A GYA delegation were special guests at the 15th ASREN Annual Conference (EAGE25), held under the theme “Uniting Minds” and attended by more than 200 participants from around the globe.
This engagement underscores the proactive collaboration between the GYA and ASREN to support research communities, particularly in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The GYA delegation included members from five continents, and delivered a unified message: Science transcends borders.
The presenters highlighted how the GYA’s unique ecosystem empowers early- and mid-career researchers (ECRs) to leap over cultural boundaries, address urgent global challenges, and harness the power of research to create tangible enhancements in both academic life and the societies they serve.
A delegation reflecting the GYA’s mission
GYA Co-Chairs Yensi Flores Bueso (University College Cork, Ireland) and Sam Chan Siok Yee (Universiti Sains Malaysia) presented the GYA’s strategic vision, emphasizing the critical role of inclusive, global networks in fostering sustainable scientific development.
The Co-Chairs were joined by members actively steering key GYA initiatives:
- Reem Abou Assi (Al-Qabas College, Iraq), Executive Committee Member for Visibility, focused on amplifying the voices and achievements of scientists from underrepresented regions.
- Aram Simonyan (National Academy of Sciences of Armenia), Co-Lead of the Communications Committee, shared insights on building effective narratives for science advocacy.
- Luciana Balboa (Institute of Experimental Medicine, Argentina), a GYA member and representative on the CoARA Steering Board, linked the discussion to the global movement for reforming research assessment, a cornerstone of empowering ECRs, particularly in the MENA region.
- Meriem Chaanaoui (Hassan 1st University, Morocco), GYA member and nominee for the 2026 Lindau Nobel Laureate Meeting, exemplified the exceptional research talent and international recognition cultivated within the GYA network.
One message, multiple voices: The GYA impact
Throughout the conference sessions and dialogues, the delegation articulated how the GYA’s mission directly translates into impact:
- Bridging global cultural differences: This panel showcased the GYA as a living lab for intercultural collaboration. From Argentina to Armenia, Malaysia to Morocco, the members demonstrated how the GYA provides a trusted platform for building consensus, sharing diverse perspectives, and crafting science policy advice that is globally informed and locally relevant.
- The urgent demand to empower ECRs: A central theme was the non-negotiable need to support the next generation of scientific leaders. Discussions highlighted the GYA’s role in providing leadership training, fostering interdisciplinary projects, and advocating for fairer research assessment (through initiatives like CoARA). The delegation stressed that empowering ECRs is the most direct investment in resilient scientific communities and innovative solutions for climate action and sustainable development.
- Belief in science for societal enhancement: Each member shared personal testimony on how the GYA has amplified their individual research endeavors and extended their reach to serve their communities. Whether through science diplomacy, public engagement, or policy intervention, the message was clear: the GYA equips researchers with the network, skills, and mandate to ensure that their work creates a positive, impactful footprint in society.
A forward-looking partnership
This collaborative presence was a direct result of the forward-looking leadership of both organizations, their commitment to mutual support in strengthening national young academies, and promoting Open Science in the MEANA region and beyond.
In this regard, GYA Co-chair Chan Siok Yee and ASREN Managing Director, Yousef Torman, as well as ASREN International Cooperation Officer Nisreen Alkouz met in Amman, Jordan, and discussed the coming steps to be part of the MENA scientific research community.
The GYA delegation departed this meeting inspired and more connected, carrying with them the shared conviction that through such synergistic partnerships, the global research community can truly unite to drive a digital transformation that is equitable, sustainable, and impactful for all.
Along with 16 local universities, other key regional and global participants were part of this event, including UNESCO, the League of Arab States, the Federation of Arab Scientific Research Councils (FASRC), the Arab Council for the Social Sciences (ACSS), the European Union in Jordan, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), RedCLARA – Cooperación Latino Americana de Redes Avanzadas, the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT), the Jordanian Universities Network – JUNet, and the German Jordanian University.
Sponsors of the event included GÉANT, WACREN, UbuntuNet Alliance, ORCiD, DataCite, SESAME, National Information Center for Science & Technology, Medusa Submarine Cable System, Knowledge E, Harvard University, UM6P, Huawei Enterprise, Nokia, RIPE NCC, InnovCOM SupCOM, Delta University for Science and Technology, RENU, and Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
About ASREN: The Arab States Research and Education Network (ASREN) is the association of Arab National Research and Education Networks (NRENs), dedicated to advancing digital transformation, research connectivity, and innovation across the Arab region and with global partners.