The Launch of Almarai Prize Strategy for Scientific Creativity and Its New Identity to Promote Innovation in Food Security Regionally and Globally

Today, His Excellency the President of King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST), Chairman of Almarai Prize for Scientific Creativity, Dr. Munir M. Eldesouki, and His Highness Prince Naif bin Sultan bin Muhammad bin Saud Al-Kabeer, Chairman of the Board for Almarai Company and Vice Chairman of the Board for the Prize, launched Almarai Prize for Scientific Creativity strategy and its new identity. 
The new strategy, which was developed in partnership between Almarai and KACST, aims to enhance innovation in the field of food security in arid regions both locally and internationally in order to achieve national aspirations and priorities for research, development and innaovation, and to contribute and eliminate the challenges of water shortages and food security in the world.

The strategy will  revamp the prize and brand identity, change the name of the local Prize to become “Almarai Prize for Scientific Innovation”, and create an international branch called “Almarai Prize”, in partnership with the Research, Development and Innovation Authority and the Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture.
Almarai Prize for Scientific Creativity, which was launched in 2001 in cooperation between Almarai and KACST, is the first annual scientific prize to receive the Royal approval and the accreditation of the National Center for Academic Accreditation and Evaluation in the Kingdom. The prize aims to honor the achievements of distinguished researchers in the field of food security, to support scientific and innovative communities, to incentivize researchers to engage in scientific research , and to educate generations about distinguished research and innovations.

His Excellency the President of KACST and Chairman of the Board of the Prize, Dr. Munir M. Eldesouki, stated: “The new strategy for the Almarai Prize for Scientific Creativity enhances the position of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its progress in international food security indicators, and raises awareness of the importance of global research and innovations in the field, which has an economic  knowledge impact on food security in arid regions, and aligned with the Kingdom’s priorities in research, development and innovation and supports environmental sustainability and the provision of Essential needs.”
Dr. Eldesouki stated that the Prize supports young talented  scientists in the field of enhancing food security. In addition, the prize highlights pioneering work in food systems in arid regions at the international level.

His Highness Prince Naif bin Sultan bin Mohammed bin Saud Al Kabeer, Chairman of the Board for Almarai Company and Vice Chairman of the Board, stated: “Almarai Prize for Scientific Creativity is witnessing significant development, starting with its new version this year, to increase support for innovators, researchers, and scientists, 
As well as raising awareness of future generations of the importance of distinguished research and innovation in the field of food security 
to motivate them to pursue research, development and innovation in the same field.”
His Highness Prince Naif explained that the prize highlights pioneering work at the international level in the fields of food systems in arid regions, and the possibility of partners benefiting from it indeveloping their businesses, stressing that Almarai’s sponsorship of the prize stems from its vision that places science and innovation at the top of the priorities of the company’s investments to develop the food industry and promote sustainable food security locally, regionally and globally. Nominations can be made for the Almarai Prize for Scientific Innovation, which targets emerging and distinguished local scientists with PhDs, by visiting: http://asia.kacst.gov.sa  Distinguished  works can also be nominated for the Almarai International Prize by visiting: http://almaraiprize.kacst.gov.sa .