KUWAIT CITY, Feb 12: The Academic Credentials Verification Committee has called on government and private sector entities to update their employees’ data within the deadlines specified in notifications sent through the unified government e-services application, “Sahel.” The move forms part of nationwide efforts to verify academic qualifications and combat certificate forgery.

Assistant Undersecretary for Scholarships and Study Leaves at the Civil Service Commission, Narjis Abdulrasoul, said the committee recently held an orientation meeting at the Commission’s headquarters with representatives from ministries, government bodies, public institutions and state-owned companies to clarify the committee’s mandate and the role of entities in achieving its objectives.

Abdulrasoul explained that the committee aims to ensure the accuracy and integrity of employee data and to verify the validity of qualifications held by citizens and residents in both public and private sectors, safeguarding their continued financial and employment benefits. She outlined the process for obtaining equivalency of academic degrees earned abroad, either through the Ministry of Higher Education’s website or via its service on the Sahel app, with detailed steps provided until the electronic equivalency is issued.

She praised the efforts of joint teams from the Civil Service Commission, the Ministry of Higher Education and the Public Authority for Manpower, stressing the importance of cooperation among liaison officers to ensure smooth and swift implementation.

Abdulrasoul underscored that certificate forgery is a criminal offense under Article 259 of the Kuwaiti Penal Code No. 61 of 1960, punishable by up to five years in prison and a fine of up to KD 5,000, or both penalties. She said strict enforcement is essential to preserving the integrity of official documents, protecting academic standards, ensuring equal opportunities, and strengthening transparency and public trust.

The committee was established by a Cabinet decision, assigning Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Cabinet Affairs Sharida Al-Maousherji to chair it. It is chaired by the Fatwa and Legislation Department and comprises representatives from the Ministries of Higher Education, Interior, Health, Justice, and the Civil Service Commission. The initiative is part of broader government efforts to combat forged certificates, uphold academic integrity and promote fairness across all sectors.