Under the patronage of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research

Prof. Al-Jallal: The conference reflects the pivotal role of scientific research in achieving sustainable development and enhancing the status of our academic institutions at the regional and international levels, implementing the directives of the political leadership and realizing Kuwait Vision 2035

Prof. Al-Mailem: What sets this year's conference apart is that the objectives were inspired by Kuwait Vision 2035 to unify efforts towards achieving it and transferring the dream of a new Kuwait into a tangible reality

Prof. Al-Kandari: The guest speakers were meticulously selected from distinguished universities introducing their expertise to enhance the role of scientific research as a fundamental pillar in strategic planning, academic classification of institutions, and international partnerships

Emphasizing Kuwait University’s commitment to enhance cooperation in scientific research and supporting innovation and knowledge production, the 4th Scientific Research Conference "Enhancing Research Collaboration: Scientific Research Impact on Strategic Planning & Academic Ranking" kicks off in Kuwait University under the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Prof. Nader Al-Jallal. The conference was organized by KU's Research Sector on 17-18/2/2025 at the Conference Center in Sabah Al-Salem University City.
The generous support received from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences as swell as Kuwait Petroleum Corporation as the platinum sponsor contributed significantly to accomplishing this event attracting decision-makers and researchers representing state and private research and academic institutions. 
The conference is intended to highlight the importance of scientific research as a fundamental pillar in strategic planning and state development, in addition to enhancing KU's academic classification.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Nader Al-Jallal expressed his happiness to attend the 4th edition of the Scientific Research Conference signaling the pivotal role of scientific research in achieving sustainable development and enhancing the status of our academic institutions at the regional and international levels through developing advanced educational, economic and health policies instrumental for building a more prosperous future for our country.

Within this frame, Prof. Al-Jallal stressed the continuous support of the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research for research efforts, and its commitment to provide a stimulating environment for researchers through funding scientific projects, enhancing cooperation with international institutions, and developing the research infrastructure in our universities with scientific research and strategic planning being two fundamental pillars in building a knowledge economy, high quality education, and a society based on innovation and creativity, implementing the directives of the political leadership and realizing Kuwait Vision 2035.

He stated that the ranking of universities is not simply numbers and statistics, but rather a reflection of the quality of education, research and innovation. “In Kuwait, we aspire to raise the ranking of our universities by investing in national cadres and encouraging research that addresses development challenges and provides viable scientific solutions" he added. 

Prof. Al-Jallal thanked Kuwait University President, Prof. Dina Al-Mailem, Prof. Noriya Al-Kandari, Head of the Organizing Committee, and the Research Sector's team for the distinguished organization, valuable topics, and enriching discussions, with the participation of elite researchers and academics from Kuwait and abroad. In conclusion, he hoped that the discussions and recommendations will result in practical steps effective in developing our academic and research system.

On her part, Prof. Dina Al-Mailem, Kuwait University President, said that the 4th edition of the conference coincides with Kuwait national celebrations "representing one of the pillars that our beloved country relies on in meeting society needs".  She signaled that the conference covers several scientific areas addressing the most important issues in various economic, educational, health, energy and environmental fields, leading to the central role of scientific research as the cornerstone of strategic planning, state development, and high academic classification. 
She further affirmed that scientific research is the prime pillar on which solid scientific institutions are built, and that Kuwait University prioritized research by promoting the culture of scientific research and supporting high quality research projects. She added that: "I am pleased to be with you today at the 4th Scientific Research Conference at Sabah Al-Salem University City which His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, entrusted me to lead, looking forward to achieve KU's strategic goals including scientific research."

Prof. Al-Mailem stated that the conference has attracted distinguished speakers of academic expertise, providing an important platform for the exchange of experiences and exposure to the latest developments in research.
She concluded that what sets this year's conference apart is that the objectives were inspired by Kuwait Vision 2035 to unify efforts towards achieving it and transferring the dream of a new Kuwait into a tangible reality.
Prof. Noriya Al-Kandari, Assistant Vice President for External Research Collaboration and Consultations and Conference Chairperson, indicated that the conference aims to address critical issues that reflect the role of scientific research in drawing strategic and development plans as well as its essential impact on the classification of academic institutions. She added that the event also highlights the role of international research partnerships through agreements and MOUs, noting that the challenges facing the country are not obstacles, but rather opportunities for innovation, and that the research expertise in our scientific institutions are capable to reach appropriate solutions based on solid scientific foundations.

Prof. Al-Kandari added: “The research priorities were crystallized through in-depth panel discussions bringing together interested researchers and state officials from various sectors to exchange visions, analyze challenges, and formulate research axes that accurately reflect national priorities based on the actual needs of the country and contributing to achieving sustainable development.” She stated that Kuwait University is harnessing all its research capabilities including state-of-the-art laboratories and specialized research units backed by trained scientific and technical cadres, all of which constitute an integrated infrastructure governed by administrative and financial regulations that facilitate the management of funded research projects. Finally, Prof. Al-Kandari announced the launch of “Our Aspirations are Beyond Limits” studio as an interactive space enabling universities and research institutions record their visions on the prospects of research collaboration with Kuwait University and develop common ideas leading to sustainable partnerships.

During the conference, researchers of the winning posters 2024/2025 were honored by Prof. Nader Al-Jallal, Prof. Dina Al-Mailem, Prof. Mai Al-Bader, Acting Vice President for Research, and Prof. Noriya Al-Kandari.

The winner are as follows:

Humanities Faculties

Faculty Members

1st Place: Dr. YOUSEF JASSIM ABDULSALAM – College of Business Administration
2nd Place: Dr. AHMAD IBRAHIM ABDULKAREEM ALANSARI – PAAET
3rd Place: Dr. Maytham Abdulraheem – College of Business Administration

Teaching Assistants

1st Place: Dr. Amal Ali Qasimi - College of Social Sciences
2nd Place: Anoud Yousef Alabdulwahad– College of Law
3rd Place: Dr. Munirah A. AlAjlan – College of Arts

Graduate Students

1st Place: Maram Owayedh Almutairi – College of Business Administration
2nd Place: Lailah Farraj Alshammari – College of Social Sciences
3rd Place: Anfal Salem Alenezi – College of Social Sciences

Sciences Faculties

Faculty Members

1st Place: Dr. Amani Mustafa Al-Adsani – College of Science
2nd Place: Dr. Nasmah K. Bastaki – College of Science
3rd Place: Dr. Fatma H. Al-Awadhi – College of Pharmacy    

Teaching Assistants

1st Place: Taiba A. Al-Barjas – College of Science
2nd Place: Mohammad AlSayegh – KISR
3rd Place: Tahani Awwad AlShammari - KISR

Graduate Students

1st Place: Walid Al-Hussein – College of Science
2nd Place: Hana Drobiova – College of Medicine
3rd Place: Asmaa Mohammad Jassim Al-Saeed – College of Engineering & Petroleum

Winners of the Best Scientific Poster Award presented by the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences KFAS

• Prof. Eisa M. E. M. Al-Safran – Faculty Staff - College of Engineering & Petroleum
• Dr. Syed Saad B Qasim - Faculty Staff - College of Dentistry
• Alaa Naser Al-Fouderi - Graduate Student - College of Engineering & Petroleum
• Mohamed Rashad Abdelnazir Mohamed - Graduate Student - College of Science

Researchers who obtained patents from the Patent and Intellectual Property Office at the Research Sector were also honored

• "CONVERTIBLE STAIRS FOR WHEELCHAIR ACCESSIBILITY"
    - Prof. Khaled Ahmad Abdullah Alhazzaa – College of Engineering and Petroleum
    - Eng. Danah Dhaher Mohammad Alfadhli 
    - Eng. Nadiah Wesam Ali Alazmi
    - Eng. Yasmeen Saleh Aayed Aldhefeeri

• "MODULAR INTRAMEDULLARY FIXATION DEVICES"
    - Dr. Ahmed Ali Al-Shammasi - Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah Hospital
    - Eng. Yagoub Abdulrahman Al Sayed Hashim – Ministry of Electricity, Water and Renewable Energy

• "AMUSEMENT RIDE FOR CHILDREN"
    - Dr. Abdullah Mohammed Abdullah - College of Engineering and Petroleum
    - Eng. Asmaa Saad Alenezi
    - Eng. Ameenah Mohammed Alawadhi
    - Eng. Munira Abdullah Alghannam
    - Eng. Shaikha Khaled Almasoud

• "AUTOMATED HYDROPONICS SYSTEM"
    - Dr. Abdullah Jeluwi Nasser Alazemi - College of Engineering and Petroleum
    - Eng. Danah Hamad Sanad Almatar
    - Eng. Hessah Salem Mohemmed Aljalahma
    - Eng. Alreem Ahmad Abdullah Alsirhan

• "PLUNGING LIQUID JET REACTOR AND WATER TREATMENT SYSTEM"
    - Prof. Badar Shafaqa Al-Anzi – College of Life Sciences

• "FABRIC WITH EMBEDDED DISPENSING CHANNELS"
    - Dr. Nawaf F. Aljuwayhel - College of Engineering and Petroleum
    - Dr. Naser Alsayegh - KISR

• "EFFERVESCENT TABLET FOR ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY AND ENHANCED OIL RECOVERY METHOD USING THE SAME"
    - Dr. Nawaf F. Aljuwayhel - College of Engineering and Petroleum
    - Dr. Naser Alsayegh - KISR
    - Abbas Hamoud

• "QUENCHING AND COATING METALS USING GOLD-BASED EFFERVESCENT TABLETS"
    - Dr. Nawaf F. Aljuwayhel - College of Engineering and Petroleum
    - Dr. Naser Alsayegh - KISR
    - Dr. Husain Bahzad

• "DUAL HYDROGEN AND SUSPENSION PRODUCTION SYSTEM USING EFFERVESCENT TABLETS CONTAINING HYDROGEN ACTIVE PRODUCTION METALLIC PARTICLES"
    - Dr. Nawaf F. Aljuwayhel - College of Engineering and Petroleum
    - Dr. Naser Alsayegh - KISR
    - Dr. Husain Bahzad
    - Ali Alsayegh

Parallel to the conference, the Scientific Poster Exhibition was held displaying 367 posters presented by researchers from Kuwait University, Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences, Kuwait Oil Company, Public Authority for Applied Education and Training PAAET. Various state sectors with specialized research units and public facilities laboratories also participated to introduce their research capabilities and cutting-edge laboratories as well as their specialized technical expertise. 

The event involved a variety of panel discussions addressing national research priorities in the fields of energy, environment, oil, education, health, social issues, and the economy.

Panel Discussion 1: The Role of Scientific Research in State Strategic Planning and Development 
Moderator: Dr. Sami Al-Adwani - KU
Speaker 1: Dr. Francois Farah - Institute of Social Sciences - Lebanese University
Speaker 2: Prof. Ahmad Rubaie – Center of Biotechnology of Sfax - Tunisia
Speaker 3: Prof. Amer Bin Saif Al-Hinai – Sultan Qaboos University - Oman

Panel Discussion 2: The Role of Scientific Research in Ranking Academic Institutions 
Moderator: Dr. Bibi M. Al-Ajmi, KU
Speaker 1: Prof. Ghassan Awwad – Abu Dhabi University – UAE
Speaker 2:  Dr. Ashwin Fernandes - QS Quacquarelli Symonds

Panel Discussion 3: Agreements/ Collaboration Protocols/ MOUs to Enhance Scientific Research 
Moderator: Dr. Amani M. Al-Adsani, College of Science, KU
Speaker 1:  Prof. Abdulkarim Aoudia - Inernational Centre of Theoratical Physcis (ICTP)
Speaker 2: Tony Skinner – Country Director - British Council Kuwait
Speaker 3: Merceeds Masters - London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE)

The second day of the conference included specialized research sessions that reflect national priorities in the fields of energy, environment, oil, education, health, social issues, and economy. Later, a presentation was given by Prof. Ali Bomejdad and Eng. Alaa Al-Saleh from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences.

Panel Discussion 1: Education 
Moderator: Prof. Ali Habib, College of Education, KU
Speaker 1:  Dr. Mohammad M. Al-Sharija, Director of the Gulf Arab States Educational Research Center (GASERC)
Speaker 2: Anwar Al-Hamdan, Head of Educational Activities Department, Capital Educational Area

Panel Discussion 2: Energy Sustainability 
Moderator: Prof. Esam M. Al-Awadhi, College of Engineering and Petroleum, KU
Speaker 1:  Dr. Ayman Al-Qattan, Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR)
Speaker 2: Eng. Haya Al-Mayyan, Kuwait Oil Commpany (KOC)

Panel Discussion 3: Sustainability of Kuwaiti Economy
Moderator: Prof. Adel Al-Wugayan, College of Business Administration, KU
Speaker 1:  Rana Al-Naibari, Institute of Banking Studies, Kuwait
Speaker 2: Eng. Anwar Al-Helailah, The Public Authority for Housing Welfare

Panel Discussion 4: Sustainability of Oil and Petroleum Products 
Moderator: Prof. Mabkhout M. Al-Dosari, College of Engineering and Petroleum, KU
Speaker 1: Hamad Al-Zaabi, Head of Research and Technology, Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC)
Speaker 2: Capt. Ahmad Al-Salem, Manager of Health, Safety and Environment Group, Kuwait Oil Tanker Company

Panel Discussion 5: Health and Biomedical Sciences
Moderator: Dr. Mohammad A. Al-Khamees, College of Public Health, KU
Speaker 1:  Dr. Thamer Al-Essa, Ministry of Health
Speaker 2: Dr. Ahmad M. Al-Huraiji, Kuwait Cancer Control Center, Ministry of Health

Panel Discussion 6: Sustainable Development and Environmental Conservation
Moderator: Prof. Bader S. Al-Enzi, College of Life Sciences, KU
Speaker 1:  Commodore Dr. Mohammad Al-Qattan, Center of Studies and Research, Ministry of Defense
Speaker 2: Dr. Ali M. Al-Dosari, Kuwait Institute of Scientific Research (KISR)
Speaker 3: Dr. Hanan Al-Sarawi, Environment Public Authority

Panel Discussion 7: Contemporary Social and Political Issues in the Kuwaiti Society
Moderator: Prof. Yaqoub Y. Al-Kandari, College of Social Sciences, KU
Speaker 1: General. Mohammad Qabazard, The General Directorate for Drug control, Ministry of Interior
Speaker 2: Dr. Mariam Al-Azmi, Former Secretary-General of the Supreme Council for Family Affairs

After two days of enriching scientific discussions and specialized sessions that brought together researchers and officials from various sectors, the conference rounded off with a set of recommendations intended to promote scientific research in supporting national development, enhancing academic classification of research and educational institutions, and promoting research cooperation to reach viable scientific solutions for research challenges of national priority that can be translated into effective policies and strategic plans:

1. Enhance integration between scientific research and strategic planning.
• Emphasize the need to align scientific research priorities with state's development plans to ensure research contribution to finding innovative solutions to national challenges.
• Establish interactive platforms bringing researchers and decision-makers together so that research is directed towards actual national priorities.

2. Develop scientific research policies.
• Establish flexible regulatory frameworks to support collaborative research projects among universities, research institutions, and other sectors.
• Enact incentive policies enabling researchers access research funding easily.

3. Promote international research partnerships.
• Enforce agreements and MOUs between Kuwait University and international research institutions sharing expertise and benefiting from international experiences.
• Support research exchange programs and fund joint projects between local and international researchers.

4. Develop research infrastructure.
• Enhance the use of specialized research laboratories and public facilities and provide access for researchers from various sectors.
• Create online platforms to connect researchers with research centers and available equipment.

5. Support innovation and research entrepreneurship.
• Enhance applied research environment and encourage the registration of patents resulting from research.
• Develop mechanisms to uphold the transformation of scientific research outputs into applied projects that contribute to economic development.

6. Stimulate private-sector engagement in supporting scientific research.
• Broaden cooperation between universities and the private sector through co-funding of national priority research.
• Create financial and tax incentives for companies supporting scientific research and research innovations.

7. Raise community awareness of the importance of scientific research.
• Organize tailored information campaigns and educational programs to familiarize the society with the role of scientific research in sustainable development.
• Support initiatives to involve students in scientific research and enhance their participation in research and innovation.

8. Enhance the classification of Kuwait University and national research institutions.
• Adopt clear policies to promote high-impact research production published in prestigious scientific journals.
• Support researchers in obtaining funding for research projects contributing to raised classification at the regional and international levels.

9. Enhance cooperation with research and academic institutions and departments of studies and research in the public sector.
• Activate cooperation between Kuwait University and research and academic institutions and departments of studies and research in the public sector to unify efforts in addressing common research challenges.
• Establish a national platform for scientific research that brings together researchers in academic and research institutions to exchange data and expertise and enhance cooperation.

Finally, KU's Research Sector thanked the sponsoring institutions, most primarily Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences and Kuwait Petroleum Corporation for their continuous support for scientific research. The RS also appreciated the efforts of the organizing committee that contributed to the success of this event, reaffirming the importance of continuing joint work to enhance scientific research as a key driver for achieving Kuwait Vision 2035.