Under the patronage of His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawwaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and with the presence of the representative of His Highness the Amir, the Minister of Education, Higher Education, and Scientific Research, Dr. Hamad Al-Adwani, Kuwait University participated in the 13th International Invention Fair in the Middle East (IIFME) on February 12th, 2023 at Courtyard Marriot – Arraya Hall. The event held by Kuwait Science Club in collaboration with the International Exhibition of Inventions of Geneva, was attended by Dr. Khaled Al-Fadhel, Director General of Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), Talal Al-Kharafi, Chairman of Kuwait Science Club, and Dr. Haneen Al-Ghabra, Assistant Vice President for External Research Collaboration and Consultations at Kuwait University.

Representing Kuwait University, the Patents and Intellectual Property Rights Office at the Research Sector participated with inventors from KU’s academic faculty members with US registered patens. The fair attracted 235 inventors participating with 153 inventions and representing 40 countries.

In a keynote speech, Dr. Hamad Al-Adwani valued the efforts of the IIFME Organizing Committee and the effective contribution of the GCC General Secretariat while thanking all who contributed to the success of this event. He also said that the large number present at the fair reflects the success of this scientific event as well as the fruitful efforts of the IIFME Organizing Committee, the judges and all participants.

Signaling the importance of the Fair in linking inventors with investors, Dr. Al-Adwani explained that patents are linked to intellectual property, and that intellectual property rights protect the rights of both inventors and investors, as they are considered one of the basic elements for developing scientific research in order to serve and advance societies.

On her behalf, Dr. Haneen Al-Ghabra, Assistant Vice President for External Research Collaboration and Consultations, expressed the Research Sector's pride in KU’s inventors participating in the 13th International Invention Fair in the Middle East (IIFME) and all the inventors who obtained patents from Kuwait University. She signaled the Research Sector's continuous support for applicants while providing them with the necessary facilities, including the recently activated Fast-Track service in cooperation with the United States Patent and Trademark Office, in order to reduce the time needed for patents registration from three years to only one year and all other resources dedicated to encouraging researchers to submit more new patents. These moves are based on Kuwait University's endeavor to nurture innovation, motivate researchers to achieve excellence and drive economic and industrial development of the State of Kuwait, while seeking to raise the standing of Kuwait University among elite international universities

Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Khaled Al-Fadhel, KFAS Director General, said he was delighted to attend the opening of the 13th International Invention Fair in the Middle East (IIFME) with the participation of 200 projects in various scientific fields, including approximately 19 Kuwaiti projects 9 of which are from Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity at KFAS. Dr. Al-Fadhel highlighted KFAS sustained endeavor to support projects of scientific inventions as well as such events that invest in distinguished potentials of Kuwaiti youth driving them towards globalization and achieving substantial outcomes that serve humanity.

Kuwait University is represented at the Fair by three US registered patents as follows:
• Dr. Ammar Bahman, Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering and Petroleum, and Dr. Naser Al-Sayegh, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, for their patent titled: “An Approach for Determining the Physical Stability of Dispersed Particles in Flowing Suspensions.”
• Prof. Saad Makhseed, Department of Chemistry, College of Science, and Dr. Ali Hasan, for their patent titled: “Propargyl- Functionlized Macrocyclic Compounds.”
• Prof. Milad Bitar, College of Medicine, Department of Pharmacology, and Prof. Fahad Al-Mulla, for their patent titled: “Method of Treating Delayed Healing of a Wound Associated with Diabetes.”

The IIFME, deemed as the second most significant inventions exhibition worldwide following Geneva International Exhibition of Inventions according to international ranking, has attracted regional and international attention, highlighting the creativity of young Arab inventors while bringing out the advanced role of the State of Kuwait in supporting inventors. Inventions are evaluated and winners are selected by a world-class panel of specialized judges.