The Bibliotheca Alexandrina Launches an International Cultural and Scientific Award
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Prof. Ahmed A. Zayed: The Award targets creators in various fields from around the world.
The shortlist will be announced in May, and the Award will be presented at the Bibliotheca Alexandrina International Book Fair.
The Award is granted in one field that changes annually, with its first edition’s theme entitled: Green Technology Applications for Achieving Well-Being and Happiness for Humanity.
Alexandria, 24 December:
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina announces the launching of a prestigious international cultural and scientific award bearing its name, reflecting its esteemed status, for the first time, titled the “Bibliotheca Alexandrina International Award”.
Prof. Ahmed A. Zayed, the Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, revealed the details of the Award, stating that it is aimed at creators in various fields from around the world. The monetary value of the award is one million Egyptian pounds, along with a golden medal and a certificate of appreciation awarded to the winner in a theme that is determined annually.
Moreover, Prof. Ahmed A. Zayed noted that the award will be presented to a outstanding individual in the fields of either fundamental or applied sciences on the one hand or literature, arts, social sciences, or humanities on the other hand, who has made a distinguished scientific contribution to the service of humanity. The award may also be granted to an institution that has made an exceptional contribution in the award’s theme. The Director remarked that the Award is given in single field each year. The Higher Committee of the Award determines and announces the theme of the Award annually. He stated that the theme for 2025 edition will be: “Green Technology Applications for Achieving Well-Being and Happiness for Humanity.”
Prof. Ahmed A. Zayed emphasized that the Bibliotheca Alexandrina is launching a major cultural and scientific award that bears its name and reflecting its esteemed status based on the ancient history of the city of Alexandria and its Library, whose roots extend back to the Graeco-Roman era, in which it was not just a library, but rather a university and a guiding beacon for scholars in its time. From this standpoint, the announcement of the “Bibliotheca Alexandrina International Award” comes as an expression of the continuation of the BA’s enlightening mission and its direct contribution in supporting creativity and innovation, especially in the themes that achieve well-being and happiness for humanity.
Award Timeline
Regarding the timeline of the Award, the Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina stated that the call for applications opens in December yearly and lasts for three months. In April 2025, screening and review committees for eligibility will commence their work. In April and May 2025, the Judging Committee meetings are held, with the announcement of the shortlist by the end of May 2025. The Award ceremony will coincide with the "Bibliotheca Alexandrina International Book Fair" in the second half of July.
Governing Values
The Bibliotheca Alexandrina Director mentioned that there is a set of governing values for the award, stating that there shall not be discrimination based on race, ethnicity, religion, or gender, valuing knowledge, thought, innovation, and all forms of knowledge, respecting all opinions and intellectual and cultural orientations, fostering a spirit of pluralism and creative dialogue, and ensuring transparency, integrity in the information exchange, and fair judgment among nominees. Prof. Zayed emphasized the importance of the Award reflecting the human and cultural orientation of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Applying Conditions
Regarding the conditions and methods for applying, Prof. Zayed indicated that nominations should be made through institutions working in scientific, literary, or artistic fields. These institutions include universities, scientific research centers, and scientific and artistic academies. Nominations must be made through a nomination letter addressed to the Award Administration, accompanied by the reasons for the nomination, the nominee’s CV, a copy of their passport, and their consent to the nomination. Nomination documents must be uploaded to the Award’s Online Platform and a hard copy is sent to the headquarters of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina.
Please find below the Award Link and QR code:
https://www.bibalex.org//internationalaward
