KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health, represented by the Healthy Cities Office, launched the final evaluation phase of the “Muazzaz” initiative, which aims to recognize health-promoting malls across Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries. The evaluation marks a key step ahead of the announcement of winning malls at the regional level. Director of the Healthy Cities Office Dr Amal Al-Yahya said on Sunday that the initiative is supervised by the Joint Gulf Committee for Healthy Cities and supported by the Gulf Health Council. She noted that the effort is part of broader joint Gulf activities to improve living environments and promote public health across the region.

Dr Amal Al-Yahya

Amira Al Arimi

Director of Dar Al Othman Abdullah Al Othman

Al-Yahya explained that the current evaluation is being conducted through collaboration at the national and regional levels by accrediting and classifying participating malls. She pointed out that Kuwait has been implementing the initiative since 2023 and has so far accredited six health-promoting malls. This year, The Promenade, The Avenues, and 360 Mall are participating in the evaluation phase, which includes on-site visits by evaluators from both Kuwait and other GCC countries, she added.

Amira Al-Arimi, an evaluation specialist from Oman, praised Kuwait’s leadership in advancing the Muazzaz initiative, highlighting the country’s role in developing the program’s implementation guide. Al-Arimi noted this is her third visit to Kuwait and commended the nation’s distinguished efforts, which align with community initiatives adopted by the World Health Organization. Director of Dar Al-Othman, Abdullah Al-Othman, expressed pride in The Promenade Mall’s continued participation in the initiative, citing efforts to provide a safe and healthy shopping environment. These include hosting health awareness campaigns, organizing blood donation drives, and inaugurating the Al-Othman Ambulance Center last April.

Al-Othman added that The Promenade received gold accreditation in the first edition of the initiative, reaffirming its commitment to supporting public health and fulfilling its corporate social responsibility. In June, the Ministry of Health hosted the 24th meeting of the Joint Gulf Committee for Healthy Cities, during which representatives discussed health-promoting commercial communities and organized a training course for field evaluators, including site visits to participating shopping centers. — KUNA

KUWAIT: First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef Saud Al-Sabah attended on Saturday the graduation ceremony of the 32nd batch of specialized police officers from the Police College. A total of 212 officers graduated during the ceremony, which was held at the Retired Major General Abdul Latif Al-Thuwaini Theater. The event was attended by Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Interior Major General Ali Al-Adwani, senior security officials and family members of the graduates.

In his address, Sheikh Fahad Al-Yousef congratulated the graduates on joining the ranks of the Ministry of Interior, commending their commitment, discipline, and readiness to serve the nation. He expressed confidence in their ability to carry out their duties with professionalism and dedication, highlighting the importance of their academic and practical training in enhancing the country’s security capabilities. Sheikh Fahad stressed that the Ministry of Interior, in line with the directives of the wise political leadership, places strong emphasis on building human capital and enhancing the skills of national cadres. “Security cannot be achieved without qualified national arms capable of keeping pace with the ever-evolving security challenges,” he said.

First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister witnesses the graduation of Saad Al-Abdullah Academy officers. — KUNA

First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister witnesses the graduation of Saad Al-Abdullah Academy officers. — KUNA

First Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister witnesses the graduation of Saad Al-Abdullah Academy officers. — KUNA

The minister extended his congratulations to the graduates and their families, wishing them success in their careers and praying for the continued blessings of security and stability under the leadership of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah.

The ceremony began with the national anthem and a recitation of verses from the Holy Quran. Director General of Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences Brigadier General Ali Al-Wuhaib delivered a speech addressing the graduates and their families. This was followed by the reading of the ministerial decree, the administration of the oath, and the presentation of certificates to distinguished graduates. In a statement, the Ministry of Interior reaffirmed its commitment to supporting and developing security personnel as part of a comprehensive strategy aimed at modernization and keeping pace with evolving security needs, in accordance with the directives of the country’s leadership. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Ministry of Information, the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), and the Kuwait Journalists Association (KJA) have agreed to launch a new diploma in Digital Media at PAAET, the Information Ministry said on Sunday.

The move is part of a broader initiative to equip Kuwaiti youth with skills in emerging digital media fields such as visual and interactive content, social media platforms, and tourism-focused media, the ministry said in a statement.

Minister of Information and Culture and Minister of State for Youth Affairs Abdulrahman Al-Mutairi met with PAAET Director General Dr. Hassan Al-Fajjam and KJA Chairman Adnan Al-Rashed to advance the initiative.

The diploma aims to develop a new generation of content creators who can produce high-quality, culturally relevant material, support Kuwait’s tourism ambitions, and strengthen the local media landscape. The program is also expected to encourage youth entrepreneurship, the ministry added.

The initiative aligns with Kuwait’s long-term vision of fostering a knowledge-based, creative economy under the “New Kuwait” development plan, it said.

Also present at the meeting were KJA Treasurer Dhahiran Aba Al-Khail and PAAET Deputy Director General for Applied Education and Research Dr. Mohammad Al-Hayyan.—KUNA