Saudi among winners of top award for disability research

A Saudi professor was among the winners of the prestigious Prince Salman Award for Disability Research (PSADR) at a ceremony held at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Riyadh on Sunday.
Prince Sultan bin Salman, chairman of the Prince Salman Center for Disability Research (PSCDR), announced the winners.
Dr. Fowzan S. Alkuraya, a professor of human genetics at the College of Medicine at Alfaisal University, who was recognized for his distinguished work in the health and medical sciences domain, won SR25,000 in cash, in addition to certificates and medals.
Alkuraya is currently principal scientist and senior consultant at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center.
The pedagogical and educational sciences award was given to professor Ann P. Turnbull, a US national who is a professor of special education, cofounder and codirector of the Beach Center on Families and Disability, and to professor H. Rutherford Turnbull, also a US citizen, who also cofounded and codirects the center, which is affiliated to the same center at the University of Kansas. Turnball had been nominated by the university.
The rehabilitative and social sciences award, meanwhile, went to professor Hugh M. Herr from the US, who is affiliated with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Media Lab and nominated by KFSHRC, and to professor Margaret G. Stineman, also from the US, who is affiliated to the University of Pennsylvania and nominated by the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.
PSADR, a newly created award, is for distinguished work in the fields of health and medical sciences, educational sciences, rehabilitative and social sciences.
“We, at the Prince Salman Center for Disability Research, are working in partnership with reputed institutions, scientific and research academic centers at the global level to translate the outcome of research to services and policies for the benefit of persons with disabilities and to integrate them into society,” said Prince Sultan in his speech.
He pointed out that such awards would encourage scientific research to explore effective solutions to disability, which is a global issue. It is also an investment in science and technology that would improve the living conditions of persons with disabilities.
The high-profile event was attended by members of the royal family, high-ranking Saudi officials and foreign dignitaries.
Speaking on the occasion, Abdullah Al-Rabeeah, the award president, said that the prestigious award was named after the crown prince and chairman since it is reflective of his interest in disability issues.
“It is a testimony to the far-sighted vision of the Custodian of the two Holy Mosques King Abdullah to activate the role of scientific research in improving the quality of various programs and services through the adaptation of scientific research and modern technology for the benefit of persons with disabilities so that they can overcome their problems through self-reliance,” he said.
He added: “It seeks to realize their aspirations, as well as encourage the efforts of local, regional and global efforts to enrich the science and knowledge in areas of disability. It will also foster an environment of intellectual creativity and scientific excellence in the field of disability in order to find alternative solutions that lead to the reduction of disability or mitigate its impact on the victims of disabilities and their families.”