His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, celebrated the achievements of six exceptional individuals on January 16, 2026, honoring the winners of the 2025 edition of the Great Arab Minds initiative. Held at the iconic Museum of the Future in Dubai, the ceremony recognized Arab talent across six pivotal fields, underscoring the UAE’s commitment to fostering intellectual contribution, scientific advancement, and cultural pride within the region and globally.
The initiative, described as the largest dedicated to celebrating outstanding Arab achievement, aims to support the expansion of scientific and knowledge-based endeavors while showcasing the creative impact of Arab professionals. By identifying and investing in proven talent, the program seeks to inspire younger generations and cultivate an essential culture of sustained support for Arab individuals making meaningful progress in their respective domains.
Celebrating Excellence Across Six Categories
The 2025 awards recognized outstanding contributions in Medicine, Economics, Engineering and Technology, Natural Sciences, Architecture and Design, and Literature and Arts. Each winner received heartfelt congratulations from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed, who affirmed that the initiative exists to “advance civilization and build societies.”
The honorees for the 2025 edition are:
- Engineering and Technology: Professor Abbas El Gamal, recognized for his pioneering work in network information theory.
- Medicine: Dr. Nabil Seidah, whose research has significantly advanced cardiovascular health and cholesterol regulation.
- Economics: Professor Badi Hani, honored for his breakthrough contributions to econometrics, particularly in developing tools for panel data analysis.
- Natural Sciences: Professor Majed Chergui, celebrated for his advancements in understanding light-matter interactions and developing techniques to study ultrafast molecular dynamics.
- Architecture and Design: Dr. Suad Amiry, acknowledged for her dedication to preserving Palestinian architectural heritage through documentation and conservation efforts.
- Literature and Arts: Professor Charbel Dagher, recognized for his foundational body of work on Arab and Islamic arts, calligraphy, and modern visual aesthetics.
Investing in a Knowledge-Based Future
During the ceremony, His Highness Sheikh Mohammed articulated the vision behind the awards: to expand horizons for established and emerging Arab talents, reinforcing confidence in their ability to drive scientific research, knowledge creation, and cultural development. He stressed that the initiative provides necessary institutional support and expertise to fuel ambitions across the region.
The event, attended by numerous dignitaries including His Highness Sheikh Maktoum bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, highlighted the strategic importance of nurturing intellectual capital.
His Excellency Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chair of the Higher Committee for the Great Arab Minds initiative, emphasized that the program is a strategic investment in empowering talent.
“Your presence today… sends a powerful message to hundreds of millions of young people to pursue excellence, achievement, and leadership in research, innovation, creativity, and knowledge,” Al Gergawi stated, underscoring the awardees’ role as inspirations.
The Great Arab Minds initiative reinforces the historical context of Arab contributions to science, thought, and architecture, serving as a powerful motivator for contemporary individuals to actively shape their societies and the global future. Professor El Gamal, one of the honorees, expressed profound gratitude, emphasizing the fundamental value of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed’s launch of the program.
Moving forward, the initiative commits to continuously highlighting the achievements of those who approach the future with optimism, maintaining the belief that Arab talent faces no limits in its pursuit of global impact.