RIYADH: A leading Saudi researcher from King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology has earned international recognition after receiving a prestigious global innovation award for his groundbreaking work in sustainable clean energy and climate technology.
Dr. Majed Alawad, who serves as director of the Joint Center of Excellence for Nanomaterials for Clean Energy Applications at KACST, was presented with the Distinguished Innovator Award by the Global Innovation Institute.
The honour celebrates innovators whose research has delivered meaningful societal impact and progressed from theoretical concepts to real-world implementation.
According to Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the award is regarded as one of the most respected global distinctions in the field of innovation and technology.
The 2025 edition attracted 1,476 applicants representing 26 countries, while only 100 innovators were selected across 10 categories. Among them, just 30 individuals received recognition in the Distinguished Innovator category.
Dr. Alawad was acknowledged for several pioneering projects linked to climate technology, advanced materials and sustainability-focused scientific research.
His contributions include the establishment of PureSky, a climate-technology company specialising in atmospheric water-harvesting systems designed to support agriculture and afforestation efforts in dry and water-scarce regions.
The innovative technology seeks to extract water directly from the atmosphere, providing environmentally sustainable solutions for regions facing severe water shortages and desertification challenges. The initiative is viewed as particularly significant for arid climates where water security remains a pressing concern.
In addition to his clean energy work, Dr. Alawad played a key role in launching the GenAI for Materials Discovery Hackathon, an initiative aimed at strengthening collaboration between artificial intelligence and materials science. The programme operates under the supervision of Omar Yaghi, identified in the report as the 2025 Nobel Prize in Chemistry laureate.
The Global Innovation Institute award specifically recognises researchers whose innovations have moved beyond laboratory research and demonstrated practical applications capable of generating sustainable social and environmental benefits over the past two years.
Speaking after receiving the honour, Dr. Alawad said the recognition would further motivate efforts to develop innovative solutions in the fields of energy, sustainability and climate resilience. He also credited KACST for fostering a supportive environment for scientific research, innovation and international technological partnerships.
The achievement highlights Saudi Arabia’s broader strategy to strengthen its research, development and innovation ecosystem as part of ongoing efforts to expand the Kingdom’s role in global science and technology sectors.
Over recent years, KACST has intensified support for researchers, emerging technologies and sustainability-driven scientific programmes aligned with international development goals and environmental priorities.
