In a ceremony that will be held at UNESCO headquarters in the French capital, Paris, tomorrow (Monday) June 19, the names of the winners of the first session 2021/2023 will be announced.
The award seeks to achieve specific goals and unique aspirations, based on the award’s management’s belief in the importance of science in changing people’s lives for the better. The Al Fozan Award is the first Saudi international award to encourage young people in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics at UNESCO.
The idea stemmed from the desire of the founder of the award, Abdullah bin Abdullatif Al-Fawzan, to support young scientists worldwide, and based on this vision and ambition, an application was submitted to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in 2018, and the application included a complete file for the award, to be under the umbrella of UNESCO. With the great cooperation of the Permanent Delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization «UNESCO».
The award file received the approval of the High Commissioner for its creation. On October 19, 2021, the award was presented to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). A memorandum for creating the award was signed in partnership with 20 countries.
The award is considered the first Saudi international award in UNESCO, covering the five regions of UNESCO, and it confirms the status of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and its ambition to be a pioneer in the field of science and its constant endeavor to be at the forefront of countries in the world in all fields.
The award aims to encourage young scientists in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), to recognize the achievements of young people that are conducive to social and economic transformation and development on a global scale, and to promote research, education, and international cooperation in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics to address the global challenges addressed by the Sustainable Development Goals. , and increasing the interest of young people, especially girls and women, in science to promote gender equality, scientific literacy, and the choice of a scientific profession.
The award is presented every two years and is awarded to young people from 18 to 40 years of age. It covers 193 countries that represent members of UNESCO. It includes 5 awards, each of which is dedicated to one of the five UNESCO regions. What gives the award an advantage is that it includes young scientists from all regions of the world. So that it is not accounted for by regions without others, so a prize was determined for each of the UNESCO regions: Africa and the Arab countries that consist of North Africa and the Middle East -, Asia and the Pacific – including Australia and Oceania -, Europe and North America, and Latin America and the Caribbean.
The award allocates a financial reward of $250,000 to the five winners, at a rate of $50,000 for each winner. A diploma and a medal will be awarded to each of the winners.
The award requires applicants to be actively involved in science, technology, engineering and mathematics at the time of application.
The jury is composed of five independent eminent members, who are highly reputable and recognized figures in the field of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
The selection of the jury was based on the need for diverse representation of the fields.
