KUWAIT: In line with its deep commitment to social responsibility and continued support to the development of Kuwait’s youth, National Bank of Kuwait sponsored the Youth Leadership Program (YLP), which aims to develop skills of leadership, self-awareness, and resilience for the youth, in collaboration with non-profit organization. The program, which targets 14- to 18-year-old high school students, took place in the United Kingdom in a period that extended from the 13th until the 19th of July 2025, with the participation of 12 students.

The Youth Leadership Program is a transformative and unique experience in which participants get the opportunity to undergo a life-changing adventure for one week in Bedfordshire’s breathtaking nature where they unleash their hidden abilities and energies. The program aims to develop leadership skills by teaching students the habits of effective people, which help them succeed in current and future endeavors and face challenges confidently.

As part of this journey, the students participated in outdoor activities, including walking through green fields and exploring UK’s enchanting towns, in addition to building relationships and creating connections while participating in friendly competitions.

The program also gave the students a view on practical leadership skills, based on Steven R. Covey’s prominent book “The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People”, through which the students obtained valuable tools to manage their thoughts, actions, and feelings and consequently provide them with strong leadership abilities.

This sponsorship comes in line with NBK’s strategic partnership with LOYAC, which echoes the bank’s unwavering support for Kuwait’s youth by empowering them to invest in their future and become part of an aware and leading generation.

NBK will continue to sponsor and support initiatives that align with its social responsibility values across all society segments and non-profit organizations, especially ones that nurture youth development and cater to their needs. This support stems from the bank’s strong belief in the significant role youth play in society. It is worth noting that LOYAC is a non-profit organization that aims to support youth by providing training opportunities, specialized educational, and volunteering developmental programs.

KUWAIT: Kuwait is set to launch a national youth academy focused on training young Kuwaitis in artificial intelligence, space sciences, robotics, and cybersecurity, the Public Authority for Youth announced Thursday. The initiative follows a new memorandum of understanding between the Authority and the Kuwait Space Company to establish the academy, which will serve as a hub for empowering youth with cutting-edge skills.

“The Authority places young people at the forefront of its priorities, as they are the future of Kuwait,” said Acting Director Nasser Al-Sheikh during a press briefing following the signing. He emphasized that the new academy will help develop and support youth capabilities through “innovative projects that reinforce their role in building the nation and developing society.”

Described as a “modern national platform,” the academy will offer specialized training and hands-on programs that contribute to Kuwait’s economic and knowledge-based participation goals. It is also part of the broader vision of “New Kuwait 2035,” the country’s long-term development plan. “This strategic initiative falls under the Authority’s broader efforts to create an enabling educational environment for Kuwaiti youth, one that keeps pace with global shifts and prepares an innovative generation with the skills needed to enter the future job market with confidence,” Al-Sheikh explained.

According to the Authority, the academy will use interactive and modern curricula and feature workshops, training sessions, and scientific competitions targeting outstanding students in schools and universities. It will also promote knowledge exchange and ensure qualified administrative and teaching staff are in place. Al-Sheikh praised the collaboration with the Kuwait Space Company and stressed that the Authority remains committed to forming strategic partnerships across government, civil society, and the private sector. “We are moving forward with pioneering educational and tech initiatives that meet the ambitions of young people and invest in their promising energy,” he said. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Kuwait’s Minister of Justice and Chair of the Kuwait Institute for Judicial and Legal Studies Nasser Al-Sumait, has ordered the institute to conduct a comprehensive study to overhaul the selection process for entry-level legal researcher roles, which qualify candidates to become junior prosecutors.

The move comes days after the minister announced the complete cancellation of the current admissions cycle, citing serious irregularities in the process. “In response to the complaints and grievances submitted regarding the recent admissions procedures, and the observations raised about the integrity and accuracy of their results, a review of the documents revealed violations that tainted the work of the selection committee and its supporting team,” Al-Sumait said in a statement released by the ministry this week. He added that the flaws in the admissions process were so severe that “they cast a shadow over the entire acceptance process to the extent that no subsequent correction or review could be of any value.” As a result, all actions and results issued by the admissions committee and its team — formed under ministerial decisions 1602 and 1603 of 2024 — were nullified.

Rigorous framework

In a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) Thursday, the minister explained that the newly commissioned study aims to establish “a rigorous institutional framework” for selecting legal researchers. “This mandate reflects the ministry’s keenness to uphold transparency and integrity in appointment procedures, and to capitalize on the institute’s accumulated national expertise in training and preparing judicial and legal talent,” he said. The minister underscored that this effort is part of a broader vision to modernize the justice system based on competence and equal opportunity, “in a way that reinforces society’s trust in state institutions.”

Public trust

Earlier this week, Al-Sumait emphasized that the ministry is committed to restoring public confidence in the judiciary by ensuring a clean and competitive pathway for aspiring legal professionals. “To preserve public trust in the judiciary and uphold the principles of equality and merit-based opportunity, the ministry has decided to allow Kuwait’s sons and daughters to compete freely for these roles based on their qualifications and abilities,” he said.

He noted that a new process for written exams and personal interviews was set to be announced soon. The legal researcher position, which serves as a stepping stone to becoming a junior prosecutor, is a “foundation stone in the judicial structure,” Al-Sumait said, adding that when this foundation is solid, it “strengthens the entire judicial edifice.” He described judicial roles as a “sacred trust and a heavy responsibility,” requiring those who hold them to speak truth and resolve disputes impartially. — Agencies