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CODED Academy launches the fifth edition of ‘Kuwait Codes’ initiative

Published

4 months ago

March 26, 2025

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KUWAIT: CODED Academy, the first programming academy in the Middle East, is pleased to announce the launch of the fifth edition of the “Kuwait Codes” initiative for 2025. This initiative aims to empower high school and ninth-grade students in Kuwait with programming and technology skills, in strategic partnership with Alghanim Industries, Kuwait Finance House, Zain, Agility, and Kuwait University — hosted by the College of Life Sciences.

Additionally, exclusive advertising sponsorship from Add Effect and exclusive media sponsorship from Kuwait Times and Kuwait News. In its fifth edition, “Kuwait Codes” continues its mission to equip students with essential foundations in modern programming languages and highly-demanded technological fields, including mobile app development, web development, cybersecurity, Python programming and more.

This education is provided entirely free of charge, reflecting CODED Academy’s commitment to supporting young national talent with practical tools that enhance their competitiveness in local and international job markets. Aligned with Kuwait Vision 2035, which seeks to position Kuwait as a leader in technology, this initiative provides students with opportunities to explore cutting-edge digital tools and participate in projects aligned with global advancements in innovation and technology.

Students will also engage in practical training programs and hands-on workshops that reinforce creativity and problem-solving skills effectively. Over the past four editions, “Kuwait Codes” has successfully trained over 3,600 students, enabling them to create innovative digital projects and build a vibrant community of young tech enthusiasts who exchange knowledge and experiences.

Strengthening partnerships

CODED Academy remains dedicated to expanding the reach of this initiative and strengthening partnerships with both public and private sectors, aiming to prepare generations capable of developing innovative solutions that drive economic growth and reinforce Kuwait’s position as a regional center for innovation and technology. In his statement at the press conference announcing the launch of Kuwait Codes 2025, Ahmad Marafi, Co-founder and CEO at CODED Academy, expressed: “We are delighted to launch the new edition of Kuwait Codes for 2025, especially after witnessing remarkable successes in previous years.

The passion and ambition of Kuwaiti youth have become clear, demonstrating how programming education can open new horizons and provide essential tools to thrive in the digital age. We look forward to outstanding participation this year and hope to see our youth continue excelling locally, regionally, and internationally.” Hussain Al-Qatari – PR Manager at Alghanim Industries said: “Our sponsorship of Kuwait Codes for the fourth consecutive year reflects Alghanim Industries’ firm commitment to empowering Kuwaiti youth.”

Meaningful innovation

By supporting the ‘Kuwait Codes’ initiative, we’re equipping young Kuwaitis with practical technology and AI skills essential for adapting to a rapidly evolving digital economy. We’re proud to help build a generation capable of meaningful innovation and positive impact.” Fahad Al-Saad, Senior Manager of Public Relations and Events at Kuwait Finance House, said: “We are delighted to participate in the launch of the fifth edition of the ‘Kuwait Codes’ initiative for 2025, as part of our strategic partnership with CODED Academy. This collaboration aligns closely with KFH’s strategic commitment to social responsibility, digital transformation, innovation and youth empowerment.

We particularly support initiatives focused on technology and programming, which allow youth to explore and develop their digital capabilities.” Al-Saad highlighted that the strategic partnership between Kuwait Finance House and CODED Academy dates back to 2018, emphasizing that through this partnership, the bank continues to reinforce its role in supporting Kuwaiti youth and the wider community, nurturing a new generation equipped with advanced programming and cybersecurity skills.

He further explained that KFH’s sponsorship of Kuwait’s largest cybersecurity competition, “Kuwait Hackathon,” in collaboration with the National Cybersecurity Center and CODED Academy, underscores the bank’s dedication to being a leading example in corporate social responsibility, supporting national initiatives, innovation, and programming within the private sector. Al-Saad concluded by thanking the organizers of the 2025 ‘Kuwait Codes’ initiative and all participating partners, wishing everyone continued success.

Faisal Al-Duwaihees, Zain Kuwait’s Youth & Partnerships Specialist, said: “Today, we continue the strategic partnership between Zain and the nation’s leading programming initiative — ‘Kuwait Codes’ in its new season. Zain has been an integral part of its success story over the past seasons, and we are proud to have contributed to empowering and training more than 3,500 young Kuwaiti programmers, both male and female, whom we hope to see as the future leaders of Kuwait’s digital landscape.”

Sustainability strategy

He added: “This support is an integral part of our corporate sustainability strategy, which includes numerous programs focused on youth and education development. We carefully select these programs to ensure their objectives align with our strategic goals. Developing coding and digital skills among youth is one of our top priorities, as we strive to contribute to preparing a future generation of capable local talents to lead the next challenging phase.” Al-Duwaihees further stated: “At Zain, we are proud to be part of the success story of CODED Academy through our support for many of their outstanding training programs, such as ‘Kuwait Codes,’ ‘Academy X,’ and ‘Kuwait Hackathon.’

We look forward to a new season filled with success and achievement, eager to witness the creativity of Kuwait’s youth, and we wish our colleagues at CODED Academy all the best as they continue their journey of fostering innovation and creativity within the tech community.” Mariam Al Foudary, Agility’s Group Chief Marketing Officer said: “At Agility, we firmly believe that empowering youth with digital skills is one of the most impactful investments we can make in Kuwait’s future. That’s why we are honored to continue our support for Kuwait Codes for the third consecutive year — a transformative program that inspires and equips the next generation of tech and coding innovators.

Our dedication to initiatives like this underscores our broader mission to drive supply chain innovation and advance digital infrastructure. We extend our gratitude to our partners at CODED Academy for their invaluable role in nurturing a pipeline of talented young programmers who will play a pivotal role in shaping Kuwait’s digital economy. Together, we are building a brighter, more innovative future.”

Dr Hanadi Abdalsalam, Assistant Dean for Academic Affairs, Research, and Graduate Studies at the College of Life Sciences, said: “Kuwait University is proud to serve as a strategic partner for the Kuwait Codes initiative, which since 2022 has empowered over 3,200 students with modern technological skills. Through this initiative, students are given opportunities to explore fields such as programming, artificial intelligence, data science, application development, and cybersecurity, significantly enhancing their preparedness for the digital job market.”

She added: “This year, Kuwait University’s College of Life Sciences is hosting more than 1,000 students as part of Kuwait Codes, reflecting the growing enthusiasm among Kuwaiti youth to develop their technological skills. Our support for this initiative stems from our belief in building an innovative digital generation capable of contributing to Kuwait’s knowledge economy. We extend our sincere thanks to the CODED team and everyone involved in making this initiative successful, and we look forward to continued cooperation to advance technical education in Kuwait.”

Media sponsorship

Hussain Sana, Head of Content Creation at Kuwait News, stated: “The media sponsorship provided by Kuwait News for the “Kuwait Codes” initiative stems from the shared goals between Kuwait News and CODED in striving to build a skilled and knowledgeable national workforce. This ultimately serves the country’s best interests and supports its efforts to diversify the local economy.” Omar El Masri, Managing Director at Add Effect said: “For Kuwait’s economy to thrive, we must prepare a generation of talent capable of keeping pace with rapid technological advancements and leading the future with a forward-thinking vision.

At Add Effect, we believe in the power of innovation and its role in building a sustainable economy. We recognize the vital contribution of CODED in developing digital skills and fostering technological creativity. Through programs like Kuwait Codes, young individuals are empowered with coding and technology skills, equipping them to become the change makers and future leaders of Kuwait.” CODED Academy encourages all high school and 9th-grade students to register for the Kuwait Codes initiative. Interested students can sign up now through the official website: code.kw.

Related Topics:Academy Coded Codes edition initiative Kuwait launches

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Crown Prince receives Egyptian Deputy PM

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1 hour ago

July 22, 2025

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KUWAIT: His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah received on Tuesday at Bayan Palace the Egyptian Deputy Prime Minister for Industrial Development and Minister of Transport and Industry, Lieutenant General Kamel Abdulhadi Al-Wazir, and his accompanying delegation on the occasion of their official visit to the country. The meeting was attended by Kuwait’s Minister of Public Works Dr Noura Al-Mashaan and Egypt’s Ambassador to Kuwait Osama Shaltout.– KUNA photos

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Workshop discusses health competency framework

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2 hours ago

July 21, 2025

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KUWAIT: The Ministry of Health (MoH) on Monday inaugurated a regional workshop titled “Competency Framework”, aimed at reviewing the preliminary draft of a competency framework for public health professionals. The three-day workshop is organized by the Gulf Center for Disease Control in cooperation with the Gulf Health Council and the Kuwait Center for Disease Prevention and Control (KCDC).

In his opening remarks, Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry, Dr Munther Al-Hasawi, welcomed a distinguished group of public health leaders and specialists from GCC countries, emphasizing the workshop’s importance in light of the increasing need to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the public health workforce. Al-Hasawi stressed the critical role of investing in human capital through training, capacity building, and well-structured competency frameworks grounded in scientific and practical methodologies. He noted that public health competency goes beyond technical expertise, encompassing key administrative and interpersonal skills such as leadership, teamwork, and effective communication.

Assistant Undersecretary for Public Health at the Ministry, Dr Munther Al-Hasawi

Dr Mohammed Al-Saeedan

“Competency in public health is the ability to deliver appropriate, effective services to communities while achieving optimal outcomes,” Al-Hasawi said. “It includes service delivery, resource management, community engagement, and cross-sectoral cooperation.” Chairing the workshop, Dr Mohammed Al-Saeedan, Head of the Emergency Department – Public Health at KCDC, told reporters that the session aims to discuss and refine the initial draft of the framework with input from regional decision-makers and experts. The goal, he said, is to develop a comprehensive guide to strengthen the capabilities of the health workforce across GCC countries.

“Competency frameworks contribute to improving public health, increasing life expectancy, reducing the overall health burden, and advancing sustainable development,” Al-Saeedan explained. “Healthy individuals are more productive and better able to contribute to society.” He emphasized the importance of continuously updating public health guidelines and competency standards to build professional readiness and effectively address evolving health challenges. “Guidelines serve as essential tools in disease prevention and health promotion, guiding individuals and communities in making informed health choices that enhance quality of life,” he said.

Al-Saeedan noted that global shifts and the rising prevalence of diseases demand heightened preparedness and response capabilities. “As the world increasingly prioritizes prevention over treatment, public health professionals must be equipped with the highest level of skill and knowledge to manage emergencies and implement effective interventions,” he added. The workshop is expected to result in key recommendations that will shape a unified GCC approach to public health competency development and workforce excellence. — KUNA

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The hidden drivers behind high prices in Kuwait

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3 hours ago

July 21, 2025

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Although Kuwait was ranked earlier this year as the second least expensive Gulf country in the 2025 World Cost of Living Index, many residents feel that the prices of certain goods or services remain disproportionately high compared to other countries. While essential services — such as electricity, water, and fuel — are heavily subsidized and therefore inexpensive, other aspects of life, including housing, entertainment, and branded products, often carry a much steeper cost.

Therefore, according to economic expert Dr. Amer Al Tamimi, the root of the issue lies not in government policy, but in people’s behavior — whether it’s business owners inflating prices or consumers adopting high-cost lifestyles. Each year the state allocates no less than KD 6 billion in subsidies for electricity, water, fuel, and even certain food items. “In fact, the government has made life remarkably affordable for citizens — perhaps even too affordable.” But while basic goods may be inexpensive, the same cannot be said for luxury and lifestyle products. According to Al Tamimi, the high standard of living and strong purchasing power among Kuwait’s resident’s fuels intense demand for premium items — from cars and watches to high-end services and entertainment.

“These items might be cheaper elsewhere, but in Kuwait, the appetite for luxury pushes prices higher,” he explained. Even mid-range categories, such as transportation and clothing, are considered expensive when compared to regional or global averages. Social behavior plays a significant role in shaping price dynamics. “Some individuals, despite earning modest incomes, make choices driven by appearances,” said Al Tamimi. “Someone earning KD 1,000 might buy a car with KD 500 monthly installments just to keep up an image.”

This desire to showcase wealth creates an artificial demand for high-end goods and services. As demand rises, so do prices, creating a feedback loop that affects everything from café menus to car dealerships. “There’s a culture of excessive consumption. People need to rethink their habits, as rational consumption can lead to lower prices overall,” he suggested. This culture of overspending is reflected in many lifestyle choices. “I am surprised to see people pay for coffee delivery when they can simply an easily make it at home,” said Altamimi.

While some spending habits may be avoidable, others — like housing — are fundamental and affect nearly everyone. Al Tamimi pointed to Kuwait’s real estate market as one of the most significant contributors to the high cost of living, citing the soaring price of land. “Land alone accounts for around 70 to 75 percent of the total cost of any building,” he explained. “This is very different from many other countries, where land is more affordable and makes up a smaller portion of overall costs.” This imbalance has driven up both property prices and rent, placing a heavy burden on households and businesses alike. For many residents, housing expenses consume a large share of their monthly income.

Another key issue, Al Tamimi argued, is the lack of competition in certain markets. “Some goods are effectively monopolized by one, two, or three importers,” he noted. This concentration of market power gives a small number of players the ability to set prices with little competitive pressure. To address this, he urged efforts to open up the market. “Breaking these monopolies and encouraging more entrepreneurs to enter different sectors could help,” he said. “We need to streamline business procedures and reduce bureaucratic hurdles that currently discourage new players. In many cases, we only have a handful of stores selling certain products. More competition will ultimately benefit the consumer.”