Nominations are now open for the second edition of the Great Arab Minds Award, as announced by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, on October 2. The prestigious award was launched to celebrate and empower Arab talent and strengthen their confidence in shaping the future of the region.
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Honoring Excellence in Six Key Fields
The award, often referred to as the “Arab Nobel Prize,” aims to honor exceptional Arab individuals and institutions in six categories: medicine, engineering and technology, economics, natural sciences, architecture and design, and literature and arts. The winners in each category will receive a prize of AED 1 million, making the total prize pool AED 6 million. Nominations are open until October 31, 2024.
A Seed for Future Generations
Sheikh Mohammed emphasized that the initiative is a forward-looking effort, intended to cultivate Arab potential and enhance the region’s role in contributing to global progress. “It is a seed we plant today for the future,” he said, adding that it will serve as a foundation for the region’s continued innovation and development.
The award’s evaluation process is rigorous, involving assessments based on tangible achievements, including publications, patents, research, and projects. After an initial evaluation, nominees enter a final round of competition before the winners are selected.
Driving a New Era of Arab Contribution
Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, UAE Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the Great Arab Minds initiative, stressed the program’s role in reigniting the Arab world’s historical leadership in scientific and cultural achievements. Al Gergawi also encouraged academic institutions, cultural organizations, and individuals across the Arab world to nominate outstanding Arabs whose contributions are reshaping their fields.
With a AED 100 million budget backing the initiative, the Great Arab Minds Award is becoming a beacon for reversing brain drain, attracting talented Arabs back to the region to participate in its development, creativity, and innovation.
A Vision for the Arab World’s Future
As the second round of the Great Arab Minds Award unfolds, it represents an important step in strengthening Arab talent, fostering a new generation of leaders, and ensuring that the region continues to make meaningful contributions to humanity on a global scale.
