Amir attends Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Informatics Award
Sheikh Salem keen on developing human resources within informatics: Sheikha Aydah
Smart Dubai initiative honored
KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah AlAhmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah patronized and attended the 17th Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Informatics Award held at Bayan Palace yesterday. His Highness the Amir was received at the event by His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Speaker of the National Assembly Marzouq Al-Ghanem, Sheikh Jaber Al-Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, His Highness the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled AlHamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior Sheikh Khaled Al-Jarrah Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Anas Al-Saleh, in addition to other senior officials of the state.
Human resources Delivering her speech to the event, head of the Award’s board of trustees, Sheikha Aydah Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah said that Chief of Kuwait National Guard (KNG) His Highness Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah was keen on developing human resources within the informatics domain.
The Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Award is supported by the highest authority in the country exemplified by the presence of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah and His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf, said Sheikha Aydah who thanked both leadership figures for their continuous encouragement. She affirmed that the informatics award would continue to encourage people to partake in the development of the nation, the region, and the world through technology and science.
Meanwhile, the chairman of the award’s organizing committee Bassam Al-Shimmeri said that the event had pushed the technological boundaries not only in Kuwait but also in the region and the world. Also during his speech, Shimmeri touched on an Emirati initiative named Smart Dubai.
This regional project aims at making Dubai one of the happiest cities in the region through the use of technology, said the official who affirmed that the informatics award was very keen to provide assistance.
Strong commitment Speaking further about the initiative, head of the Smart Dubai Office Dr Aisha Bin Bishr said that the Informatics Award honoring of the initiative showcased Kuwait’s strong commitment to the development of the technological sector. The official thanked His Highness the Amir and Sheikh Salem Al-Ali for their unconditional support, saying that the honoring truly reflects the strong ties between Kuwait and the UAE.
The highest authorities in Dubai support the plan, she affirmed, adding that some 137 and 1,129 smart initiatives and services will be launched to make sure that the level of satisfaction amongst citizens will increase from 90 percent in 2016 to 95 percent by 2021.
Bin Bishr also indicated that the initiative aims making all government transactions in Dubai 100 percent online by 2020. Meanwhile, in a speech of his own, Hassan AlHamadi, a member of the award’s organizing committee, said that the projects were thoroughly evaluated based on three criteria, which are quality, comprehensiveness and diversity. He revealed that nine projects scooped awards, six of which belonged to the government sectors of the UAE, Qatar and Oman, respectively; while a pair of Saudi-designed projects won top honors in the private sector. A Kuwaiti civilian project also clinched an award, Hamadi pointed out, announcing that a smart gateway project by the UAE’s interior ministry topped the list in the government sector.
In the private sector, a Saudi-composed information technology program was chosen as the top project, while an electronic education program designed by Amar Al-Hajj and Majda Al-Doussari won the award for best project in the civilian community category. To close the ceremony, His Highness the Amir bestowed upon the director general of ‘Smart Dubai’s’ Office Aisha bin Bishr an honorary order, while His Highness the Amir was given a commemorative plaque in return.
KUNA chief honored
The Sheikh Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah Informatics Award honored KUNA’s Chairman Sheikh Mubarak AlDuaij Al-Ibrahim Al-Sabah for patronizing the ceremony. Sheikha Aydah expressed gratitude for participants who took part in the activities of the award’s 17th session. Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij noted meanwhile that the award is a chance to see different skills and expertise in the world of informatics and digital industries. He also thanked organizers and participants alike for their efforts to develop this vital field in Kuwait.
He added that the award is the first of its kind in the Arab World and is vital to develop the use of technology in different sectors in Kuwait. Meanwhile, Sheikh Mubarak Al-Duaij affirmed that KUNA is continuously supporting the award, adding that the agency hosts some of the award’s events as well. He hoped to see more events in the future to develop the skills of Arab youth in the field and encourage them to make the best out of using social media and smartphones. —KUNA