Innovative Minds Triumph In TRENDS Hub Scientific Research Award
TRENDS Research and Advisory has revealed the winners of its inaugural TRENDS Hub Scientific Research Award. This award aims to promote innovative and effective scientific research on topics significant to TRENDS. The winners will be honoured in both Arabic and English categories during the Centre's Bronze Jubilee celebration on 9th September.
The award covers four distinct research fields: Political, Security and Military Issues; Economic, Development, Climate and Sustainability Issues; Cultural and Social Issues; and Technology and Artificial Intelligence. A high-level Advisory Committee selected three winners for each language category from 78 submissions across these fields.

In the Arabic category, Samah Al-Baradai from the University of Tunis, Tunisia, won first prize for her work on "Cultural and Social Issues". Yasser Qteishat from Jordan secured second place for his research on "Technology and Artificial Intelligence". Nidaa El-Sayed from Cairo University, Egypt, received third prize for her study on "Economic, Development, Climate and Sustainability Issues".
Maryam Al-Saeedi from Zayed University clinched first prize in the English category for her research on "Technology and Artificial Intelligence". Mohammed Al-Azaizeh, also from Zayed University, earned second place for his work on "Cultural and Social Issues". Asma Al-Afifi was awarded third prize for her contribution to "Cultural and Social Issues".
Dr. Mohammed Abdullah Al-Ali, CEO of TRENDS Research and Advisory, noted that the award's first edition successfully attracted exceptional researchers from various countries. He highlighted that these researchers submitted valuable papers across four diverse fields.
The top three winners in both categories will receive a Certificate of Appreciation along with financial incentives: $5,000 for first place, $3,000 for second place, and $2,000 for third place. Their winning papers will be published on TRENDS' digital platforms.
Additionally, these researchers will be eligible for a research fellowship at TRENDS. They will also have priority access to training courses conducted by the Centre in their respective areas of study.
Dr. Al-Ali added that this award has ushered in a new era of promoting research culture. It supports academic communities by fostering healthy competition among researchers who have shown their capacity for sustainable scientific creativity.
The high-level Advisory Committee included Prof. Ahmed Zayed, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, and Prof. Mark Tessler, Co-founder of the Arab Barometer. They played a crucial role in selecting the winners from among the numerous submissions.
This initiative reflects TRENDS' commitment to encouraging creative scientific research across various important topics. The award spans multiple areas reflecting the Centre's broad focus areas.
The winners' recognition during the Bronze Jubilee celebration underscores TRENDS' dedication to honouring outstanding contributions to scientific research. This event marks a significant milestone in promoting intellectual innovation within academic communities.
By offering financial incentives and publication opportunities, TRENDS aims to support researchers in furthering their studies. This initiative also provides them with platforms to share their findings with a broader audience.
The inclusion of a research fellowship at TRENDS is another step towards nurturing future talent. It ensures that promising researchers have access to resources that can aid their professional growth.
This award not only celebrates individual achievements but also highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in advancing scientific knowledge across different fields.
The recognition given to these researchers serves as an inspiration for others in the academic community to pursue innovative solutions to global challenges through rigorous scientific inquiry.
TRENDS' commitment to fostering an environment conducive to intellectual growth is evident through this award program. It aims to create opportunities that encourage continuous learning and development among researchers worldwide.
With inputs from WAM