Based in South Africa

In recognition of its successful efforts in implementing an effective solution to major challenges surrounding linguistic factors in African Education, delivering mother tongue literacy programs with a bridge to English for early childhood education, providing professional development courses for teachers in literacy skills as well as free learning material that are open education resources, and helping, through its initiatives, not only South Africa, but also eight other African countries: Angola, Botswana, Ghana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Uganda, and Zambia.

Arts and Literature (area of Fine and Performing Arts and Music),

(Republic of Iraq)

• Professor of Art History at the University of North Texas in the United States.
• PhD in modern Arab art from the University of Texas - Arlington in the United States in 1999.
• Published more than 48 scientific papers in refereed journals.
• Shabout has contributed significantly to the understanding of contemporary Arab visual art, its trajectories with international movements, and on the Historiography of Arab art and its influence on world civilizations.

For the best doctoral thesis in education in the Arab world.

• Doctoral thesis in Education: The effectiveness of the Dual-N-Back program in raising the efficiency of memory and its impact on the attention of middle school students with learning difficulties.

Economics and Social Sciences (area of Administrative, Financial, and Banking)

(Syrian Arab Republic)

• PhD in economics from the University of Limoges – France in 1992.
• Published more than 56 scientific papers in refereed scientific journals, two books and 7 chapters in published books.
• Professor Tarazi’s research has been exceptional on topics related to banking and finance, including financial integration, fragility, regulation, systemic stability, and the emerging area of Fintech.
• His works were cited 1452 times according to Scopus' global database, with an average of 17 according to the h-index.

Fundamental Sciences in Earth Sciences

(Republic of Lebanon)

• Professor of Earth Sciences and Engineering and Professor of Applied Mathematics and Computational Sciences at the King Abdulla University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia.
• PhD in Applied Mathematics from Université Joseph Fourrier, Grenoble – France in 2002.
• Published more than 200 scientific papers in refereed journals.
• Hoteit is recognized for his pioneering research in ocean modelling, remote sensing, Red Sea eddy dynamics, and the development of new techniques in data assimilation and modelling that have environmental applications of global significance. His research was cited 4700 times, and he received an average of 36 in the h-index.

Arts and Literature (area of Fine and Performing Arts and Music),

(Republic of Tunisia)

• Distinguished Professor at The Higher Institution for Music at the University of Tunisia.
• PhD in Musical Sciences, and the history of Arabic music from the Sorbonne Université – France in 1977.
• Published 45 research papers in Arabic and French languages and 12 books, he also published 8 chapters in music encyclopedias and dictionaries.
• Guettat is recognized for his pioneering and valuable work on the heritage of Arab Music, its music principles, and instruments.

Economics and Social Sciences (area of Administrative, Financial, and Banking

 (Republic of Lebanon)

• The Abdul Aziz Al-Sagar Chair Professor of Finance at the Olayan School of Business, and the Executive Director AUB-Innovation Park and the American University of Beirut.
• PhD in Finance and Banking Sciences from L'Université d'Aix-Marseille – France in 1998.
• Published more than 50 research papers in refereed scientific journals and 3 chapters in 3 refereed scientific books.
• Professor Chahine is recognized for his valuable and outstanding research on topics related to finance and banking, including entrepreneurial finance, venture capital and corporate governance.
• His work was cited 868 times according to Scopus' global database and got an average of 15 according to the h-index.

Arab and Islamic scientific heritage

(Republic of Turkey)

• The Founder and Director General of Research Centre for Islamic History, Art, and Culture (IRCICA) in Turkey.
• PhD in Organic Chemistry from Ankara University in Turkey in 1974.
• He co-authored a series of 18 volumes on Ottoman sciences and literature on various branches such as (astronomy, mathematics, music, medicine, and other sciences). He also published several publications in Ottoman Turkish in refereed journals.
• Professor Ihsanoglu’s recognized for his life-long achievements in promoting the history of science in Islam across geographies, including his ground-breaking research on the history of science in the Ottoman civilization in period of the 16th to the 19th century.

Medical Sciences and Allied Health Sciences

• Associate Professor in the Department of Bacteriology, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University.
• British clinical fellowship degree in clinical mycology from the University of London in 2011.
• Published 39 scientific papers in refereed journals. 36 of her scientific papers were presented as published papers in international scientific conferences.

Based in Tanzania

In recognition of its innovative and transformative initiative for disadvantaged children, which has a great potential to reduce the gap created by education disparities, by utilizing a massive scale-up approach, while delivering attractive edutainment materials through radio, TV, and basic mobile phones to millions of children across Africa.

Fundamental Sciences in Earth Sciences

(Arab Republic of Egypt)

• the Director Emeritus of the Center for Remote Sensing at Boston University in the United States.
• Ph.D in Geology from the University of Missouri – United States in 1964.
• recognized for his pioneering research and impressive research career in various scientific fields, ranging from earth archaeology to remote sensing, as well as earth and lunar geology.

Arab and Islamic scientific heritage

(Republic of Algeria)

• Professor Emeritus at the University of Lille in France.
• A PhD in mathematics from the Paris-Sud University in France (Université de Paris Sud) in 1972, and a second PhD in the history of mathematics from the University of Nantes in France in 1990 in the specialty of history of Arab mathematics in the Islamic west.
• Published more than 80 papers in refereed scientific journals, as well as 14 books. His work is published in French, Arabic and English languages.
• Djebbar is recognized for his outstanding contributions to the history of Arab mathematics, including the importance of geometry, arithmetic, number theory, algebra, trigonometry, and combinatorics.

Medical Sciences and Allied Health Sciences

• Associate Professor, Head of the Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics at the Faculty of Pharmacy in Kuwait University.
• PhD in Immunology from the University of Calgary in Canada in 2010.
• Published 25 research papers in refereed scientific journals and 40 papers in international conferences, author of 3 scientific books, and published 3 chapters in scientific books.

Applied sciences in Engineering Sciences

(Republic of Tunisia)

• Distinguished Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at King Abdulla University of Science and Technology (KAUST) in Saudi Arabia.
• ​​​​​​​​​​​D. Electrical Engineering, California Institute of Technology (Caltech), Pasadena, United States in 1998.
• Participated in 713 scientific papers published in prestigious refereed scientific journals and specialized conferences.
• Edited many books and has 13 patents.
• His research was cited 54,409 times and got an average of 91 according to the h-index.
• His work focuses on groundbreaking research in wireless, optical and vehicular communications, including low-power communications for the internet of things, as well as his valuable contribution to the development of the 3G, 4G and satellite systems.

Natural and Mathematical sciences.

• Associate Professor in the Department of Chemistry at the College of Science at Kuwait University.
• PhD in forensic analytical chemistry from the University of Hull – United Kingdom.
• Published 20 scientific papers in refereed journals and participated in 3 local and 8 international conferences.

Social and Human sciences.

• Associate Professor, Department of Political Sciences, College of Social Sciences, Kuwait University.
• PhD in Political Sciences from the University of Manchester in 2009.
• Published 24 research papers in refereed scientific journals, authored 3 scientific books and 8 scientific reports, and participated in 7 regional and international conferences.

Biological Sciences

• He is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University.
  
• Born in 1986. He received his PhD in 2014 in Biological Sciences from the University of Florida, USA.
  
• He has published 16 scientific papers in refereed journals and conferences.

Social Sciences and Humanities

• She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and Social Service and Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, Research and Graduate Studies at Kuwait University.
  
• Born in 1975. She received her PhD in 2006 in Social Service from Ohio State University, USA.
  
• She has Published 18 scientific papers in refereed Journals and wrote one book and participated in many local, Arab and regional conferences.

Administrative Sciences and Economics

• He is an Associate Professor at the Department of Economics, College of Business Administration, Kuwait University.
  
• Born in 1976.  He received his PhD In 2007 in Economics from Syracuse University, NY, USA.
  
• He Has published 20 scientific papers in refereed Journals and wrote one book and published a number of papers in conferences.

Fundamental Sciences (Mathematics)

(Republic of Tunisia)

• Born in Tunisia in 1974.
  
• Dr. Masmoudi is a professor in the Department of Mathematics, Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences, New York University, USA and currently, Affiliate faculty at NYU campus in Abu Dhabi
  
• Dr. Masmoudi received his PhD in Mathematics in 1999 from École Normale Supérieure Paris, France.
  
• He has published 140 papers in the top Mathematical Journals and published  7 books and wrote many chapters in various books in his field.
  
• His research has been cited more than 7000 times and rated 37 in Global (h-index).
  
• Prof. Masmoudi is a worldwide leading researcher in the field of Analysis of Partial Differential Equations (PDE) and its applications in physics and mechanics with a focus on fluid mechanics.
  
• Prof. Masmoudi has decisively influenced various subjects such as: small Mach number asymptotics, micro-macro models of polymers, refined boundary homogenization, stability of Couette’s flows, nonlinear dispersive equations and boundary layers. He received the format Prize in 2017 in partnership with Simon Brindle of Germany.

In the field of (Food Security) - Jointly

(Cote d’ivoire)

• The center was created in 1971 by 11 African countries. Today its membership comprises 27 countries, covering West, Central, East and North African regions as a member of the CGIAR network, it is a leading pan-African rice research organization committed to improving livelihoods in Africa through solid science and effective partnerships devoted to improving the rice economy in Africa and is part of a global research partnership for a food-secure future. It is also an intergovernmental association of African member countries.
  
• Its achievements include new rice varieties “New Rice for Africa NERICA” enriched with vitamin A, high yielding and climate-resilient that is being adopted in 15 countries in Africa.
  
• The center locally adapted mechanical and motorized weed control machines, and a women friendly thresher. Through their applied research and education programs, they are building the next generation of professionals in rice and food research in Africa. Their publications are accessible to both scientists and producers and its achievements have been documented in prestigious refereed journals.

Applied Sciences (Environmental)

(Palestine)

• Born in Palestine in 1974.  
  
• Dr. Farha is currently an Associate professor at the Department of Chemistry, Northwestern University, USA.
  
• Dr. Farha received his PhD in Chemistry in 2006 from University of California, Los Angeles, USA.
  
• He has published 375 papers in the top Journals and has 4 books and 15 patents registered in USA.
  
• His research has been cited more than 40,000 times and rated 101 in Global (h-index).
  
• Dr. Farha’s research seeks to solve problems in chemistry and materials science ranging from energy and environment related applications to challenges in national defense by employing atomically precise functional materials. By exploiting the modular nature of metal–organic frameworks (MOFs) and porous organic polymers (POPs), he works to fundamentally understand the role of three-dimensional architecture in modifying a material’s function for applications in gas storage and separation, catalysis, water remediation and detoxification of chemical warfare agent simulants.

Economics and Social Sciences (Social Sciences) - Awarded equally

(The Kingdom of Morocco)

• Born in Morocco in 1940.
  
• Professor Oumlil is a retired professor in Contemporary Arab Political Thought in the College of Arts and Human Sciences in Mohammad V University - Rabat - Morocco.
  
• Professor Oumlil received his PhD in Philosophy in 1977 from the Sorbonne University in France.
  
• He published nine books, two of which in Arabic and the rest in French and translated to Arabic.
  
• Dr. Oumlil contributed to the philosophical thought movement and enriched it with important publications; including a comparison between historical theorizing and practice, then his book “Al-Islahyya Al-Arabyya Wal-Dawla Al-Watanyya” (Arab Reformism and Nation State), a discussion of intellectual authority and political power in addition to another book, and his vision of the notion of divergence in the Arab thought which was the basis for going back to its roots in Islamic heritage and others.
  
• His book, “Afkar Muhajirah” (Migrating Ideas) is considered the peak of his methodology’s maturity and comprehensiveness of his vision of Arab politics, thought and future. Oumlil was the President of the Moroccan Human Rights Organization in 1990 - 1993, then the President of the Arab Institute for Human Rights in Cairo in 1997 - 1998.

In the field of (Food Security) - Jointly

• Located in Nairobi and is supported by several donors and enjoys the membership of 30 countries in Africa.
  
• PABRA is supported by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) to serve is dynamic network of scientists and practitioners specializing in improving the productivity and processing and the value chain of beans throughout Africa.
  
• The Alliance works along the continuum of innovative research to effective adoption and sustainable management of small farmers enterprises. Because beans are important component of the diet of millions of households in Africa, PABRA has developed (in cooperation with CIAT and local research institutions) climate smart and nutritious varieties that are important or food security.
  
• PABRA has increased the integration of the important legume component in farming systems which is important to improve soil fertility, enhance nutritional quality, and serve as a resilient driver in dryland and drought prone environments. These achievements are well documented in highly recognized and peer reviewed journals and public literature.

Engineering Sciences

• A scientific researcher at the Environment & Life Sciences Research Centre (ELSRC) of the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR).
  
• Born in 1983. He received his PhD in 2013 in Chemical Engineering from University College London, UK.
  
• He has published 19 scientific papers in refereed journals and conferences and authored/co-authored several book chapters.

• Born in the United States of America in 1970.
  
• Prof. Amaney is a professor of political sciences at Princeton - Edwards S. Sanford, USA.
  
• Professor Amaney received her PhD in Political Science in 2003 from the University of Michigan, USA.
  
• She published several studies and books in some of the most prestigious journals and publishing houses. She proved to be one of the most prominent researchers in political science in the Arab region through three major contributions:
  
  • First: Pioneering studies on political development in the Arab world, with special focus on factors affecting political behaviours and beliefs among Arab citizens.
    
  • Second: Important researches on integrating Muslims in American and Western societies at a large scale.
    
  • Third: Establishing several initiatives to expand the scientific infrastructure in the Arab world. One of her major initiatives was the Arab Barometer Project, which conducts high quality nationally representative surveys of citizens in 13 Arab countries.

Arts and Literature (Studies of Foreign Languages and Literature)

(Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan)

• Born in Palestine in 1938.
  
• He is an Emeritus Professor at the University of Jordan in Amman, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.
  
• Professor Shaheen received his PhD in English Literature from Cambridge University, UK in 1974.
  
• A prolific writer in English and Arabic for over five decades, he wrote over 12 books and 29 papers published in local, regional and international journals widely acknowledged and credited.
  
• His research features largely on the role of Western imagination in shaping the world and the text of the Orient as demonstrated by British and American men of letters and literary figures like E. M. Forster, Charles Dickens, Joseph Conrad, George Eliot and Ezra Pound.
  
• Shaheen`s research particularly tends to show the impact of those Western writers on Arab novelists and poets, like Najeeb Mahfouth, Tayeb Saleh, Abdulwahab Albayyati and others.
  
• Dr. Shaheen received many appreciative and encouraging awards in the fields of literature, translation and creativity in the Arab world.

Medical and Allied Health Sciences

• He is an Associate Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University and Consultant in Neurology at Ibn Sina Hospital.
  
• Born in 1976.  He Obtained his Fellowship in 2008 in Neurology from McGill University in Canada.
  
• He has published 64 scientific papers in refereed journals and conferences.

Economics and Social Sciences
(Economics) Awarded equally

• Born in Iraq in 1952.
  
• Prof. Moosa is a professor of Finance and Economics at Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, Australia.
  
• Prof. Moosa received his PhD in Economics in 1986 from University of Sheffield, UK. Prof. Moosa has published 225 papers in scientific journals and several books and chapters in books in both English and Arabic. His research has been cited more than 5645 times and rated 37 in the Global (h-index).
  
• Professor Moosa research has focused on many fields such as, foreign exchange, money market operations, new issues, securities portfolios and corporate finance also, some of his production focused on topics related to the Arab region such as: the impact of electronic transactions on the countries of the Middle East and the determinants of stock prices in the state of Kuwait.

Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• Associate professor in the Department of Physics, Faculty of Science at Kuwait University.
  
• Born in 1974. He received his PhD in 2007 in Physics from University of Kansas, USA.
  
• He has published 17 research papers in scientific Journals and participated in 12 international conferences.

Fundamental Sciences
(Biological Sciences) Awarded equally

• Executive Vice President - Raja N. Khuri Dean, Faculty of Medicine, professor of Medicine and Immunology, American University of Beirut.
• Prof. Elsayegh received his medical degree with distinction from AUB in 1984 in medicine from American University of Beirut and pursued his internship and residency at Women’s Hospital of Harvard Medical School in Boston.
• Prof. Elsayegh has published 300 papers in scientific journals in addition to a large number of reviews, editorials and book chapters. He has also edited several books in nephrology and transplantation.
• His research has been cited more than 29311 times and rated 89 in the global ( h-index ).
• Dr. Elsayegh ia an international leader in the field of transplantation immunobiology reserach.
• Dr. Sayegh has received numerous awards and distinctions for his researches such as the Gold Award from American University of Beirut in 2013 and ben Qurrah Award from National Arab American medical Association - Houston Chapter republic of Lebanon.

Medical and Allied Health Sciences

• He is an Assistant professor in Faculty of medicine at Kuwait University and Consultant Surgeon at the Al-Amiri Hospital in Kuwait.
  
• Born in 1976. He received his fellowship in General Surgery in 2009 from Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.
  
• He has published 47 research papers in scientific Journals and participated in 90 international conferences.
  

Fundamental Sciences
(Biological Sciences) - Awarded equally

• Born in Yemen in 1973
  
• Dr. Lashuel is an associate professor of life sciences and the director of the laboratory of molecular and chemical biology of neurodegeneration – Ecole Polytechnique Federal Lausanne, Switzerland.
  
• Dr. Lashuel received his PhD in Bioorganic Chemistry in 2000 from Texas A&M University. Prof. Lashuel has published 143 papers in scientific journals and received 5 patents.
• His research has been cited more than 14539 times and rated 61 in the Global (h-index).
  
• Dr. Lashuel’s research has focused on the area of neurodegenerative disease particularly on the molecular and structural basis of protein misfolding and self-assembly, and the
• mechanisms by which these processes contribute to the physiological and pathogenic properties of specific proteins implicated in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer›s, Parkinson and Huntington diseases.

In the field of (Health)
Jointly

• Prof. Salim Abdool Karim is with the Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research in South Africa and Director of CAPRISA, and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research) at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, as well as CAPRISA Professor of Global Health at Columbia University, New York.
  
• Prof. Abdool Karim received his PhD in Epidemiology in 1999 from University of Natal, South Africa. Prof. Abdool Karim has published 365 papers in scientific journals. His research has been cited more than 14375 times and rated 58 in the Global (h-index).
  
• Prof. Abdool Karim contributions to science in HIV treatment and prevention have led to changes in health policy and practice with evident impact on mortality and morbidity. His findings on HIV-TB, a leading cause of death in Africa, are specifically mentioned in many country treatment policies and guidelines, and are being implemented worldwide.

In the field of (Health)
Jointly

(USA)

• Prof. Sheila West is a Professor of Ophthalmology and the vice chair for Research at the Wilmer Eye Institute at the Johns Hopkins University, USA.
  
• Prof. West received her PhD in Epidemiology from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, USA. Prof. West has published 454 papers in scientific journals. His research has been cited more than 20273 times and rated 73 in the Global (h-index).
  
• Professor West’s research is focused in Africa on ways to improve trichiasis surgery outcomes and eliminate blinding trachoma. Her work has contributed to control of blindness from both children and adults. Sheila West has been instrumental in the development of the WHO SAFE strategy for Trachoma prevention and control, a sustainable strategy that is now widely used throughout the world, and that is preventing blindness among both children and adults.

Applied Sciences
(Clean and sustainable Energy Technologies) Awarded equally

• Born in Egypt in 1948.
  
• Prof. Kafafi is a professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at the Lehigh University, Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, USA.
  
• Prof. Kafafi received her PhD in Chemistry in 1972 from Rice University, Houston, Texas, USA. Prof. Kafafi has published 244 papers in scientific journals and received 8 patents and wrote many chapters in various books in her field of specialization. Her research has been cited more than 13153 times and rated 62 in the Global (h-index).
  
• Professor Kafafi’s research has focused on the plasmonic strategies that offer several unique features in solving and enhancing the optical absorption and device performance of organic solar cells. She has also served as the director of materials research division at National Science Foundation (NSF) in the USA. Prof. Kafafi has contributed drastically to the development of the international community on the photonics for energy and was the founding editor-in-chief for a journal entitled «Journal of Photonics for Energy.

Economics and Social Sciences
(Economics) Awarded equally

(Lebanese Republic) 

• Born in Lebanon in 1954
  
• Prof. Baltagi is a professor of Economics at Syracuse University, USA.
  
• Prof. Baltagi received his PhD in Economics in 1979 from University of Pennsylvania, USA. Prof. Baltagi has published 140 papers in scientific journals and 14 books. His research has been cited more than 4584 times and rated 35 in the Global (h-index).
  
• Prof. Baltagi research has focused on Economic theory and Econometrics and the theory of Panel Data. His research and books are of great influence in term of scientific reference, which made him one of the most important contributors in the field of Econometrics worldwide.

The field of Education in the Arab World

• Freelance Translator/Editor/Researcher in Egypt.
  
• PhD’s dissertation in 2015 entitled: “The Construction of Masculinity through Mother’s Socialization of Children in Egyptian Society: A Socio-Anthropological Study”
  

Arts and Literature
(Studies of Arabic languages and Literature)

• Born in Iraq in 1944.
  
• Prof. Al-Musawi is a professor of Arabic and Comparative Studies at Columbia University, NY, USA.
  
• Prof. Al-Musawi received his PhD in Arabic and Comparative Literary: The Arabian Nights in 19th century English Lit. in 1978 from Dalhousie University, NS, Canada. Prof. Al-Musawi has published 60 papers in scientific journals and 24 books.
  
• Prof. Al-Musawi research and books has focused on studies of social and intellectual history, the visual and performing arts, and contemporary political and ideological movements.
  

Applied Sciences
(Clean and sustainable Energy Technologies) Awarded equally

• Born in Palestine in 1967.
  
• Prof. Alshareef is a professor of Material Sciences & Engineering at King Abdullah University of Sciences & Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia.
  
• Prof. Alshareef received his PhD in Materials Sciences and Engineering in 1995 from North Carolina University, NC, USA. Prof. Alshareef has published 337 papers in scientific journals. His research has been cited more than 10414 times and rated 54 in the Global (h-index).
  
• Professor Alshareef’s research has focused on energy storage through his innovative research in materials for energy storage devices such as batteries and capacitors. he is recognized as a rising star in the materials research community, particularly on energy storage, he won numerous awards several of which are related to his energy storage research such as election to fellow status by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

In the field of (Health)
Jointly

The Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP) was established in 1987 as an independent research Institute in Rural Rakai District in South-central Uganda.
The institute’s 350 full-time Ugandan research and clinical staff include epidemiologists, demographers, clinical and basic science researchers, behavioral, laboratory scientists, and research support staff. The overriding goal of research at RHSP is towards the improvement of Health by preventing HIV and sexually transmitted diseases. the research of RHSP documented the importance and the global impact of male circumcision as a means of reducing incidence of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

Social and Human Sciences

• He is a Professor of Kuwait Modern History Head of History Department, College of Arts at Kuwait University.
  
• Born in 1973. He received his PhD in 2004 in History from University of Durham – United Kingdom.
  
• He has published 17 research papers in scientific Journals and published 3 books and participated in 5 international conferences.
  

Engineering Sciences

• He is an Associate professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Petroleum at Kuwait University.
  
• Born in 1974. He received his PhD in 2004 in Mechanical Engineering from University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, USA.
  
• He has published 28 research papers in scientific Journals and participated in 19 international conferences.
  

Category:  Education 2017

• The recipient organization of the Al-Sumait Prize is the Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE), Nairobi, Kenya.
• The African Women Educationalists is awarded the prize for its achievements in significantly enhancing gender equity and equality in education through targeted programs, having a profound impact on attitudes and practices towards girls' education and influencing education policies in 33 African countries.
• Dr. Adnan Shihab-Eldin, Director General of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), which administers the award, said: “The organization awarded the 2017 Al-Sumait Prize in the field of Education represents innovative, exciting initiatives being carried out to address education access and quality as well as gender equity challenges facing Africa.”
  

Category: Social and Human Science

• A Professor of Education Technology in the Faculty of Education at Kuwait University
• Dr. Al-Dhafiri has 25 scientific papers in refereed journals and has presented at nine conferences

Category:  Arabic and Islamic Heritage (Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Mathematics)

The laureate of the prize is Professor Maroun Khalil Aouad from Lebanon. Professor Maroun is the Director of the French National Center for research in Paris, France.  Professor Maroun work in the intersection between philosophy and fundamental sciences in the Arab and Islamic civilization won him global recognition. His research in the legacy and the manuscripts of Ibn Rusha (Averroes) and Abou Hajaj Ibn Tamlouse represents the pillar of his contribution to the Arabic and Islamic heritage.

Category: Applied Sciences (Applied Medical & Applied Allied Health Sciences)

Professor Shaker Mousa, from Egypt, chairman of the pharmaceutical Research Institute at Albany College of Pharmacy in New York. He is an outstanding biochemical/pharmacology investigator whose research portfolio includes work on nanotechnology and drug delivery systems. His research in pharmacology has a major industrial impact.

Category:  Engineering Sciences

• From the Department of Industrial and Management Systems Engineering in the Faculty of Engineering and Petroleum at Kuwait University
• His contributions have results in 25 manuscripts in well-reputed journals and has participated in several conferences
  

Category:  Economics and Social Sciences (Education)

The Prize was awarded to Professor Saouma Bou Jaoude, from Lebanon. He holds the position of Director of Science and Math Center in the American University of Beirut. The highlights of Professor Bou Jaoude’s achievement include innovative pedagogical approach to teaching science and math with emphasis on the relation to the development of basic education in the Arab World.

Category:  Natural Sciences and Mathematics

• An Associate Professor in the Chemistry Department in the Faculty of Sciences at Kuwait University
• Professor Al-Azmi has published 23 papers in well-reputed journals in organic chemistry
  

Category:  Medicine and Medical Sciences

• Dr. Al-Roughani is a neurologist at the Amiri Hospital in Kuwait
• He has published 72 scientific manuscripts and has participated in over 65 international conferences
• His research on multiple sclerosis has been recognized at the global level and has a clear impact on the medical arena
  

Category: Administrative Sciences and Economics

• Professor Al-Freih is an Associate Professor in the Accounting Department in the Faculty of Business Studies at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training
  
• He has published 30 scientific papers and two books in the field of financial accounting
  

Category: Applied Sciences (Applied Medical & Applied Allied Health Sciences)

Professor Amin Arnaout, an accomplished Professor of Nephrology at the Massachusetts General Hospital; an exemplary physician and scientist with a distinguished history of research on understanding kidney disease, especially with regard to the characterization of integrins.

Category:  Fundemental Science (Chemistry)

The Laureate of the Prize is Professor Omar Yaghi, born in Amman, Jordan in 1965. He currently occupies the J. and N. Tretter Chair Professor of Chemistry, University of California, Berkeley.

Professor. Yaghi is credited with being the driving force in developing the novel field of MOFs, also known as reticular chemistry, since about 1994. His contribution is enormous, and seminal in establishing and vigorously advancing this whole new field of chemistry, which in the course of the last 20 years has become an extremely popular field of fundamental investigation with potential industrial applications.

Category: Arts and Literature (Comparative and Literary Translation)

The prize is awarded to Professor Nabil Ebrahim Matar, from Lennon. Professor Mater is a professor of English literature at the University of Cambridge in the UK.

He was awarded the prize in recognition of his successful extensive use of modern comparative methodology, which is vividly apparent in in his work encompassing the literary factor as well as theological, political, social, geographical and historical dimensions.

Second place shared

• Earned her Ph.D. in Educational Administration in 2015 from the Institute of Advanced Studies of Arts and Humanities at the Lebanese University.
• Dr. Dalal is currently the Elementary & Intermediate Cycle Director, at Notre Dame Antonine Sisters’ School Hazmieh/Jamhour – Trilingual Section.
• Her PhD title: “The Development of Collaborative Self-Assessment Standards and Procedures in Vocational Education Settings:  A model reflecting in the Lebanese school reality”.
  PhD thesis (click to review)

Second place shared

• Earned his Ph.D. in Educational Administration in 2015 from the College of Education at King Saud University.
• Dr. Alrayes is currently a Quality & Vice-Dean for Development, self-Development of Department, Chairman Deanship of Preparatory year – University of Dammam.
• His PhD title: “School accreditation in public schools in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia”.
  PhD thesis (click to review)
  

Category:  Physical sciences and Mathematics

• Earned her Ph.D. in physical chemistry in 2005 from Kuwait University.
• Dr. Halema is an Associate Professor, College of Health Sciences, Environmental Health Department, at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training.    
• Published over 20 research papers in refereed journals, and 38 research and reviews in scientific conferences.
  

Category: African Development

• The joint winner of the 2016 Al-Sumait Prize for Food Security is a leading African crop center that focuses on research and development of the key African food crops: banana and plantain, cassava, cowpea, maize, soybean, and yam. Impact of this important work is well documented on improving yields of major staple food crops, such as cassava, banana and plantain, and maize, across the Sub- Saharan African region with pest and disease resistance, and tolerance for abiotic stresses such as drought, heat, poor soils, and climate change.
• The IITA developed and deployed safe and more nutritious food crops such as legumes, cereals (vitamin A maize), with the first released orange maize varieties from it, and tubers (cassava) through biofortification, use of efficient and affordable biocontrol products against aflatoxins, and made these available to the smallholder farm families in the region to balance calories, diversify diets, and safeguard health and nutrition.
• Dr Sanginga Director General of IITA said: ‘We are proud of this award and we thank the Al-Sumait Prize for recognizing the efforts of IITA and our partners 
  in helping African farmers and communities improve their livelihoods and enhance food and nutrition security through research and development on major food staples.”
  

Category: Arts & Literature (Studies in Arts, Drama & Music)

• Earned her Ph.D. in Drama in 1984 from the University of Exeter, UK. And is currently a professor of drama and criticism at the Higher Institute of Art Criticism, at the Arts Academy in Egypt.
• Professor Nehad Selaiha published a number of unique research papers in refereed journals, and authored and translated a number of published books and chapters in books. She is characterized by her distinctive activities in the Egyptian, the Arab, and the international modern drama, creativity in using postmodernism art criticism and the multiplicity of her interests in the field.
• Professor Nehad Selaiha received the state award in Arts from the Egyptian Ministry of Culture in 2013 and the prize for the best book in the field of drama criticism at the Cairo International Book Fair in 1999.
  

Category:  Arts & Literature (Studies in Arts, Drama & Music)

• Earned his Ph.D. in the History of Arts and Architecture in 1964 from University of Paris – Sorbonne, France. He is a Professor of History, Arts, and Architecture at the University of Damascus in Syria. He published over 70 internationally renowned books, many of which were translated to foreign languages and contributed in authoring international encyclopedias.
• Prof. AlBahnassi works is characterized by his in-depth studies dealing with the unique aesthetic aspects of Arab heritage and the contemporary Arab reality, particularly, his interest in Islamic and Arab arts, such as (Islamic aesthetic impact in the modern era, Arab aesthetic decoration, Arab Arts and Calligraphy, and the search for the roots of philosophy, arts and fiction in Islamic heritage).
• Prof. AlBahnassi received numerous honors and medals from leaders and heads of Arab states in recognition of his scientific work and contributions.

Category:  Medical Science and Allied Health Sciences

• Earned his Medical degree in Pediatrics in 2000 from Miami Children Hospital.
• Dr. Waleed AlHerz is an associate professor at the Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine at Kuwait University
• Published 58 research papers in scientific refereed journals, and authored two books in 2013 and 2014.
  

Category:  Food Security 2016

• Vitamin A deficiency (VAD) is one of the most pernicious forms of undernourishment in the developing world. It limits growth, weakens immunity, affects sight and increases mortality rates. Afflicting over 140 million preschool children in 118 countries and more than seven million pregnant women, it is the leading cause of child blindness in developing countries. The Sweet Potato for Nutrition Team at the International Potato Centre in Peru has been awarded the 2016 Al-Sumait Prize for food security for its work with African farmers and households advancing the contribution of orange-fleshed sweet potato (OFSP) to address VAD.
• Barbara Wells Director General CIP said: “We are very honored that this work on biofortified sweet potato has been recognized and awarded the Al-Sumait Prize for food security. The contribution this crop has on reducing childhood blindness and stunting across Africa is crucial to health, nutrition and development.”
• The citation for the International Potato Centre’s laureate-nominated work noted: “The Sweet Potato for Nutrition Team mobilized funds from interested donors to bring the nutritional benefits of Vitamin A-rich OFSP to an estimated nearly 2 million households in countries across Sub-Saharan Africa. The team fast tracked breeding of OFSP varieties in Africa, resulting in release of over 50 nutritious varieties along with increased technical capacity of national research staff in several countries and developing varieties with increased productivity and resistance to sweet potato virus disease.”
  

First place

• Earned her Ph.D. in Education in 2014 from the British University in Dubai, UAE
• Dr. Traish is currently a Foundation Program Coordinator – English Language Center – University of Sharjah.
• Her PhD title: “Comparative analysis of Proficiency Scores of university students in the United Arab Emirates: The Effectiveness of using a first language when teaching a second language in a reading class”
  PhD thesis (click to review)
  

Category:  Engineering Sciences

• Earned his Ph.D. in Petroleum Engineering in 2003 from the University of Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA.
• Dr. Eisa is an Associate Professor at the Department of Petroleum Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Petroleum, Kuwait University.
• Published over 20 research papers in refereed journals, and 25 research papers in refereed scientific conferences.
  

Category:  Fundamental Sciences (Physics)

• Earned his Ph.D. in Astrophysics in 1980 from Cornell University in the USA. He is the Executive Director of the Infrared Processing and Analysis Center (IPAC) and Research Professor of Physics at the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California.
• Professor Helou published over 250 scientific research papers and articles in refereed international journals resulting in over 26,895 citations. He received a rate of 80 in the global H-Index that measures the impact of publications.
• Prof. Helou has contributed in many space missions of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA), especially in Spitzer and Herschel infrared satellites, that notably contributed in the development of the science of astronomy using infrared radiation.
  

Category: Applied Sciences (Food & Agriculture)

• Earned his Ph.D. degree in Genetics in 1991 from University of California (Davis), USA, and is currently a Professor of Biology at the University of East Anglia and a Senior Scientist at the Sainsbury Laboratory, John Innes Center, UK.
• Professor Kamoun published 186 scientific research papers in international journals, and 15 chapters in different books in the field of molecular plant pathology. Throughout his career, Prof. Kamoun has been acclaimed as a world-leading researcher in the field of plant pathology. His work basically focuses on epidemiology of potato diseases, and in the successful production of microbial resistant species.
• His research received 12,730 citations, and a rate of 63 in the global H-Index that measures the impact of publications.
  

Category: Social Sciences and Humanities

• Earned his Ph.D. in Arab Literature in 1992 from University of Utah, USA.
• Dr. Abdullah is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Arabic Language and Literature, Faculty of Arts at Kuwait University.
• Published 25 scientific research papers in refereed journals, and authored 15 books. He contributes to local daily newspapers.
  

Category: Economics and Social Sciences- Social Sciences

• Received Ph.D. in sociology in 1994 from the School of Graduate Studies in Social Sciences in Paris – France.
• Currently, the Chairman of the Department of Sociology at the American University in Beirut, Lebanon.
• Contributed to the development of methodologies in his field of specialty «sociology of knowledge and political sociology».
• Published numerous research papers in scientific journals in three languages: Arabic, English and French.
• A single author of 13 books and a co-author and editor of 11 books.
• Addresses issues and problems of the Palestinian refugees in Syria and Lebanon as well as problems of social exclusion in the Arab region and the problems of the so-called ‘Arab Spring’.
• Issues in 2015 two books considered the most important books in the field of sociology: “Scientific research and the knowledge society” and ‘The future of social sciences in the Arab world.”
• Currently, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Council of Social Sciences and vice president of the World Federation of sociologists.
  

Category:  African Development

• The winner of the first Al-Sumait Prize for Health is Professor Kevin Marsh of the University of Oxford and African Academy of Sciences, Kenya, for his sustained efforts to control and eradicate malaria, which affects the health of tens of millions of African children.
• The majority of Professor Marsh’s work during the past ten years has focused on developing better control to eventually eradicate the malaria infection. His leadership in the development of the Alliance for Accelerating Excellence in Science in Africa (AESA), a new pan African platform for supporting excellence in science, is having a continent-wide effect in building the scientific and technological base on which Africa’s development depends.
• Professor Marsh said: “I am tremendously honored and excited to have been awarded the Al- Sumait 2015 Health Prize, which I see as recognition of the work of many wonderful colleagues who I have been fortunate to work with over the last thirty- five years. The award will be used to continue to support the development of science in the continent, particularly through supporting emerging young African research leaders.”
  

Category: Applied Sciences - water

• Received PhD in chemical engineering in 1983 from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA
• Currently, professor of chemical engineering at the Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Petroleum, Kuwait University
• Considered a pioneer and international expert in the sea water desalination
• Boasts more than 97 research publications in scientific journals, three unpublished chapters in a scientific reference and co-authored one scientific book
• Research focuses on the most urgent problems in the water sector, namely, the availability of water in arid areas, the balance between the technology and economics, and the theoretical and practical aspects in all water issues, especially sea water desalination using thermal operations, reverse osmosis and micro-filtration
• Published research citations reached more than three thousand with 30 degree in the global H-Index.
• Editorial Board Member in global journals specialized in water treatment and desalination (Elsevier - Taylor and France)
• Received numerous grants and awards, including the Sultan Bin Abdulaziz International Prize for Water 2004.
  

Category:  Medical Science and Allied Health

• Received Ph.D. in genetics of cancer tumors in 1999 from the University of Glasgow, Scotland in the United Kingdom
• Published 96 papers in refereed scientific journals and presented 50 papers in international conferences. Boasts six patents from international scientific bodies
• Currently, a professor in ‘science of human genome’ and head of the Pathology Unit, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University
  

Category:  Social Sciences and Humanities

• Received Ph.D. in the science of industrial and organizational psychology in 1994 from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom
• Published 23 papers in refereed journals and three research papers in scientific conferences proceedings, and participated in 15 scientific conferences. Authored six published scientific books in addition to five published translated books.
• Currently works in the Department of Psychology, Faculty of Social Sciences, Kuwait University
  

Category:  Arts and Literature - studies in foreign languages and literature

• Received Ph.D. in the field of translation studies in 1999 from Manchester University for Science and Technology in England
• Currently, professor emeritus in the Translation and Cultural Studies Center, University of Manchester, United Kingdom
• Published 50 scientific articles in international and local refereed journals and books published in Britain, America, Sweden, China and Germany over the past twenty years
• Contributed to the development of the curriculum of translation Studies, a branch of “science and knowledge” as described in her introduction of the first edition of the encyclopedia that she participated in editing (Routledge) Encyclopedia of translation studies in 1998
• Renowned for founding a new theory of translation that relies on a particular methodology to analyze the narratives of political and moral dimensions and analysis of terminology
• Contributed to systemizing the Arabic translation studies systematically and internationally
• A founding member of the International Association for Translation. Founder and editor of the (Journal of Translation), which has become a key reference in the field. Founded a publishing house for specialized academic publishing, and founded postgraduate programs and specialized centers in European and Arab universities.
  

Category:  Basic Sciences - Basic Medical Sciences

• Received Ph.D. in the field of biological psychology in 1972 from the University of California, Los Angeles, USA
• Currently, Professor of neurology and psychiatry, and the Director of the Institute of Molecular Neuroscience and Behavior at the University of Michigan, USA.
• Achieved international recognition for her in depth knowledge of the biology of emotional disposition, neurological diseases resulting from psychological stress and endorphin related to behaviors, pain, stress, anxiety, depression, and aggressive behavior.
• Published more than 441 research papers and 130 chapters in scientific journals and books as well as 183 research contributions at international conferences
• Boasts three patent certificates from the United States
• Internationally ranked among distinguished scholars, and was honored by different renowned scientific bodies such as the US National Academy of Science.
• Cited more than 30 thousand times and received 92 degrees on the global H-Index.
  

Category:  Engineering Sciences

• Received Ph.D. in chemical engineering in 1996 from the University of Oklahoma in the United States
• Published 24 papers in scientific journals as well as 35 scientific research works published in the proceedings of international and regional conferences. Co-authored a published scientific book and participated In the editing of the proceedings of four scientific conferences
• Currently, a senior researcher in Oil Research Center at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
  

Category:   Life Sciences

• Received Ph.D. in the science of microbiology in 2006 from the University of Bath in the United Kingdom
• Published 22 papers in refereed scientific journals and co-authored two published scientific books
• Currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University
  

Category: Medical Science and Allied Health

• Received PhD in molecular endocrine glands in 1999 from London College in the United Kingdom
• Published at least 27 papers in international scientific journals and co-authored three scientific books as well as participated in more than 35 international and regional conferences where he presented more than 60 presentations for the Science Poster.
• Currently, Vice Dean of Administrative and Financial Affairs, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University
  

Category: Arabic and Islamic Scientific Heritage

• Received Ph.D. in philosophy in 1999 from the New School of Social Research - New York
• Currently, a professor and head of the Civilization Sequencing Program at the American University in Beirut, Lebanon.
• Authored numerous books and scientific publications and published in international academic journals
• Proficient in scientific concepts in the science of numbers and engineering and landscapes.
• Outstanding scholar in Phenomenology and is comparison with the work of Ibn Sina
• Adept at perfecting and fine-tuning of scientific heritage manuscripts. Runs many scientific advisory centers as well as contributed to numerous BBC broadcasts on cultural programs.
  

Category: Engineering Science

• Received Ph.D. in industrial engineering and management systems in 1990 from the University of Arizona in the United States
• Published many research refereed articles in the field of tabulation and quality in prestigious scientific journals such as (C&OR) (IJPE) as well as authoring nearly 30 professional articles in Arabic and English in several areas mainly, development and education
• Currently, a professor in the Department of Industrial Engineering and Management Systems, Faculty of Engineering and Petroleum, Kuwait University.
  

Category:  Social Sciences and Humanities

• Received PhD in economic geography in 1988 from the University of Exeter, United Kingdom
• Published more than 21 papers in refereed journals and co-authored two books and two chapters in two books, in addition to a number of research papers published at international conferences.
• Currently, works in the Department of Geography, Faculty of Social Sciences, Kuwait University
  

Category: Natural and Mathematical Sciences

• Received Ph.D. in physical chemistry in 1992 from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom
• Published more than 50 research papers in distinguished scientific journals (Q1 & Q2). Participated in the preparation of two scientific books and attended more than 20 local and international scientific conferences
• Currently, professor in the Chemistry Department, Faculty of Science, Kuwait University
  

Category:    Administrative and Economic Sciences

• Received Ph.D. in accounting in 2006 from the University of Western Australia
• Published more than 25 papers in international journals in Accounting and authored two books in Accounting titled (“Accounting Principles”; and the “Principles of Cost Accounting”) in addition to attending and participating in research at many international, regional and local conferences
• Currently, a faculty in the Accounting department at the College of Business Studies, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training
  

Category: Economics and Social Sciences- Economics and Management. (shared) 

• Received Ph.D. in sociology in 1994 from the School of Graduate Studies in Social Sciences in Paris – France.
• Currently, the Chairman of the Department of Sociology at the American University in Beirut, Lebanon.
• Contributed to the development of methodologies in his field of specialty «sociology of knowledge and political sociology».
• Published numerous research papers in scientific journals in three languages: Arabic, English and French.
• A single author of 13 books and a co-author and editor of 11 books.
• Addresses issues and problems of the Palestinian refugees in Syria and Lebanon as well as problems of social exclusion in the Arab region and the problems of the so-called ‘Arab Spring’.
• Issues in 2015 two books considered the most important books in the field of sociology: “Scientific research and the knowledge society” and ‘The future of social sciences in the Arab world.”
• Currently, the Vice Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Arab Council of Social Sciences and vice president of the World Federation of sociologists.
  

Category: Economics and Social Sciences- Economics and Management (shared)

• Received Ph.D. in business administration 1981 from the University of Northern Colorado - United States
• Currently, a Professor at the Faculty of Economics Birzeit University – Palestine
• Published 33 research papers in English and 7 in Arabic in refereed scientific journals
• Diversified research work with focus on financial aspects and applied studies in local communities.
• Contributed to establishing the College of Business Administration at Birzeit University and the graduate program
• Member and founder of a number of international scientific associations and specialized societies.
  

Category: Applied Sciences – Engineering Sciences

• Received Ph.D. in electrical engineering in 1988 from California Institute of Technology – United States
• Currently, a Professor of industry of telecommunications at the University of California, San Diego
• Published 227 papers in refereed scientific journals
• Cited more than 19 thousand times and received a rating of 64 in the Hirsch global index (H-Index)
• Focuses in research and experience on micro-electromechanical systems.
• Credited with a number of inventions such as radar to detect and monitor pedestrians in vehicles and aircraft landing systems.
  

Category: Arts and Literature - Studies in Arabic language and literature

• Received Ph.D. in linguistics and semantics in 1999 from the University of Jordan
• Currently, Dean of Faculty of Arts at the University of Birzeit Palestine
• Published 24 research and scientific studies in refereed journals, and authored 6 books and edited 7 books.
• Focuses on key issues related to linguistics and the science of language in various topics
• Won numerous awards and occupied Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani Chair of Arabic language and literature.
  

Category:   Life Sciences

• Received Ph.D. in the Nutrition in 2001 from Harper University, UK
• Presented more than 20 concept papers in international conferences and founded the Kuwait branch of the World Poultry Association, which is an association for the science of poultry and has significant presence all over the world
• Currently works in the Agricultural production program of the Environment and Life Sciences Center, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research.