How are Mustafa(pbuh) Prize laureates introduced and selected?
Mustafa(pbuh) Prize, as an important biennial award in the field of science and technology in Islamic countries, recognizes and honors the best scientific works of prominent scientists in the frontiers of knowledge.
The following report reviews the process of introducing and recognizing these scientists.
MSTF Media reports:
registration or nomination is not possible by the individual, and scientific works are introduced to the Mustafa(pbuh) Prize secretariat by nominating bodies and scientists and international scientific figures.
The registration and nomination form for candidates should be completed separately for each work and submitted to the secretariat.
Currently, 204 research institutes, universities, technology parks or other science and technology centers from 54 member states of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) are in the list of nominating institutions.
Conditions of participation in Mustafa(pbuh) Prize
Muslim and non-Muslim scientists who have the OIC member states’ citizenship can be nominated to participate in each of the four categories.
However, the condition of participation in the basic sciences and engineering category is to be a Muslim, and citizens of all countries of the world can be nominated in this field.
Candidates are nominated only by prominent scientists and scientific institutions such as prestigious universities and scientific centers, scientific and technological associations and hubs, academies of sciences of the Islamic countries and science and technology parks.
Selection and evaluation criteria
Mustafa(pbuh) Prize has adopted a new method in selecting laureates. Evident innovation in the scientific method, being pioneer and its durability are among the most important criteria for Mustafa(pbuh) Prize arbitration board.
The work must have specific applications or the results of which must be tangible in the world of science.
Participants must provide sufficient reasons and specific documentation to prove these characteristics.
Range of influence
The scientific work which is to be judged must have contributed to the expansion of the frontiers of knowledge in the world and must have had a significant scientific impact at the global or regional level. The submitted scientific works must have a tangible impact on culture, society, health, environment and public welfare and have played a vital role in meeting scientific needs or solving social problems.
Scientists’ characteristics
The Mustafa(pbuh) Prize nominees must have a good reputation and a brilliant scientific record in their specialized field. This record will be assessed through articles published in prestigious scientific publications or registered innovations and inventions or playing a role in developing new technologies.
Comprehensiveness and the spirit of scientific innovation are among characteristics of the Mustafa(pbuh) Prize nominees.
Selection and evaluation procedures
There are two primary criteria for nomination; the scientific institutions that nominate researchers for the Mustafa(pbuh) Prize are responsible for evaluating the works and the candidate’s personal and scientific biography, and after ensuring the eligibility of the person, the information is sent to the secretariat of the Mustafa(pbuh) Prize.
After receiving the initial works, the secretariat reviews them and rejects those that do not conform to the Mustafa(pbuh) Prize criteria, and the works that conform to the criteria are sent to the two-step evaluation and arbitration stage.
In the first stage, the preliminary arbitration board check the documents and qualification of the works in terms of general characteristics and send the qualified works to the next stage.
Based on the rules, the works that have already won at least one prestigious international scientific award will not go to the next stage.
The works presented personally and outside of the correct nomination procedure by the nominating institutions will not be accepted at this stage.
In the final stage, a seven-member jury of prominent international researchers and scientists will judge the final works and select the top ones in each category.
Mustafa(pbuh) Prize has started its mission with the aim of identifying the outstanding works of scientists of the Islamic world in the development of science and technology in the world and after the scientific study of 300 world awards and reviewing their standards.
Due to the importance of knowledge in the words of the Holy Prophet, it was named after Prophet Mohammad (pbuh).
Mustafa(pbuh) Prize has been held four times in 1394, 1396, 1398 and 1400, and the fifth edition will be held in 1402, at the same time as the birth anniversary of the Prophet Mohammad (pbuh).
This award is granted every year in three specialized categories of communication and information science and technology, biological and medical science and technology, nano science and technology, and a general field; which is, basic science and engineering.
