Page 68 - MBRF PR REPORT - May 2024

Award. Jimmy Wales, an American internet entrepreneur, was honored with the MBRKA
for being the man behind Wikipedia, a collaborative global online encyclopedia that is
one of the most significant and widely popular, free knowledge sources on the internet.
Winners of MBRKA in 2015
Professor Hiroshi Ishiguro, a scientist and developer of sensing devices and interactive
robots, Ahmed Al Shugairi, a prominent media personality and motivator for Arab
youth, as well as the National Geographic Society, the renowned research and
exploration organization, were given the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum
Knowledge Award in 2015.
Professor Ishiguro earned the MBRKA for his outstanding contributions as a seasoned
scientific researcher, having published more than 300 research articles. His research
focuses on distributed sensing systems, verification tools, interactive robotics, and
android science. His discoveries have significantly contributed to the field of humanoid
robots.
The insightful and motivational content presented by Ahmed AlShugairi throughout the
episodes of his famous television program ‘Khawater’ that aired for over 11 years
earned him the MBRKA in 2015, owing to its significant positive impact on the Arab
youth audience. In addition, he has authored several books, including the book
‘Khawater from Japan’. According to a study published by Arabian Business, he was
listed among the top 500 most prominent and influential personalities in the Arab
world.
For more than 130 years, the National Geographic Society has funded the best and
brightest individuals dedicated to scientific discovery and understanding of our world.
The Society’s historic commitment to dauntless exploration dates back to its founding in
1888, when 33 prominent scholars and scientists established an organization dedicated
to the “increase and diffusion of knowledge.” This led to being chosen as one of the
winners of the Mohammed bin Rashid Knowledge Award in 2015.
Winners of MBRKA in 2016
In 2016, Melinda Gates won the MBRKA for her noble humanitarian efforts and
charitable contributions. She is one of the co-founders of the nonprofit organization –
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation – which combats global poverty and diseases. She
has been able to significantly improve the health and well-being of families and
communities, provide more educational opportunities and access to information
technology globally, and empower countless women and girls through her unwavering
pursuit and committed efforts.
Masdar, a leader in renewable energy and clean technologies, and a fully owned
subsidiary of Mubadala Development, received the MBRKA in 2016. The company aims
to achieve the Abu Dhabi Economic Vision 2030 by creating new revenue streams and
advancing knowledge-based economic sectors in the Emirate. With its emphasis on the
essentials of clean energy project development and sustainable urban development, it
is among the global leaders in the clean energy sector.
The Arab Thought Foundation, an independent international non-governmental
knowledge organization established in 2000 by His Royal Highness Prince Khaled Al-
Faisal, the President of this Foundation and the Chairman of its Board of Trustees,
shared the MBRKA in 2016. The organization was founded with the single objective of
fostering pride in the Arab nation's deeply ingrained values and principles through a

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