Mohammed Bin Rashid awards Dh1m each to Great Arab Minds winners in Dubai

Sheikh Mohammed pointed out that the Arab region was a cradle of human civilisation. “If the humans (the Arab people) work hard, they can reignite a great civilisation. I am confident that the Arab people have a lot of potentials for creating a great civilisation,” he stated.

Sheikh Mohammed also announced the launch of a new research and knowledge centre within the Museum of the Future to permanently support the scientific and knowledge journey of Arab geniuses under the ambit of the Great Arab Minds award.

“The only path to civilisation is science... and its scientific men... and its success is supported by governments... and guaranteed by harnessing resources for it. We are optimistic about the future whenever we see the love of generations for science and scientists,” he said.

Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and chairman of the Great Arab Minds Higher Committee, who highlighted the Arab world’s centuries-old contributions in various fields, dubbed the Great Arab Minds award as the Arab Nobel Prize.

“We are not here to show off the glory of our people, but to motivate them to seek knowledge and build civilisations,” he added

The winners who were honoured at the glittering award ceremony held at the Museum of the Future are: Saudi cardiac surgeon, Dr Hani Najm (Medicine), Lebanese engineer and academic Prof Fadel Adib (Engineering and Technology), Egyptian-American economist Dr Mohamed El-Erian (Economics), Lebanese scientist and academic Prof Niveen Khashab (Natural Sciences), Lebanese architect and academic Prof Lina Ghotmeh (Architecture and Design), and Algerian writer and academic, Prof Waciny Laredj (Literature and Arts).

Their names were earlier announced on the social media platform X by Sheikh Mohammed who launched the Great Arab Minds as the largest scientific and intellectual movement in the Arab world with a budget of Dh100 million.

Reversing brain drain

The Great Arab Minds movement is designed to seek and identify Great Minds in the Arab world, from the exceptional talents of scholars, intellectuals, inventors, innovators and Arab creators in various fields, in order to care for them, empower them and develop their ideas in collaboration with the best global partners, maximising their positive impact in the region.

The initiative serves as a strategic step towards driving the intellectual renaissance in the Arab world and reversing the brain drain seen across the region.

Each year, the Arab world suffers billions in losses, besides the squandered development opportunities, due to the emigration of Arab scientists, specialists, intellectuals, doctors, and engineers. Analysts and experts estimate such losses at around Dh7 billion per annum, with this brain drain also causing a decline in technological and scientific progress, as well as in the number of issued patents in the Arab world as compared to the global average.

Six winners

Dr Hani Najm

Dr Hani Najm, chair of Pediatric and Congenital Heart Surgery at Cleveland Clinic, Ohio, was awarded in recognition of his outstanding contributions and pioneering innovations in the field of heart surgery for children and adults, having performed more than 10,000 heart operations on patients with complex heart conditions with outstanding outcomes.

A key highlight of his work is the development of a gradually self-expanding heart “valve” for children, sparing them the need for repeated surgery for valve replacement. Dr. Najm is also recognized for developing a novel surgical technique, termed the “ventricular switch,” to repair one of the most complex congenital heart conditions in children. He was the lead heart surgeon in a large team that performed a rare and complex life saving surgery to remove a heart tumour in a 26-week-old fetus.

Professor Fadil Adib

Associate professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), Professor Fadil Adib was presented with the award in recognition of his exceptional contributions to the fields of wireless technology and wireless sensing. His pioneering research and inventions have significantly expanded the possibilities of wireless sensing technology, leading to advancements in various areas, including through-wall vision and sensing, enabling the detection of objects and vibrations behind walls, under rubble, and numerous other applications.

In addition to his accomplishments in engineering and technology, Professor Fadel Adib has made substantial contributions to the field of ocean exploration, advancing deep-sea exploration by developing battery-free devices that harness energy from ocean waves.

Dr Mohamed El-Erian

Dr Mohamed El-Erian, president of Queens’ College, Cambridge University, was awarded for his exceptional contributions to the field of economics and his perceptive analysis of changes in economic and financial systems. His research, books, and publications have provided in-depth analysis of the global economy’s state, trends, and challenges, besides his significant role in developing theories and analytical tools that led to more accurate economic forecasts.

Dr El-Erian has six published books focused on economics and global markets, and his works and theories have been adopted as key analytical tools. His publications cover a range of topics, including the new normal for economies post the global financial crisis and COVID-19.

Prof Niveen Khashab

Prof Niveen Khashab, associate dean of Physical Sciences and Engineering and Programme and chair of the Chemistry Department at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia won the honour for her outstanding contributions to the fields of chemistry, bioengineering, and biology.

Prof Niveen has made significant contributions to the design and synthesis of biomimetic supramolecular assemblies through the use of non-covalent and coordination interactions. These intelligent materials find applications in biomedical systems, including encapsulation, delivery, and sensing, as well as in industrial systems such as nanocomposites and coatings, and in environmental platforms such as sustainable agriculture.

Her studies serve as a valuable source of inspiration for the new generation of scientists in the region and the world, notably concerning her design of light-activatable drug capsules, among other achievements.

Professor Lina Ghotmeh

Architect and professor of Architecture Professor Lina Ghotmeh, who teaches architecture at a number of international colleges and universities, was honoured for her global architectural contributions. Her work, emphasising the symbiosis of architecture and nature, involves meticulous material selection to withstand challenging conditions. Overseeing 65 projects globally, including renowned museums and cultural designs, her approach reflects coexistence with nature.

Among her notable works is a building near the industrial port of Beirut. Designed using innovative techniques and local materials that resonate with the building’s surrounding environment, it survived the 2020 Beirut explosion, standing as a testament to resilience and the profound impact architecture can have in reflecting human values and excellence.

Prof Waciny Laredj

Novelist and chair professor of Arabic literature at the University of Algiers and Sorbonne University in Paris, Prof Waciny Laredj, was awarded for his outstanding contributions to Arabic literature. With a literary style that aligns with a modern school of thought, his novel writing is marked by an innovative approach that has introduced new forms of linguistic expression, thus expanding the scope of narratives and imaginative storytelling in Arabic literature.

Author of over 30 novels and books, Professor Laredj’s works profoundly resonate with the cultural and societal intricacies of Arab communities, connecting them to universal human values and a diverse array of global cultures. His works have been translated into more than 20 languages, are extensively studied by numerous universities around the world, and have been adapted into various theatrical and film productions.