KUWAIT: France is broadening access to its world-class universities and institutes for Kuwaiti students, with an increasing number of programs now available in English. Speaking to Kuwait Times on the sidelines of the France-Kuwait Alumni Gala 2025 – held Monday evening at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) – French ambassador to Kuwait, Olivier Gauvin, highlighted the growing inclusivity of France’s academic institutions and its relevance for students from Kuwait and the wider region.

“France has some of the world’s top universities and schools, in fields like business, engineering, and beyond,” he said. “Kuwaiti students today can choose from a wide variety of programs that align with their interests and career goals.”

In recent years, a rising number of French institutions have introduced full English-language curriculums, making it easier for international students to begin their studies without prior knowledge of French. “Language is no longer a barrier,” the ambassador emphasized. “If you speak French, that’s a plus. If not, you can start in English and naturally learn the language through daily life.” While English remains a global necessity, the ambassador underlined the advantages of learning French, especially in the professional sphere.

“Many international corporations operate in French-speaking countries,” he said. “For them, being able to speak the language is a definite asset, it gives candidates a competitive edge.” Studying in France, he noted, also offers cultural enrichment, personal growth and long-term connections.

Building networks

France’s cultural and linguistic presence continues to grow in Kuwait, with over 500,000 French speakers and 1,400 French teachers across public and private schools. Institutions like the French Institute in Kuwait and Campus France play a pivotal role in promoting French language, culture and academic guidance.

The France-Kuwait Alumni Gala brought together graduates of French institutions who are now living and working in Kuwait. The evening offered a chance to reconnect, build professional networks and reflect on the value of their educational journeys.

“It’s a unique opportunity to bring all these people together,” the ambassador said. A key part of the event was a panel discussion featuring five alumni, each sharing their personal experiences studying in France, offering prospective students’ practical insight into life in France, including motivations, challenges and the many advantages of pursuing higher education abroad.

As part of its continued support for the francophone academic community in Kuwait, the French Embassy is actively working to establish alumni associations. “We’re currently working on launching a network for La Sorbonne graduates in Kuwait,” said the ambassador. “It will likely be one of the first of its kind here, and hopefully the start of many more.” Plans are also underway to create an association for graduates of Kuwait’s French lycée.

KUWAIT: The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) at the Australian University (AU) held its sixth annual Teaching and Learning Excellence Forum, titled “The Future of Higher Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence”, under the patronage of the Private Universities Council in Kuwait.

The forum was attended by various distinguished guests from universities, schools, training centers, international and local companies’ leaders as well as representatives of ministry of education in Kuwait. This year’s forum aimed to explore the evolving role of artificial intelligence in higher education, and its theme reflected AU’s commitment to exploring emerging technologies and their implications on the educational landscape in alignment with Kuwait Vision 2035 and global sustainable development goals.

The insightful forum included a series of keynote speeches by distinguished members of academia and industry that tackled various aspects of artificial intelligence and its growing influence on the academic world. Speakers presented diverse perspectives, including how AI can redefine institutional priorities, unlock new possibilities in education, and offer innovative solutions to current challenges. Contributions also addressed AI’s role in transforming the student learning experience and the responsibilities of educational institutions in adapting to technological change. The forum further included a panel discussion on the role of AI in shaping the future of higher education, along with a workshop on AI Applications.

Commenting on the role of AI in education, keynote speaker Khalid Al-Zanki, Founder and CEO of ETLAQ Consulting firm, said: “AI has changed a lot of sectors, including the educational sector. This is why today at the forum we are discussing about how the educational sector can benefit from AI. We are exploring how we can use practical applications of AI in the education and how we can get students to familiarize themselves with the technology and use it in a positive way that can change their future for the better.”

Rola Ismail, Manager of the Teaching and Learning Center at AU, said: “Education plays a pivotal role in the development of nations, but the question is will education be the education we knew and know currently. This forum aimed to discuss and contribute to shaping the future of higher education in the age of AI. Malcom X said: ‘Education is the passport to the Future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today.’”

KUWAIT: The court of cassation on Monday ordered a freeze on the implementation of a 14-year jail term against former interior and defense minister Sheikh Talal Al-Khaled Al-Sabah and set June 23 to start hearing the case. The decision was issued after Sheikh Talal gave himself up to the court and demanded that the jail term be frozen until the court of cassation, the highest court in the country, had ruled on his appeal.

The special court for ministers in January sentenced Sheikh Talal to 14 years in jail, ordered him to repay KD 10 million to the two ministries and fined him KD 20 million over a graft totaling KD 10 million. During the session, Sheikh Talal denied the charges and any wrongdoing. The court convicted the former minister of embezzling KD 9.5 million from the defense ministry and KD 500,000 from the interior ministry.

Sheikh Talal was appointed in the Cabinet for the first time as defense minister in Dec 2021 and continued until Jan 2024. He was also given the interior portfolio during that period, either separately or together with the defense post. In recent years, Kuwaiti courts have jailed several ministers and senior officials over corruption cases and ordered them to repay embezzled funds and imposed hefty fines on them. The ministers’ court is currently trying former defense minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah over alleged corruption of KD 400,000. He has denied the accusations.

Separately, the ministry of health said on Monday it has shut five private health facilities and referred 23 others, including hospitals and medical centers, to investigation for allegedly violating rules governing advertisements and medical practice. The ministry explained that the decision was based on search campaigns by ministry teams, which found that advertisements by those facilities contradicted the principles of the medical profession.