In the Presence of Acting Kuwait University President

In the presence of Acting Kuwait University President Prof. Fahad Al-Rashidi, and Acting Vice President for Research Prof. Othman Al-Khudir, along with Assistant Vice President for Research Analysis and Development Prof. Noriah Al-Kandari, Assistant Vice President for Research Financing and Implementation Prof. Abdullah Sultan, and Assistant Vice President for External Research Collaboration and Consultation Dr. Haneen Al-Ghabra, as well as The Director of The Academic Publishing Council Mr. Sami Al-Wuhaibi, Prof. Yagoub Al-Kandari, Dr. Ghazi Al-Rashidi, and Dr. Eisa Al-Anezi, the Office of Vice President for Research held a familial meeting with its employees on Tuesday, 16 May, 2023 to lay strategic foundations for the Research Sector plan in alignment with the comprehensive plan of Kuwait University and the State of Kuwait vision for sustainable development for the year 2035.

The meeting was initiated with the speech of Acting Kuwait University President Prof. Fahad Al-Rashidi as he welcomed the audience, where he emphasized the importance of scientific research and scientific productivity as a front for Kuwait University. He also highlighted the vital role of the Research Sector in providing various research services to University affiliates, as there is no doubt that the ranking of Kuwait University is closely related to research productivity and scientific research. Prof. Al-Rashidi also took the opportunity to praise the role of the Academic Publishing Council affiliated with the Research Sector in checking scientific papers before their publication, as it is the first platform from which distinguished researched produced by Kuwait University faculty members is published. In conclusion, Prof. Al-Rashidi extended his thanks to the Research Sector for this graceful initiative to develop and increase research productivity in accordance with the strategic plan followed by Kuwait University.

After that, Acting Vice President for Research Prof. Othman Al-Khudir explained that the Research Sector seeks to make Kuwait University the leading research university in the region, and that the sector will be working vigorously during the coming period to obtain the ISO 9001 certification for general facilities laboratories and research units. Also during the upcoming period, a periodic inventory of the devices available in the laboratories and funded research projects will be carried out.  Prof. Al-Khudir also added that the Research Sector aims to encourage interdisciplinary research, increase priority research, revise the Rules and Regulation for Scientific Research support, develop RS website and implement the electronic correspondence system.

Assistant Vice President for Research Analysis and Development Prof. Noriah Al-Kandari explained during the meeting that the Research Sector is making significant progress in implementing the strategic plan which Kuwait University seeks to accomplish. The RS also aims to develop the system in place in order to facilitate the process of communication with researchers. The Sector also targets the best referees in order to evaluate research projects in order to ensure the quality of research productivity.

On his part, Assistant Vice President for Research Financing and Implementation Prof. Abdullah Sultan explained at the meeting that RS seeks to form a positive relationship with Kuwait University affiliates, as it is working during the coming period to raise the competencies and communication skills of its employees with researchers, and improve the performance and productivity of its employees in order to accelerate the documentary cycle within the sector. The level of competitiveness has also been raised in attracting qualified workers for research projects, and raising the sectors revenues through investing in general facilities laboratories and research units.

For her part, Assistant Vice President for External Research Collaboration and Consultation Dr. Haneen Al-Ghabra explained that the Research Sector is working to activate the Scientific Research Ethics Committee, amend the financial regulations, expand research cooperation and partnerships with external parties, and increase the number of patents and facilitate their marketing.

The Head of Administrative Support Department for Research Ms. Mariam Al-Dhakheel stated that the Research Sector is working hard to raise the level of employee’s performance, encourage team spirit and fill up vacancies to meet job requirements.