Tabuk governor honors winners at 39th annual excellence awards

Tabuk Governor Fahd bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz on Tuesday presided over the 39th annual ceremony for his Award for Academic Excellence and Distinction.

The event began with a recitation from the Holy Qur’an, followed by a speech on behalf of the honorees delivered by student Layan Al-Balawi. She expressed the recipients’ gratitude to the governor for his ongoing support of the region’s youth, noting that the recognition serves as motivation to continue achieving academic success and new accomplishments.

President of the University of Tabuk and head of the award’s supreme committee, Dr. Abdulaziz bin Salem Al-Ghamdi, then addressed the gathering. He highlighted that the award, launched nearly four decades ago, has become a leading platform for honoring excellence and encouraging scientific and community innovation in the region. He thanked the governor for his support and recognition of outstanding individuals and for his patronage of the award.

The governor then honored the winners. In the community service category, Ibrahim bin Lafi Al-Anzi, Fahd bin Abdulaziz Al-Hajouri, and Dr. Mubarak bin Mohammed Al-Dosari were recognized for their contributions in various charitable and social fields, including promoting mental health through the Qader Association, supporting integrated healthcare for kidney failure patients, and rehabilitating and reintegrating former prisoners into society.

In the innovation and creativity category, Dr. Mona Obaid Al-Balawi and the "Slope Leveling Robot" project team were honored for their research and innovative achievements, such as developing smart, sustainable, self-healing coatings for infrastructure, roadways, and airport runways, as well as creating electric robots to level ski slopes and reduce reliance on manual maintenance.

The governor also recognized 27 male and female students for outstanding academic achievement, congratulating them on their distinction and wishing them continued success in serving their faith, king, and country.

In remarks at the event, Governor Fahd bin Sultan said: "Praise be to God. This is always a proud and joyful day for me. What we see today is the result of this award’s journey since its inception. Among its graduates are doctors, engineers, officers, pilots, businesspeople, and traders working across all sectors. Many began with the award in elementary school, continued their studies, graduated, and joined the workforce, contributing—and continuing to contribute—to their country. For me, this is the greatest reward and the goal I strive for. I hope this journey continues, and we will never hesitate to support the award." He thanked University of Tabuk President Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Ghamdi and his colleagues on the award committee, as well as former secretary Dr. Mohammed Al-Luhaidan and everyone who has contributed to its success.

He added: "A key pillar of Saudi Vision 2030 is investing in Saudi people. King Salman bin Abdulaziz and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman have focused on empowering the nation’s sons and daughters. This award is part of that vision, helping prepare youth to play an active role in this transformative period, which has exceeded all expectations." He wished the graduates success in their academic and professional journeys and expressed his happiness that many aspire to study medicine and other sciences, stressing the nation’s need for skilled doctors and engineers and his hope to see them working in Saudi hospitals and clinics and establishing their own practices in the future.

At the conclusion of his speech, Governor Fahd bin Sultan announced that the award would cover half the cost of establishing private medical clinics for winners in the medical field who wish to launch their own projects.