KUWAIT: As Kuwait continues to face scorching temperatures, Kuwait University announced it is fully prepared to welcome students for the 2024/2025 summer semester, with a series of precautionary and logistical measures in place to ensure a safe and accessible learning environment. In an official statement, the university affirmed its commitment to protecting students and staff, particularly in light of forecasts from the Kuwait Meteorological Department, which reported temperatures reaching 51°C in parts of the country this week. The intense heat, expected to persist through Monday, has prompted warnings and dust alerts across the region.

“In light of the hot summer weather, the university administration, through its various departments, seeks to take all necessary measures to ensure a suitable and safe learning environment for all,” the statement said. To prepare for the high temperatures and ensure smooth campus operations, the university coordinated with the General Directorate of Traffic at the Ministry of Interior to manage traffic flow within Sabah Al-Salem University City. Electric golf carts have been deployed to transport students between various colleges, reducing their exposure to extreme heat. In addition, 21 first aid clinics on campus have been fully equipped with the necessary medical tools and supplies to respond to health incidents, particularly heat-related ones. Safety systems and emergency procedures have also been reinforced to ensure rapid response to any unforeseen situations.

Kuwait University reiterated its “constant keenness on the safety of all its affiliates,” encouraging students and staff to report emergencies through the 24/7 hotline: 24983333. The move comes as other government institutions also take precautions. On Saturday, the Ministry of Electricity, Water, and Renewable Energy urged the public to ration electricity usage to avoid the possibility of programmed power cuts during peak hours, particularly between 11:00 am and 5:00 pm.

KUWAIT: As attacks escalate between the Zionist entity and Iran, raising alarms across the Middle East, Kuwait is reinforcing its telecommunications infrastructure to ensure service continuity and national readiness. Minister of State for Communication Affairs Omar Al-Omar convened a high-level emergency meeting on Sunday, bringing together senior officials from the Ministry of Communications, the Communications and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA), and representatives from Kuwait’s major telecom providers—Zain, Ooredoo, stc, and Virgin Mobile.

“This meeting is a continuation of the coordination efforts we began in recent days, in light of current regional developments,” said Al-Omar in a statement to the Kuwait News Agency (KUNA). “Ensuring the continuity of telecom services is a top priority at this stage. We are working to enhance coordination between government agencies, service providers, and both local and international telecom companies to prepare the country for any developments or emergencies.”

The push for emergency readiness follows three consecutive days of heavy fire exchanged between the Zionist entity and Iran, sparked by an unprovoked Zionist attack on Tehran on Friday night. Strikes, which targeted military and civilian infrastructure, have killed 13 people in the Zionist entity and 128 in Iran. The escalation has raised fears of a broader regional conflict that could impact Gulf nations, including Kuwait.

Acting Undersecretary of the Ministry of Communications Mishal Al-Zaid confirmed that the ministry had “raised its technical and field readiness” and was “monitoring the performance of the local network and fixed-line services in real-time” with telecom partners to ensure swift response to any disruptions.

Sheikh Athbi Jaber Al-Sabah, Acting Chairman of CITRA, outlined key proactive measures taken by the authority: “We’ve coordinated with global service providers to secure alternative routing paths and activated internet exchange points (IX) within Kuwait. These measures will enhance the stability of both local and international data flow and ensure uninterrupted telecom services.”

Digital government services are also part of the emergency continuity plan. Najat Ibrahim, Acting Director of the Central Agency for Information Technology (CAIT), said the agency is ensuring the “integration of government systems to meet current demands” and confirmed that operational plans are in place to maintain services “under all circumstances.” In essence, these steps are part of Kuwait’s broader effort to disaster-proof its telecom infrastructure—ensuring the continuity of internet, mobile, and government digital services even if regional conflicts disrupt key infrastructure elsewhere.

Telecom operators affirmed their full preparedness for various scenarios, citing infrastructure resilience, upgraded emergency centers, and advanced technical support plans. “We’re committed to continuous technical and operational coordination with government entities to guarantee service continuity and rapid response to any potential outages,” said representatives from the national telecom companies. The meeting ended with an agreement to continue regular coordination sessions and issue periodic status reports to maintain confidence in the country’s telecom readiness. — Agencies