Riyadh, December 21, 2024 – Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman, Minister of Energy and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the King Abdullah Petroleum Studies and Research Center (KAPSARC), sponsored the annual ceremony for the 2024 KAPSARC Arabic Language Award, a prestigious event that celebrates and recognizes contributions to enriching the Arabic language in specialized fields. The ceremony, organized by KAPSARC in collaboration with the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language, took place on December 18, coinciding with World Arabic Language Day, a day dedicated to the preservation and promotion of the Arabic language globally.
The event marked the third edition of the award, which honors individuals and entities that have made significant contributions to enhancing Arabic content in fields such as energy, economics, and the environment. The ceremony was attended by a distinguished group of experts, academics, and professionals in Arabic language, energy, and contemporary sciences, reflecting the event's growing importance and its role in bridging the gap between language and modern scientific advancements.
In his remarks during the ceremony, HRH Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman emphasized the vital role Arabic plays in preserving cultural identity and driving scientific and social development. He stated, "Arabic is not just a means of communication but the essence of our cultural identity and a cornerstone of our scientific and social development." Prince Abdulaziz highlighted that as Saudi Arabia undergoes significant transformations, particularly under the framework of Vision 2030, the Kingdom is committed to modernizing the Arabic language to reflect innovation and progress. He reaffirmed that Arabic, with its rich history, continues to be a language of science and the future, capable of supporting the Kingdom’s aspirations for building a knowledge-based society. The Minister emphasized that Arabic's central role is fundamental to Saudi Vision 2030, which positions the language as an integral part of the national identity and a key driver of scientific, cultural, and societal advancement.
Fahad Alajlan, President of KAPSARC, addressed the growing success of the KAPSARC Arabic Language Award, noting its expanding influence in promoting Arabic in specialized fields. Alajlan highlighted the award's impact in enriching Arabic content in energy, economics, and environmental studies, areas critical to Saudi Arabia's future growth and the global energy transition. This year’s edition saw significant growth in participation, with contributions from academics, postgraduate students from Saudi universities, and authors and translators in the Kingdom. This broader participation reflects KAPSARC's commitment to encouraging diverse voices to contribute to the Arabic language in scientific and technical domains.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Washmi, Secretary-General of the King Salman Global Academy for Arabic Language (KSGAAL), also addressed the gathering, emphasizing Arabic's cultural significance. Dr. Al-Washmi called for greater efforts to increase Arabic’s presence in emerging fields such as energy, science, medicine, astronomy, and artificial intelligence (AI). His remarks underscored the need for the Arabic language to evolve alongside technological advancements, ensuring it remains a relevant and influential medium for knowledge dissemination in the modern world.
The KAPSARC Arabic Language Award, launched in 2022, was created to foster scientific writing in Arabic and to enrich the Arabic content in critical sectors like energy, economics, and environmental studies. It encourages researchers, innovators, and translators to contribute to the knowledge economy by producing and disseminating content in Arabic, helping bridge the gap between scientific communities and the Arabic-speaking world. Through this initiative, KAPSARC continues to strengthen the role of the Arabic language in knowledge production, promoting its use as a tool for scientific, economic, and cultural advancement.
The ceremony, with its high-profile attendance and the recognition of outstanding contributors, showcased the Kingdom's ongoing efforts to preserve and modernize Arabic while ensuring its relevance in an increasingly globalized, technologically-driven world. The KAPSARC Arabic Language Award serves as a vital platform for integrating the Arabic language into scientific dialogue, ensuring that the language remains a key element in the advancement of knowledge and innovation, both regionally and globally.