Under the supervision of His Excellency Professor Dr. Mohamed Ould Amar, Director-General of the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization, and with the attendance and patronage of Her Excellency Dr. Rahma bint Ibrahim Al Mahrouqi, the Omani Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, the Science and Scientific Research Department at ALECSO held the "First Forum for Arab Women Researchers toward the Future: Inspiring Experiences and Insightful Visions," which it organized over the two days of 30 November and 1 December 2025, in cooperation with the Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation and the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science, at the premises of Al Buraimi University in the Sultanate of Oman, under the slogan: "Exchanging Experiences… Our Path to Excellence," with the participation of a select group of researchers, experts, and officials from various Arab countries.

The forum was opened with speeches, beginning with that of Her Excellency the Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation in the Sultanate of Oman, who emphasized the importance of supporting women researchers in the Arab world and enabling their contribution to building the knowledge economy, stressing that investment in scientific research is an investment in the future of development and sustainability. Her Excellency also expressed her appreciation for choosing Oman as the venue for this distinctive event that celebrates the Arab woman researcher and gives her a platform to connect and exchange experiences, extending her thanks and appreciation to ALECSO for its fruitful efforts in advancing the course of scientific research and innovation in the Arab countries.

The President of Al Buraimi University also delivered a speech in which he welcomed the participants from various Arab countries, highlighting the university's role in hosting scientific events that advance research and innovation, and affirming the university's commitment to providing an academic environment capable of supporting the pioneering research projects of Arab women.

For his part, the Secretary of the Omani National Commission for Education, Culture and Science expressed his pride in the fruitful partnership with the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization, noting that this forum represents a new link in a series of programs aimed at enhancing the presence of the woman researcher in the Arab scientific scene and stimulating the production of knowledge in a way that serves development priorities in the Arab world.

In the ALECSO speech delivered by Professor Dr. Mohamed Sanad Abu Darwish, Director of the Science and Scientific Research Department, he welcomed the participating researchers and conveyed through it the greetings of His Excellency the Director-General of the Organization and his appreciation for the efforts of Arab women researchers and their role in advancing scientific research and higher education in the Arab countries. He explained that this forum comes as a fruit of the outcomes of the Arab Forum for Scientific Research and Sustainable Development (Ninth Session – Sultanate of Oman 2023), and that its organization embodies ALECSO's orientation toward accompanying women researchers and building interactive spaces to exchange experiences and advance scientific research programs in a way that achieves the goals of the Arab Strategy for Scientific Research, Technology and Innovation.

In his speech he reviewed the forum's themes and objectives.

The first scientific session began under the title:

"Future challenges facing higher education in the Arab world: What should we do?"

where the participants discussed the accelerating transformations in knowledge, the need to renew curricula, and the role of technology and artificial intelligence in developing education and scientific research.

The second day witnessed a rich program of scientific presentations delivered by Arab women researchers, covering multiple fields such as:

- Exact sciences and medical specialties.

- Humanities and social sciences.

- Innovation and the digital economy.

- Sustainable development and scientific entrepreneurship.

- Supporting young women researchers and enhancing women's presence in academic institutions.

The second day also included interactive discussion sessions during which the participants exchanged their professional experiences and discussed common challenges and ways to advance women's scientific research in the Arab world.

During the forum, networking meetings were organized among the researchers to develop scientific partnerships.

The forum concluded with thanks to ALECSO for its distinguished efforts in developing the scientific research system, and all participants affirmed that exchanging experiences and scientific cooperation represent the cornerstone for building a distinguished Arab future led by pioneering women professionals.

A package of recommendations reached by the scientific discussions over the two days of the forum was announced, the most prominent of which are:

1- Calling on ALECSO to hold the forum periodically to follow up on the scientific progress of Arab women researchers.

2- Strengthening the partnership between academic and media institutions, in order to promote and highlight women's success stories in the fields of scientific research and innovation.

3- Supporting ALECSO's efforts in its platform (the ALECSO Science Portal) as a shared portal for exchanging experiences, research, and scientific opportunities among women researchers.

4- Strengthening Arab and international partnerships to support joint research projects.

5- Supporting young women researchers and enabling their integration into the Arab research systems.