Amir opens Abdullah Al-Salem University
Sheikh Mishal hopes institution raises educational output for national development
KUWAIT: HH the Amir Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah attended and patronized the inauguration ceremony of Abdullah Al-Salem University (AASU) at the late Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Theater in Shuwaikh on Wednesday. The ceremony was attended by HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Dr Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Chairman of the Supreme Judicial Council and President of the Court of Cassation Dr Adel Bouresli and senior state officials.
Minister of Education and Scientific Research Dr Adel Al-Adwani said the ministries’ strategy aimed at honoring the vision of HH the Amir for quality education, which honors the demand of the job market by investing in the “sons of daughters of the nation, who are Kuwait’s sustainable wealth”. Adwani said HH the Amir has always underlined the importance of investment in human resources, reforming education and training youth for a competitive market.
The political leadership’s continuous support contributed to the establishment of Kuwait University (KU), the nation’s first university, during the reign of late Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, he said. KU marked the beginning of higher education in Kuwait, Adwani added, becoming a beacon of science and knowledge. Then there was a need to establish a new government university, Abdullah Al-Salem University, he said, offering new majors to contribute alongside KU to the development of science, knowledge, progress and advancement, and to produce generations helping in the development process. Addressing the students, Adwani said they would be responsible for building the nation. “You are the pillar and main driver of development, I urge you to exert efforts in your educational life, to contribute to boosting the process of the state’s progress and sustainable development, participate in the building of a knowledge economy, which would be your gate for a bright world,” he added.
Chairperson of the board of the Constituent Council of ASSU Dr Moudhi Al-Humoud said ASSU received the first batch of students for 2023-24. Humoud expressed gratitude to HH the Amir for paying close attention to the establishment process of the university, addressing challenges and giving the council enough time to assess and follow-up. “We hope this university will be amongst distinguished universities offering high-quality academic level to match the scientific and technical level of renowned universities, regionally and internationally,” she added.
Humoud recalled late Amirs Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, who began this journey when a decree was published in 2019 to establish government universities, and another decree to create the constituent assembly in 2021. “This shows how our wise leadership has always supported education, science and knowledge,” she said. Humoud said the ASSU was named after Kuwait’s 11th ruler, Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, who set the foundation for a modern education. Humoud, who thanked all those who contributed to the establishment of ASSU, said members of the constituent council collaborated with Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, economic institutions and international universities to have a firsthand account of the most important majors to be offered by ASSU. She said ASSU has three colleges: Business and Entrepreneurship, Computing and Systems, and Engineering and Energy, in addition to integration studies.
Humoud said these specialties would match the fourth industrial revolution which revolves around data, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, energy resources, innovation and business administration. She said the relevant committees were studying requirements to establish the College of Health and Medicine, and launch a post-graduate program and scientific center. A documentary clip was displayed about the identity of ASSU, then HH the Amir unveiled the curtain to mark the official opening of ASSU.
HH the Amir Sheikh Mishal later sent messages of thanks to Adwani and Humoud. In the messages, he praised the efforts of all those involved in the founding of Abdullah Al-Salem University, hoping that this prominent academic institution would enhance the country’s educational system and raise the level of national educational output by providing its members with a broad spectrum of scientific and knowledge to support the country’s renaissance and development. HH the Amir also wished the country everlasting security and safety and wished everyone the best of luck in efforts for broader horizons of progress and prosperity.