Sheikh Sabah spurring knowledge, education
Many new technological, scientific breakthroughs have been made
This is the 24th in a series of articles on His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, pioneer of the political development of modern Kuwait and 15th ruler of Kuwait.
— Editor
Special to the Arab Times nowledge is power especially when combined with intellectual freedom.
Collective thinking in all fields, from scientific investigations, to sociology, psychology and economy brought forth an explosion of innovations that baffle the imagination and foster an era of developments unequalled in human history.
Never has been the impact of science and technology on human development more critical than in our present stage of transition from an era dominated by the industrial revolution into an era dominated by the information revolution, which gave rise to technological breakthroughs that are transforming the very fabric of life as we know it.
The hard-currency now is imagination for which intellectual freedom is paramount.
Besides being an avid reader HH Sheikh Sabah is a good observer fully aware of the fundamental role of a good education and early training in the lives of young people.
Hence in every occasion he has been spurring the critical role of the school and University as the primary factors in shaping young people’s character and mental inclination, with the introduction of new methods of teaching that would serve the new economical era in human history based on diversity of production.
Customarization in the market is altering a whole gamut of factors, in which imagination, readiness to face changing situation and courage to try new avenues of production need enterprising spirits and quick thinkers capable of coping with swift changing situations.
Profoundly aware of this phenomenon when in 2009 HH the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad sponsored
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the 42nd session of the Union of Arab Universities’ Congress in Kuwait, he spurred a greater involvement in scientific and technological research with and an adequate financial support and high-tech equipment for scientists and scholars to work with.
He also spurred the education authorities in the country to consider a radical restructuring of the entire educational system, with programs that could foster a new mentality in the young generation. Innovations in the education system and the opening of a wide range of training centers that encourage young people to develop their potentials would meet the requirement of a diversified economy that don’t rely heavily on oil and suits the new employment market.
Impact
Economy exerts a strong impact on the lives of people and nations, it influences their psyche, and shapes their institutions and national character and restructures family life and politics.
Humanity is emerging into an era unlike any other in human history in which governments must be yet more alert and capable of coordinating a host of institutions and organizations all within a framework of rules.
By coordinating their effort in the information-sphere, the social sphere and the technical sphere governments increase their efficiency in solving problems, especially those related to employment.
The economic situation in Kuwait has changed dramatically since the government was the greatest employer providing jobs for its citizens. The diminishing of job opportunities for young graduates has been spurring the government to widen the economic scope of the country through greater diversity in government and private sectors that enhance
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and department to improve management and solve problems holistically with appointing some women in key positions to curtail corruption in the system. Also part of the economic reform is taking in serious consideration the legal obstacles resulting from a legal system interfering with the fluidity of commerce.
The unprecedented drop in the oil market and its consequence on the local economy has spurred the government of the GCC countries, Kuwait included not only to engage in a diversified economy, but also on renewable sources of energy.
Another situation that captured HH’s concern, besides education and a diversified economy, is the people’s needs of a sense of community, a sense of structure in their life, which disappeared with the withering of the old solidarity.
The sense of community was stronger in the old frugal days when men and women were working had for their living, and children were trained from an early age to assume family responsibilities that enhanced cooperation and trained them for life.
The breaking of the old solidarity has been causing a vacuum in the social structure resulting in loneliness. Loneliness can lead to a whole gamut of social illnesses, drug addiction is only one of them.
A life lacking in comprehensible structure is an aimless wreck. People need some purpose in life, a point of reference around which to organize the rest of their activities, that’s why a job is so important, for it makes a clear demand on their time and energies.
To counteract loneliness new services both traditional and innovative have been established that give to people a sense of belonging.
Another encouraging development is the forming of mini-companies by young people sharing their interest; such enterprises while releasing enormous productive energies, give to their members a sense of community and purpose that enhances their lifestructure and defeat loneliness.
Self employment is even more demanding on the individual’s productive energies and potentials!
To be continued