Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Arab Researchers Award
As the first Arab award concerned with scientific research and celebrating Arab researchers; The Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation launched the Arab Researchers' Award in 1982, to support and highlight scientific research throughout the Arab world, and to participate in preparing and inspiring a generation of Arab researchers, experts, and specialists in various scientific fields, considering the limited capabilities of research institutions and universities.
This award is given in recognition of an outstanding scientific output whose distribution and dissemination contributes to the advancement of scientific and applied knowledge, as well as the resolution of challenges in high-priority local, regional, and global areas.
The award has six primary fields, the award's scientific committee decides on two different topics for each field annually.
Award Fields
- Medical and Health Sciences
- Engineering Sciences
- Basic Sciences
- Humanitarian, Social and Educational Sciences
- Economics and Administration Sciences
- Agriculture and Technology
Award History
1982: Launch of the Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Young Arab Researchers - 4 awards covering 4 knowledge specialties, worth JOD 3 thousand each
1983: 5 awards
1984: 7 awards
1991: 9 awards
1993: 10 awards worth JOD 5 thousand each
1995: 12 awards
2002: 6 awards, worth USD 10 thousand each. The maximum age limit for the candidates increased from 40 to 45 years
2011: 6 awards, worth USD 15 thousand each
2013: New Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Arab Researchers’ foundations were laid:
- All researchers’ categories are now allowed to be nominated, without any age restriction.
- The Award was renamed to the “Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Arab Researchers”.
- All scientific specializations were confined to six main fields, instead of twelve.
2014: 12 awards, increasing the Award's prize to $20,000.
2017: 35 years of support to the scientific research and Arab researchers.
2018: 36 years of support to the scientific research and Arab researchers.
2019: 37 years of support to the scientific research and Arab researchers.
To know the names of the winners of The Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation Arab Researchers' Award since its inception (click here).
Award Components
The award has neutrality and credibility among Arab researchers, as well as a positive reputation in Arab academic circles, with each winner receiving a $20,000 prize.
Award Committee
His Excellency Prof. Dr. Labib Khadra - Chairman
Experienced academic with a history working in the education management industry. Skilled in strategic planning, research, leadership, and project management. Professor of electrical engineering, founding president of the German Jordanian university 2004 – 2013 and founding president of the crown prince al Hussein technical university 2016 – 2020, as well as former minister of higher education in Jordan 2015.
Embarking on his academic career with a DAAD scholarship at RWTH Aachen, Dr. Khadra obtained his PhD from the University of Texas at Austin. He has held various roles at distinguished institutions in the USA, Germany, and Norway, cultivating a robust international perspective. As Jordan's Minister of Higher Education, appointed by King Abdallah II, his primary focus was to align education with the business sector and prepare for the fourth industrial revolution's challenges.
Under Dr. Khadra’s leadership, the German Jordanian University prioritized practical applications and required students to spend a year abroad in Germany. At Al Hussein Technical University, Dr. Khadra introduced a transformative educational model that emphasized applied STEM education, interdisciplinary work-based learning, and essential future skills development.
Among Dr. Khadra's notable achievements is the establishment of Jordan's first university incubator in 2002, creating numerous internship opportunities. He has received prestigious awards for his exceptional contributions, including the Order of Merit from King Abdullah II, the Federal Republic of Germany, the German Academic Exchange Service, and the Hijjawi Scientific Foundation.
- His Excellency Prof. Saeb Khresat - Member
In 1993, he attended New Mexico State University in the United States to complete his doctoral studies in Natural Resource Management. Between the years 2018 and 2021, he presided over the Jordan University of Science and Technology in the role of President. Between the years 2015 and 2021, he will serve as a member of the Inter-governmental Technical Panel on Soils (FAO) in his capacity as an international expert. His region of responsibility will be the Middle East. Between the years of 2008 and 2010, he was also employed by the Higher Council for Science and Technology in the capacity of Adviser for the Agriculture and Water Sector.
His experience in the fields of soil Genesis and classification studies, drought, desertification, sustainable land management, and food security spans more than 30 years. He is the author of over fifty articles and scientific papers that have been published. In addition to the many articles and lectures that have been presented at various conferences, forums, and workshops both domestically and internationally.
- His Excellency Prof. Wael Masarweh - Member
Prof. Wael Massarweh holds a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Texas A&M University, USA, 1992. Between 1992 and 2000, Wael was an assistant professor of mechanical and industrial engineering at Jordan University of Science & Technology. During this period, he served as a consultant to several industrial establishments. In the year 2000, Wael joined Nuqul Group, Jordan, as a General Manager of their Aluminum extrusion operation and later became the COO of the group. He was responsible for operations in six different countries. After leaving Nuqul Group, Wael took leadership positions at several industrial organizations.
Duties included strategy development, operational turnaround, and market development. Recently, he has consulted with several industrial organizations regarding issues related to strategy and operations. Currently, Wael is responsible for Investment Promotion and development at the Economic Department at the Royal Hashemite Court. Wael maintains working relationships with several universities and occasionally serves on committees, and teaches industrial engineering courses at a number of Jordanian universities.
- Her Excellency Prof. Hanan Malkawi - Member
Prof. Hanan I. Malkawi received a competitive scholarship from Yarmouk University (YU) in Jordan to complete her M.Sc. in Bacteriology & Public Health and PhD in Microbiology & Molecular Biology at Washington State University. Jordanian professor.
She studies nanotechnology, biotechnology, and microbiology. Her projects are higher education, international education, and private-sector academia.
Biotechnology and nanotechnology in medicine, environment, agriculture, food, and industry earned her "The King Abdullah II ibn Al-Hussein Medal for Excellence Second Degree" on May 25, 2022.
She has 75 international peer-reviewed scientific papers and patents. Prof. Malkawi has addressed 130 international conferences, workshops, and congress steering/organizing committees. $15 million research grants.
She founded international centers, scientific programs, research initiatives, and community services. Prof. Hanan guides and introduces young scientists and entrepreneurs to society and organizations. She joins national, regional, and international committees, associations, and organizations. Arab Science & Technology Foundation and German Jordanian University are her trustees. She was chair of the Academic Committee and board member of the Scientific Research and Innovation Support Fund/Ministry of Higher Education & Scientific Research/Jordan, a trustee of Al Al-Bayt University-Jordan, and an EU Higher Education Reform Expert (HEREs). Prof. Malkawi was Vice President for Research & International Relations, Dean of Scientific Research & Graduate Studies, Director of UNESCO Chair for Desert Studies, Director of Foreign Projects Management Unit, Director of Center of Excellence for Jordanian Public University Libraries, Vice-Dean, and Assistant Dean of Faculty of Sciences at Yarmouk University. She was Royal Scientific Society-Jordan Science Engagement Vice President. Dubai-based "Hamdan Bin Mohammad Smart University" research and doctoral studies dean.
- Her Excellency Prof. Tahrir Hamdi - Member
Dr. Tahrir a professor of anti-colonial and resistance literature and currently Rector at Arab Open University/Jordan. I published a new book called Imagining Palestine: Cultures of Exile and National Identity (Bloomsbury, Dec. 2022-January 2023). I have also published research articles in reputable international journals, such as Ariel: A Review of International English Literature, Race & Class, Interventions: The International Journal of Postcolonial Studies, Journal of Postcolonial Writing and Arab Studies Quarterly, which is a journal founded by Edward Said in 1979. I am an assistant editor with the journal Arab Studies Quarterly. I am also an associate editor in the new journal Janus Unbound. Moreover, I am on the editorial board of the journal of Holy Land and Palestine Studies published by Edinburgh University Press. I am currently working on a new book—an edited volume of Ghassan Kanafani’s political writings, which will be published by Pluto books.
My research work revolves around resistance literature, anti-colonial theory and the importance of place and space in literature. I published articles on Edward Said, William Butler Yeats, Mahmoud Darwish, Mourid Barghouti, Saadi Yousef, Ghassan Kanafani, Naji Al Ali, Palestine, Ireland, and Iraq. My current research interests include the complexities of space historical/temporal, geographical and imaginative—within the anti-colonial and resistance spheres.
- His Excellency Prof. Refat Alfaouri- Member
Prof. Refat Alfaouri has a PhD in Public Policy Analysis and Administration with a minor in Organizational Analysis from Saint Louis University in the USA in 1990, an MPA in Public Administration from the University of Southern California in the USA in 1987, and a BA in Administrative Sciences with a focus on Finance from Yarmouk University in Jordan in 1983.
From September 2007 to September 2015, Prof. Refat served as the President of Yarmouk University in Jordan. Additionally, they held positions such as Director General of the Arab Administrative Development Organization - League of Arab States, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Irbid Governorate Electricity Company, Vice President for Administrative, Academic and Quality Assurance at Yarmouk University, and Dean of the School of Economics and Administration Sciences and Professor of Public Administration at Yarmouk University.
Furthermore, Prof. Refat has received 14 grants and provided 30 consultations, attended 300 conferences, published 43 papers, and authored 2 books. They also serve on the editorial board of 7 international journals.
- His Excellency Prof. Khaled Al-salem - Member
Professor El-Salem is the president of Jordan University of Science and Technology (JUST) and Chairman of the Board of Directors of King Abdullah University Hospital. He graduated with a medical degree (MD) form JUST in 1996 and continued his higher education in the United States where he did his residency in Clinical Neurology at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences and Post-Doctoral Fellowship at Duke University Medical Center. He is American Board Certified in four subspecialties: Neurology, Clinical Neurophysiology, Electrodiagnostic Medicine, and Neuromuscular Medicine. He also received a master's degree in health professions education. In 2002, he joined the medical school of JUST as an assistant professor, to be promoted over the following years to associate and then full professor in 2012. During that time Prof. El-Salem was appointed to many administrative positions, from chairman of specialty to assistant dean of medicine, vice dean of scientific research, vice dean of graduate studies, dean of graduate studies, vice president of JUST for 5 years, and finally he has been the president of JUST since August 2021.
Prof. El-Salem was appointed as a member of the board of trustees of two government universities. He served in many high ranked committees in the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research and chaired the medical and pharmaceutical sector committee for Scientific Research Fund and the scientific committee of the Jordanian Neurological Society, to be elected later as president of the Jordanian Neurological Society for two years. He also chaired the scientific committee of the Jordanian Board of Neurology. He published numerous articles (around 100) in the leading journals of neurology and medical education and is active in research with multiple on-going institutional, national, and international projects.
You can view the award instructions for this course by clicking here.