- First German-Arab Young Scientists Forum - 1 st GAYSF Berlin, June 2011

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1 - First German-Arab Young Scientists Forum - 1 st GAYSF Berlin, June 2011 Conclusions draft (Version ) Organization: The 1st German Arab Young Scientists Forum (GAYSF) took place in Berlin (Germany) on June 16 19, This forum was organized jointly by the German Young Academy (Die Junge Akademie) and the Arab Academy of Young Scientists (Arab WAYS). Objectives: The First GAYSF is an initiative taken by the German Young Academy (Die Junge Akademie) and the Arab Academy of Young Scientists (Arab WAYS) aiming at reinforcing the German Arab cooperation in Research and Technologies, creating a platform of networking between young researchers in various disciplines. Participants: The meeting was attended by 59 participants. German participants were from Germany and Hungary, whilst the Arab participants were from France, Portugal, Netherlands, Yemen, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, Bahrain, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan and Palestine. The participants are young scientists and researchers in natural sciences, social sciences and humanities, including Arab scholars of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, as well as from Germany. Fields of research covered mainly Water, Biology, Environmental Sciences, Medicine, Political sciences, Chemistry, Architecture, and Literature. In addition to the young researchers, representatives of German institutions, experts, lecturers, and leaders were invited to attend the event, speaking about their experience and sharing their visions about the German Arab cooperation. Outstanding personalities from the Center for International Cooperation Freie Universität Berlin, Alexander von Humbolt Foundation, Volkswagen Foundation and DAAD have participated to debates. A representative from Kavli Frontiers of Science of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the Frontiers of Engineering program of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering has also jointed the forum as observer: Mrs. Kathrin Humphrey.

2 Topics: This first Forum was an occasion of establishing an academic platform for exchange. Together with general information and discussion about relevant questions and problems of academia in Germany and the Arab world, perspectives for joint research projects were discussed during group sessions, panel discussion and roundtables. Introductory session & enrolment: After a brief forum introduction by the German organizers, represented in this forum by Dr. Verena Lepper (German Young Academy), welcoming the participants, and highlighting the expectation on this forum and its objectives. Prof. Klaus Lucas (Vice President of the Berlin Brandenburg Academy of Sciences and Humanities) presented the vision of gathering German & Arab young researchers and highlighted the multi disciplinary character of this forum. From the Arab side, Dr. Alaa El Sadek, President of Arab WAYS, highlighted the beginning of the World Academy of Young Scientists since 2004 in Marrakech (Morocco), and the creation of Arab WAYS in Alexandria (Egypt) in He informed the audience about the main objectives of this structure which are among others the contribution to strengthening the capacity of Arab young researchers to conduct relevant and high quality research in different disciplines of sciences, humanities, technology, and their inter linkages, advancing science, and enhancing the situation of young scientists & researchers throughout the Arab world. Dr. Jauad El Kharraz, General Secretary of Arab WAYS gave a speech in which he reminded the political context of the Arab revolts and the challenges that it represents for research and young researchers in the Arab countries. He insisted on the need of reinforcing the Arab capacity building in terms of science & technology and research in general, as well as the need to support research at institutional level, so that will contribute to the construction of a knowledge society in the Arab countries. He also underlined that this forum is a first step in a long cooperation process between German and Arab young researchers, between the German Young Academy and Arab WAYS. During this venture, the Arab young researchers will learn a lot from German experience and know how, and from the other side the German young researchers will also learn from their Arab counterparts. A roundtable tour followed those speeches, after a brief from Dr. Kirill Dmitriev and Dr. Jauad El Kharraz, and the participants introduced themselves shortly (name, affiliation/country, field of research and expectations towards this forum). A short presentation was given by Dr. Olfa Mahjoub, member of the Steering Committee of Arab WAYS, to present the Tunisian Scientific research and technology (R&T) status. She highlighted the ongoing of the German Tunisian cooperation programmes and underlined the need to reinforce and formalize the research collaboration between the German and the Tunisian research and academic institutions as a way toward a sustainable cooperation. Dr. Amal Amin gave a presentation on the Global Young Academy & the Egyptian Young Academy. Die Junge Akademie/Arab-WAYS Page 2 / 7

3 Dr. Sameh Soror gave an overview on the current status of scientific research in the Arab world with figures presenting the participation of Arab countries in EU research framework programmes (FP4 FP7). Finally, Dr. Mahmoud Sakr, Vice President of the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT) gave a presentation on the activities of ASRT and the status of research in Egypt. Groups sessions: The three following topics have been raised and have been discussed within small groups: The Arab Spring and its impact on Arab researchers Instruments and forms of cooperation between German and Arab institutions to show the German Arab tools to be developed to establish cooperation and potential collaboration programmes to gather German and Arab young researchers & scientists. Strengths and weaknesses of the research systems in the Arab countries that have to be developed and/or reinforced. During these sessions, several reflections have been discussed, especially the situation of some Arab countries such as Tunisia, Egypt & Yemen in the context of the post revolution or on going revolution and its possible impact on the progress of research activities. While participants in the other sessions insisted in the importance of establishing partnerships and collaborations via EU programmes (e.g: FP7, Alexander von Humboldt Founda on, ENPI CBC Med, SWIM, ERA NET, ERASMUS MUNDUS, AECI, etc.). Pergamon Museum session: The event entitled German Arab Scientific Cooperation: Challenges and Perspectives was held on June 17th at the Pergamon Museum. It was the occasion for the panelists to give their visions about the German Arab cooperation. Panelists: Prof. Dr. h.c. Christoph Markschies Prof. Dr. Klaus Lucas Prof. Dr. Angelika Neuwirth Dr. Stephan Weber Dr. Dr. h.c. Margeret van Ess Moderators: Dr. Verena Lepper Dr. Kirill Dmitriev Among the main ideas and outputs of this panel discussion: Each student/researcher has to have his personal network to get in permanent contact with knowledge. Problems that may hamper communication between people and scientists as a whole, and that one has to overcome are mainly related to integration and internationalization. The latter is cited as a prerequisite for a sustainable collaboration between institutions. Die Junge Akademie/Arab-WAYS Page 3 / 7

4 For a sustainable collaboration between the German and the Arab institutions workshops are not sufficient to strengthen and to assure commitment of the partners. A networking platform has to be established and all above this has to be institutionalized to get its legitimacy. Organizing meetings on a regular basis is required for maintaining good communication between partners. Organization and efficiency are key words for a successful and flourishing collaboration. Working together and not with others was highlighted as basic rule for collaboration. After discussion, a proposal emanated from the Arab side, represented by the Arab Ways, as an invitation to concretize all what has been said, and to start thinking about the next German Arab Forum. The 2 nd GAYSF was suggested to take place in Morocco or in Egypt. Prof. Klaus has very welcomed such a suggestion. Field visits: This Forum was an opportunity for the young Arab researchers to visit some of the academic research institutions in the Berlin area. The natural sciences group visited the Leibniz Institute of Freshwater Ecology & Inland Fisheries (IGB), where presentations were given by Prof. Dr. Werner Kloas and Dr. Alaa Osman, an Egyptian Humbolt fellow, to expose the structure of the IGB and the main ongoing research activities. Before leaving, perspectives of cooperation were discussed. Meeting session with German institutions: During the afternoon of the 18th June, the participants got the opportunity to participate in a closed session with representatives from German institutions: the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation (Dr. Rainer Gruhlich), Center for international cooperation: Freie Universität Berlin (Dr. Lennard Brand), DAAD (Dr. Carsten Walbiner) and Volkswagen Foundation (Dr. Katharina Ulbrich). At the beginning of the session, the representatives of German institutions presented their organizations and their cooperation programmes, as well as the potential areas in which they can help and support the activities of German and Arab young researchers. They showed their will to contribute in improving the scientific cooperation between Germany and the Arab world, in particular with regard to the sponsorship and networking activities of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation in this important world region. Aside from drawing attention to the sponsorship programs of the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, Dr. Rainer Gruhlich encouraged Arab participants to propose concrete projects. Not only Alexander von Humboldt Foundation, but also DAAD, Volkswagen Foundation and Center for international cooperation (University of Berlin) showed a strong interest in engaging in German Arab scientific dialogue in the near future. To give an overview on the Arab participant s profiles, Dr. Jauad El Kharraz gave a short presentation with figures describing their distribution according to gender, countries, field, etc. He also presented a SWOT analysis on the potential cooperation between Arab and German young researchers as illustrated in the table below. Die Junge Akademie/Arab-WAYS Page 4 / 7

5 Strenghts Existence of Networks such as: Arab WAYS, ASTF, National Science Academies, etc Increasing number of Arab researchers coming back to their countries Existing capacities and qualified staffs Opportunities Support from EU countries and other countries (US, Japan, etc) through their agencies of cooperation Exchange programmes and twining with other EU universities The Junge Akademie German Young Academy/Arab-WAYS Weaknesses Absence of Grants/incentives, weak governmental support, lack of involvement of private sector, absence of linkage with industry, No funds Problems of educational programmes Lack of awareness on the importance of research activities Lack of information on call for proposals/tenders. Lack of collaboration with researchers from other countries. Threaths Economic crisis The Brain Drain in the Arab World: > 200,000 Scien sts le the Arab World in the last 30 years Social and political instability in the region Finally, Dr. El Kharraz has highlighted the potential vertical and horizontal areas of cooperation proposed by the Arab participants (prepared with the Arab participants before the forum). For the potential vertical areas of cooperation, the three fields identified above (Natural sciences, humanities, and social sciences) were considered in the following. Regarding the natural sciences, participants put the light mainly on: water resources management, land conservation, climate change, renewable energies use, biotechnology, plant breeding, DNA bar coding, nanotechnologies, organic chemistry synthesis. While regarding social sciences, they put the stress on: youth, human rights, voluntarism, coexistence, cultural dialogue, conflicts resolution, students trip exchange between German & Arab countries, and assistance to rural populations. Finally, the areas of cooperation regarding humanities focused on conservation of buildings in urban and rural areas, use of advanced tools, literature (Arabic & Islamic studies) as well as Egyptology. On the horizontal level, the Arab participants proposed several activities, among which could be classified as following: Joint organization and participation to events: Joint organization of conferences and par cipa on in interna onal and regional events, such as the 2 nd international conference and general assembly of the Global Young Academy Alexandria Egypt 2012), the 1 st Arab American Frontiers Symposium OF Science, Engineering, and medicine, to be held next October 17 19, 2011 in Kuwait, hosted by the Kuwait Ins tute for Scien fic Research (KISR), co organized with Kavli Frontiers of Science of the U.S. National Academy of Sciences and the Frontiers of Engineering program of the U.S. National Academy of Engineering; as well as the Humboldt conference on "New Prospects for Science and Education in the MENA region" to be held in Marrakech (Morocco) next March 9 11, 2012; co organized by the Die Junge Akademie/Arab-WAYS Page 5 / 7

6 Maghreb Alexander von Humboldt Alumni Association, with the support of Alexander von Humboldt Foundation and the German Embassy in Rabat (Morocco). Encouragement of joint programme with the Arab WAYS (contact point in Arab countries) Responding jointly to calls for proposals, such as the call of the European Science Founda on in 2013 (Submission deadline by 14 September 2011 to organize research conferences for young Reinforcing the initiative of the woman in science (Optional cooperation with OWSDW). Publishing and information dissemination: launching a Magazine between German & Arab activists about common interest subjects, and launching a monthly e newsletter informing about the latest German Arab research activities Trainings for students and researchers in German institutions and study visits for German young researchers in Arab universities and research institutions Improvement of communication and visibility of the cooperation. Creating consortia to address specific issues and research areas in line with the countries research priorities. Coordinating with other regional and international initiatives (e.g: Alexander von Humboldt) Raising awareness on the importance of research in Arab countries Exchange of staff/researchers: assignment for researchers/lecturers (from 2 up to 7 days: to exchange ideas about a collaborative project or to look for collaboration with German partners); long term exchange visit from 3 to 6 months to carry out work research in Germany). Fellowships for Arab and German PhD students for an exchange period up to 6 months Exchange of lecturers and experts: The Arab partner can invite a German partner for a lecture in his university or an expertise, and it will be an opportunity as well to discuss with him collaborative projects. Proposal from the Centre of Structural Chemistry (CQE), Instituto Superior Técnico (IST), TU Lisbon (Portugal) to receive Young Arab and German researchers (for short periods: weeks to 6 months) in the field of chemistry if there is a fund from German institutions or others. Closing of the forum: The forum ended by the Feast of the German Young Academy in the building of the Berlin Brandenburgische Academy of Sciences, with excellent speeches, music and buffet. Conclusions: The First German Arab Young Scientists Forum was a successful event. The German and the Arab organizers expressed their satisfaction. The participants as well communicated their contentment and their will to follow up. The participants showed their enthusiasm about future scientific & research cooperation and new possibilities that might open up with Germany in this context in light of recent political change in the Arab world. This success has led to the proposal by both sides to start thinking about the second GAYSF. The Arab WAYS suggested organizing the next one in Morocco (either in Al Akhawayn University in Ifrane or in Marrakech back to back with the Humboldt conference on "New Prospects for Science and Educa on in the MENA region" next March 9 11, 2012) or Egypt (Bibliotheca Alexandrina). The decision will be taken soon. Die Junge Akademie/Arab-WAYS Page 6 / 7

7 The German Young Academy and Arab WAYS agreed on institutionalizing their initiative and more concretely on one proposal concerning the creation of an Arab German Young Scientist Network of Excellence, which will consist in a permanent secretariat in both shores (one in Germany and another one in one of the Arab countries to be determined). Such a network of excellence will take the form of a scientific network being composed of a number of outstanding young scientists of various disciplines from Germany and the Arab countries. The core of this network, in the form of a council, may be relatively small, consisting of about 5 10 young scien sts from Germany and 5 10 scien sts from Arab countries, all engaged for a period of five years. Typical activities of both offices, on the basis of recommendations by the council, will be the organization of council meetings and of conferences for the discussion of scientific topics of common interest in both worlds. These can be such obvious fields as energy and environment, water resources, conflicts resolution, peace and social development and the preservation of the common cultural heritage, but also questions of the organization of science and research up to the establishment of joint research projects. This proposal will be submitted to agreed donors soon, and its details will be disseminated to all members. ===ooooooo=== Die Junge Akademie/Arab-WAYS Page 7 / 7

Freie Universität Berlin

Freie Universität Berlin Partnerships and Projects in the MENA Region Elke Löschhorn, International Office Who We Are Selected twice as a German University of Excellence in both phases of the German government