American University in Cairo professor Galal Amin has received the Sultan Bin Al Owais Cultural Foundation Award, which recognizes distinguished works and rich contribution to Arab culture, a statement from the university said on WednesdayAmin’s award was for the humanitarian and futuristic studies section in recognition for his contributions to economics, politics, community and culture.
“I felt quite honored and very happy to get this prestigious award, which is probably the most distinguished cultural prize in the Arab world. It is really a very big boost to me,” said Amin, who explained that it is the objectivity of the decision making committee that makes this award particularly prestigious.
“I feel totally gratified that the other three people who got the award with me this year in other fields of cultural activities are all highly esteemed people,” he added.
The other winners include Yemeni poet Abdul Aziz Al Maqaleh, Algerian writer Al Taher Wattar and Tunisian critic Abdul Salam Al Masdi.
“Amin’s contributions have impacted disciplines even away from economics. His thoughts have been based on comparative Arab aspects of history and how economic development is tied to cultural development,” said Tarek Selim, acting chair and associate professor in the economics department at AUC.
“Amin always thinks outside the box. He uses economics as a tool within the great social science,” he added.
Amin joined AUC in 1979 as an economics professor. He received his LLB degree from the Faculty of Law, Cairo University, and an MSc and PhD from the London School of Economics. He was economics visiting professor at Ain-Shams University and at University of California, Los Angeles, and was economic advisor to the Kuwait Fund for Economic Development from 1974 to 1978.
He has authored many books in Arabic and English on the economic, social and political developments in Egypt and the Arab world, including “Whatever Happened to the Egyptians”, “Whatever Else Happened to the Egyptians” and “What Has Life Taught Me.” He also published Illusion of Progress in the Arab World, The Philosophy of Economics and Globalization.
Amin is also the recipient of the Award for Economics from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science; Order of Merit for the Sciences and Arts from the President of Egypt; and the State Prize for Economics (Egypt). He is also a member of the Egyptian Economic Society, Egyptian Society for Human Rights, Arab Society for Human Rights and a member of the Board of the Arab Society of Economic Research and Research Coordinator.
