The Great Arab Minds Award

Great Arab Minds Award
Awarded for	Arab Scholars
Country	United Arab Emirates
Presented by	Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai
Rewards	A trophy and monetary award of 1 million AED for each of the six categories
First award	8 January 2023
Number of laureates	6 per year
Website	greatarabminds.ae

The Great Arab Minds Initiative is an annual award launched by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates to honor Arab scholars. ^{[1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6]}

The Great Arab Minds award is given in six categories: Natural Sciences, Medicine, Literature & Arts, Economics, Engineering and Technology, and Architecture & Design. ^[7] One million Dirhams is awarded for each winner in each category to support research and projects. ^{[8] [9] [10]}

History

In June 2014 Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum published an article titled 'Reverse Brain Drain', highlighting the loss faced by the Arab nations due to the emigration of scholars. ^[11] Eight years later, in January 2022, he inaugurated the award in the hopes of reducing brain drain in the Arab world. ^{[12] [13]}

Main Objectives

• Reduce the emigration of Arab scientists, specialists, intellectuals, doctors, and engineers.
• Build a network of Arab thinkers, scientists, and exceptional talents to work as one team to drive the Arab world's intellectual renaissance.
• Support and encourage Arab scholars and scientists.
• Empowering a cluster of Arab scientists and thinkers to serve as role models for future Arab generations. ^[14]

Leadership Team and Specialist Committees

• Official Sponsor and Visionary: His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the United Arab Emirates, Ruler of Dubai.
• Higher Committee Chairman: Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs.
• Secretary General: Saeed Al Nazari.
• Jury Committees: Each category within the initiative is evaluated by a dedicated jury committee comprising Arab experts and specialists, alongside a Nomination Committee to review candidates.

Award Recipients 2023

• Hani Najm ^[15] : Winner of the Great Arab Minds Award in the Medicine Category.
• Fadel Adib ^[16] : Winner of the Great Arab Minds Award in the Engineering and Technology Category.
• Niveen Khashab ^[17] : Winner of the Great Arab Minds Award in the Natural Sciences Category.
• Mohamed El Erian ^[18] : Winner of the Great Arab Minds Award in the Economics Category.
• Lina Ghotmeh ^[19] : Winner of the Great Arab Minds Award in the Architecture and Design Category.
• Waciny Laredj ^[20] : Winner of the Great Arab Minds Award in the Literature and Arts category.

Award Recipients 2024

Source: ^[21]

• Yasmine Belkaid – Medicine
• Oussama Khatib – Engineering and Technology
• Yacine Ait-Sahalia – Economics
• Omar Yaghi – Natural Sciences
• Sahel Al Hiyari – Architecture and Design
• Dia al-Azzawi – Literature and Arts

Awards ceremony

The ceremony for the winners of the first round of the Great Arab Minds Awards

An award ceremony for the winners takes place at the Museum of the Future in Dubai, attended by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, along with several officials, Arab scientists, experts, and distinguished guests.

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, presents the trophy of The Great Arab Minds Award to six winners in recognition of their achievements. ^[22]

The trophy, designed by Yasmin Al Mulla, reflects the essence and resilience of the Arab individual, symbolizing their contributions to human civilization despite challenges. The base of the award is made of metal and features engravings of characters from the Ugaritic alphabet, one of the earliest known alphabets.

The award displays the logo of The Great Arab Minds, an illustration of a magnetic field that represents the convergence of minds, highlighting the role of role models, researchers, and scientists in advancing scientific progress in the Arab world and signifies the release and drive of energies toward achieving scientific advancement. ^[23]

References

1. "Muslim Council of Elders Commends 'Great Arab Minds' Initiative and Congratulates Dr. Hani Najm, the Winner of its Medicine Award". www.muslim-elders.com. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
2. Tesorero, Angel. "Dubai: 'Arab Nobel' for medicine conferred on US-based Saudi heart surgeon". Khaleej Times. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
3. "Great Arab Minds – glob.art" . Retrieved 30 May 2024.
4. "Considered the Arab equivalent of the prestigious Nobel Prize, the Great Arab Minds Award is undoubtedly the most illustrious award in the Arab world". Harper\'S Bazaar Arabia. 16 January 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
5. "Mohammed bin Rashid honours winners of 'Great Arab Minds' Awards". sharjah24.ae. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
6. "Dr. Hani Najm Receives First Great Arab Minds Award in Medicine". MedEdge MEA. 27 November 2023. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
7. "W Laredj Wins UAE's Great Arab Minds Award In Arts & Literature". utkarsh.com. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
8. Amir, Salam Al (8 January 2024). "Dh100 million allocated to foster innovation as Dubai celebrates Great Arab Minds winners". The National. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
9. "Mohammed Bin Rashid awards Dh1m each to Great Arab Minds winners in Dubai". gulfnews.com. 8 January 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
10. "From educating Palestinians to empowering women, how Great Arab Minds winners will spend Dh1 million prize money". gulfnews.com. 10 January 2024. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
11. "الهجرة المعاكسة للعقول". sheikhmohammed.ae (in Arabic). Retrieved 30 May 2024.
12. "Great Arab Minds Award". manhom.com. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
13. WAM (8 January 2024). "Mohammed bin Rashid honours six winners of inaugural 'Great Arab Minds' Awards - UAE - Emirates24|7". www.emirates247.com. Retrieved 30 May 2024.
14. "Details of 'Great Arab Minds' initiative announced in Dubai". Arab News. 29 September 2022. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
15. "Saudi Dr. Hani Najm Wins Great Arab Minds Award in Medicine". spa.gov.sa. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
16. "Lebanese Professor Wins Great Arab Minds Award in Technology, Engineering". aawsat.com. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
17. "Lebanese scientist Niveen Khashab wins Great Arab Minds Award in Natural Science". gulfnews.com. 19 December 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
18. "Egyptian-American economist Mohamed El-Erian named Great Arab Minds winner". www.thenationalnews.com. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
19. "Lebanon's Lina Ghotmeh Announced as GAM Architecture & Design Award Winner". english.aawsat.com. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
20. "Algerian Professor Waciny Laredj wins UAE-based Great Arab Minds Award in Literature and Arts". gulfnews.com. 24 December 2023. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
21. "GAM Award Recipients". Great Arab Minds. 15 July 2025. Retrieved 10 October 2025.
22. "تعرّف إلى نوابغ العرب لعام 2023 الذين كُرِموا اليوم عن إنجازاتهم في مجالات مختلفة". إم آي تي تكنولوجي ريفيو (in Arabic). 8 January 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.
23. "Great Arab Minds: Yasmin Al Mulla Designs Official Trophy For HH Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum's New Initiative | Harper's Bazaar Arabia". 16 January 2024. Retrieved 19 September 2024.

External links

• Official website