Mohammed Abufour receives major international award at ASNT 2025
During the ASNT 2025 event, recently held in the United States, global NDT consultant Mohammed Abufour was recognized with the Philip D. Johnson Award, a distinction that honors a career dedicated to innovation, training and development of the nondestructive testing sector worldwide. This award, considered one of the most important in the industry, was presented for the first time to a professional outside the United States, consolidating Abufour as an international reference.
International recognition and professional legacy
The Philip D. Johnson Award is a distinction given to those who have made outstanding contributions throughout their career in the field of non-destructive testing. In the case of Mohammed Abufour, this recognition is no coincidence, since his name has been linked for decades to the development of methodologies, implementation of new technologies and promotion of technical knowledge in different continents.
One of the highlights of this award is that, for the first time, it was given to a professional residing outside the United States. "This opens the door for more international professionals to aspire to these awards," he said, encouraging new generations to apply, actively participate in the community and believe in their potential within the industry.
Technological evolution and digital transformation
Throughout his career, much of it with Saudi Aramco, Abufour has witnessed firsthand the evolution of the industry. From traditional inspection methods to the advent of digital tools, the industry has experienced a dizzying leap forward.
As he explained, one of the key factors in closing the gap between generations is the strategic use of technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning. These tools do not replace experience, but rather amplify it, allowing younger professionals to be better prepared for technical challenges.
Training new generations: the engine of change
Beyond his technical role, Mohammed Abufour has been a constant promoter of young talent in the industry. His commitment is materialized through concrete initiatives, such as facilitating free access for students to trade fairs, lectures and technical conferences in the Middle East and North Africa.
According to his vision, when young people participate in these events they discover a universe of possibilities, as they have the opportunity to interact with experts, observe live demonstrations and understand the real impact of NDT in everyday life. During events held in Cairo, Oman and other Gulf countries, he has insisted that students can attend free of charge, with the aim of eliminating barriers and encouraging technical vocations from an early age.
International expansion of ASNT and its strategic role
As ASNT Section Ambassador, Mohammed Abufour has been instrumental in the global expansion of the organization. His work on the board between 2015 and 2018 laid the groundwork for further integration with professionals and technical centers in the Middle East, particularly in the Arabian Gulf countries.
A significant step forward in this process was the signing of an agreement between ASNT and an inspection institution in Saudi Arabia, which will enable technical certification to be offered directly in the region. This measure, together with the creation of a center in India and the implementation of free associate memberships, constitutes a concrete effort to internationalize access to specialized knowledge and training.
Abufour pointed out that many professionals and students are unaware of the advantages of belonging to ASNT, so free membership represents an opportunity to access valuable resources without economic obstacles. In addition, it generates technical and travel reports that it distributes among its section members, so that the knowledge gathered at international conferences is shared and used at the local level.
A long-term vision for the industry
The recognition of Mohammed Abufour goes beyond the honorary, because for him the true transformation of the sector requires training new leaders, using technology in a responsible manner and promoting international cooperation.
During ASNT 2025 he was not only honored for his previous achievements, but also reaffirmed the continuity of his mission: to inspire, connect and empower the professionals of the future for a constantly and rapidly evolving industry.
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Source: Inspenet.
