Dr Ahmed Al Abbasi, Associate Professor of Gifted Education and Vice-Dean of the College of Education and Administrative and Technical Sciences at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU), has been awarded the prestigious Berlyne Award for Distinguished Researcher by the American Psychological Association (APA), becoming the first Arab scholar to ever receive this honour since the establishment of the Association in 1892.

The Berlyne Award is considered among the highest accolades in the field of psychology, granted in recognition of exceptional academic contributions within the first ten years following receipt of a doctoral degree. It specifically honours pioneering research that advances scientific understanding of creativity and its cognitive processes, a central pillar in both theoretical and applied psychology. 

The award is named after Professor Daniel Berlyne, one of the most influential figures in the psychology of creativity and aesthetics and former President of the Creativity and Arts Division within the APA.

This achievement crowns a distinguished research career for Dr Al Abbasi, characterised by a combination of theoretical depth, rigorous empirical work, and scientific precision. He has authored approximately 70 research papers published in leading international journals, significantly contributing to modern understanding of creativity and gaining wide recognition among global academic communities. This accolade places Dr Al Abbasi among the most prominent early-career psychologists internationally.

On the occasion, His Excellency Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of the Arabian Gulf University, expressed great pride in this milestone, affirming that the award reflects the University’s advanced standing in supporting scientific research and academic excellence – a progress also mirrored in the University’s improved global ranking in 2025. He added that Dr Al Abbasi’s success serves as evidence of the capability of Gulf and Arab researchers to compete and lead across the highest scientific platforms worldwide.

Dr Al Fuhaid further noted that the University’s new strategic plan places research at the forefront of its priorities, including supporting publication in top-tier international journals (Q1), covering publication costs, and preparing to announce a new suite of excellence awards in research, teaching, administration, and community engagement.

This achievement marks a significant milestone for Arab scientific contribution in psychology, reflecting the growing presence of Arab scholars in the international academic landscape and underscoring the importance of diverse knowledge in enriching and advancing psychological research.