Saudi woman scientist bags gold medal in Geneva fair

A member of the applied sciences faculty at Umm Al-Qura University has won a gold medal for her innovation at the 40th International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, which concluded on Sunday. Maha bint Muhammad Khayyat’s innovation was based on spatial control in silicon nanowire growth. Khayyat, a prominent woman physicist and deputy head of the Institute for Scientific Research and Islamic Heritage, was part of the delegation of the King Abdulaziz and His Companions Foundation for the Gifted (the Mawhiba Foundation) at the fair. She expressed her delight at winning. “This invention shows the world the level of achievements made by Saudi women in the scientific field. Saudi women are making great strides in scientific and academic fields with the support of our leadership,” she said, adding that winning this international prize would be a great motivation for young Saudi innovators. She also appreciated the great support extended by Umm Al-Qura University and Mawhiba Foundation that enabled her to score such an achievement. A record number of exhibitors displayed their innovations at the Geneva Innovation Fair that began in Hall 7 of Palexpo on April 18. A total of 63,925 people went through the doors of Palexpo to discover around 1,000 inventions. With 789 exhibitors from 46 countries, the fair was the most important event in the world, dedicated to innovation and new products. Of the participants, 15 percent were independent inventors and researchers and 85 percent inventors from companies, research institutes and universities.  Nearly 48 percent of the inventions shown were from Europe, 47 percent from Asia and the Middle East and 5 percent from other continents. The event attracted investors and companies from around the world. Increasingly efficient and professional, the exhibition distinguished itself this year by the numerous inventions related to ecology, medicine, environment and safety.