Jeddah, KSA - 03.04.2014 - Three institutions in Indonesia, Malaysia and Palestine have won the 12th edition of IDB’s prestigious prizes in Science and Technology (S&T). This was announced by the President of the Islamic Development Bank Group (IDB), Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali, after the Selection Committee of the 12th edition (1435H/2014G) of the prizes presented to him the outcome of the competition.
The Institute for Research and Community Services – Institute Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia, won the first category for the most outstanding contribution to social and economic development. The Photonic Research Center, University of Malaya, Malaysia, won the second category for the most outstanding contribution to a given scientific field, while the Faculty of Information Technology, The Islamic University of Gaza, Palestine, emerged as the winner of the third category for the most noted
scientific institution from a least developed member country.

“I congratulate the winners of this competition. IDB is proud of their achievement. As a development institution, IDB is inspired by the level of commitment to scientific and technological research conducted by these universities, and we hope other universities in IDB member countries will learn from their example”, said Dr. Ahmad Mohamed Ali.

These Prizes were established in 1422H (2002G) to promote S&T excellence and capacity building in IDB member countries. Each year, three institutions are selected by an independent panel of eminent scientists from the Muslim World to receive the Prize in the three categories. Each Prize consists of a cash award of US$ 100,000 and a trophy.

The Prizes will be awarded to the winners by the Chairman of the IDB Board of Governors in a special ceremony to be held on the occasion of the 39th IDB Board of Governors Meeting in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, during 25-26 June 2014.

Over the past eleven years these Prizes, have been awarded to 33 institutions in IDB member countries including: Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Egypt, Iran, Kazakhstan, Malaysia, Morocco, Pakistan, Palestine, Senegal, Sudan, Tajikistan and Turkey. Details about the winners of IDB Prizes for this year are as follows:

Institute for Research and Community Services – Institute Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia
Among the 42 applications received for Category-1 of the Prize for Science & Technology, which rewards institutions having made outstanding scientific and technological contribution to the development of a member country, the Institute for Research and Community Services - Institute Teknologi Bandung, Indonesia, was selected for its outstanding achievements.

The Institute for Research and Community Services is a leading science, technology and higher education institute in Indonesia. The institute has numerous collaborative links with international partners and has executed over 300 research projects aiming towards helping the society. It has also made technical improvements on unmanned aeroplanes, coal mining and the construction industry. The work completed by this institute within the last 5 years has made significant impact on the country’s
economy in general.

Photonic Research Center, University of Malaya, Malaysia
Among the 61 applications received for Category-2 of the Prize for Science & Technology, which rewards institutions having achieved outstanding contribution to a given scientific field, the Photonics Research Center, University of Malaya, Malaysia, was selected for its outstanding achievements.

The center is recognised as an outstanding photonics research and development center in the region. It has managed to produce 24 patents for various optical devices and led research and development activities in nano-particles, optical micro-fiber technology, bio-photonics, among others.

Faculty of Information Technology, the Islamic University of Gaza, Palestine
Among the 25 applications received in Category-3 of the Prize for Science & Technology, which rewards noted scientific research institutions in IDB Least Developed Member Countries (LDMCs), the Faculty of Information Technology at the Islamic University of Gaza, Palestine, was selected for its outstanding achievements.

Despite the very challenging environment, this young institution has been prolific in research and has made excellent contribution to the advancement of information technology in Gaza. Several of its research outputs have been successfully commercialized.