With the attendance of 77 experts and specialists in the Date Palm cultivation sector, and representing 18 countries.

Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation General Secretariat, organized a scientific virtual lecture entitled “Introducing the Award’s categories criteria, and inviting the world to participate”, presented by Prof. Franz J. Hoffmann, President of the Award’s Scientific Committee, along with the committee members, Dr. Jose Lgnacio Cubero, Dr. Harrison Hughes, Dr. Yvonne Martell, Dr. Abdullah bin Abdullah, Dr. Samir Al-Shaker, and Dr. Fatima Al-Ansari, on Monday 14^th of June, 2021, with the attendance of 77 experts and specialists in the Date Palm cultivation sector, and representing 18 countries. Dr. Abdelouahhab Zaid, Award’s Secretary General, noted that this virtual lecture comes under the directives of H.E. Sheikh Nahayan Mabarak Al Nahayan, Minister of Tolerance and Coexistence, Chairman of the Award’s Board of Trustees, and within the Award’s framework and commitment to spread the scientific knowledge and awareness specialized in date palm cultivation production.

From his side, Prof. Franz J. Hoffmann presented the criteria used by the members of the Scientific Committee to classify the submissions to the Award, and who are qualified to the second round of evaluation, where ineligible participations are excluded, such as (predatory journals, plagiarism, social irresponsibility, etc.), due to its insufficiency (not following rules of publication, participation, or scientific and professional integrity).

Dr. Yvonne Martel, from Canada, member of the Scientific Committee, highlighted the Award’s first category criteria, which is the “Distinguished studies and modern technology” category, where he indicated that eligible participations must be previously published in a Peer-reviewed journal, each participant has the right to submit only one research paper, and it should be authored or co–authored by the applicant.

Dr. Jose Cubero, from the Kingdom of Spain, then presented the Award’s second category criteria, which is the “Pioneering development and production projects” category, where Dr. Jose noted the fact that participating projects may be planned, ongoing or completed in the last 5 years, and should have a social, economic and environmental positive impact on the local community.

Dr. Samir Al Shaker, then indicated the Award’s third category criteria, which is the “Distinguished producers, processors and marketers” category. Where Dr. Al Shaker gave a detailed explanation of the evaluation criteria and highlighted the fact that the Award is granted to date palm producers, manufacturers and marketers (for individuals, organizations and companies), which contributed to the development of the date palm sector.

Dr. Harrison Hughes from the USA, reviewed the Award’s fourth category criteria, which is the “Pioneering and advanced innovations to serve the agricultural sector” category, where Dr. Harrison stated that the new and innovative technology must have a direct and proven positive impact on the agricultural sector in the region, as it aims to have a positive proven impact not just promised.

Finally, Dr. Abdallah bin Abdallah from the Republic of Tunisia presented the Award’s fifth category criteria, which is the “Distinguished personality in the field of date palm cultivation and agricultural innovation” category. Dr. Abdallah then highlighted the fact that Award accepts self-nominations or nominations suggested by institutions, organizations and companies, as the Award is granted to distinguished individuals or entities in the date palm cultivation and agricultural innovation sectors.

Prof. Franz Hoffmann, then concluded the lecture by highlighting the great role played by the Khalifa International Award for Date Palm and Agricultural Innovation in supporting and developing the date palm cultivation sector and the date production worldwide