September 20, 2016 Scientific American launched For Science (Lel Elm), a new freely accessible online version of Scientific American for the Arabic-speaking world, featuring the latest science news and features of both global and regional significance.  The site will provide authoritative insights into and news of the latest developments from the worlds of science, technology and biomedicine, as well as disseminating the voices of the most influential thinkers from the region.

For Science will be regularly updated with breaking news stories, features, slideshows, videos and podcasts, featuring science news and research from Egypt, the Middle East and elsewhere in the world.  These will include original content specifically tailored to the interests of the region as well as translated Scientific American articles.  Amongst the new and exclusive content are a feature about the rediscovery of Amenhotep’s tomb, which had disappeared in the sands over a hundred years ago in the Valley of the Kings, and a profile of Nobel Prize winning Egyptian-American scientist Dr Ahmed Zewail*.  All material is selected and produced by a dedicated editorial team from Scientific American based in Egypt.

Editor in Chief of Scientific American Mariette DiChristina said: “Science is a global enterprise, with an ambition – and ability – to address some of the most pressing problems that the world faces.  Input and understanding from all geographic regions are vital to ensuring sustainable, long-term success.  Scientific American is delighted to share its style of authoritative coverage about the progress of science in a region where both research and public interest in science are rising and which has an important role to play in addressing the challenges of the future.”

The Editor in Chief of For Science is Dalia AbdelSalam, an experienced science journalist who worked as the head of the environment section at Al-Ahram Hebdo,the leading French-language publication in the Arab world, for 17 years before joiningScientific American.

Ms Abdel Salam added: “We’re committed to bringing the highest quality reporting to the region to enhance public understanding of and trust in science.  In recent years we’ve seen strong financial commitments to bolster scientific research in the Middle East, with promising results. It is motivated and qualified people who will continue to turn these investments in the region into a successful, fruitful future.  As an inspiring, authoritative information source, For Science will help to engage with and encourage science literacy in the public, and generate enthusiasm and ambition in future generations of science researchers.”

For Science is published by Springer Nature with financial support from Egypt’s Specialized Presidential Council for Education and Scientific Research, a partnership championed by Dr Hoda Abou-Shady, Associate Professor of Nuclear Physics, Faculty of Science Cairo University, Assistant Minister of Higher Education, and Member of the Presidential Council for Education & Research.

Sponsorship of For Science is part of a five year agreement between the Council and Springer Nature, which also includes a national access agreement for Springer Nature content and services. Dr Hoda Abou-Shady commented: “This agreement is another demonstration of the Council’s commitment to providing its citizens with educational resources to promote scientific literacy and a knowledge-based society.  We are delighted to see For Science go live and to find a wide range of articles reflecting developments in science in the region already present.”

For Science is the latest language-specific edition launched by Scientific American. The magazine of Scientific American istranslated into 14 languages, and reaches a global audience of more than nine million.