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His Excellency KFUPM’s Rector, Dr. Khaled Al-Sultan, asserted that awarding two of the University’s faculty Almari’s “Distinguished Scholar Prize” is another proof of the high level of the University’s faculty members.

While commenting on the achievement of Dr. Sami ylbas and Dr. Mohamed Taher Abu El maaty, who were jointly awarded Almarai’s prize in its fifteenth year, Dr. Al-Sultan added that the winning Almarai's prize by these two and other KFUPM professors throughout its history is a reflection of the University's keenness on selecting faculty members of outstanding research and scholarly output and significant impact on scientific publishing.

This selection, Al-Sultan said, represents the developed research vision possessed by the University, which been built on the importance of scientific research and its impact on the society. The University's interest in research is one of the reasons for its distinguished and prestigious position and this attention come from the deep conviction of the role of scientific research in knowledge production and regeneration.

His excellence thanked Almarai for the prize which "since its first version and throughout its branches has recorded a significant presence among scientific awards". He noted that the award reflects their understanding of the role of scientific research in the development of the society.

Dr. Al-Sultan also pointed that many local and international awards were attained by the University’s professors, researchers and students during the whole year. He expressed his pleasure that many students’ awards were included, in addition to scientific, literary, cultural, and innovation areas.

 

Dr. Sami Yilbas

Dr. Mohammed Abuelmaati is a Professor in the Department of Electrical Engineering, and was awarded KFUPM prize of distinguished professor and scholar, in addition to winning numerous international awards. Dr. Abuelmaati has got 17 patents and published more than 500 scientific articles in prestigious scientific journals and periodicals. The research interests of Professor Abuelmaati focus on the design of electronic nonlinear circuits and systems, and the design of integrated circuits and networks.

Dr. Mohammed Abuelmaati

Since the launch of the prize, the University’s professors and researchers acquired the largest share of awards, and there are winners from KFUPM in almost every year. The winners list includes a large number of professors and University researchers including Dr. Ahmed Al-Qarni, Dr. Nawar Thabet, Dr. Salah-Eddin Kabbaj, Dr. Sheikh Ashraf Ali, Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Qandal, Dr. Syed Mohammed Zaidi, Dr. Hisham Kamal fares, Dr. Nasser Al-Aqili, Dr. Sami Yilbas, Dr. Muhammad Tahir Yousuf, in addition to the Engineering Research Center.

It is worth mentioning that Almarai’s prize is a national annual award for scientific innovation, aimed at supporting and encouraging scientists, researchers and inventors in the Kingdom, under the supervision of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), and certified by the National Commission for Academic Accreditation in the Higher Education Council. The prize is awarded to the scholar that has a proven record of scientific excellence through his scientific and practical career in the fields of basic and applied sciences and in Saudi Arabia.

The Supreme Council for Almarai’s award has recently held its annual meeting for the Hijri year 1437 at KACST in Riyadh. The meeting witnessed the presence of HH Prince Sultan bin Mohammed Bin Saud Al Kabeer, Almarai Chairman of the Board, Prince Dr. Turki Bin Saud Bin Mohammed Al-Saud, president of KACST, the Secretary General of the prize and KACST Vice President for scientific research, Dr. Abdulaziz Bin Mohammed Al-Swailem, and the Council members. During the meeting, the Council adopted the names of the distinguished scientists, the creative works, and the winning research group.