KUWAIT: Kuwait Municipality has affirmed the continuation of its nationwide inspection campaigns targeting illegal use of private and model residential properties by charitable societies and organizations. Head of the Engineering Audit and Follow-up Team in Hawally Governorate, Meshari Al-Turkait, told Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Monday that more than 200 residential properties were found to be used as unauthorized headquarters by various charitable societies across the six governorates.

Al-Turkait stated that municipal inspection teams contacted the concerned parties and urged them to evacuate the premises promptly. He noted that the majority of charity representatives cooperated immediately, facilitating swift compliance with municipal directives. In Hawally alone, the field team identified 17 violating sites, issuing formal warnings to seven, while the remaining ten were promptly vacated by their respective organizations without further action required.

The municipality also seeks to remove any related advertising billboards, awnings, or window modifications on these properties. Al-Turkait emphasized that field visits will intensify in the coming days to ensure complete adherence to municipal regulations and that legal measures will be taken against non-compliant parties. He pointed out that Ministerial Resolution No. 206/2009 strictly prohibits the use of buildings in private and model residential areas for purposes other than private housing. The municipality’s actions come as part of its efforts to enforce this regulation and preserve the intended residential character of these areas. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Minister of Education Jalal Al-Tabtabaei announced the approval of three Kuwaiti initiatives during the ninth meeting of the GCC Education Ministers’ Committee, held in Kuwait on Monday in the presence of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States and the GCC Secretariat General. Speaking to KUNA following his chairmanship of the session, Al-Tabtabaei revealed that the endorsed initiatives include the unification of the educational system across Gulf states, the organization of a joint sports championship for male and female students, and the exchange of distinguished educators and talented students among GCC countries.

The minister underscored Kuwait’s commitment to advancing regional educational cooperation, stating that the initiatives aim to support sustainable development goals and align with the aspirations of Gulf societies. He affirmed Kuwait’s dedication to keeping pace with global educational advancements and enhancing the competitiveness of the region’s academic systems on both regional and international fronts. Al-Tabtabaei expressed his gratitude to Qatar for its efforts and leadership during the previous session, noting its vital role in promoting joint Gulf action in the educational sector.

For his part, GCC Secretary-General Jasem Al-Budaiwi emphasized the importance of the committee’s agenda, noting that the discussed topics directly impact the future of public education in the region. Among the key resolutions adopted was the development of a unified GCC strategy to combat drug abuse, which will be incorporated into school curricula across member states to raise student awareness. Al-Budaiwi also highlighted additional proposals presented by member states. Kuwait introduced initiatives on youth sports and unifying the educational framework, while Saudi Arabia put forward a plan to share its national education development strategy with GCC partners.

Minister of Education Engr Sayed Jalal Al-Tabtabaei inaugurates the 9th meeting of the Ministers of Education of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.- KUNA photos

Assistant Undersecretary for General Education at the Ministry of Education, Mansour Al-Dhafiri

Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council Jassim Al-Budaiwi

Meeting of the Committee of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the Gulf Cooperation Council countries.

Meanwhile, Director of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States, Dr Mohammad Al-Muqbil, confirmed the adoption of new strategic directives for the Bureau’s operations. He noted that the Bureau and the GCC Secretariat have been entrusted with implementing a set of tasks aligned with the collective vision of Gulf education ministries. Al-Muqbil commended Kuwait’s efforts in hosting the meeting and its continued dedication to educational development.

In a related event, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr Nader Al-Jallal stressed the importance of advancing digital transformation and strengthening cybersecurity infrastructure in the higher education sector to ensure the resilience and quality of academic services. His remarks came during the 25th meeting of the GCC Committee of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research, also held in Kuwait. Al-Jallal highlighted the central role of scientific research and innovation in driving the knowledge economy, calling for broader partnerships among universities in the Gulf region to foster a dynamic academic environment that supports scientific advancement and sustainable development.

He emphasized the need for unified educational frameworks capable of responding to rapid global changes, stressing that aligning higher education outcomes with labor market demands is no longer optional but a strategic necessity. Al-Jallal conveyed the greetings of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah to attendees, wishing success for the proceedings and the continued progress of higher education across the region.

He also extended his thanks to Qatar, represented by Minister of Education and Higher Education Lolwah Al-Khater, for its leadership in the previous session. Secretary-General Al-Budaiwi reiterated the critical role of higher education and research in national development, describing them as pillars of societal advancement and prosperity. He noted the Gulf states’ strategic prioritization of education, citing significant achievements in institutional growth, student enrollment, and scientific output.

He reported that the number of higher education institutions in the GCC has surpassed 300, serving more than 1.8 million students. He also pointed to increased government spending on education and research, as well as expanded partnerships with leading global universities and the establishment of national research councils. Al-Budaiwi extended his appreciation to His Highness the Amir of Kuwait for supporting joint Gulf initiatives, and thanked Dr Al-Jallal and the Kuwait Ministry of Higher Education for their warm hospitality and effective organization of the meeting. — KUNA

KUWAIT: Zain received a recognition from the American University of the Middle East (AUM) in appreciation of its ongoing efforts to empower the local job market with skilled national talent capable of leading Kuwait’s digital future. The recognition was presented during the university’s annual Excellence Awards ceremony honoring leading companies, held at the Cultural Center on its Egaila campus.

During the event, Tareq Al-Othman, Chairman of HumanSoft Holding, presented the award to Hamad Al-Musaibeeh, Corporate Relations Department Manager at Zain Kuwait, in recognition of the company’s continuous support of the AUM Career Expo. Zain recently sponsored the expo’s 11th edition, which was also attended by AUM President, Prof Dr Georges Yahchouchi.

The award highlights the strength of the long-standing partnership between Zain and AUM, and Zain’s strategic role in consistently attracting and developing national talent for the private sector. This contribution helps strengthen the presence of local competencies in the job market, especially in skillsets related to STEM. Zain expressed its gratitude to AUM for this recognition, viewing it as a meaningful acknowledgment from one of the country’s leading academic institutions of the company’s role in supporting the development of both education and human capital, two key pillars for advancing Kuwait’s economy.

Al-Othman honors Al-Musaibeeh in recognition of Zain’s excellence in attracting national talents to the private sector.

Zain recently participated in the 11th AUM Career Expo, organized by the university’s Career Development and Placement Center (Tawteen), under the theme “We Believe in Talents, We Create Opportunities”. The event stands as one of the largest and most prominent career fairs in Kuwait, with participation from over 55 local and international organizations offering more than 300 job opportunities for graduates and job seekers.

At its dedicated booth, Zain showcased its recruitment policy and available career opportunities, while also introducing university students to its Future University Network (FUN) internship program, aimed at providing hands-on experience from the actual workplace environment. Through such initiatives, Zain aims to energize the local labor market, foster the exchange of knowledge and expertise, and enable young people to find career paths that match their ambitions and capabilities, ultimately contributing to the national economy and boosting national talent participation in Kuwait’s private sector.