Obeikan Research and Development is part of Obeikan Investment Group (OIG) that was established in 1982. Specialized in printing, publishing and packaging, OIG is considered among the largest companies in its kind, with more than 2000 employees, and more than 25 representative offices in the Middle East and North Africa. The company’s total investment amounts to US $300 millions, with an annual increase of 20%. The company’s exports span over 30 countries world wide, and comprises about 45% it its total products. The major activities of the Obeikan Group includes printing, publishing and distributing, various types of packaging and packing, e-learning, and research and development. Obeikan (book shop, books and publishing) is one of the largest publishing firms in the Arab world; it has published more than 1000 titles, 500 titles for young children, translated more than 300 volumes in different fields of knowledge, in addition to translating and adapting many electronic educational materials.

 Obeikan Research and Development (ORD) strives to become a leader in Educational Development, Research and Consultation in the Arab World in transforming educational practices to meet the highest standards. Its main goal is to assist educational institutions and systems in the Arab World to improve students’ learning through providing high quality curriculum materials, developing and implementing improvement plans and professional programs, and conducting research.

 The ORD’s activities span a wide range of educational areas, which includes: 

	Curriculum Development and Improvement
	Learning and Teaching Resources
	Educational Evaluation and Students’ Assessment
	Electronic Learning
	Educational Plans
	Educational Consultation and Research

Obeikan Research and Development has recently undertaken a major project to improve Science and Mathematics education in some country members of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS). During their 23 meeting, conducted in Doha, the educational leaderships in the ABEGS member states adopted an important resolution to improve science and mathematics education in which the Bureau is to finalize the project and coordinate the efforts. The main outcome expected of the project was the translation and adaptation of high quality science and mathematics international curriculum materials to be suitable for use in the local environment. The project is expected to be accomplished within 8 years, starting the 2005-2006 academic year, and where the first set of materials, for grades 1, 4, 7 and 10, is expected to be implemented during 2006-2007 academic year. The countries that are already participating in this project are Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Bahrain.  

The overall outcomes of the project include: 

	Developing Scope and Sequence for Science and Mathematics for grades 1 through 12, based on the selected series.
	Translate and adapt primary educational materials, consisting of student textbook, activity book, and teacher manual.
	Develop other supplementary materials, such as Teacher’s assessment package, teaching resources, videos, CD materials, transparencies, and electronic educational portal.
	Develop and implement a thorough training and professional development program, for teachers and specialists.