Board Meeting Records

Official records of ASTF Board of Directors meetings, documenting key discussions, decisions, and strategic directions.

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Complete records of board meetings including attendees, agenda items, and key decisions.

Meeting #25 25th Regular Board Meeting
April 20, 2025

Attendees

  • Dr. Abdalla Abdulaziz Alnajjar Alhammadi (Chairman)
  • Dr. Ghada Mohamed Amer (Vice President)
  • Dr. Hanan Issa Malkawi (Vice President)
  • Dr. Mohamed Mohamed Ahchad
  • Prof. Dr.Eng. Ali H. Reshak
  • Prof. Ahmed Obeid Hassan
  • Counselor Osama Hamed (Legal Advisor - Observer)

Agenda

  • Approval of proposed agenda for 25th meeting
  • Follow-up on 24th meeting decisions implementation
  • Discussion of mini board meeting records
  • Approval of new regulations and bylaws
  • Review of foundation activities during past term
  • Board membership matters for 25th term
  • Open discussion on foundation's future direction

Key Decisions

  • Approved regulations for specialized networks
  • Established Arab Network for Emerging Pollutants (EPN)
  • Approved AMSTRO network membership
  • Established Central Committee for Networks and Specialized Units
  • Appointed Dr. Mohamed Ahchad as Chairman of Central Committee
  • Renewed Dr. Mohamed Ahchad's board membership
  • Elected new board members: Dr. Hassan Bouqsim, Dr. Ali Abdo, Mr. Osama Alkhaja, Dr. Mohamed Alhawary, Dr. Rasha Ali Eldeen
  • Approved Vice Presidents: Dr. Ghada Amer, Dr. Hanan Malkawi, Dr. Mohamed Ahchad

Discussion Notes

  • Meeting conducted in two phases: Phase 1 via email (April 2-18, 2025), Phase 2 virtual session (4:30-6:00 PM)
  • Dr. Issa Batarseh could not attend due to sudden travel commitment
  • Chairman expressed gratitude to HH Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi for continued patronage and support
  • Acknowledged UAE for hosting main headquarters and Egypt for hosting Executive Office in Cairo
  • Detailed reports presented on various activities including "Hope of the Future" initiative and new network launches
  • Some activities did not achieve expected results - emphasis on continuing development efforts
  • Mini board held 3 meetings during the term: July 2024, August 2024, and February-March 2025
  • New regulations reviewed by Legal Advisor Osama Hamed and approved by mini board

Action Items

  • Executive Office: Review ways to enhance cooperation and coordination between committees and networks to improve implementation effectiveness
  • Mini Board: Consider establishing Executive Council for foundation programs responsible for managing and coordinating various programs and projects
  • Foundation Office: Request cooperation from "Hope of the Future" initiative forum team (Cairo) to support initiative secretariat
  • Mini Board: Develop comprehensive operating model aligned with strategic objectives
  • Foundation Office: Expedite development of new foundation website befitting its status as largest Arab non-profit scientific organization
  • Board: Hold next meeting at regular periodic time (in-person or virtual as circumstances dictate)
Download Full Minutes (PDF)
Meeting #24 24th Regular Board Meeting
April 14, 2024

Attendees

  • Dr. Abdalla Abdulaziz Alnajjar Alhammadi (Chairman)
  • Dr. Nour Al-Din Al-Shamakhi
  • Dr. Abdel Aziz Yosri
  • Dr. Mohamed Mohamed Ahchad
  • Dr. Sultan Abu Arabi
  • Dr. Ghada Mohamed Amer
  • Dr. Hanan Issa Malkawi
  • Dr. Issa Batarseh (reviewed minutes)

Agenda

  • Approval of 24th meeting agenda
  • Review of 23rd meeting decisions implementation
  • Approval of mini board meeting records (February 2024)
  • New board election system proposal
  • ASTFv2 Conference outcomes discussion
  • Board membership matters for 25th term
  • Any other business

Key Decisions

  • Approved 23rd meeting implementation status
  • Approved mini board meeting records
  • Established Central Nominations Committee chaired by Dr. Hanan Malkawi
  • Adopted ASTFv2 Conference recommendations
  • Thanked outgoing board members with Emeritus status
  • Re-elected Dr. Abdalla Abdulaziz Alnajjar Alhammadi as Board Chairman
  • Approved new board members: Prof. Dr.Eng. Ali H. Reshak, Prof. Ahmed Obeid Hassan
  • Approved Executive Office composition

Discussion Notes

  • Meeting held via Google Meet at 5:00 PM Sharjah time (UAE)
  • Dr. Issa Batarseh couldn't attend virtually due to invitation timing issues but reviewed and approved minutes afterward
  • Chairman thanked participants in member voting (March-April 2023) which concluded with foundation continuation decision
  • Advisory Council meeting highlighted need for review of "future work" systems
  • ASTFv2 Conference (December 19-21, 2023) set main directions for foundation's future performance
  • Extensive discussion on foundation's future activity and financial situation
  • Dr. Al-Shamakhi: Arab region needs more ideas and expertise to fill gaps in performance and practices
  • Dr. Yosri: Discussed transition to next generations and facilitating existing initiatives
  • Dr. Malkawi: Suggested organizing bi-monthly forums via video conferencing on important regional topics
  • Dr. Amer: Proposed next general conference theme "Role of Science and Technology in Achieving Arab National Security"
  • Dr. Sultan Abu Arabi: Offered to host next meeting at Tishk International University in Erbil/Kurdistan Iraq

Action Items

  • Executive Office: Continue work and coordinate 25th anniversary celebration activities per mini board meeting decisions (February 22, 2024)
  • Foundation: Organize bi-monthly forums on topics discussed including higher education, brain drain, and Arab national security related to science and technology
  • Central Nominations Committee: Manage board member nomination process for upcoming term under Dr. Hanan Malkawi's leadership
  • Board: Hold next meeting at regular periodic time as circumstances dictate
Download Full Minutes (PDF)
Meeting #23 23rd Regular Board Meeting
May 21, 2023

Attendees

  • Dr. Abdalla Abdulaziz Alnajjar Alhammadi (Chairman)
  • Dr. Nour Al-Din Al-Shamakhi
  • Dr. Abdel Aziz Yosri
  • Dr. Mohamed Mohamed Ahchad
  • Dr. Sultan Abu Arabi
  • Dr. Ghada Mohamed Amer
  • Dr. Issa Batarseh
  • Dr. Hanan Issa Malkawi

Agenda

  • Approval of 23rd meeting agenda and 22nd meeting minutes
  • Member voting results on foundation's future
  • Discussion of proposals and suggestions from voting
  • Advisory Council meeting for voting outcomes
  • Foundation relaunch and 25th anniversary celebration
  • Organizational matters: Board and Executive Office membership
  • Any other business

Key Decisions

  • Adopted 22nd mini board meeting as official 22nd meeting
  • Approved member voting results on foundation's continuation
  • Organized discussion workshops for member proposals
  • Invited Advisory Council for voting outcomes review
  • Designated 23rd term as rebuilding phase for 25th anniversary
  • Retained current board membership during transition
  • Approved Executive Office: Chairman, Dr. Abdel Aziz Yosri, Dr. Ahchad, Dr. Ghada Amer, Dr. Hanan Malkawi
  • Tasked Executive Office with 25th anniversary celebration coordination

Discussion Notes

  • Meeting held via Zoom at 4:30 PM Abu Dhabi time (UAE)
  • All 8 board members attended - full quorum achieved
  • Foundation completing quarter century (25 years) since establishment in 2000
  • Member voting conducted about foundation's future - results showed strong support for continuation
  • Advisory Council established and invited to convene to review foundation's work
  • Discussion on foundation's relaunch in new framework and 25th anniversary celebration planning
  • Reviewed voting outcomes and proposals received from participating members
  • Proposed modification to board member election system to include wider group of volunteer scientists
  • This term designated as transitional period for rebuilding and reorganization

Action Items

  • Executive Office: Collect proposals from voting participants and organize into coherent groups for development workshops
  • Board Members: Each member to manage one development workshop and attend at least 2 others to form integrated picture of development work
  • Executive Office: Review and coordinate 25th anniversary celebration activities including oversight of conference and redesign workshops
  • Foundation: Organize 6-month discussion sessions via electronic platforms to discuss and develop member proposals
  • Foundation: Invite Advisory Council to convene via electronic platform to discuss voting outcomes and general directions
  • Executive Office: Develop new board election system mechanism using available consultations and feedback, to be presented for board approval
  • Board: Hold next meeting at regular periodic time as circumstances dictate
Download Full Minutes (PDF)
Meeting #22 22nd Mini Board Meeting (COVID-19 Period)
2022

Attendees (Executive Office)

  • Dr. Abdalla Abdulaziz Alnajjar Alhammadi (Chairman)
  • Dr. Ghada Mohamed Amer (Vice President)
  • Dr. Mohamed Haitham Ayad (Vice President)

Agenda

  • Continuation of activities within available resources
  • Expansion of Advisory Council membership
  • Invitation for Advisory Council meeting
  • Alignment with new communication tools

Key Decisions

  • Continue activities that don't burden available resources
  • Expand Advisory Council to include all former board members
  • Add founding conference participants with "Observer" status
  • Invite Advisory Council to review foundation's work
  • Approved new board members: Dr. Ghada Amer, Dr. Issa Batarseh, Dr. Hanan Malkawi, Dr. Omar Imam
  • Nominated Dr. Ghada Amer and Dr. Hanan Malkawi as Vice Presidents
  • Formed Executive Office from Chairman and Vice Presidents

Discussion Notes

  • Full board could not convene during Term 22 due to COVID-19 pandemic emergency conditions
  • Based on Article 18 of foundation's statute allowing mini board (3 members including Chairman) to manage affairs during board absence
  • Mini board authorized to meet twice per year as permitted by statute
  • Extensive consultations and many direct meetings led to recommendations and decisions for preparing a new phase
  • Foundation adapted to new communication tools and virtual meeting platforms during pandemic
  • Critical need identified to review foundation's future direction and sustainability

Action Items

  • Mini Board: Continue activities that do not burden available resources during pandemic period
  • Foundation: Expand Advisory Council to include all previous board members since establishment
  • Foundation: Add founding conference participants ("Horizons of Scientific Research" and "First Forum") with "Observer" status (32 total observers)
  • Chairman: Invite Advisory Council to convene to review foundation's work and consider development paths
  • Advisory Council: If no clear approach found for development, dissolution proposal to be considered
  • Board: Convene full board meeting after completing Advisory Council work as outlined
Download Full Minutes (PDF)
Meeting #21 21st Regular Board Meeting (Virtual)
April 24, 2021

Attendees

  • Dr. Abdalla Abdulaziz Alnajjar Alhammadi (Chairman)
  • Dr. Ghada Mohamed Amer
  • Dr. Hanan Issa Malkawi
  • Dr. Mohamed Haitham Ayad
  • Dr. Majed Saeed Al-Arfi
  • Dr. Fakhr Al-Din Othman Kerai
  • Dr. Abdel Aziz Yosri
  • Dr. Nour Al-Din Al-Shamakhi
  • Dr. Sultan Abu Arabi

Agenda

  • Welcome and agenda approval
  • Projects, programs and activities review (2020-2021)
  • Administrative and financial affairs
  • Organizational matters
  • Any other business

Key Decisions

  • Approved 20th meeting decisions implementation status
  • Approved foundation's work during previous term
  • Endorsed Strategic Studies Center activities
  • Approved Ambassador Program expansion under Dr. Mohamed Haitham
  • Approved financial reports for Sharjah and Cairo offices (2020)
  • Reviewed membership working methods with collaborators
  • Thanked Dr. Ghada Amer and Dr. Hanan Malkawi with Emeritus status
  • Renewed Dr. Sultan Abu Arabi's membership (2021-2024)
  • Approved Dr. Mohamed Ahchad joining the board
  • Nominated Dr. Mohamed Haitham Ayad as Vice President
  • Approved Vice Presidents: Dr. Ghada Amer, Dr. Mohamed Haitham Ayad

Discussion Notes

  • Meeting held electronically via email, followed by consultative meeting on June 8, 2021
  • Foundation in its 21st year since inception in Sharjah - celebrating over two decades of service
  • COVID-19 pandemic situation ongoing - virtual meeting format adopted
  • Chairman thanked HH Sheikh Sultan for continued patronage and support throughout pandemic
  • Thanked Vice Presidents and Secretary Mr. Amir Okasha for meeting preparation efforts
  • Reviewed 20th anniversary celebration presentations about foundation activities and board history
  • Extensive discussion on Strategic Studies Center activities under Dr. Ghada Amer's leadership
  • Reviewed Ambassador Program progress and expansion plans under Dr. Mohamed Haitham
  • Dr. Al-Shamakhi: Proposed new program for honorary awards recognizing Arab scientists with significant contributions
  • Dr. Malkawi: Requested foundation participation in OIC conference on science and technology
  • Dr. Kerai: Proposed expanding foundation's reach through scientific projects and conferences

Action Items

  • Executive Office: Develop diverse programs in upcoming term to advance foundation's performance as resources permit
  • Dr. Ghada Amer: Form "expert body" for Strategic Studies Center to enhance center's position and diversify services, coordinating with Executive Office
  • Foundation: Search for new ways and methods to expand foundation's work and extend its reach, with proposals presented at next meeting
  • Foundation: Issue Ambassador certificates to all previous board members, sending certificates to those whose terms have ended
  • Dr. Mohamed Haitham: Expand Ambassador Program to include wider segment through successful project submissions according to board-approved system
  • Dr. Malkawi: Coordinate foundation participation in upcoming OIC conference on science and technology
  • Board: Hold next meeting at regular periodic time as circumstances dictate
Download Full Minutes (PDF)
Meeting #20 20th Regular Board Meeting
July 6, 2020

Attendees

  • Dr. Abdalla Abdulaziz Alnajjar Alhammadi (Chairman)
  • Dr. Ghada Mohamed Amer
  • Dr. Hanan Issa Malkawi
  • Dr. Mohamed Haitham Ayad
  • Dr. Majed Saeed Al-Arfi
  • Dr. Fakhr Al-Din Othman Kerai
  • Dr. Abdel Aziz Yosri
  • Dr. Nour Al-Din Al-Shamakhi
  • Dr. Sultan Abu Arabi

Agenda

  • Welcome and agenda approval
  • Projects, programs and activities of the foundation
  • Administrative and financial affairs
  • Organizational matters
  • Any other business

Key Decisions

  • Approved 19th meeting decisions implementation status
  • Endorsed Strategic Studies Center rename proposal
  • Activated Ambassador Program under Dr. Mohamed Haitham Ayad
  • Approved establishing Executive Council
  • Approved financial reports for Sharjah and Cairo offices (2019)
  • Approved foundation's activities for previous term
  • Renewed Dr. Sultan Abu Arabi's membership
  • Approved continuation of Dr. Ghada Amer and Dr. Mohamed Haitham as Vice Presidents
  • Formed Executive Office from Chairman and Vice Presidents

Discussion Notes

  • Foundation celebrating its 20th anniversary - two decades since establishment in 2000
  • COVID-19 pandemic situation beginning - meeting held virtually
  • Chairman thanked HH Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al-Qasimi for continued patronage and support
  • Acknowledged UAE for hosting main headquarters in Sharjah and Egypt for hosting Executive Office in Cairo
  • Thanked Vice Presidents and Secretary Mr. Amir Okasha for meeting preparation efforts
  • Reviewed 2019 activities and discussed plans for upcoming 2020 term
  • Discussed Strategic Studies Center rename proposal to "Strategic Studies Center for Science and Technology"
  • Extensive discussion on launching Ambassador Program to expand foundation's reach
  • Reviewed financial reports for both Sharjah and Cairo offices for year 2019
  • Dr. Malkawi & Dr. Kerai: Requested to attend upcoming international conferences on behalf of foundation

Action Items

  • Dr. Ghada Amer: Lead Strategic Studies Center for Science and Technology as independent center following partnership regulations
  • Dr. Mohamed Haitham Ayad: Launch and manage Ambassador Program including approving program documents and procedures
  • Foundation: Grant all previous board members "Ambassador" status upon term completion
  • Board Members: Submit nominations for Ambassador Program to Executive Office per program specifications
  • Executive Office: Develop concept for Executive Council into formal memo for board approval at next meeting
  • Dr. Ghada Amer: Prepare two 20th anniversary presentations (foundation activities overview and board history since establishment)
  • Executive Office: May modify Ambassador Program procedures with right to present modifications at next meeting
  • Board: Hold next meeting at regular periodic time as circumstances dictate
Download Full Minutes (PDF)