Kuwait launches Abdulrahman Al-Sumait Prize for African Development
News source: http://www.kuna.net.kw/
The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) launched Monday Abdulrahman Al-Sumait Prize for African Development to encourage innovative initiatives for the advancement of economic, social, human resources, and infrastructure development in the African continent.
“The USD one million-prize is an initiative from His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah,” KFAS Director General Dr. Adnan Shehabuddin said in a press conference on the occasion. He added that His Highness the Amir, who chairs KFAS Board of Directors, announced the prize for the first time in the third African Arab Summit hosted by the State of Kuwait in November 2013. “His Highness the Amir initiative aims to encourage and incentivize African human resources and build a solid ground for science, technology, creativity, and enhancing the cultural environment,” Shehabuddin said.
He expounded that the prize is also meant to show the appreciation, recognition of the best studies, scientific projects, applied research, and innovative initiatives, which within the Health field have made a significant impact and lasting influence in advancing progress to economic and social development in Africa. “The prize should also highlight successes within the following areas: food security, health and education,” he said. He noted that the awarded projects should help African nations to overcome poverty, hunger, lack of potable water, injustice or to improve health care, literacy and the allocation of economic resources. “The prize’s cash sum would be awarded along with a gold medal, shield and certificate of recognition,” he clarified. Shehabuddin pointed out that the prize is named “Dr. Abdulrahman Al-Sumait Prize” after a Kuwaiti physician who spent his lifetime dedicated toward helping the poor in Africa in the field of health and education.
Al-Sumait was a medical practitioner who received his medical degree from Baghdad, a diploma from Liverpool and researched in liver cancer at Kings College London. In 1981, when he was 35, he established the Africa Muslim Agency (AMA) that was later renamed as Direct Aid where he served as chairman from 1981 to 2008. He devoted his whole life to this noble cause. During his life, he founded a number of charitable organizations and was a member in several other organizations. He has occupied several posts in medical and public action bodies. In addition to Direct Aid, Al-Sumait was a co-founder of Malawi Muslims Committee, Kuwaiti Relief Committee, International Islamic Charity Authority and International Islamic Council for Call & Relief – Kuwait. Al-Sumait was awarded a vast number of awards, trophies and certificates, in acknowledgement of his efforts in charity work. More >>>
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