KUWAIT, Dec 31, (KUNA): On Jan 3, the Ministry of Education announced the start of implementation of the 2nd phase of the educational comprehensive quality project which began in 2009.
On January 30, the cabinet approved a draft decree appointing Dr Ahmad Al-Badr as Kuwait University Rector.
On March 2, Al-Badr endorsed appointment of three new deputies for the rector of the university.
On March 2, the cabinet approved draft decree establishing a two-year Community College.
On March 3, the cabinet approved establishment of a new educational TV channel station.
On March 4, Kuwait donated USD four million for the American Studies Institute of the George Washington Univerity. Kuwaiti Ambassador to Washington Sheikh Salem Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah delivered the donation.
On March 8, a Kuwait students team won first place in the Arab Open Robot Championship which was held in Jordan.
On March 8, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr Moudha Al-Hmoud inaugurated the International Statistic Conference which is organized by the Kuwait University with the participation of several researches representing 30 countries.
On March 11, Director of the National Centre for Education Development and Secretary General of the Higher Council of Education Dr Redha Al-Khayyat, announced start of implementation of certain international tests at all Kuwaiti schools.
On April 4, Minister of Social Affairs and Labor Dr Mohammad Al-Affasi issued a resolution allowing declaration of the university, colleges and higher institutions union.
On April 5, the minister of education and minister of higher education launched a project to install 24 hours monitoring cameras at 771 state schools.
On April 21, the minister of education and minister of higher education launched the first stage of the national atlas for facilities and services project.
On April 27, the Ministry of Education and the Sabah Al-Ahmad talent and creativity centre signed a memorandum of understanding aimed at establishment and development of a special education project for the discovery of talented students in elementary stages.
On May 19, Dr Fayeza Al-Khorafi, the former Kuwait University Rector, and Dr Nouriya Al-Awadhi of the Kuwait University Chemistry section received the Award of Excellence from the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry and the American Chemistry Council.
On May 22, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) and in cooperation with the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducted an aerial survey of the groundwater aquifers in northern Kuwait, using low frequency radar technology that has been used to explore the water in the Mars planet.
On May 22, Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Dr Ahmad Al-Mulaifi issued a resolution canceling computer and physical education tests designed for 6th to 12th grade students.
On August 14, the cabinet approved an additional financial credit to absorb more high school graduates in domestic scholarship programs.
On August 22, the Kuwati Scientific Club announced acceptance of 80 inventions from 22 foreign and Arab countries to take part in the 4th Middle East Inventions Conference, which is organized under patronage of His Highness the Amir.
On September 6, Kuwait and Luxembourg agreed to begin cooperation in the field of higher education following a meeting between a group of visiting Kuwaiti parliamentarians and high-ranking officials of Luxembourg’s Education Ministry.
On September 21, the first school specialised in difficult learning opened in Kuwait.
On October 24, the ministry of education launched “flash memory project” for school students, known as e-books. The project aims at replacing textbooks for electronic means by copying them onto flash memories to ease the weight of carrying heavy school bags.
On October 28, the Minister of Education and Minister of Higher Education Ahmad Al-Mulaifi, during a visit to Paris, announced the opening of a new office in the service of of distinguished students during studying abroad and after graduation.
National events
On January 25, Kuwait celebrated the liberation of the Garouh Island, the fist piece of land to be liberated from the Iraqi occupation. The celebration is part of activities commemorating the 50 national day anniversary the 20th liberation anniversary and the 5th anniversary of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah assumption of leadership. Iraqi troops invaded Kuwait on August 2, 1990 and was fully liberated by an international alliance of forces on February 26, 1991.
On February 7, on the 5th anniversary of His Highness the Amir assumption of leadership, Central Bank Governor Sheikh Salem Abdulaziz Al-Sabah presented the Vice-President of the National Guards Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah with a Golden and a Silver Coin.
On February 8, Sheikh Mishaal Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, received a book prepared by the President of the Kuwait Volunteer Centre Sheikh Amthal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The book highlighted the words in speeches delivered by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. The move was part of the celebrations marking the 5th anniversary of His Highness the Amir’s leadership.
On February 16, Sheikh Amthal Al-Ahmad, in her capacity as media committee chairman and member of the higher committee for the Golden Jubilee of Kuwait’s national day, launched the National Opera under patronage of His Highness the Amir.
On April 29, the Financial Times described Kuwait as a heaven of stability within an unstable region.
On May 22, Head of Fahad Al-Salem Centre for Dialogue of Civilizations and Defence of Liberties, Sheikh Fahad Salem Al-Ali Al-Sabah inaugurated the 1st International Conference on the defence of human rights, liberties and peace dialogue.
On June 5, Kuwait Oil Ministry issued a new book on the State of Kuwait and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 50 years.
On June 19 Kuwaiti national Sadeq Musawi clinched four gold medals as best invention and Grand Prize in a Penssylvania, USA exhibition.
On July 27, Kuwaiti national Dr Eissa Al-Safran brought Kuwait a world achievement in a study he prepared on oil and gas flow behaviour.
On August 16, Kuwaiti Engineer Zamzam Saleh Al-Rakf won the membership of the board of the International Desalination Association (IDA), representing the Middle East.
On September 14, Abdullah Al-Nouri for Charity, was placed by the Forbes Middle East in the first position in Kuwait and the 5th in the Arab list for most transparent charitable organizations.
On September 26, Kuwait and France presided over the preparatory works for the Youth Merger and Civil Societies Democratic Forum in Marakesh, Morocco.
On October 7, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Dr Mohammad Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah received an honorary doctorate from the University for Foreigners of Perugia for his role in international relations.
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On November 13, Kuwaiti inventors, Abdullah Abul-Qassem and Sadeq Qassem won three gold and one silver medals in the 36th international invention, prototype and business plan show by Eastern European countries held in Croatia. they also won three other awards on the sideline of the show.
Housing events: On January 9, The Public Authority for Housing Affairs distributed a 600 square meter land lot in Sabah Al-Ahmad residential city for 326 eligible citizens each.
On February 9, the Board of the Savings and Credit Bank approved a number of resolutions aimed at easing bank’s measures in favour of citizens.
On April 20, The Central Statistical Office declared the launch of the electronic and field census of building and installations.. Religious Events: On January 11, “The Buds of Faith ... A Pioneer Example of the Islamic Children Journalism”, a book issued by the Ministry of Awqaf.
On February 6, Deputy Prime Minister for Legal Affairs, Minister of Justice and Minister of Awqaf Rashid Al-Hamad inaugurated The 3rd Awqaf Publications exhibition at the Grand Mosque.
On February 7, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Islamic Economy High Studies Support Fund Dr Khalid Al-Mathkour presented His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah with the “Islamic Economy Waqf (endownment)” Project which aims at backing up scholars in the field.
On February 18, Kuwait donated $300,000 to the Islamic Cultural Centre in London.
On April 20, The Supreme Committee Concerned with Completion of Sharia Laws issued a book highlighting Islamic sharia in the speeches of His Highness the Amir.
On August 7, Hajj Office Director Roumi Al-Roumi inaugurated the Hajj exhibition.
On August 11, the International Islamic Charitable Organization began the first stage of relief action to Somalia.
On August 11, Minister of Electrcity and Water and Minister of Communications and Acting Minister of Information Salem Al-Athaina launched the Quran Al-Kareem Radio Station.
On October 4, the President of the International Islamic Charitable Organization Dr Abdullah Al-Matouq said there were several works of relief and development projects presently carried out by the organization in 136 countries.
Social events: On January 30, the Minister of State for National Assembly Affairs Dr Mohammad Al-Busairi inaugurated the 30th Information Technology and Integrated Solutions exhibition and the 4th exhibition for Constructions, Security and Safety.
On February 13, The Civil Service Commission announced signing of three agreements with, Japan, Singapore and Britain on the implementation of a number of professional programs.
On March 30, the Ministry of Communications announced the opening of nine new consumer service centres to facilitate payment of telephone bills.
On May 3, as he launched the 1st stage of of the new Subbiya Power Generation project, the Minister of Electricity and Water Dr Badr Al-Shuraian announced end of programmed stoppage of power supply.
On May 12, Kuwait was selected as Chairman of the International Career Development Centre for 2011-2012.
On May 22, the Building and Construction Exhibition 2011 was inaugurated by Minister of Public Works and State Minister for Municipal Affairs Fadhel Safar at Kuwait International Fairgrounds, showcasing the latest building materials produced locally and internationally.
On May 31, Minister of Public Works and State Minister for Municipal Affairs Fadhel Safar said factories would set up under the Build, Operate and Transfer (B.O.T.) program.
On June 2, the Ministry of Planning ended the field work stage of the 2011 population census project.
On June 6, a Labor Ministry resolution was issued amending work hours in open areas.
On July 14, Acting Minister of Communications, Salem Al-Athaina, said internet companies were required to lower subscription fees.
On July 25, the Ministry of Public Works announced signing of a number of contracts concerning design and development of more than 500, kilometer-long of regional highways in the country.
On October 27, a UN Population Fund (UNFPA) report indicated that number of male population in Kuwait exceeded the number of female, noting that the Kuwaiti population is estimated at 2.8 million 1.7 million of which are male and 1.1 million are female. Health Events: On January 10, A joint Canadian-Kuwaiti medical team conducted a successful artificial heart surgery, the first of its kind in Kuwait.
On January 12, a joint British-Kuwaiti medical team conducted 15 rare endoscope surgeries at Kuwait’s Al-Sabah hospital.
On January 27, the Ministry of Health announced a project study of Pancreas transplant in the Dasman Diabetic Centre upon the directives of His Highness the Amir.
On February 7, statistics of the Ministry of Health revealed that around 41, 702 cases of cancerous diseases were discovered in Kuwait between 1970-2009, 40 percent of which were for Kuwaiti nationals.
On February 17, the Health Minister Dr Hilal Al-Sayer patronized the First Regional Conference on Molecular Treatment of Tumours.
On February, 20, The 9th Conference of the GCC Society for Nose, Ear and Throat started works in Kuwait.
On March 12, a Kuwaiti Amiri Hospital medical team conducted an exceptional surgical procedure using speculum to remove the left part of a 70-year-old Kuwaiti woman’s liver.
On March 29, the Ministry of Health records showed that there were 140,000 diabetic patients registered in clinics in Kuwait on March 31, the 3rd International Breast Cancer Conference kicked off in Kuwait with focus on practical rather than theoretical approach to improving care for cancer patients.
On April 1, Records of the Breast Cancer Unit at Hussein Makki Jumaa Medical Centre showed annual diagnose of 400 cases of breast cancer most of which are in its advanced stages.
On April 5, the 4th GCC Health Conference kicked off activities under the theme of “Standing Health safety”.
On April 10, the 15th World Conference of Kuwait Dental Association began its works under patronage of the health minister.
On April 20, Surgeons at Jaber Al-Ahmad Armed Forces Hospital conducted a successful removal of a 23-kilogram heavy tumour.
On May 1, Director General of the Handicapped Affairs Public Authority Dr Jassim Al-Tamar announced reception of statements of people with special needs.
On May 4, His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah inaugurated the official opening of the Health Care Hospital at the Sabah Health Zone. The Kuwaiti Dinar five million-worth project is constructed on a 6,600 quare meter area with a capacity of 91 beds.
On May 18, Director of the Chest Diseases Hospital Dr Reem Al-Assousi said cooperation with the Canadian McGill University brought down percentage of numbers of Kuwaiti citizens sent abroad for treatment by 58 percent compared to records of last year.
On May 22, Kuwait announced during a World Health Organization conference that there were no challenges facing the state’s expenditures in the health sector and that a 2.8 percent surplus has been achieved in the ministry’s 2008-09 budget.
On July 13, Health Minister Dr Hilal Al-Sayer signed a joint cooperation agreement in Berlin, Germany in the bone and neurology treatment.
On July 18, Dr Al-Sayer also signed understanding agreements with Belgium social health care centres.
On September 5, Health Minister Dr Hilal Al-Sayer delivered a USD one million contribution to the Karger Medical and Scientific Publishers in support of interpretation, printing and publishing of an autopsy encyclopedia.
On October 12, the International Children Skin Disease Conference concluded under patronage of the health minister.