Dubai, UAE – In an extraordinary display of honor, the six distinguished winners of the 2025 Great Arab Minds Awards received a red-carpet experience from the moment they boarded their Emirates flights to Dubai. The national carrier orchestrated a series of surprise tributes for the scholars, who were traveling from across the Arab world to receive the region’s most prestigious intellectual honor, often described as the Arab equivalent of the Nobel Prize.
During their flights, cabin crews made special announcements recognizing the awardees’ presence, drawing applause from fellow passengers. The laureates, seated in first class, were presented with customized congratulatory desserts. Upon arrival at Dubai International Airport’s Terminal 3, security personnel provided dedicated assistance while immigration officials stamped their passports with a special ‘Great Arab Minds’ commemorative seal.
The awards ceremony, scheduled at the futuristic Museum of Future – which serves as the permanent headquarters for the Great Arab Minds Initiative – will be presided over by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai. The event will celebrate exceptional contributions across six categories: Natural Sciences (Professor Majid Chergui), Engineering and Technology (Professor Abbas El Gamal), Medicine (Dr. Nabil Seidah), Economics (Professor Badi Hani), Architecture and Design (Dr. Souad Al Amri), and Literature and Arts (Professor Charbel Dagher).
Now in its third edition, the initiative represents the Arab world’s most comprehensive program for recognizing intellectual excellence. Mohammed Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs and Chairman of the initiative’s Higher Committee, emphasized that the program not only honors exceptional Arab achievers but also catalyzes investment in research and innovation across governments and institutions.
The Museum of the Future hosts a permanent research center dedicated to expanding the impact of the awardees’ work, supporting their ongoing contributions to scientific, creative, and intellectual advancement. The initiative aims to inspire Arab youth by providing exemplary role models while strengthening the region’s contribution to global civilization and human progress.