KUWAIT CITY, Aug 5: The College of Applied Sciences (CAS), under the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), has announced that it will begin admitting non-Kuwaiti students starting from the second semester of the 2025/2026 academic year. The decision, approved by Dr. Hassan Al-Fajjam, Director General of PAAET, comes with specific terms and conditions, including a fee-based structure for non-Kuwaiti applicants.

The newly approved regulations specify that non-Kuwaiti students must have completed all educational levels within Kuwait and obtained their high school diploma in the country. Applicants must also meet the minimum high school percentage required for Kuwaiti students in the same admission category. Furthermore, applicants must be residents of Kuwait, possessing either a valid civil ID or an illegal resident card.

A non-refundable registration fee of 20 KD will be required from applicants. The application will be deemed invalid if incorrect information is provided. The new policy also excludes the possibility of transferring or changing specializations for non-Kuwaiti students once they are admitted.

To reward academic excellence, the decision outlines that students who maintain a GPA of 3.80 or higher after two semesters will receive a 50% discount on tuition fees for the following semester. However, it is important to note that students in this category are not eligible for social rewards or any other financial incentives given to Kuwaiti students under Law No. 1 of 1990 and its amendments. Each student will be granted one opportunity for admission under this new system.

The decision also allows individuals holding high school certificates that are more than three years old to apply for admission. To qualify, applicants must have achieved a minimum of 90% in their high school studies. A non-refundable fee of 100 KD will be required for those applying with older certificates.

The new admission policy comes with specific tuition fees for various programs within the CAS. The registration fee for new certificates is set at 20 KD, while for old certificates, the fee rises to 100 KD. The study unit prices vary by college and program:

The decision also includes a list of institutes offering programs for high school graduates, such as the Higher Institute of Communications and Navigation, the Higher Institute of Administrative Services, and the Higher Institute of Energy. For those below high school, the decision outlines registration options at specialized institutes such as the Construction Training Institute, the Shuwaikh Industrial Institute, and others in the training sector.

The new policy by the College of Applied Sciences will provide an opportunity for non-Kuwaiti students to access higher education in Kuwait, with clear terms and financial obligations in place. The decision reflects PAAET's commitment to expanding educational opportunities while maintaining high academic standards.