ARAB SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOUNDATION (ASTF) // The Arab Science and Technology Foundation (ASTF) is an independent, nongovernmental, non-profi t regional and international organisation. ASTF was formed in April 2000 by a group of Arab scientists and engineers from all over the world with the prime directive of promoting science and technology in the Arab Middle East-North Africa (MENA) region. ASTF serves as mediator between those who produce, develop, and fund scientifi c research, and those who benefi t from it. In all its activities, ASTF supports and facilitates scientifi c and technological innovation in the Arab world. Its goal is to fulfi l its mission as a pan-Arab organisation by establishing branch offi ces in Arab capitals and liaison nodes in other parts of the world. At present, ASTF has branch offi ces in Sharjah (UAE), Baghdad, Cairo, Tunis, Amman, Morocco, Libya, and Sudan. In addition, ASTF aims to identify outstanding scientifi c research activities and become a centre for assessing the performance of scientifi c programs, as well as a powerful international Arab entity that defends the region’s interests in scientifi c and technological progress.