Today's Edition
DUBAI (ALETIHAD)
Playing an instrumental role in fostering knowledge development, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award (MBRKA) of the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) continues to strengthen its position as a world-leading platform for illuminating the many valuable contributions of various individuals worldwide in the fields of science, innovation, knowledge, and research.
The MBRKA was launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to recognise individuals and organisations for their remarkable regional and global contributions towards the dissemination of knowledge. Its significance among the knowledge, intellectual, and creativity community has increased over the years, inspiring a new generation of trailblazers to continue addressing today’s challenges and reshaping the future.
This report aims to provide a comprehensive overview of the key details of the MBRKA, including its objectives, relevance, and other features. It will also highlight the numerous eminent personalities who have been honoured with this prestigious award in recognition of their exceptional contributions in the field of knowledge.
Goals and Values
The award aims to encourage individuals in the knowledge field to develop a modern and knowledge-based society. Second, it aims to inspire knowledge and scientific communities to continue their research and formulate innovative solutions for emerging global challenges, as well as advance the transfer, dissemination, and development of knowledge worldwide. Thirdly, it seeks to foster a stimulating and conducive environment for knowledge creation and exchange among various parties involved in learning its theoretical and practical applications.
The MBRKA is valued at $1 million as an incentive to encourage people and organisations to discover innovative methods to enrich knowledge by supporting efforts to disseminate and develop human knowledge.
MBRKA Categories and Eligibility
The MBRKA honours innovative efforts in education, scientific research, and the advancement of educational institutions. In light of the development of science and technology as well as the needs of the community, other additional fields will be identified and added by the Board of Trustees.
Nominations for the MBRKA are open to all applicants worldwide, welcoming creative individuals and organisations with intellectual accomplishments. The MBRKA’s scope is inclusive, enabling participation from local, regional, and worldwide organisations as well as government entities, businesses, associations, institutions, and individuals in the nomination process.
Winners and History
Launched ten years ago, numerous individuals, including inventors, creators, scientists, and intellectual figures, as well as a range of educational and research institutions, have been nominated to date. The MBRKA has been granted to a group of knowledge leaders whose innovations, ideas, and concepts have significantly improved humanity as a whole.
Previous honourees include global talent such as Sir Tim Berners-Lee, inventor of the World Wide Web, and Jimmy Wales, Founder of Wikipedia, who won the award in 2014. In 2016, Melinda Gates won the MBRKA for her noble humanitarian efforts and charitable contributions as the co-founder of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – which combats global poverty and diseases.
In 2018, the award was distributed among four cognitive, research, educational, and charitable institutions – the Saudi Digital Library, the Magdi Yacoub Heart Foundation, the Institute of International Education, and the Amersi Foundation. In 2019, Henrik von Scheel, who coined the term the Fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0) and is a pioneer in European digital transformation, along with Saudi Aramco’s Knowledge Management Department and the National Institute of Education (NIE) in Singapore, won the MBRKA.
Following an almost three-year break owing to the worldwide impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, the MBRKA was presented again in 2022 to honour three outstanding medical professionals in 2022, in addition to the Lindau Nobel Laureate Meetings and the Emirates Mars Mission “Hope Probe”.
Through their diligent efforts and extensive research experiences, Dr. Zhang Yongzhen, Dr. Drew Weissman, and Dr. Katalin Kariko, were recognised for their significant role in developing COVID-19 vaccines as well as their outstanding contributions to disseminating knowledge globally.
Following the MBRKA, Dr. Weissman and Dr. Kariko received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 2023, underscoring the MBRF’s keen eye for recognising groundbreaking contributions in the field of science, including biomedical research.
Presented during the “Knowledge Summit”, organised by the MBRF, the MBRKA has succeeded in drawing international attention to this significant event that focuses on exchanging experiences and transferring knowledge.
This year, the winners of the prestigious Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Award will be announced during the “Knowledge Summit” 2024, allowing the MBRF to continue its mission of celebrating knowledge, honouring trailblazers, and inspiring more creators to design innovative ideas that shape a brighter future for humanity.
