SDG16: PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, "Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions," highlights the importance of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, ensuring access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and transparent institutions. In Kuwait, a nation known for its stability and strong governance, and at GUST Gulf University, there is a commitment to upholding the principles of peace, justice, and institutional strength.
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions in Kuwait:
Kuwait has implemented several initiatives to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions:
1. Rule of Law: Kuwait has established a robust legal framework to uphold the rule of law, ensuring justice and accountability.
2. Social Cohesion: The government fosters social cohesion through policies that promote inclusivity, diversity, and respect for human rights.
3. Good Governance: Kuwait emphasizes good governance and transparency in its public institutions, enhancing accountability and public trust.
4. Conflict Resolution: The country plays an active role in regional and international diplomacy, contributing to peaceful conflict resolution efforts.
GUST Gulf University's Contribution:
GUST Gulf University actively contributes to promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions through various initiatives:
1. Legal and Justice Education: GUST offers programs in law and legal studies, educating future legal professionals who play a critical role in upholding justice and the rule of law.
2. Human Rights and Social Justice: The university integrates human rights and social justice principles into its curriculum, fostering an understanding of these crucial concepts among students.
3. Civic Engagement: GUST encourages civic engagement and social responsibility among its students, promoting active participation in civil society and advocacy for justice.
4. Research and Advocacy: The university conducts research on legal and governance issues, contributing to informed policy discussions and advocating for strong institutions and justice.
Kuwait's commitment to SDG 16 is evident in its efforts to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions, both domestically and internationally. GUST Gulf University complements these efforts by educating future leaders, conducting research, and fostering a culture of civic engagement and advocacy. Together, Kuwait and institutions like GUST work towards a more peaceful, just, and accountable society, aligning with the principles of SDG 16 and contributing to the well-being of their communities and the world.
Student Clubs
Mission:
The Office of Student Life (OSL) promotes and encourages student’s passion for knowledge, social and scientific talents and other artistic interests by identifying them in groups that are officially called student clubs (SC). Student clubs lead many events and activities in different fields internally and externally under the supervision of the OSL.
Establishing a new student club:
- The director of the Office of Student Life has the authority to approve or reject any proposed student club request according to the required measurements of establishing a student club.
- The student club must have a minimum of 10 administrative members in order to establish the club.
- The student club should fill out all forms and documents provided by the Office of Student Life in order to authenticate the club.
- The student club must have an active supervisor to serve as the clubs advisor for club monitoring, guidance and further consultation.
- The club should state and clarify the vision and mission of the club before initiating the club.
- The student club must fulfill all the requirements and acknowledge the terms and conditions of establishing a club.
- The club must create a constitution within the OSL rules and regulations and provide a copy to the Office of Student Life.
When establishing a club it’s specialty should fall under a specific category in order to stress on some of the following:
- The different majors at GUST.
- Ethnic/Cultural and international exploration.
- Health life and sports.
- Performing arts and talents.
- Special interests and hobbies.
- Volunteering work and charity.
Existing student clubs:
· Anime Club:
Dedicated to introducing the student body to Japanese and Asian cultures and traditions, through influential and inspirational forms of entertainment.
Trains students and improves their knowledge of Islamic finance and economics through programs and courses, as well as interviews and conferences arranged by student members under the supervision of a faculty advisory board from the College of Business Administration.
· Media Club:
Achieve media awareness by combining education and entertainment with series of lectures, open discussion, outdoor activities, workshop and trips to enhance students’ understandings of media.
Contribute to the growth of the student’s business experience and knowledge through interacting with professionals to develop management skills, build relationships and become successful leaders.
Build and breed a new generation of capable and ambitions accountants by offering the students training programs, seminars, workshops and field trips.
Integrate between the theoretical and practical sides of the educational process and develop the skills and abilities of students in Computer Science and Management Information Systems (MIS) fields.
Make the English language more attractive to students by educating them about its importance in the world, and members will have the chance to practice and learn from each other.
Aims to raise the profile and understanding of PR at GUST and Kuwait by highlighting the important role it plays in society, and aiding students in becoming community and industry leaders through PR campaigns and events held by the club.
To promote and cultivate the talents of all students interested in debate and the art of public speaking. Competitive debate is a challenging and highly rewarding activity for most who become involved in it.
Help ease the integration from high school to university for students, by giving them a positive attitudes towards further studies and involving them in extracurricular activities at GUST.
Develop individual skills that will aid in building and developing an image that presents a diverse international culture, business and knowledge into society.
To raise awareness about contemporary human rights issues and promote deeper understandings about dignity and equality.
· Music Club
To spread the beauty of music among students in GUST. A way to break the routine and show the culture of music.
· Ruwwad Business Club
In order to have a successful club, our duty is to help the students and the club members to develop their skills in business management, and support our youth to create their own business in the near future.
· Bayan Cultural Club
To provide a cultural incubator to develop students personal and academic experiences through providing activities and services of the club.
· Marketing Club
Training and increasing awareness of students in the field of marketing through courses, workshop, seminars and conferences.
· Economics Club
To make sure that every student at GUST is capable of making the best possible decision by providing practical solutions to larger issues relating to the economy and economic problems of the community.
GUST Board of Trustees Elects a New Chairman
Mr. Nawaf Arhamah has been elected Chairman of Board of Trustees of Gulf University for Science and Technology’s as of 1st December 2020. Mr. Arhamah has forged an impressive professional journey, which has passed through the telecommunications, investment banking, and education sectors. His accomplishments showcase a sharp business acumen and a talent for spotting new opportunities for growth and development.
Mr. Arhamah earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering from Kuwait University, and MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He ascends to the chairmanship of GUST’s BOT after a number of years on its board of trustees, during which time the university has achieved a number of notable accomplishments, not least of which include the global ranking of the university for the first time in its history.
GUST Chairman, Mr Nawaf Arhamah, said, “I look forward to leading GUST in its journey of further development. Our goal is to continue strengthening GUST’s contribution to society through offering new academic programs, expanding research efforts and improving the quality of education.”
Currently, Mr Arhamah sits on a number of boards, including that of Educational Group Holding Company as Chairman, EYAS for Higher and Technical Education as Vice Chairman and CEO, as well as that of Afaq Educational Services Company as Chairman.
GUST’s Global Studies Center Enters the Virtual Arena
Gulf University for Science and Technology’s (GUST) Global Studies Center (GSC) hosted a virtual discussion as part of its newly launched “GSC Talks Series” on Instagram Live. The first episode’s topic was, “The Lessons of the 2020 Election for the U.S. Electoral Process”. Although previous GSC talks were lectures in auditoriums, the new arrangement is in the form of an online discussion, hosted by GSC Chair, Dr Albaraa Al-Tourah and a guest. The guest for the opening episode is Dr David Rovinsky, Deputy Political Counselor at the US Embassy in Kuwait.
The discussion touched upon a number of important points, what the U.S. Constitution says about elections, and how its weaknesses, magnified through state policy, have led to the problems that were seen in the conduct of the 2020 United States elections. The discussion also shed light on the differences in electoral laws among the American states, the calls to reform or eliminate the Electoral College, and how the system contributes to political polarization. At the end of the discussion, a short Q&A session followed.
Dr. Rovinsky arrived at U.S. Embassy Kuwait in November 2019 as the Deputy Political Counselor and has been in the Foreign Service since 2000. From 2014-2016, he was the Foreign Service Faculty Adviser at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, teaching courses on the history of diplomacy, U.S. foreign policy, and Latin American politics.
Global Studies Center Chair, Dr Albaraa Al-Tourah, said "This talk is an extension of a long-lasting relationship with the Cultural Affairs Department at the US Embassy in Kuwait. It has shed a light on some insightful information about the recent US election in particular and the US election system in general."
Before joining the Foreign Service, Dr. Rovinsky was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Siena College. He has a Ph.D.in political science from The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, a maters' degree in political science from Laval University, and a bachelor's degree in government from St. Lawrence University.
David Rovinsky, Deputy Political Counselor at the US Embassy in Kuwait, said, “In theory, the electoral system of the United States is a work of art. Unlike practically every other modern democracy, there is no national electoral authority. National elections are a collection of local elections carried out under state laws. The system worked well for over two centuries, generating stable and democratically legitimate government. However, the system has been trembling for two decades, and many Americans want to rethink significant parts of the electoral process.”
The GSC, launched jointly with the National University of Singapore in 2015, is a leading research center on global studies, and a vehicle for engaging both internal and external communities through stimulating events and lectures on global issues. The center aims to conduct cutting-edge research on cross-national political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental issues of critical importance, and share research output and information regionally and globally. It also seeks to foster public understanding of global issues with local significance.
With this, GUST continues to build on its mission in becoming a knowledge-hub that benefits and engages students, academics, and the wider Kuwait community as a whole.
Congratulations Mostaqilla!
Date: 17 September 2019
Congratulations Mostaqilla on yet another successful campaign. Good luck!
GUST’s Global Studies Center Enters the Virtual Arena
Gulf University for Science and Technology’s (GUST) Global Studies Center (GSC) hosted a virtual discussion as part of its newly launched “GSC Talks Series” on Instagram Live. The first episode’s topic was, “The Lessons of the 2020 Election for the U.S. Electoral Process”. Although previous GSC talks were lectures in auditoriums, the new arrangement is in the form of an online discussion, hosted by GSC Chair, Dr Albaraa Al-Tourah and a guest. The guest for the opening episode is Dr David Rovinsky, Deputy Political Counselor at the US Embassy in Kuwait.
The discussion touched upon a number of important points, what the U.S. Constitution says about elections, and how its weaknesses, magnified through state policy, have led to the problems that were seen in the conduct of the 2020 United States elections. The discussion also shed light on the differences in electoral laws among the American states, the calls to reform or eliminate the Electoral College, and how the system contributes to political polarization. At the end of the discussion, a short Q&A session followed.
Dr. Rovinsky arrived at U.S. Embassy Kuwait in November 2019 as the Deputy Political Counselor and has been in the Foreign Service since 2000. From 2014-2016, he was the Foreign Service Faculty Adviser at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, teaching courses on the history of diplomacy, U.S. foreign policy, and Latin American politics.
Global Studies Center Chair, Dr Albaraa Al-Tourah, said "This talk is an extension of a long-lasting relationship with the Cultural Affairs Department at the US Embassy in Kuwait. It has shed a light on some insightful information about the recent US election in particular and the US election system in general."
Before joining the Foreign Service, Dr. Rovinsky was an Assistant Professor in the Department of Political Science at Siena College. He has a Ph.D.in political science from The Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies, a maters' degree in political science from Laval University, and a bachelor's degree in government from St. Lawrence University.
David Rovinsky, Deputy Political Counselor at the US Embassy in Kuwait, said, “In theory, the electoral system of the United States is a work of art. Unlike practically every other modern democracy, there is no national electoral authority. National elections are a collection of local elections carried out under state laws. The system worked well for over two centuries, generating stable and democratically legitimate government. However, the system has been trembling for two decades, and many Americans want to rethink significant parts of the electoral process.”
The GSC, launched jointly with the National University of Singapore in 2015, is a leading research center on global studies, and a vehicle for engaging both internal and external communities through stimulating events and lectures on global issues. The center aims to conduct cutting-edge research on cross-national political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental issues of critical importance, and share research output and information regionally and globally. It also seeks to foster public understanding of global issues with local significance.
With this, GUST continues to build on its mission in becoming a knowledge-hub that benefits and engages students, academics, and the wider Kuwait community as a whole.
GUST Recognizes Student Elections Security Team
GUST welcomed the United Facilities Management team last week to show appreciation for their excellent work during the annual student elections. The team was able to ensure a safe and secure atmosphere on campus throughout the election duration.
The team was met by Senior Director of Administrative Affairs, Nawaf Al-Khalaf, GUST Security Supervisor, AbdElAti Ghali.
Dr. Bassam Alameddine Elected Member of Arab-German Young Academy of Science
In its continuous efforts of development, GUST congratulates Dr. Bassam Alameddine, Associate Professor of Chemistry at GUST, for his election as a member of the Arab-German Young Academy of Science (AGYA).
The AGYA aims to establish a community of outstanding Arab and German researchers, who are at an early stage of their academic career, and supports joint innovative projects in various fields of research in science and humanities.
Dr. Alameddine was invited to participate in AGYA's annual conference which will be held in Doha, Qatar from 17-24, March 2016.
As a university, it makes us proud to count such ambitious educators as part of our family. GUST is constantly working on the development and growth of its students, staff, and faculty, and providing a premiere education.
Date:
14 December 2015 to 28 December 2015
