Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award…a global platform that celebrates minds who changed the future of humanity

Dubai, March 23 / WAM / The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award has established itself as one of the most prominent global awards that celebrates individuals and institutions who have contributed to developing the production of knowledge and disseminating it on a large scale through innovations and achievements that have made a tangible impact on the lives of millions of people around the world.

The award reflects the UAE’s vision of consolidating knowledge as a basic foundation for sustainable development and building a future based on innovation and scientific research.

The award was launched in 2015 at the initiative of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, “may God protect him,” with the aim of encouraging scholars, researchers, thinkers and leading institutions to develop paths of knowledge and enhance its dissemination globally in a way that contributes to supporting human, economic and social progress.

Since its inception, the award has honored a group of the most prominent figures and institutions that had a profound impact on shaping the global knowledge landscape, including the inventor of the Internet, Sir Tim Berners-Lee, whose creation of the World Wide Web in 1989 contributed to launching a new digital era that radically changed the ways of communicating and exchanging information and connecting billions of people around the world.

Jimmy Wales, founder of the Wikipedia encyclopedia, was also honored in recognition of his role in creating the largest open knowledge platform in history, which provided knowledge for free to hundreds of millions of users and contributed to enhancing the concept of free access to information and digital education.

The list of honorees also included Japanese scientist Hiroshi Ishiguro, one of the most prominent pioneers in robotics, whose research contributed to the development of advanced human robots and innovative applications in artificial intelligence. The award also honored Melinda Gates in recognition of her contributions to supporting education and enhancing access to knowledge through global initiatives that contributed to empowering millions of students.

In the field of scientific research and sustainability, Dr. Hiroshi Kumiyama was honored for his intellectual contributions to developing concepts of sustainable development, along with the Magdi Yacoub Foundation for Heart Research, which played a prominent role in providing advanced medical services and saving the lives of thousands of patients, which reflects the vital role of scientific research in improving the quality of life.

Among the most prominent milestones in the award’s history is the honoring of scientists Katalin Carrico and Drew Wiseman in 2022 in recognition of their pioneering research into messenger RNA (mRNA) technology, which formed the scientific basis for developing “Covid-19” vaccines during a record period. The two scientists later won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 2023 after their discoveries contributed to saving millions of lives around the world.

The list of honorees also included Henrik von Scheele, one of the most prominent pioneers of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, who contributed to the development of economic and technical models that led the digital transformation in many sectors. Dr. Zhang Yongchen was also honored, who published the genetic sequence of the Coronavirus in the early stages of the pandemic, which enabled scientists to accelerate the development of vaccines and treatments.

As part of honoring major scientific initiatives, the award also celebrated the Emirates Mars Exploration Project, the “Hope Probe,” which constituted a historic achievement for the country as the first Arab mission to reach the orbit of the Red Planet and contributed to providing important scientific data to the global research community.

In its most recent session, the award honored Dr. Andrew Ing, one of the most prominent pioneers of artificial intelligence and digital education, who through his educational platforms contributed to making technical knowledge available to millions of learners around the world. The honor also included Emirati scientist Dr. Ahmed Eid Al Muhairi in recognition of his contributions to theoretical physics, in addition to Dr. David Clark and Dr. Inke Ehlers, who presented advanced research in developing innovative treatments for psychological disorders.

The award also honored His Excellency Juma Al Majid in recognition of his long career in supporting the dissemination of knowledge and the preservation of cultural and human heritage through initiatives and institutions that contributed to preserving manuscripts and historical documents and making them available to researchers around the world.

The Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award continues to consolidate its presence among the influential global initiatives in supporting the process of science and knowledge by honoring models whose achievements have contributed to bringing about real transformations in various areas of life.

With each new session, the award strengthens its role in highlighting pioneering ideas and scientific achievements that open new horizons for societies and affirms the UAE’s commitment to supporting scientists and innovators and empowering them based on its belief that knowledge remains the most influential force in the progress of humanity and creating a more prosperous and sustainable future.

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