SDG2: Zero Hunger
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2, "Zero Hunger," is a global aspiration that aims to eradicate hunger, achieve food security, improve nutrition, and promote sustainable agriculture. While Kuwait is a prosperous nation, it is not immune to the challenges associated with food security. GUST Gulf University recognizes the significance of this goal and has taken steps to address it both within its campus and in the broader community.
1. On-Campus Initiatives:
a. Campus Gardens: GUST has established on-campus gardens that not only beautify the university grounds but also serve as a source of fresh produce. These gardens provide an opportunity for students and faculty to engage in sustainable agriculture practices and gain valuable insights into food production.
b. Food Drives: The university organizes regular food drives and donation campaigns to support local food banks and charitable organizations. These initiatives encourage students and staff to contribute to the fight against hunger by donating non-perishable food items.
c. Nutrition Education: GUST recognizes the importance of education in promoting good nutrition habits. The university offers workshops and seminars on nutrition and healthy eating to raise awareness about the significance of a balanced diet.
2. Community Outreach:
a. Partnerships with NGOs: GUST collaborates with local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and charities dedicated to addressing food insecurity. This partnership allows the university to extend its support beyond the campus and actively contribute to community efforts to combat hunger.
b. Food Distribution Programs: The university participates in food distribution programs, especially during times of crisis or need. By providing meals and essential food items to vulnerable populations, GUST plays a vital role in alleviating hunger in the broader Kuwaiti community.
c. Research and Advocacy: GUST encourages research on food security and related issues, empowering students and faculty to generate innovative solutions. Through advocacy efforts, the university raises awareness about the importance of SDG 2 and urges stakeholders to take action.
GUST Gulf University's commitment to SDG 2, "Zero Hunger," is a testament to its dedication to societal well-being. By addressing food security issues within its campus and actively participating in community outreach programs, GUST contributes to the global goal of eradicating hunger and fostering a more sustainable and equitable future for Kuwait and the world. Through education, action, and collaboration, the university demonstrates the potential for institutions of higher learning to be powerful agents of positive change.
Global Studies Center Hosts Seminar on the Geopolitics of Food Security
Gulf University for Science and Technology’s (GUST) Global Studies Center (GSC), in coordination with the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Science (KFAS), hosted a seminar titled “The Geopolitics of Food Security: New Players in Global Value Chains and what it Means for Food Importers in the Middle East”. The session was led by Prof. Eckart Woertz, a scientific advisor to the Kuwait Chair at Sciences Po in Paris, and was attended by students, faculty, and the general public.
The purpose of the seminar was to provide a Middle Eastern frame of reference to the Gulf food system and the way their societies are situated within the global food-production economy. This included going through earlier Gulf investment attempts in the 1970s, and how they fit in the newly emerging geo-economic landscape of global food markets. Dr. Eckart then related this to the wake of the global food crisis of 2008, where Middle Eastern oil producers announced multi-billion dollar investments to secure food supplies from outside the region. He also highlighted the controversy of these investments at the heart of the global food security challenge that put the Middle East in the spotlight of simultaneous global crises in the fields of food, finance, and energy.
Speaking ahead of the lecture, prof. Woertz, said, “The Middle East is not only the world's largest oil exporter, but also its largest importer of food. Global food value chains and a sustainable management of the water-energy-food nexus are crucial for its future.”
The lecture, which lasted for 45 minutes, was followed by a Q&A session where attendees had the chance to question and discuss Prof. Weortz’s arguments.
The GSC was founded in 2015 year in partnership with the National University of Singapore, and 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 seeks to foster public understanding of global issues and support the policy-making processes of concerned states.
Previous events hosted by the GSC include a discussion to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Kuwait from Iraqi occupation, sponsored by the US Embassy in Kuwait, a lecture by Dr. Peter Sluglett, an expert on Middle Eastern history and Director of the Middle East Institute at NUS, entitled: “An Improvement on Colonialism? The ‘A’ Mandates and their Legacy in the Middle East”, and one by Dr. Daniel Brumberg, the Kuwait Program Visiting Professor at the Paris School of International Affairs, on US-Arab Relations in a Time of Crisis.
Seminar: "La Apuela's Stories and Sitte's Food as Languages of Cultural Expression, Recovery and Revitalization"
Event name: Seminar on "La Apuela's Stories and Sitte's Food as Languages of Cultural Expression, Recovery and Revitalization"
Time: 12:30pm
Place: W4-103
GUST Launches “GUST_Cares” Initiative
Kuwait City, 28 April 2021: GUST launched an initiative titled “GUST_Cares” which entailed distributing food boxes for those in need during the holy month of Ramadan. The campaign was launched at the start of the holy month and allowed for wider community participation, with staff members of OSL organized full day trips to certain areas of the country, carrying out the donations to the recipients. The overall goal is to distribute and donate 1000 boxes during the holy month of Ramadan.
Students, faculty, and staff GUST community members were encouraged to either bring in supplies and food which will be put into boxes, or to take a box home and donate it to their liking. The Office of Student Life, OSL, who took charge of this drive, provided a list of necessities and food items families might require as appropriate options to donate and place within the boxes. Student clubs also participated as they took a sizeable portion of the boxes and donated them, clubs involved included: The Technology Club, the Bayan Cultural Club, the Music Club, the Islamic Finance Club, and the Human Rights Club.
Head of the Office of Student Life, Aseel Abou Nemah said “An initiative such as GUST_Cares is a social responsibility from us as a university and reinforces community solidarity. Despite these difficult times this campaign also showcases our student body’s strong sense of responsibility and their passion towards volunteer work and community service. Showing compassion and lending a helping hand to those in need during the holy month of Ramadan is what matters and we hope this encourages others to do the same.”
The charity drive is still ongoing and open to the public to participate. Boxes are available for pickup from campus and instructions on how to donate can be found on official GUST social media accounts. Individuals can share their donations and box designs with the university or tag them on their own personal accounts with the use of the #GUST_Cares hashtag.
Debate Club Awarded Club of the Year
Gulf University for Science and Technology’s (GUST) Office of Student Life (OSL) awarded the student-run Debate Club the Club of the Year award in a ceremony in the campus’s Central Area. The award is presented annually to the club that demonstrates the most initiative, creativity, and actively inspires students by offering educational and engaging activities throughout the year. Dr. Raghad Al Kazemi, Dean of Student Affairs at GUST was present at the event to honor the winning club.
The Debate Club was the clear winner of this year’s award due to their exceptional presence on campus all year round and their diligent organization of 33 engaging and practical events, including winning second place at the Kuwait University Debate League, and first place at the 5th Arab Universities Debate Competition in Bahrain, and the Kuwait University National English Debate League. In addition to organizing a university-wide debate competition, holding various seminars among which was the “Effect of Declining Oil Prices on the Arab Region”, and setting up several workshops and charity events.
Dean of Student Affairs, Dr. Raghad Al Kazemi, said, “It is my honest belief that to get an extra dose of knowledge, you need to leave the classroom. Our clubs demonstrate that our students have a real hunger to apply what they learn in their lectures to real life situations, and create an atmosphere that is fun, educational, social, and applicable to the real world.”
The ceremony also gave out an additional award to show the clubs that their efforts do not go unnoticed by the university community. The Social Club Award, which is based on professionalism and interaction with other clubs, the student body, and the GUST community as a whole, was awarded to the Public Relations Club. The club managed to set up 20 events throughout the academic year which included organizing a humanitarian campaign, offering several entrepreneurial workshops for university students, giving out eftar meals during Ramadan, organizing a campaign dedicated to giving out cold water and beverages to street workers during the summer. The Public Relations Club also went on a trip to New York during winter and handed out items of clothing to the homeless.
The purpose of the event is not only to recognize the efforts of a few clubs, but also motivate the other 14 student run clubs and acknowledge their hard work throughout the year academic year, and show them that GUST as a university appreciates all efforts invested by students in organizing club activities. Debate Club members were awarded KD 100 each, while the Public Relations was granted KD 400 for their budget.
Students also got to participate during the event by submitting their guesses of who the winning club of each category would be to enter a draw, each winning student received a KD 50 prize.
This year, the number of clubs at GUST participating totaled 16, and include: The Entrepreneurs Club, the Media Club, the Anime Club, the Talent Club, the Debate Club, the Islamic Finance Club, the Management Club, the Marketing Club, the Computer Science Club, the English Club, the Public Relations Club, the Technology Club, the Human Development Club, the Human Rights Club, the Investment Club, the Accounting Club, and the Foundation Club.
Find all the photos of the event on the GT Gallery: gt.gust.edu.kw/gallery!
Distributing Food Baskets
We are happy in the month of goodness in cooperation with Al-Najaja Charitable Association with the project of distributing food baskets for the holy month of Ramadan, and we are honored to distribute them to our brothers and sisters from the disadvantaged families in Kuwait, all thanks to the members of the Islamic Financing Club and Al-Najaya Charitable Association for the effort made to make this charity project a success, and a special thanks to everyone who contributed and donated.
May Allah accept and reward
