Sheikh Mohammed names Syrian professor Oussama Khatib winner of Great Arab Minds award

His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, announced that Professor Oussama Khatib has won the “Great Arab Minds” award for this year’s Engineering and Technology category.

His Highness made a statement via the X platform, in which he said, “It is our great privilege to honour the achievements of scientists, thinkers and innovators each year through the Great Arab Minds award. Following the receipt of a considerable number of nominations, we are gratified to announce the winner of the Great Arab Minds award in the engineering and technology category for 2024."

His Highness further said, “From Syria, a country with a rich history of civilisation, and from Aleppo, a city with a long tradition of scientific and academic excellence, we celebrate today the achievements of one of its most prominent figures.”

His Highness added, “His career commenced at Al Ma'mun School in Aleppo and subsequently attained an international level of distinction, exemplifying the exceptional achievements of Arab scientists. We extend our congratulations to Professor Oussama Khatib on his well-deserved victory. We also extend our congratulations to Syria and the city of Aleppo, which has long been a source of national pride. We believe that the Arab world is capable of reclaiming its position as a global leader in science and resuming its civilisational role through the efforts of its own sons.”

Professor Oussama Khatib is professor of computer science, and Director of the Robotics Laboratory at Stanford University.

The Great Arab Minds Award in Engineering and Technology for 2024 has been awarded to Professor Oussama Khatib for his pioneering contribution to robotics and human-robot interaction. His groundbreaking research and innovations in robotic systems, algorithms, and sensing technologies have significantly advanced the field, enabling robots to operate effectively in diverse environments, including healthcare, industrial automation, and deep-sea exploration.

Among his remarkable achievements is the creation of the “OceanOne” robot, a revolutionary humanoid robot for deep-sea exploration, combining haptic feedback, stereo vision, and bimanual manipulation to replicate human skills with unmatched precision.

With over 327 research studies, Professor Khatib's work bridges theoretical innovation with practical applications, transforming the robotics landscape globally