*SANA'A – Media Office, Faculty of Arts and Humanities– Sana'a University*
*Sunday, October 25, 2026*
In a scientific and academic achievement that reflects Sana'a University's distinguished presence in Arab research forums, Prof. Ghailan Hamood Ghailan—Professor of Archaeology at the Faculty of Arts and Humanities, Sana'a University and Board Member of the Arab Council of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists—was awarded the Council's 2026 Award, presented in the name of the late Prof. Hessa bint Obaid bin Sowyan Al-Shammari, in the category of Best Research in Islamic Architecture.
This prestigious award is granted for high-quality research outcomes addressing restoration and preventive conservation, the preservation of Islamic architectural heritage, and the development and rehabilitation of historical Islamic sites—a scientific approach aligned with global efforts to transform architectural heritage from a passive witness of the past into an active contemporary cultural endeavor.
The announcement of the award winners took place during the 38th session of the Council's Board of Directors, held at the Council's headquarters in Sheikh Zayed City. The session was chaired by Prof. Mohamed Mohamed Al-Kahlawi, Chairman of the Arab Council of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists, with the participation of a distinguished elite of senior professors, experts, archaeological inspectors, and representatives of heritage institutions from across the Arab world. Submissions underwent rigorous scientific peer-review procedures, with this year's award bearing the mark of the Yemeni researcher amidst competing entries from prominent academic figures from universities in Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Morocco, Iraq, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
This award comes as a culmination of Dr. Ghailan Hamood Ghailan's distinguished research trajectory, which integrates theoretical foundation with in-depth field research in Islamic archaeology and urban heritage. It also recognizes his active institutional role as a board member of the Arab Council of Arab Archaeologists, through which he has contributed to building bridges of Arab scientific cooperation and enhancing the visibility of Yemeni archaeological research within regional scientific agendas, showcasing Yemeni universities as exemplars of specialized knowledge production.
Dr. Ghailan is expected to receive the award during a scientific ceremony held on the sidelines of the 12th International Conference of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists on Saturday, November 21, 2026. The event will be attended by an elite group of scientific and cultural figures, ministers, ambassadors, and heritage stakeholders in the Arab world, serving as an Arab-wide recognition of Yemeni scholarship and a testament to its continuous contributions.
With this outstanding scientific achievement, Sana'a University adds a new Arab accolade to its academic record, reinforcing the presence of its educational institution and scholars in regional scientific competitions, and highlighting the role of the Yemeni researcher as an active partner in shaping Arab cultural knowledge and a faithful guardian of Islamic architectural memory across generations.
For more details, visit the official link of the Arab Council of the General Union of Arab Archaeologists:
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=1593297682832521&id=100064569137079&rdid=cDx8hUr5HvPGonWq#
