On May 1st, Moroccan researcher Najat Mokhtar-Aguenaou was awarded the Arab Woman of the Year Award 2025 in London, in recognition of her scientific achievements, commitment to advancing science, and efforts to empower women in the region. Since January 1, 2019, she has served as the first woman to hold the position of Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications at the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
Originally from Taounate, Mokhtar-Aguenaou has built an impressive scientific and academic career that has earned her international recognition. After studying at Mohammed V University in Rabat, she obtained a Ph.D. in Food Science from the University of Dijon in France, followed by a second doctorate in Nutrition and Endocrinology from Laval University in Canada. She later completed postdoctoral studies at Johns Hopkins University in the United States.
Organized by the London Arabia Organisation, the Arab Woman of the Year Award celebrates the accomplishments of Arab women across fields such as business, culture, science, and humanitarian work. The award ceremony followed the Arab Women’s Summit 2025, held at Lancaster House in London, near Buckingham Palace.