Professor Noreddine Ghaffour has received the 2025 Kuwait Prize in Applied Sciences, in the category of Environmental Sciences, one of the Arab world’s most prestigious scientific honors.

Awarded by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), the prize recognizes Professor Ghaffour’s sustained contributions to environmental and water research, as well as his leadership in advancing desalination technologies and sustainable water solutions.

This recognition highlights decades of research dedicated to addressing one of the world’s most pressing challenges: securing reliable, affordable, and sustainable freshwater supplies in water-scarce regions.

“Part of our work at KAUST is to develop decentralized, smaller systems that are low-cost and use low-grade renewable energy,” said Professor Ghaffour.

At KAUST, Professor Ghaffour leads the DESAL Research Group, where his work spans membrane and thermal desalination technologies, water-treatment systems, energy efficiency, artificial intelligence, and sustainable desalination strategies. His research focuses on developing low-energy, scalable, and environmentally responsible solutions to meet growing freshwater demands.

The DESAL Research Group warmly congratulates Professor Ghaffour on this important distinction, which reflects the scientific impact and real-world relevance of his work in advancing the future of desalination and water sustainability.