For most of us, the office is more than just a place of work – it’s a second home. It’s where deadlines loom, ideas spark and friendships quietly grow. Sometimes, it’s where we spend more hours than we do with our own families. And in a place so central to our lives, it’s no wonder many of us bring something deeply personal to our desks – a small treasure that reminds us of who we are, where we come from, or someone we love.

At Kuwait Times, I wandered through every office, peeking into the personal corners of our colleagues’ workspaces. What I found was both simple and profoundly touching. These small mementos aren’t just decorations – they are anchors, reminders of love, hope and joy in our daily grind. In a world that often measures productivity by numbers, these keepsakes quietly remind us of what truly matters.

So next time you walk past someone’s desk, take a closer look. Behind every cup, frame or trinket, there’s a story waiting to be told – and a heart that beats both for work and for life beyond these walls.

Jana Al-Naqeeb: A judge’s gavel

Because it’s the only way to manage the lively energy my Gen Z team brings to discussions.

Hawrah Al-Yakoob

Hawrah Al-Yakoob: A group photo

My office is full of trinkets and ornaments, but my favorite item is the group photo of our team. It reminds me daily to be grateful for the people who’ve carved a special place in my life at Kuwait Times. (It does need updating though – we’ve welcomed many amazing new colleagues since!)

Passant Hisham

Passant Hisham: A miniature typewriter sculpture

When I landed my first journalism job, my mom wanted to give me something meaningful. I chose this typewriter because it symbolizes a dream I once had and worked hard to fulfill – becoming a journalist.

Doha Al-Essa

Doha Al-Essa: My face

When Sahar asked if I had anything sentimental, I realized no object really mattered to me. So I jokingly chose my face. I don’t care much for things – I’m just happy to be here and proud of the value I bring, even if my most sentimental “item” is, well, me.

Hussain Sana

Hussain Sana: A photo of colleagues

They motivate me, inspire me, teach me and push me to do more and better.

Hassan Al-Kelani

Hassan Al-Kelani: A piece of paper with “SAMUSA” written on it

I love hearing this word from someone very special to me. Whenever I read it, I can hear their voice.

Zinab Dashti

Zainab Dashti: A Rubik’s Cube

I love solving these puzzles. They reset my mind and are therapeutic to do.

Abdellatif Sharaa

Abdellatif Sharaa: A picture of my father

My father was extraordinary – a parent, a friend, a mentor. He always gave me sound advice and guided me right, paving the way for what I’ve achieved. Thank you, Father. May Almighty Allah bless you.

Faten Omar

Faten Omar: A disco mushroom

It’s my favorite because it reminds me of the anime Pollyanna, where crystals created rainbows in sunlight. This mushroom casts colorful reflections in the room, and it’s the closest I’ve come to recreating that magic.

Sajeev K Peter

Sajeev K Peter: A Girgian box

A cherished gift from a colleague, it now sits on my desk as treasured memorabilia.

Rachelle De Leon

Rachelle De Leon: A ruler and a calculator

They’re my work buddies – always by my side.

Omar Al-Nakib

Omar Al-Nakib: A mockup on paper

My coworker Yousef drew this as a mockup for an archive Instagram post. It’s so childlike, it can only be considered great art.

Shakir Reshamwala

Shakir Reshamwala: My paintings and sculptures

Although I have many colorful objects in my office – vases, knick-knacks, souvenirs – the things most dear to me are my own artworks. As an artist, I feel privileged to display them prominently so everyone in the newsroom can enjoy them.

Islam Sharaa

Islam Sharaa: Mug and artwork

This mug was a birthday gift from my children. Its value grew even more with the innocent touch of my 7-year-old grandson, who drew this artwork for the same occasion. To me, it symbolizes love and treasured family memories.

Yousef Abu-Ghazaleh

Yousef Abu-Ghazaleh: A handmade photo from an intern

It means so much to me because my main goal with every internship is to help students realize their ideas are possible. One student told me that was the lesson she learned from me, and she took the time to make this gift. It reminds me of the power of supporting others’ dreams.

Chidi Emanuel

Chidi Emmanuel: My office computer

In today’s world, technology is at the center of everything. For me, the office computer is more than just a machine – it’s a dependable companion that enables productivity, connects colleagues and provides solutions. It’s the first point of contact each day.

KUWAIT: The Dean of Engineering at Kuwait College of Science and Technology, Professor Ali Chamkha, ranked first in the Arab world and eighth globally out of a total of 150,568 scientists in the field of Mechanical Engineering and Transport for scientific career-wide ranking, advancing two places compared to last year when he was ranked tenth globally.

He also secured first place in the Arab world and second globally in the same field for the year 2025 alone, according to Stanford University’s classification of the world’s top 2 percent of most influential scientists in their disciplines – for the ninth consecutive year. Professor Chamkha’s ranking scores for the year 2025 put me in the top 0.005313% world-wide.

This achievement is considered a landmark in the academic and research career of Professor Chamkha, who is recognized among the world’s leading scientists in engineering, particularly in nanofluids research, heat transfer and renewable energy. He has published hundreds of peer-reviewed scientific papers that have gained wide recognition in the international scientific community. Professor Ali Chamkha emphasized that this recognition reflects Kuwait’s scientific standing on the global stage and highlights the importance of investing in scientific research and innovation as a cornerstone for societal development.

He stressed his vision that the quality of education and research forms the path toward building a knowledge-based economy that advances Kuwait and bridges academic achievements with practical applications serving both Kuwait and humanity as a whole. It is worth noting that Stanford University’s classification is regarded as one of the most accurate and comprehensive global rankings, relying on precise scientific indicators including the number of research citations, impact factor, scientific output and international research standing.

KUWAIT: The National Council for Culture, Arts and Letters (NCCAL) and the Kuwaiti Old Crafts Association took part in the third edition of the Kokand International Handicrafts Festival and the Second International Ceramics Forum in Uzbekistan, held under the auspices of the World Crafts Council (WCC). The Kuwaiti pavilion, organized by NCCAL, featured a wide range of traditional crafts and cultural activities. Artist and potter Ali Al-Awadh and Dima Al-Quraini, supervisor of the Kuwaiti Ceramics House, presented distinctive ceramic works, while children from the Uzbek city of Rishtan also joined in the pavilion’s activities.

Chairman of the Kuwaiti Old Crafts Association Hussein Al-Bazzaz showcased the traditional shipbuilding craft, alongside member Nadia Al-Hammadi, who displayed Sadu weaving, and potter Nasser Al-Quraini, who presented unique ceramic pieces. Speaking to KUNA on Sunday, Al-Bazzaz described the festival, which opened on September 19 and concluded on September 23 , as a global platform for craftsmen and artisans. He noted that the event has quickly grown into one of the most prominent international gatherings in the field, attracting more than 300 artisans from 71 countries, in addition to nearly 1,000 Uzbek craftsmen who highlighted the country’s rich heritage.

Parallel to the festival, the city of Rishtan – renowned for its ceramics – hosted the Second International Ceramics Forum, providing an additional artistic dimension and an opportunity for the exchange of expertise among ceramic artists from various traditions. The festival featured specialized exhibitions, workshops, live demonstrations, and fashion shows that integrated handicrafts into contemporary design, in addition to folkloric, musical, and artistic performances reflecting the identity and traditions of the Fergana Valley. Visitors also enjoyed traditional competitions, including wrestling and a national pilaf cooking contest, as well as a pavilion offering authentic Uzbek cuisine.

This year’s edition also witnessed the inauguration of a permanent handicrafts museum in Kokand to preserve the history of crafts for future generations. A new book documenting the history of Uzbek handicrafts and their leading figures was also launched. For her part, Dima Al-Quraini said the ceramics forum aims to preserve pottery traditions, expand research in the field, and highlight the most important works representing each participating country. She noted that the biennial event attracts participants from around 50 countries worldwide.

Meanwhile, Professor Ali Al-Najadah, head of the craftsmen sector and spokesman for the Expo 965 team, participated as a guest of honor. He expressed pride in seeing the Kuwaiti flag raised at the event and confirmed that he, along with other international judges, will evaluate Samarkand’s nomination as a World City of Crafts – which, if approved, would make it the third in Uzbekistan after Kokand and Bukhara.

The World Crafts Council, an international non-profit organization founded in New York in 1964 and now headquartered in Kuwait under the presidency of Saad Al-Qaddoumi, plays a leading role in safeguarding global craft heritage. Earlier this year, the Council recognized Kuwait City as a World City of Sadu Weaving in acknowledgment of its distinguished efforts in preserving and promoting this traditional art. — KUNA