MBZUAI recognizes top faculty for global impact in AI research and teaching
Mohamed bin Zayed University of Artificial Intelligence has named seven faculty members for awards in research, innovation, and mentorship as part of its annual recognition reception.
Photo credit: MBZUAI
MBZUAI has announced the recipients of its 2025 Faculty Recognition Awards, honoring achievements in AI research, innovation, and teaching. The update, shared in a LinkedIn post, highlights projects in climate science, public health, and creative technology that reflect the university’s growing global influence.
Associate Professor of Computer Vision Salman Khan received the Distinguished Research Award for his work on multimodal AI models for Earth observation. His research supports applications in weather prediction, agriculture, and disaster recovery. Khan’s projects, including AI4Weather and the AI Global Agriculture Advisory, secured the largest research grants in MBZUAI’s history.
AI innovation recognized in music and language research
Assistant Professor of Natural Language Processing Alham Fikri Aji earned the Early Career Researcher Award for his work in low-resource NLP and cross-border collaborations. Associate Professor of Machine Learning Gus Xia received the Innovation and Technology Transfer Award for his research in Music AI and the development of the startup Audiomatic in partnership with the Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation.
Assistant Professor of Machine Learning Samuel Horváth was recognized for Excellence in Graduate Student Mentorship, credited for fostering technical depth and professional growth among students. Assistant Professor of Computational Biology Eduardo Beltrame received the Exemplary University Service Award for leading the creation of MBZUAI’s Computational Biology programs and community initiatives such as BioLunch.
Leadership and community building close the list
Assistant Professor of Natural Language Processing Yova Kementchedjhieva was named recipient of the Faculty Citizenship Award for launching initiatives that promote inclusion and collaboration, including the NLP Lunch Club. The Provost’s Award for Faculty Excellence went to Professor Eran Segal for his leadership in establishing the School of Digital Public Health and the HPP initiative.
In its LinkedIn post, MBZUAI wrote: “The impact of great teachers lives well beyond the classroom. We’re proud of our world-class faculty who are not only experts in their fields, but are also incredibly passionate about teaching and are truly invested in our students.”
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The EdTech Innovation Hub Awards celebrate excellence in global education technology, with a particular focus on workforce development, AI integration, and innovative learning solutions across all stages of education.
Now open for entries, the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 recognize the companies, platforms, and individuals driving transformation in the sector, from AI-driven assessment tools and personalized learning systems, to upskilling solutions and digital platforms that connect learners with real-world outcomes.
Submissions are open to organizations across the UK, the Americas, and internationally. Entries should highlight measurable impact, whether in K–12 classrooms, higher education institutions, or lifelong learning settings.
Winners will be announced on 14 January 2026 as part of an online showcase featuring expert commentary on emerging trends and standout innovation. All winners and finalists will also be featured in our first print magazine, to be distributed at BETT 2026.
