Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation announces winners of 32nd research award

AMMAN — The winners of the 32nd Abdul Hameed Shoman Award for Arab Researchers in 2013 were honoured on Tuesday.

Among the winners were three Jordanian researchers, according to the Abdul Hameed Shoman Foundation.

Launched in 1982, the award was initially designed to encourage young Arabs to conduct scientific research, said Wajih Owais, head of the award’s scientific committee.

“The research was evaluated by a panel comprising members from Arab countries. The results of the researcher’s work were judged based on their benefit to society,” he told The Jordan Times in an interview before the beginning of the award ceremony.

A total of 142 candidates competed in several categories, including medical and health sciences, engineering sciences, basic sciences, art and humanities, social and administrative sciences, agricultural sciences and applied sciences, according to a statement sent to The Jordan Times.

Around 370 Arab researchers have won this award since its inception, and most of the participants are from Egypt, according to Owais.

“There are a great number of winners from Jordan because there are good universities in the Kingdom,” he noted.

A total of 130 Jordanians have won the award since it was first launched, according to the foundation.

“Scientific research in Jordan has to be further supported and developed to focus on issues the Kingdom needs because these researchers contribute to developing society,” added Owais, a former minister of higher education.

Jordanian winner Mayyas Remawi, assistant professor at the college of pharmacy at Saudi Arabia’s Taif University, said the award is important because it gives recognition to scientific research.

Remawi won the award for his “extensive and distinguished” scientific work on nanotechnology and its practical application. The research paper was published in renowned international scientific magazines specialised in nanotechnology and the researcher has a registered patent in his name.

The award also recognised his research’s contributions to society, according to the foundation.

“This award might help draw investors who can further develop these research projects to become products that can be practically implemented,” he said.

Jordanian researcher Said Ibrahim Abd Al Hamid Ismail also won the award for his research on cancer and cancer stem cells, while Jamal Abdel Karim Al Shalabi was recognised for his research on social challenges and economic development.