KUWAIT: Kuwait is prioritizing early developmental intervention and proposing the creation of specialized nurseries designed to meet the unique needs of people with disabilities, in a push to improve their quality of life and ensure full inclusion in society. The initiatives were discussed Wednesday during the second meeting of the national committee for implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, chaired by Minister of Social Affairs, Family and Childhood Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwailah.

The meeting opened with a presentation highlighting the importance of early support for developmental disabilities and the potential impact of tailored services in childhood. “These steps aim to improve quality of life and support the full inclusion of people with disabilities in society,” Al-Huwailah said in a press statement published by Kuwait News Agency (KUNA).

KUWAIT: Minister of Social Affairs Dr Amthal Al-Huwaila chairs a meeting of the committee tasked with implementing the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. — KUNA photos

The committee also reviewed updates from member bodies on their progress implementing the convention, and discussed recent developments, challenges, and ways to overcome them. Al-Huwailah reaffirmed the committee’s commitment to “continuing efforts to strengthen national policies and programs to ensure persons with disabilities receive the best possible services,” adding that this reflects Kuwait’s full dedication to the international agreement.

Drug awareness

In a separate meeting, the minister met with the president and board members of the Kuwait Bar Association to discuss joint efforts on community awareness and legal support for citizens. She praised the association’s contributions to legal education and public service, and said the ministry and the association will soon launch a public awareness campaign to combat drug use. Al-Huwailah also welcomed Kuwait’s selection to host the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) conference in March 2026 — a regional first. “This reflects international recognition of Kuwait’s national efforts in supporting families as the cornerstone of society,” she said. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Minister of Foreign Affairs Abdullah Al-Yahya met on Wednesday with Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Jassem Al-Budaiwi.During the meeting, the two sides discussed strengthening Gulf cooperation, reviewed upcoming priorities, and exchanged views on regional and international developments. — KUNA

KUWAIT: As part of its ongoing investment in human capital and commitment to fostering a culture of continuous learning, Burgan Bank announced the launch of its latest Learning and Talent Development (LTD) endeavor: the Data Champion bootcamp. Developed in strategic partnership with CODED – the region’s first dedicated coding academy – the program is the first of its kind in Kuwait, designed to build data fluency across the Bank and deepen its digital transformation efforts.

This intensive, month-long internal bootcamp aims to upskill employees from across Burgan Bank’s departments with essential data analytics capabilities, enabling them to extract insights, drive smarter decisions, and accelerate customer-centric innovation. “In today’s fast-moving digital banking landscape, digital transformation and data literacy is more than a competitive edge – it’s a business imperative,” said Fatma Ahmad, Senior Manager – Learning and Development at Burgan Bank. “A true transformation lies in embedding data thinking into every part of the Bank’s operations. Through this program, we’re empowering our Employees with the tools and mindset to harness data effectively – and ultimately deliver a smarter, more seamless banking experience.”

Fatma Ahmad

Hashim Behbehani

For his part, Hashim Behbehani, Co-Founder and Chief Operations Officer of CODED, said: “We are proud to host Burgan Bank’s Data Champion Program, which marks a truly forward-thinking initiative from Burgan Bank that invests in the technical upskilling of its employees. This program was specifically designed around real banking scenarios. It is meant to be practical and intensive, to deliver direct impact not only on the performance of participants – but also the various Burgan Bank departments they serve.” He added: “This collaboration reflects Burgan Bank’s deep-rooted belief in the importance of investing in national talent, which echoes CODED’s vision to place Kuwait on the global technology map. We are grateful Burgan Bank for their ongoing trust and look forward to seeing the tangible results of this program.”

To ensure the organizational alignment on adopting a data-driven mindset, 12 employees representing different departments within the Bank – will be selected to attend the bootcamp. Throughout the program, participants will receive hands-on training in Power BI, Excel Dashboards, and Data Storytelling, in addition to modules on data management, data analytics, and data modeling, supported by real-world case studies tailored to banking scenarios.

This initiative also aligns closely with Burgan Bank’s sustainability strategy, particularly in the areas of human capital development, digital transformation, and national talent empowerment. By equipping employees with cutting-edge data skills and fostering a culture of innovation, the Bank reinforces its long-term commitment to responsible growth and inclusive progress. The program further supports Kuwait’s Vision 2035 by nurturing local talent in partnership with a homegrown tech institution, CODED, while also enhancing employee engagement and organizational resilience hallmarks of Burgan’s sustainable development vision.

The bootcamp will culminate in a collaborative capstone project, where participants will demonstrate their ability to apply data concepts to real business challenges. Graduates will be formally recognized upon completing the requirements of “Data Champions Bootcamp”. It serves to note that Burgan Bank, a certified Great Place to Work with a mission of becoming an employer of choice on the national level, currently houses one of the most robust and comprehensive LTD programs within the sector, A dynamic program with an expansive vision, Burgan Bank’s LTD strategy offers employees year-round opportunities for personal and professional growth.