KU, PAY host forum on innovation and intellectual property

KUWAIT: The College of Education at Kuwait University (KU), in collaboration with the Public Authority for Youth (PAY), hosted a forum titled “Innovation and Intellectual Property” on Monday, highlighting the intersection of scientific research and entrepreneurship in shaping the future of ideas. Chairing the forum, Dr Amthal Al-Aifan emphasized the importance of educating youth about their rights to protect intellectual property, commending the PAY’s role in supporting and honoring young talents through the Best Innovative Projects Competition.

She stressed the need to empower youth with the tools of innovation and ensure the protection of their ideas through a comprehensive intellectual property framework, which she described as a cornerstone for building a sustainable knowledge-based economy. “Youth are the primary engine for any national transformation toward innovation, provided they are supported with an enabling environment and strong institutional backing,” Al-Aifan said. She noted that the college has introduced a new course titled “Psychology of Creativity” aimed at equipping students with the foundations of creative thinking and practical tools for successful project development.

The forum also featured an exhibition showcasing student innovations and concluded with several recommendations, including the call to reinforce creative environments within educational institutions, as creativity is now a necessity for societal progress and sustainability. Official spokesperson for the Public Authority for Youth, Asrar Al-Ansari, highlighted the forum’s key message: enabling youth to turn their ideas into entrepreneurial ventures while ensuring protection of their innovations through specialized state institutions.

She reiterated the Authority’s commitment to fostering partnerships with public, private, and civil society sectors to support young talents, viewing intellectual property as fundamental to unleashing youth potential and contributing to national development under the New Kuwait 2035 vision. Dr Fatima Al-Thallab, head of the Kuwait Society for Supporting Inventors and Innovation, underlined the association’s efforts in mentoring youth through collaborations with experienced inventors, aiming to cultivate a culture of innovation and improve Kuwait’s global standing in creativity indicators.

Representing the National Library of Kuwait, Rahaf Al-Jassar stated that the library plays a vital role in preserving literary, innovative, and academic works, ensuring copyright protection. Meanwhile, the Sabah Al-Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity handles the protection of scientific inventions. 

The forum concluded with an awards ceremony for the Best Innovative Projects Competition. First place went to student Hind Jassim for her project “Smart Bag,” followed by Retaj Al-Marshad’s “Teacher Trolley” in second place, and Jude Yousef’s “Glasses for the Blind” taking third. – KUNA