts of the Arabian Peninsula on the Arabian Gulf.
The Arab Science and Technology Foundation's Vision
The Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) reflects the Arab youth’s aspirations to reassume their historical role in enriching the worldwide in the field of science, and expresses the efforts that exerts in developing national programs and projects that capable of assimilating the scientific advances of the 21st century, Also Astf look forward to interact positively with the Eastern and Western scientific development experiences.
ASTF aspires to be an influential Arab and international entity supporting the efforts of Arab scientists and researchers, and defending the interests of the region in the field of technology and science, as well as protecting humanity from the hazards and the negative effects of technological developments.
Moreover, ASTF seeks not only to strengthen the links between universities and research centers inside and outside the Arab world through joint projects, agreements and programs, but also to attract businesses, companies and individuals capable of allocating endowments to fund research posts in those fields that are vital for the Arab countries.
