KUALA LUMPUR, May 20 (Bernama) -- Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) emerged as one of the three winners of this year's Islamic Development Bank (IDB) Prize for Science and Technology.

Two other winning institutions were from Egypt and Palestine, the International Islamic News Agency (IINA) reported from Jeddah.

It quoted IDB President Dr. Ahmed Mohamed Ali as saying the winners were selected by an independent committee, comprising four eminent scholars from member countries, after screening 88 nominees from 26 member countries.

MPOB won the Prize for Pioneering Institutions in the Development of Member Countries in recognition of the board's outstanding role in achieving economic and social development in Malaysia.

The Faculty of Engineering, University of Cairo, Egypt won the Prize for Pioneering Academic Institutions in Engineering in member countries in recognition of its outstanding contributions in the engineering development sector.

The Prize for Outstanding Academic Research Institutions in least developed member countries was secured by the Faculty of Science, Islamic University of Gaza in Palestine in recognition of the Faculty's great efforts in institutional development, said IINA.

Dr. Ahmed congratulated the winners and applauded them for the major achievements they have made in science and technology for their communities and countries.

He stated that the bank awards the prizes because of its eagerness to promote development in all walks of life and in recognition of the role of academic institutions and research centers in boosting socio-economic development in member countries through science and technology.

Each award consists of a prize money worth US$100,000 (US$1=RM3.61), a merit certificate and a memorial shield engraved with the IDB emblem.

The prizes will be given to the winners during the forthcoming annual meeting of the IDB Board of Governors in Kuwait on May 30 and 31.

-- BERNAMA