The biennial award is one of the most prominent initiatives in the region aimed at supporting specialized scientific research in the field of social protection and encouraging researchers and academics to present innovative solutions that keep pace with the region’s economic and demographic changes.
Dr. Faisal Al Farsi, CEO of the Social Protection Fund, affirmed that the award
represents “a qualitative leap in enhancing the level of awareness about the role of scientific research in developing social protection and retirement systems in the region.”
He added: “This award enables decision-makers to anticipate future social challenges and develop proactive plans to address them. It also reflects the spirit of Gulf cooperation in vital fields that affect the social and economic stability of the GCC citizens.”
He noted that the first edition of the award marks a promising start for a scientific platform that aims to forecast the future and build a knowledge base to support policy-making in social insurance.
The award’s inaugural edition received remarkable engagement, with 61 research proposals submitted across academic levels: 26 doctoral, 22 master’s, and 13 undergraduate and university student projects. Out of these, 29 proposals were selected for full research development, and 17 completed studies
addressed pressing topics, including the adequacy and sustainability of pension funds, actuarial sciences, digital transformation and technology, institutional investment, legislative frameworks and governance, and the GCC experience in extending social protection.
Dr. Shamsa al Shaibani, a member of the main committee and the evaluation team, “We observed that social protection systems face growing challenges that require a fundamental rethinking of their structures and mechanisms, especially in light of demographic shifts like increased life expectancy and the rise of non-traditional employment through the digital economy.”
She added that many of the submitted studies went beyond merely identifying challenges to proposing practical and locally adaptable solutions, such as improving governance, diversifying funding sources, and integrating technology to enhance efficiency and transparency.
Dr. Al Shaibani also emphasized that the award reflected a mature intellectual awareness among researchers who sought to balance financial sustainability with the core principles of social justice.
“This difficult balance between justice and efficiency, and between protection and sustainability, was strongly present in many of the submissions, showcasing deep awareness of the future of these systems,” she said.
Abdullah bin Saad al Balushi, a member of the main committee representing the Public Institution for Social Security in Kuwait, highlighted the award as a distinctive initiative that promoted scientific
Research in social security across the Gulf.
He noted, “The first edition successfully gathered diverse expertise and introduced meaningful ideas around shared challenges. We hope future editions will encourage more applied research, offering real-world
solutions tailored to our societies.”
The committee announced the winners as follows:
First Place: Dr. Yousuf bin Mohammed bin Zahran Al Balushi, Dr. Chandan Kumar Tiwari, and Dr. Mohammed Abass
Bhat, for their joint research: “Developing Social Insurance Systems: A Multidisciplinary Exploration of Artificial Intelligence and Service Quality in the Insurance Landscape,” aligned with Oman Vision 2040. The research focused on utilizing AI to enhance service quality and sustainability in social insurance.
Second Place: Dr. Mahmood bin Abdullah bin Saif Al Kindi, for his research: “Integrating Artificial Intelligence Technologies with Social Protection Laws: Developing a Legal Matrix and Machine Learning Applications for Pension Forecasting for Seniors in the Sultanate of Oman.”
Dr. Marwan Mohammed Mohammed Abdel Daim, for his research: “Economic Risks and the Role of Civil Retirement and Social Insurance Systems in Developing the GCC Economies.”
Amani bint Ali bin Nasser Al Shukaili, for her research: “Proposals for Developing Social Protection Programs Using AI Applications – A Case Study from the Sultanate of Oman (2024).”
The organizing committee announced the upcoming publication of a scientific volume compiling the winning and outstanding research papers as a valuable contribution to Gulf and Arab academic libraries
in the field of social protection. This step aims to broaden the award’s impact and transform it into a year-round knowledge platform supporting institutional strategies.
Dr. Al Shaibani concluded: “We are optimistic about expanding participation in future editions to include researchers from more diverse academic and professional backgrounds. We also aim to cover deeper
topics such as the intersection of social protection with digital transformation, green economy, and the role of civil society. The award should evolve from being a moment of recognition to becoming a hub for
knowledge and experience exchange.”
The total value of the award is RO20,000, distributed across three categories: PhD researchers, Master’s researchers, and undergraduate students. This underscores the importance of honoring
scientific contributions and innovation in this vital sector.
The award is based on several strategic goals, including supporting scientific research in social protection, promoting retirement and insurance awareness in Gulf societies, encouraging university students and academics to submit specialized theses utilizing research outputs to shape policies and improve institutional strategies.
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