A new digital library: Zendy launches in Saudi Arabia
Feb 7, 2021 |
6 Mins Read
Dubai, United Arab Emirates, 7th February, 2021: Zendy, the first subscription-based library for scholarly literature in MENA, has launched in Saudi Arabia.
The Saudi 2030 vision aims to move towards a culture of research, innovation and entrepreneurship. Zendy plans to support this vision by providing researchers, students, and other knowledge enthusiasts access to thousands of articles, e-books and scholarly resources.
Zendy’s mission is to break down barriers to scholarly discovery by providing individuals world-wide affordable access to the world’s latest research and literature. Traditionally academic literature is hidden behind expensive paywalls or restricted to those who are affiliated with a larger organisation.
Kamran R. Kardan, Founder and CEO of Knowledge E, says, “We are extremely excited to launch Zendy in Saudi Arabia, to increase the visibility of research in the Kingdom and promote education for all. Saudi Arabia is striving towards becoming a knowledge-based economy and, by expanding Zendy’s presence to the country, we aim to drive this shift forward.”
Zendy first launched in Jordan in late 2019, and the online library has since accumulated thousands of users across North Africa and the Middle East. It hosts over 120,000 publications including more than 30,000 journals and 30,000 e-books. Zendy also allows users to save searches, export citations and navigate easily according to material type, subject, publication title, language and more.
To celebrate Zendy’s launch, all Saudi Arabia users will receive a 50% discount on the yearly plan by using the discount code SAUDILAUNCH50 when subscribing.
Click here to start your scholarly journey with Zendy.
About Zendy
Zendy was created to facilitate access to academic literature. By addressing the key challenges that we face with traditional ways of finding relevant, high-quality, academic content, Zendy strives to provide peace of mind to all students, researchers, professionals and knowledge enthusiasts.
Zendy is developed by Knowledge E in a growing collaboration with researchers, students, institutions and publishers. Zendy democratises access to content by making it more affordable and accessible. There are no limitations on reading, just simple access to scholarly resources.
About Knowledge E
Established in 2012, Knowledge E’s name was fast to become synonymous with collaboration, professionalism and innovation. Head-quartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and supported by a team of over 40 highly engaged professionals, Knowledge E works closely with over 200 clients world-wide from various types of organisations and government entities within the research and education sector to support their continued innovation and development. This is achieved by providing leading expertise, information resources and software solutions. Since its inception, Knowledge E has prudently expanded its expertise, services and technology in line with its vision of developing ‘a more knowledgeable world’.
Knowledge E’s three core offerings are the 3D’s; ‘Discover’, ‘Develop’ and ‘Disseminate’. ‘Discover’ powered by Zendy, through the KnE Digital Library Solutions for research literature discovery, as well as tailored content packages; ‘Develop’ through the KnE Training Programmes, supporting capacity building and skills development within academia as well as the KnE Consulting Projects, serving universities on their mission to become ‘world-class universities’; and ‘Disseminate’ through the KnE Publishing Services and the platform for Open Access publishing of regional journals and conference proceedings.
For any and all press inquiries please contact press@zendy.io.
Zendy to Showcase AI-Powered Library Innovations at the Charleston Conference 2025
We’re thrilled to announce that Zendy will be taking the stage at this year’s Charleston Conference, one of the most anticipated gatherings for librarians, publishers, and information professionals worldwide. Join us on November 4 at 11:30 AM in Salon 2, Gaillard Centre, for our live demo session titled: “Transforming Your Library Services with Zendy AI Tools.” In this interactive session, Mike Perrine (VP of Sales and Marketing, WT Cox) and Kamran Kardan (Co-Founder, Zendy) will demonstrate how Zendy’s innovative AI-driven tools are revolutionising the way libraries manage content, empower discovery, and enhance user engagement. Zendy helps solve one of the biggest challenges libraries face today, providing users with faster, smarter access to research insights. Our platform enables instant article summarisation, concept extraction, and trusted AI-powered answers through our intelligent assistant, ZAIA. With Zendy, libraries can streamline their services and give researchers a more intuitive, efficient way to interact with scholarly information. We’re also proud to share that Zendy has been selected for the prestigious Charleston Premiers, a showcase recognising the most innovative and forward-thinking products reshaping scholarly communication. Representing Zendy at the Premiers will be Kamran Kardan (Co-Founder) and Lisette van Kessel (Head of Marketing), who will present how Zendy’s mission to make knowledge accessible and affordable continues to evolve through technology and partnership. The Charleston Conference has long been a hub for meaningful dialogue and collaboration in the world of academic information services, and we’re excited to be part of shaping its future. Event Details: Session: Transforming Your Library Services with Zendy AI Tools Date: November 4, 2025 Time: 11:30 AM Location: Salon 2, Gaillard Centre We look forward to connecting with fellow innovators, librarians, and partners, and showcasing how Zendy AI is redefining what’s possible for libraries and researchers alike. Don’t miss it, see how Zendy is shaping the future of knowledge discovery. To register and learn more about the Charleston Conference, please visit: https://www.charleston-hub.com/the-charleston-conference/about-the-conference/ .wp-block-image img { max-width: 85% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
Zendy Sponsors the 4th Annual Forum for Open Research in MENA
This October, American University of Sharjah will host the 4th Annual Forum for Open Research in MENA (FORM), a leading regional event dedicated to advancing open access, collaboration, and community capacity building across the Arab world. Zendy is proud to be among the official sponsors of this year’s Forum, reinforcing our ongoing commitment to making research more accessible and equitable for all. Organised by the non-profit Forum for Open Research in MENA, the fourth edition will bring together: 26 sessions across four days 88 expert speakers Representation from 60 global institutions Delegates from 27 countries Dozens of formal and informal networking opportunities, connecting thought leaders, practitioners, and advocates throughout the MENA region Participants will explore strategies to strengthen open science practices, build sustainable infrastructures, and promote shared learning across borders. A Shared Vision for Accessible Knowledge Zendy’s mission to make academic knowledge affordable and accessible worldwide aligns closely with FORM’s goal of fostering open, collaborative research communities in the region. As a sponsor, Zendy supports initiatives that not only expand access to scholarly literature but also empower researchers, educators, and students to participate in a more transparent and connected research ecosystem. Hosted by the American University of Sharjah This year’s Forum, hosted by the American University of Sharjah, arrives in the UAE under the national theme, “The Year of Community.” The theme underscores the importance of collective progress and shared learning—values that sit at the heart of both open science and Zendy’s approach to research discovery. Theme Spotlight: “Becoming Open—Capacity Building and Community Collaboration” The 2025 theme, “Becoming Open,” highlights the human side of open science: community collaboration, capacity building, and sustainable growth. Through workshops, panels, and discussions, the Annual Forum will address how regional institutions can implement open research policies, share resources effectively, and strengthen local research infrastructures. Join us in Sharjah from October 20–23, 2025, as we celebrate and support the growing movement toward open science across the Arab world. The registration is now open, visit https://forumforopenresearch.com/registration/ .wp-block-image img { max-width: 85% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
We’re heading back to Frankfurter Buchmesse 2025
We’re excited to return to Frankfurt this October for the world’s largest book fair, and this year, we’re stepping onto the Innovation Stage with a timely conversation on how artificial intelligence can bring ethical, lasting value to scholarly publishing. Join us on October 15 at 12:30 p.m. (CEST), Hall 4.0 Innovation StageOur Co-Founder, Kamran Kardan, will be joined by Josh Nicholson (Scite) and Julie Atkins (Bristol University Press & Policy Press) for a panel discussion on: “AI and Ethical Innovation in Publishing: Driving Value for Publishers” The session will explore how AI can strengthen collaboration between publishers, platforms, librarians and researchers, ensuring research is more transparent, trustworthy, and accessible worldwide. Some of the themes include: How publishers can benefit from Zendy’s Revenue-Share Model, which compensates them whenever their content is referenced by AI assistants. The role of Scite’s smart citation system in helping users evaluate whether a paper supports, contradicts, or builds upon previous work. Why responsible use of technologies like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) can combat misinformation and provide more reliable insights. How global equity and inclusivity can remain at the center of AI adoption in research. Together, these discussions will also link to broader goals, from advancing quality education to supporting sustainable innovation and global partnerships. Speakers Kamran Kardan, Founder & CEO Knowledge E, Co-Founder Zendy Josh Nicholson, Co-founder of Scite, CSO at Research Solutions Moderator: Sara Crowley Vigneau, Partnership Relations Manager, Zendy And of course, the Zendy team will be around throughout the fair! Find us at Stand G97, Hall 4.0, where Kamran Kardan, Lisette van Kessel (Head of Marketing), and Sara Crowley Vigneau (Partnership Manager) will be happy to talk about our ethical AI tools for research, open access publishing, and higher education librarynesp programs. Want to set up a one-on-one meeting? Reach out to l.vankessel@knowledgee.com. For more details about the fair, visit Frankfurter Buchmesse. .wp-block-image img { max-width: 85% !important; margin-left: auto !important; margin-right: auto !important; }
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