Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid A. Al-Falih at the headquarters of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST)

Four women were among 25 winners of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Prize for inventors and the talented (Takreem), which was distributed by Minister of Energy, Industry and Mineral Resources Khalid A. Al-Falih at the headquarters of the King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) on Wednesday.

The prize was established by ministerial decree to contribute to the development of science and technology in support of the transition to a knowledge-based society; to encourage and appreciate distinguished inventors and the gifted in science, technology and innovation; to develop a spirit of creativity, innovation and invention; and to motivate talents and abilities.

The laureates received cash prizes ranging from SR100,000 ($26,663) to SR200,000 ($53,326) to help them promote their future programs.

Congratulating the winners, the KACST’s president, Prince Dr. Turki bin Saud bin Mohammed, chairman of the council of trustees for the prize, said he hoped it would help them achieve more progress and development to build a knowledge-based society.

The prince told Arab News it is a historic occasion when the prize is given to honor winners who contribute a great deal in their field of research and skills.

He said more than SR3 billion ($800 million) has been spent on 2,000 science and technology projects under the first national plan for science, technology and innovation. “We have planned out several new projects under Vision 2030 and the National Transformation Program (NTP) 2020.”

He added that the prize demonstrates the interest shown by King Salman to encourage and give honor where it is due.

Al-Falih said the intelligentsia is being encouraged by the king at a time when the government is undergoing a transformation period under Vision 2030 and NTP 2020. The Kingdom can use their talents for national prosperity, the minister said.

Secretary general of the awards committee, Dr. Abdulrahman bin Ibrahim, said the committee received 387 nominations in the inventors category and 583 in the gifted category. “We have chosen 17 winners from the first category, while seven were selected for the gifted category,” he said.

The prize for the inventors category was awarded to Dr. Muneer bin Mahmoud Al-Dsouqi, Dr. Ali bin Abdrabb Al-Rasool Al-Hamza, Dr. Fares bin Dabas Al-Sweilem, Dr. Waleed bin Fahd Allafi, Dr. Ali bin Saad Al-Ghamdi, Dr. Abdullah bin Mohammed Asiri, Dr. Basem bin Yousef Sheikh, Dr. Khalid bin Saad Abdukhair, Dr. Majed bin Muaala Al-Hazmi, Dr. Saeed bin Mohammed Al-Zahrani, Dr. Saad bin Abdullah Al-Jalil, Dr. Inas bin Mueen Al-Nashef, Dr. Khadija bint Mohammed Al-Zaydi, Dr. Iman bint Kamel Al-Dagas, Eng. Saleh bin Bidaiwe Al-Ruwaili, Eng. Saeed bin Mahd Al-Mubarak and Mohsen bin Jubran Hussein.

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