KUWAIT CITY, May 7: A ceremony in honor of the outstanding graduates of colleges and institutes at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) for the 2023/2024 academic year was held Wednesday at the theater of the new PAAET headquarters in Shuwaikh, under the patronage and in the presence of His Highness the Amir Sheikh Meshal Al- Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Upon the arrival of His Highness the Amir’s motorcade at the venue, he was warmly welcomed by Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr. Nader Al-Jalal, PAAET Director General Dr. Hassan Al-Fajjam and the deputy directors.

His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, President of the Supreme Judicial Council and Court of Cassation Dr. Adel Bouresli, Acting Prime Minister Sheikh Fahad Yousef Saud Al-Sabah, senior State officials, and a large crowd of the graduates’ families and the public attended the event. Al-Jalal delivered a speech, in which he underscored that the esteemed patronage of the ceremony honoring the top graduates of PAAET by His Highness the Amir is a source of pride and honor for all graduates; and it reflects the paramount importance the political leadership puts on education and human empowerment. He stated “Your Highness, as we commence this auspicious ceremony, I am privileged to express my utmost appreciation and gratitude for your distinguished patronage and honor bestowed upon the ceremony recognizing an exceptional cohort of our top graduates. This honor serves as a significant source of inspiration for them as they embark on their respective professional endeavors.”

He elaborated that the modernization of academic and training programs at PAAET, in accordance with its vision of aligning educational outputs with the demands of sustainable development and the domestic labor market, is indicative of an ambitious national vision aimed at empowering and preparing youths to become integral partners in realizing the aspirations of the nation for a more prosperous and sustainable future. He said the purpose of establishing the authority transcends the theoretical framework. “Rather, there is a commitment to ensure its realization. Efforts have been directed towards integrating modernization plans in the strategic framework of the authority; while emphasizing the enhancement of efficiency and quality, and diligently working to establish an educational and training model that contributes to the advancement of the nation. This will boost the community’s confidence in the educational and training outputs and realize the aspiration of the nation for a brighter future,” he asserted.

The minister conveyed his deep gratitude and appreciation to His Highness the Amir for his unwavering support for the educational process and his persistent encouragement of the students. “This serves as an impetus for all stakeholders to persist in working with dedication and integrity to fulfill his noble directives,” he added. On the other hand, Al-Fajjam affirmed that the patronage and presence of His Highness the Amir at the ceremony is a source of immense pride and an enduring memory for the students. “It underscores the judicious leadership’s unwavering commitment to foster education and support educational institutions,” he stressed. He stated that the support and patronage extended to the authority reflect His Highness’ dedication to instill excellence and distinction in Kuwaiti youths. “It also serves as an incentive to push for the development of academic and training programs; thereby, contributing to the preparation of national competencies to cover the needs of the labor market and achieve sustainable development,” he explained. He said around 10,000 students graduate from PAAET annually.

“These students are academically and professionally qualified. The vision of the authority is to serve four principal objectives: empower human resources, achieve institutional excellence, promote research and innovation, and spread the culture of volunteer work and environmental sustainability. He added around 59,000 students are currently enrolled at PAAET; which keeps on updating its curricula, and developing its workshops and laboratories. He stated that the academic accreditation and global quality achieved by the authority are the culmination of the collective efforts of its personnel.

Addressing the parents, he asserted that “behind every outstanding student are a supportive heart and a family that has stayed up late and sacrificed. Congratulations on this achievement.” He also addressed the graduates, saying, “you are the hope and the future, so be role models in your performance and adhere to your ethics and principles. Kuwait deserves your utmost dedication, effort and spirit.”

In an exceptional moment that manifested pride and gratitude, Sarah Ali Ramadan delivered a speech on behalf of her fellow graduates. She expressed her deep gratitude to His Highness the Amir for his patronage and honoring of the ceremony, emphasizing that meeting His Highness was a source of inspiration for all graduates. She described the youth as “the flame of life and an inexhaustible source of energy,” indicating that “the fruit of excellence is not harvested by chance, but rather it is planted with patience and watered with determination,” and that every success is followed by moments of challenge and hours of tireless work. She added “we love Kuwait because it is not just a homeland, but a story of struggle and pride written with the sweat of our ancestors and watered by the sacrifices of the loyal, and because it is the warm embrace that unites its children in love and devotion.” She then thanked the teachers, describing them as “the makers of hope and the builders of generations.” His Highness the Amir was presented a commemorative gift on this occasion.

By Abdulrahman Al-Shammari Al-Seyassah/ Arab Times Staff