Public Educational Events and Community Learning
Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) actively promotes lifelong learning and community engagement through a diverse range of public educational events held throughout the year. In alignment with SDG 4.3.2, the University regularly opens its campus to the wider community, offering mostly free or low-cost lectures, workshops, seminars, exhibitions, and conferences that foster knowledge sharing, cultural enrichment, and personal development (Both free and charged events).
These events bring together academics, industry professionals, students, and members of the public to explore topics in education, sustainability, technology, arts, and social development. By making educational opportunities accessible beyond its student population, GUST strengthens its role as a center for public learning and supports the lifelong learning goals outlined in SDG 4: Quality Education.
Through these initiatives, GUST contributes to a more informed, inclusive, and knowledge-driven society, empowering individuals of all ages and backgrounds to continue learning, collaborating, and contributing to national and global development.
Annual Translation Poster Conference
The Annual Translation Poster Conference, organized by the English Department, was held on 28 October 2024, showcasing senior students’ translation projects focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The event served as an engaging learning opportunity where students presented research-based translations related to sustainability topics. The conference was open to participants beyond our university, welcoming translators and students from other institutions to contribute and exchange knowledge, reinforcing our commitment to fostering accessible education and lifelong learning.
Annual Math and Science Competition for High School Students
On April in 2024 and 2025, Gulf University for Science and Technology proudly hosted the 10th Annual Math and Science Competition and 11th Annual Math and Science Competition at W6 Hall, led by the Department of Mathematics and Natural Sciences. The event welcomed an impressive 67 public and private schools from across Kuwait, marking a record level of participation and highlighting the growing reputation of this initiative in promoting STEM excellence nationwide.
Throughout the day, students competed in a series of interactive and intellectually stimulating math and science challenges designed to test critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. The competition not only encouraged academic excellence but also fostered a lively spirit of innovation, curiosity, and friendly competition.
Organized in partnership with the Foundation Program Unit and the Center for Teaching, Learning & Research (CTLR), the event brought together educators, experts, and community stakeholders committed to nurturing the next generation of scientists and innovators. Support from the Ministry of Education representatives, participating schools, judges, and organizing committees played an important role in the success of this initiative.
International Cultural Day
GUST proudly celebrated its global diversity on November 11, 2024, as well as on December 11, 2025, by hosting the 1st and 2nd annual International Cultural Day in the campus center. The event welcomed representatives from multiple embassies in Kuwait — including India, South Korea, Japan, Guinea, Egypt, and Romania — who showcased their countries’ unique cultural identities, traditions, and history. The roster expanded in the 2nd annual cultural day with the participation of other embassies, such as: Nigeria, Turkey, France, etc.
The event featured vibrant booths offering traditional food, cultural displays, music, and interactive activities that allowed visitors to immerse themselves in different global experiences. By welcoming the wider community and fostering learning beyond the classroom, International Cultural Day demonstrated GUST’s commitment to inclusivity, cultural appreciation, and SDG 4: Quality Education.
Literature Students Book Launch
On November 18, 2024, the English Department, hosted a public book launch event celebrating student and faculty contributions to literature and cultural storytelling. Held at the university library, the event welcomed the GUST community and external visitors to explore the power of writing as a medium for education and social awareness.
The launch featured two publications:
• Gulf Women’s Lives: Voice, Space, Place — edited by Dr. Shahd Al Shammari, highlighting diverse narratives of women in the Gulf region
• The Dictionary of Life— a creative anthology written and produced by Dr. Shahd’s literature students, showcasing their reflections on identity, language, and lived experience
The event provided a platform for emerging writers to publicly present their work and engage with attendees, reinforcing GUST’s commitment to lifelong learning and cultural enrichment through accessible educational experiences.
Arabic Teachers Training in collaboration with CTLR
On December 4, 2024, the Humanities & Social Sciences Department, in collaboration with the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Research (CTLR), organized the second edition of the Arabic Teachers Training Workshop at GUST. This initiative brought together Arabic high school teachers from across Kuwait, reflecting GUST’s commitment to strengthening community education and advancing innovative teaching practices.
The workshop focused on the theme “Teaching Classical Arabic Poetry Differently”, introducing educators to contemporary instructional strategies that help make poetry more engaging and relevant for today’s students. Through expert-led sessions, the event provided teachers with enhanced pedagogical tools to inspire deeper literary appreciation and improve learning outcomes in their classrooms.
By empowering educators and fostering collaboration across institutions, this annual workshop contributes to lifelong learning opportunities beyond the university community, actively supporting SDG 4: Quality Education and expanding access to professional development for teachers in Kuwait.
GUST Organized The 1st Kuwait National Robotics Competition
The 1st Kuwait National Robotics Competition, organized by Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) and sponsored by Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), concluded on March 5th, 2023, with great success, showcasing remarkable teamwork among 16 teams from different schools across the country, who demonstrated their technical skills and creativity in building and programming their robots to complete various challenges.
The competition emphasized the importance of teamwork and collaboration, as students worked together under the supervision of their teachers to design, build and program robots that can solve complex problems. The teams competed in three categories: Design Award, Robot Skills Award, and Tournament Championship Award. Selected team from Middle and High school will be invited by RECF to represent Kuwait in the world championship in Dallas, USA, and compete against other top teams from around the world.
The National Robotics Competition is part of the international VEX Robotics competition and is organized in partnership with the Robotics Education and Competition (REC) Foundation. The VEX Robotics competition provides students with the opportunity to explore the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), inspiring them to pursue careers in these fields.
Dr. Noura Aljeri, Chair of DIRA Laboratory said, “We wish the winning teams the best of luck in representing Kuwait at the World Championship and look forward to seeing more talented students at next year's National Robotics Competition.”
First NREET Conference - Kuwait
Hosted by Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST)
Organized by Center for Sustainable Energy & Economic Development (SEED) & Gulf Financial Center (GFC), in partnership with Economics & Finance Department (HYBRID with both in-person and online paper presentation).
The main purpose of this interdisciplinary conference was to bring together policymakers, engineers, economists, and industrial participants to discuss and share new thoughts and research findings on energy transition and financing from a global viewpoint.
Location: Gulf University for Science and Technology, Kuwait in W6-200 hall
Date: 15 - 16 March 2023
GUST Hosts BELC Training Courses For The Second Time In Collaboration With The French Embassy
Gulf University for Science and Technology has announced its new extended partnership with the French Institute and the French Embassy in Kuwait to host the (BELC) training for the second time. the Middle East BELC was organized in Kuwait for the first time, and it was hosted at GUST.
The BELC are the most prestigious internationally recognized training courses for French language teaching professionals, offers educators an intensive training in the most up to date professional techniques and allows them to discover new practices to support dynamic career development. The course was organized by France Education International and is certified by the French Ministry of Education.
The training which was held during 5th and 9th February 2023 at GUST campus, included workshops divided into 9 modules and provided by 3 experts from France Education International, one trainer from the Institute of Francis Paris, and 3 regional experts lecturers. Number of trainees in this course reached to 82 attendees from 13 different nationalities and coming from 6 countries included: Kuwait, Qatar, Bahrain, UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt.
GUST Opens its Doors to High School Students
Gulf University for Science and Technology offered High School students in Kuwait the chance to learn computer programming and web-design for free under the tutelage of instructors from the University in order to introduce them to skills that are increasingly in demand worldwide across all sectors.
Each of the courses, aptly named “Programming for Future Innovators” and “Web-Design for Future Innovators”, were ultimately matriculated to 60 students over the course of two weeks, and were designed and delivered in coordination between The Computer Science and Management Information Systems Department and the University’s very own Center for Teaching, Learning & Research (CTLR).
Both programs were fully-funded by the University, and were delivered by its own highly-qualified Teaching Assistants from the Computer Science and Management Information Systems Department. This is significant as GUST’s Computer Science Program has been accredited by the world-renown Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET), which enhances the university’s standing and its academic programs locally and internationally. What’s more, this reflects the high standards and academic discipline that students can expect to receive.
Dr Israa Hussain, Assistant Professor, Computer Science Department, said "It was a great opportunity to offer this series of workshops as a way to introduce high school students to both Computer Science and Management Information Systems majors. This was a golden opportunity for us to demonstrate how technology and modern life are so interconnected, and that these are skills that are indispensable to their futures. It was also interesting to talk to them and understand their thoughts and ideas regarding their future plans, and to find ways to align them with what the university can offer."
Live Piano Evening
In collaboration with the French Embassy in Kuwait and the French Institute, we are proud to announce our first Live Piano Evening from France.
Date: 7 March 2023
SEED Workshop on "Energy and Sustainability: Lessons Learned from Applied Work"
The Center for Sustainable Energy and Economic Development (SEED) at Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) organized a scientific workshop titled “Energy and Sustainability: Lessons Learned from Applied Work”.
The workshop was a forum for researchers from several countries and universities to present the recent results of their research papers on energy sustainability and economic development. The researchers discussed a number of issues, including energy transformation, pollution, climate change, energy sustainability, and their impacts on economies around the world.
Attending the workshop were a number of officials and interested people, including American Chargé D' Affaires James Holtsnider, and the Director of the Graduate Studies & Research Office at GUST, Professor Issam El Moughrabi.
In a speech to the media, the Chair of SEED, Dr. Khalid Kisswani, said, “The workshop is considered as a platform that gathers specialists from inside and outside the university to present and discuss the latest research on energy and sustainability, as well as allowing experts to participate, discuss, and devise creative energy solutions and ideas, and create a network of specialized academics”.
Kisswani also pointed out that the workshop comes in line with GUST’s strategy which aims to enable faculty members to achieve scientific progress, in addition to promoting research and development at the university. “There is no doubt that the theme of this workshop is a very important topic since it is also compatible with the development plan of Kuwait Vision 2035, which aims to achieve economic sustainability and maintain environmental safety and use clean, renewable energy”, Kisswani added.
The workshop agenda included a number of lectures, including one entitled “Kuwait Sustainable Energy Road Map” presented by Dr. Salem Al Hajraf, and another lecture entitled “Sustainable Energy Transition in the GCC: The Role of Green Power” presented by Dr. Leila Dagher, as well as a lecture entitled “The Role of Energy Efficiency in Shaping the Energy Transition” presented by Professor Fateh Belaid, and via Online, Dr. Khaled Guesmi’s lecture entitled “Financial Crises and Oil Risk”.
GUST Hosts Over 50 High Schools in Open Day on Campus Annually
GUST welcomed students from over 50 different high schools around Kuwait in an open day, which also coincided with National Day celebrations at the university. The visitors, which consisted of both male and female students from private and government schools, got to explore the university and partake in several activities on the campus over two days.
The Open House, organized by the Student Recruitment & Outreach Department, is an annual event whose goal is to open GUST’s doors and showcase the very best the university has to offer. As this year’s event runs parallel to the university’s National Day festivities, visitors will have a chance to experience GUTS’s creative and energetic spirit, a notion which is emblematic of student life at the university.
After a tour around the campus, the students were greeted by Professor Walid Bouhamra, GUST president, who met with and spoke to the students about the university and what they can expect when they start their academic journey at GUST. The students were then given the opportunity to meet and converse with various university department personnel, including the Office of Student Life, One Stop Student Services Center, College of Business Administration, College of Arts and Sciences, Athletics Department, the Office of International Programs, the Foundation Program Unit and the Admissions and Registration Department, to ask specific questions pertaining to their individual needs.
To end their visit, the students were able to witness the spectacular performances and bands that were performing at the University for the National Day Festivities, and were able to enjoy the different activities and games on campus set up for the occasion.
This year’s Open Day is the fourth to be organized by GUST, and is just one of many ways that the university openly and actively engages with high school students. Throughout the year, GUST participates in all of the major educational exhibitions, and hosts events that further connects the university with prospective students.
26th Annual Career Fair
Date: 13, 14, 15 May 2025
GUST hosted a Career Fair on campus, bringing together students, alumni, and the wider community with representatives from a diverse range of companies and organizations. The event provided participants with opportunities to explore career paths, engage in networking, and gain insights into various industries, including technology, finance, engineering, and more. By connecting students directly with employers and professionals, the Career Fair supported practical learning, professional development, and lifelong skills acquisition, fostering readiness for the workforce.
Technical and Comedy Translation Workshops
The English Department hosted two interactive translation workshops, on 18–19 May 2025, on technical translation and comedy translation, providing enriching learning opportunities for both students and the wider community. The technical translation workshop was open to the public, offering participants hands-on experience in translating specialized terminology across various fields. The comedy translation workshop engaged GUST students in exploring language, humor, and cultural nuance. Together, these workshops supported skill development while encouraging meaningful community participation in continuing education and lifelong learning.
Role of Women in Tech Seminar – International Women’s Day
On March 10, 2025, the Computer Science Department at Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) hosted an engaging public seminar titled “Role of Women in Tech” at the Huawei Innovation Lab. Organized in celebration of International Women’s Day, the event welcomed community members and offered an inclusive space to learn about the expanding influence of women in technology and their contributions to innovation.
The seminar featured three distinguished speakers who shared insights from diverse professional perspectives:
• Dr. Hana Alostad (Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research) – highlighting the computer science and research front
• Dr. Rita W. El-Haddad (American University of Kuwait) – focusing on the psychology and human-centered aspects of technology
• Ms. Abeer AlFarhan (Huawei Headquarters) – presenting the corporate and industry leadership perspective.
Kuwait Fab City Symposium 2025
GUST proudly hosted the Kuwait Fab City Symposium 2025, a major free public event organized by the Computer Science Department in partnership with the GUST FabLab. The symposium brought together leading international experts from University of Hamburg in Germany, and Fab lab foundation experts and key innovators from Kuwait to discuss the future of digital fabrication, sustainability, and localized production.
The program featured engaging keynote talks, a guided tour of the GUST FabLab, and a capstone project showcase, where senior students presented real-world technology solutions developed as part of their graduation requirements—highlighting the practical and innovative skills emerging from GUST’s academic programs.
The event welcomed participants from across academia, industry, and the wider community, creating an open platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and lifelong learning.
Toastmasters International
GUST's Mass Communication & Media (MCM) department hosted Toastmasters International, a two-day workshop on public speaking, with the 2025 World Champion in Public Speaking—Mr. Sabyasachi Sengupta—at the helm over the weekend on December 12-13, 2025.
The event brought out enlightening information on public speaking to the faculty members who've attended, allowing the gap between learnt information and practical use to be bridged. This would reflect greatly to the university students, as they can learn and lead from those who have learnt, led and won before.
