KUWAIT: Accredited researchers in Kuwait will soon have access to IKARUS, the country’s first high-performance computing (HPC) and artificial intelligence platform, giving them the tools to analyze massive datasets, run complex simulations, and explore innovative solutions across medicine, engineering, and urban planning.

Developed by the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and unveiled last week, IKARUS provides a national infrastructure for storing and processing data locally, without reliance on external platforms. “This gives researchers the speed, security, and control they need to tackle complex projects,” said Tahani Hussein, technical manager of the platform, in an interview with state television’s Good Evening Kuwait program.

High-performance computing platforms like IKARUS connect thousands of compute servers operating in parallel. While a typical laptop can perform billions of calculations per second, IKARUS handles hundreds of trillions — enabling studies and simulations that previously took months or years to be completed in a fraction of the time.

Hussein said the platform has great potential in multiple fields. In medicine, it can analyze lab results to predict diseases and suggest tailored treatments using AI. In engineering and urban planning, it can simulate traffic patterns and model solutions for Kuwait’s chronic traffic congestion. IKARUS can also be used to test smart city concepts virtually investing in physical infrastructure.

Cybersecurity layers

To protect sensitive research, the platform uses multiple layers of cybersecurity, strict access controls, encryption protocols. “Only authorized users can reach the data, and even technical staff cannot view researchers’ private datasets,” Hussein said.

It’s also equipped with a system which continuously monitors access attempts, and if an individual tries to log in three or four times unsuccessfully, the system automatically blocks their account. “If the attempts persist from the same country, the system can even block access from the entire country,” said Hussein. This ensures sensitive data and intellectual property remain secure within Kuwait.

Access to IKARUS is currently restricted to accredited researchers in Kuwait. Interested individuals must apply through KISR’s online portal, complete a training course, and receive official approval before using the system. Different procedures exist for individual researchers and projects helmed by large institutions.

Hussein noted that the training requirement is essential to ensure researchers can “make proper use of the system’s capabilities” and benefit fully from its tools. She added that workshops and courses will be announced throughout the year to expand awareness and usage of the new platform.

With IKARUS, Kuwait can now complete more research projects and pursue initiatives that were previously impossible due to limited resources. “This opens the door to broader scientific innovation and allows projects that were once impossible to become feasible,” Hussein said.

By Dr Adarsh Swaika, Ambassador of India to Kuwait

On the special occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day, I extend my heartfelt greetings to all Indian nationals and persons of Indian origin residing in Kuwait. I also take this opportunity to convey my profound gratitude to the leadership, government and people of Kuwait for their steadfast support for close and friendly ties between our two countries. India remains committed to further strengthening and expanding this long-standing and time-tested relationship.

Today, as we celebrate 79 years since our Independence, we take pride in India’s many achievements during these 8 decades. Our commitment to equitable development has been the cornerstone of our socio-economic policies. The principles of democracy, pluralism, and unity in diversity are deeply embedded in Indian society, guided by the ancient philosophy of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family), which also shapes our foreign policy.

India today is a land of a billion opportunities, with a robust economy that has made significant strides despite global challenges in an uncertain geopolitical environment. India has recently become the 4th largest economy in the world and is poised to become the 3rd largest economy in the next couple of years. Our ‘Atmanirbhar’ program through the flagship ‘Make in India’ initiative is not only designed to make us self-reliant but become an integral part of global supply chains.

Today we are known in the world for many things – Pharmacy of the World, leader in space technology, delivery of digital solutions worldwide by our IT companies, thriving startup ecosystem with exponential increase in number of unicorns, innovation and technological advancements and so. The recent events have also established us as a reliable manufacturer and exporter of state-of-art defense equipments. There has never been a better time to invest in India, with unprecedented momentum in modernizing our physical and digital infrastructure. India has made significant improvements in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business rankings, the Global Innovation Index, and is recognized as a key driver of the global economy.

India has been resolute in its ‘Zero Tolerance’ approach towards terrorism. The resolute stance against cross-border terrorism taken by India recently through ‘Operation Sindoor’ in the wake of the horrific Pahalgam terror attack shows the determination of India to fight this menace through its ‘New Normal’ approach.

On the international stage, India continues to play a vital role in promoting global peace, stability, and prosperity. India has taken leadership role on global issues of relevance and concern, including reforming multilateral institutions like the UN Security Council and issues of climate change, affordable energy access, food security etc.

An epochal event in our bilateral relations with Kuwait was the long-awaited visit of Prime Minister of India Narendra Modi to Kuwait in December, 2024. The visit was historic in many respects – conferment of Kuwait’s highest honor of the ‘Order of Mubarak Al-Kabeer’ on Hon’ble Prime Minister by His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and upgradation of our relationship to that of ‘Strategic Partnership’.

The back-to-back visits of Foreign Ministers of both countries prepared the agenda and successful outcomes of the high-level visit. Bilateral relations with Kuwait have become more broad-based in the last year with setting up of 7 new institutional mechanisms in areas of mutual interest. Bilateral trade and investments are growing and are expected to grow at a much greater pace. Our cultural connections resonate well with our Kuwaiti friends, and people-to-people contacts form the foundation of our bilateral relations. The Indian community continues to be the largest and the community of first preference in Kuwait.

The Indian Embassy considers the welfare and well-being of the Indian community in Kuwait, as over-riding priority, serving as a ‘Home Away from Home’. I take this opportunity to extend my sincere appreciation to Indian community associations, professional bodies, cultural groups, media representatives and all those who are making efforts to strengthen our bilateral relations with Kuwait in their own way and support the community members in distress.

On this proud and joyous occasion of India’s 79th Independence Day, I wish every Indian in Kuwait and all friends of India in Kuwait, success, good health and happiness.

 KUWAIT: The Meteorological Department said that the country will experience extremely hot weather during the day and hot to warm weather with relatively high humidity at night over the weekend. The director of the department, Dharar Al-Ali, said that the country will be affected by a hot and relatively humid air mass, especially in coastal areas and nearby areas, starting Friday, accompanied by chances of light fog during the late hours of the night and early morning in some areas, especially coastal areas.

Al-Ali added that the weather on Thursday will be extremely hot, with northwesterly to variable winds of light to moderate speed between 8 and 38 kilometers per hour, some high clouds, and maximum temperatures expected to range between 47 and 49 degrees Celsius.

The sea will be calm to moderate with waves between 1 and 5 feet. He explained that tonight’s weather will be hot to warm, with variable winds from the northwest at light to moderate speeds between 8 and 28 kilometers per hour, some high clouds, and expected minimum temperatures ranging between 32 and 34 degrees Celsius.

The sea will be calm to moderate with waves between 1 and 3 feet. He said that tomorrow, Friday, will be very hot and relatively humid, especially in coastal areas, with northwesterly to southeasterly winds blowing at light to moderate speeds of between 10 and 38 kilometers per hour.

There will be some scattered clouds, with maximum temperatures expected to range between 46 and 48 degrees Celsius. The sea will be will be calm to moderate with waves between 2 and 5 feet.

He added that tomorrow night will be hot to warm and humid, especially in coastal areas, with variable winds blowing from the southeast at light to moderate speeds of between 6 and 28 kilometers per hour.

There will be some scattered clouds with a chance of light fog, and minimum temperatures are expected to range between 29 and 31 degrees Celsius, and the sea will be calm to moderate with waves between 1 and 4 feet.

Al-Ali said that the weather on Saturday will be very hot and relatively humid, especially in coastal areas, with variable winds blowing from the southeast at light to moderate speeds ranging between 8 and 35 kilometers per hour. There will be some scattered clouds, and maximum temperatures are expected to range between 45 and 47 degrees Celsius The sea will be calm to moderate with waves between 1 and 5 feet.

He noted that Saturday night will be hot to warm and relatively humid, especially in coastal areas, with partly cloudy skies and variable winds blowing from the northwest at light to moderate speeds ranging between 8 and 30 kilometers per hour.

The expected minimum temperatures will range between 31 and 33 degrees Celsius, and the sea will be calm to moderate with waves ranging between 1 and 4 feet. — KUNA