The Mideast has a new regional society to promote materials research and education.

Headquartered in the United Arab Emirates at the American University of Sharjah Institute for Materials Systems (IMS), the new society promises to unite a diverse regional materials community, bridge gaps across sectors, and foster cooperation with other parts of the world.

Founding members of the “Regional Society for Materials Research and Education” met in Sharjah in January 2008 to finalize the society’s mission and goals, enact a constitution, and elect officers.Thematic working tracks were established in Composite Materials, Polymer Materials, Metals, Construction Materials, and Materials Education and IMS Director, Adil Al-Tamimi , was chosen to serve as founding president.

History

Tamimi has been leading efforts to develop the society since he attended a regional materials conference in Doha, Qatar in April 2005 designed to expand the MWN in the Middle East Region and identify cross-cutting areas that would appeal to US and regional researchers alike. The “International Conference on Materials Research and Education: Future Trends and Opportunities” hosted eighty researchers and educators from Bahrain, Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, the UAE, and the US.  Among the key recommendations to emerge was the establishment of a regional materials society. “People were excited to learn what was being done in neighboring cities and countries,” explains lead organizer, R.P.H. Chang of Northwestern's Materials Research Institute. “Once they started talking and thinking about the future, it became clear that some kind of mechanism was needed to support collaborations.”

“The idea of launching the society came up when the IMS was established in 2001,” says Tamimi, “but it didn’t become solid until we met with our colleagues in Doha. We were inspired, and from there, we really started to connect.” 

The New Society

The new society will foster interdisciplinary materials research, education, industry, and policy that will enhance the social and economic development of the region. “Our climate is high-temperature, high-humidity, and close to the sea,” Tamimi explains, “so we need materials research for what we call harsh environments. This includes construction materials, composites, silicon, and materials for renewable energies like wind and solar.” Regional partners also hope to use materials to improve interdisciplinary education, especially at the pre-college level. Tamimi adds, “Our society will serve as a platform where industry, government, and scientists can get together to exchange information and plans.”A website has been established to support society operations and expansion. 

 Despite its regional focus, the society is already an international body with members in twenty-five countries, most outside the region. Plans are underway to seek membership in the International Union of Materials Research Societies (IUMRS) and join international events organized by its adhering bodies*.

*Materials Research Societies now exist in Africa, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Japan, Korea, Mexico, Mideast, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan, and the US. See www.iumrs.org for details.