Professor Oussama Khatib, a Syrian robotics innovator and Director of Stanford University’s Robotics Laboratory, has pledged his Dh1 million prize from the Great Arab Minds Award in Dubai to ocean conservation efforts. Known for developing the OceanOne humanoid robot for deep-sea exploration, Prof. Khatib emphasized the critical role of oceans in sustaining life on Earth.
The award, presented by Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, recognizes contributions to science and innovation. Prof. Khatib also expressed his ambition to establish a robotarium in Dubai’s Museum of the Future, aiming to inspire children and nurture the next generation of Arab scientists.
الإخوة والأخوات.. نحتفي بالعلماء والمفكرين والمبدعين كل عام عبر جائزة نوابغ العرب … وبعد تلقي آلاف الترشيحات .. نعلن اليوم الفائز بجائزة نوابغ العرب عن فئة الهندسة والتكنولوجيا لهذا العام...
— HH Sheikh Mohammed (@HHShkMohd) December 17, 2024
من سوريا، أرض الحضارات، ومن حلب، مدينة التاريخ والعلم، نحتفي اليوم بنبوغ أحد… pic.twitter.com/DDNgbkWYrJ
Prof Khatib is credited with “groundbreaking research and innovations in robotic systems, algorithms, and sensing technologies” and how it has “significantly advanced the field, enabling robots to operate effectively in diverse environments, including healthcare, industrial automation and deep-sea exploration”.
Reflecting on his roots, he called for greater opportunities for Arab researchers, envisioning a brighter future for scientific progress in the region.
