The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) introduced the role of the Kuwait Prize in supporting Arab researchers and advancing knowledge at the Oman Science Festival 2026, held on Sunday. Ali Al-Yousef, a representative of the Foundation's Awards Department, emphasized the importance of raising awareness about the Foundation's support for scientific research and talented individuals.
Opportunity for Interaction with Researchers and Academics
In his speech titled "The Role of the Kuwait Prize in Supporting Arab Researchers," Al-Yousef stated: "This festival provided an opportunity for direct interaction with researchers, academics, and science enthusiasts in Oman." He added that the Foundation's goal is to explain the prize's fields, nomination requirements, and evaluation process, and also encourages Omani researchers to participate in the annual cycles of this prize.
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The Kuwait Prize and Its Impact on the Scientific Community
The Kuwait Prize, awarded by KFAS since 1979, is considered one of the prestigious scientific awards in the Arab world and is given to scientists and researchers who have contributed to the advancement of their fields through their scientific and intellectual achievements. Al-Yousef further added: "This prize is sometimes referred to as the 'Arab Nobel Prize.'"
Participation in scientific events allows the Foundation to encourage outstanding achievements in the Arab research community and identify works that contribute to the advancement of knowledge and serve the community. This prize also aims to promote scientific excellence, encourage researchers to engage in creative work, and provide inspiring models for young generations interested in research and innovation. Over the past four decades, KFAS has honored researchers whose work has contributed to the development of their fields at both regional and international levels.
In this speech, Al-Yousef outlined the four annual fields of the prize: Basic Sciences, Applied Sciences, Economic, Social and Legal Sciences, and Humanities, Arts, and Literature. An additional field that includes emerging interdisciplinary sciences is awarded every two years. He also explained the evaluation process, which includes initial screening, scientific assessment by specialists, and review of results and recommendations by selection committees. The evaluation criteria focus on the originality, distinction, and impact of the nominees' achievements.
The fifth Oman Science Festival was inaugurated last Monday in Muscat. This ten-day event, organized by the Ministry of Education of Oman, aims to promote scientific literacy and increase awareness in the fields of science, technology, and innovation through exploration and interactive experiments. KFAS participated in this festival by setting up a special booth that includes a scientific center, the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Genius and Creativity, the National Kuwait Space Research Center, and a company for the publication and distribution of scientific advancements. The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences was established in 1976 by an Emiri decree and operates as a private non-profit foundation supporting science, technology, and innovation for the advancement of sustainable development in Kuwait.
