King Abdullah bin Abdul Aziz International Center for Arabic language Service (KAICAL) announced here recently that it has extended the date of the nominations for its International Arabic Service Awards with the aim to encourage more participation.

Secretary-General Abdullah Al-Washmi said that the prize committee has decided to extend the period of receiving nominations for another three months until April 9, 2015.

He said that the extension would ensure greater participation from institutions and individuals in view of the request received from various quarters to extend the period of nomination.

Last year, the former Minister of Higher Education outlined the categories of the newly instituted International Arabic Service Awards with a total of SR1.5 million in cash prizes for the winners.

The committee defined the categories of the awards to include the scholars teaching Arabic to native Arabic speaking children and an institutions award for teaching Arabic to non-Arabic speakers.

He said each category will win a cash prize worth SR75, 000 in addition to a medal and a certificate.

The awards aim to contribute to the development of research in the areas of Arabic language, motivate scholars, researchers and specialists in the field by recognizing their outstanding efforts.

They also seek to motivate the institutions involved in the Arabic language and promote excellence and quality.

The award is open to individuals and institutions working in the field. A nominee should have served the Arabic language through distinct and scientific studies and published research on the subject of the award in its current session relating to children.

The nominees for the institutions award category should have made varied contributions in the Arabic language service to non-native speakers.

It is worth mentioning that the award was instituted in March 2013. Prizes are awarded every two years in subjects approved by the Center’s Board of Trustees.