SDG5: GENDER EQUALITY
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 5, "Gender Equality," emphasizes the importance of achieving gender parity and empowering all women and girls. In Kuwait, significant strides have been made to promote gender equality, and the government plays a crucial role in supporting women's rights and empowerment.
Government Support for Women in Kuwait:
- Legal Framework: Kuwait has established a robust legal framework that upholds women's rights, including laws related to marriage, divorce, and inheritance.
- Education: The government has invested heavily in women's education, ensuring that girls have equal access to quality education at all levels. Kuwaiti women now outnumber men in universities.
- Economic Empowerment: Kuwaiti women are active in various sectors of the economy, with increasing representation in the workforce. The government promotes equal opportunities for women in employment and entrepreneurship.
- Political Participation: Kuwaiti women have made significant progress in political participation, with the right to vote and run for office granted in 2005. Kuwaiti women have since held important positions in the government.
- Healthcare: Kuwait provides comprehensive healthcare services to all citizens, regardless of gender, ensuring access to quality healthcare for women.
GUST Gulf University's Commitment to Women's Empowerment:
GUST Gulf University actively supports women's empowerment through various initiatives:
Gender-Neutral Admissions: GUST ensures gender-neutral admissions, providing equal opportunities for both women and men to pursue higher education.
Women's Leadership Programs: The university offers leadership development programs that empower female students to take on leadership roles on campus and beyond.
Gender-Responsive Curriculum: GUST integrates gender-related topics into its curriculum to foster awareness and promote gender equality.
Support Services: The university provides support services and resources to help female students excel academically and professionally, including mentorship programs and career counseling.
Advocacy: GUST participates in advocacy efforts to raise awareness about gender equality and women's rights, both within the campus community and through collaborations with external organizations.
Kuwait has made significant progress in advancing gender equality, with the government actively supporting women's rights and opportunities in various sectors. GUST Gulf University complements these efforts by providing equal access to quality education and fostering a campus environment that promotes women's empowerment. Together, Kuwait and institutions like GUST work towards the realization of SDG 5, ensuring that gender equality remains a fundamental principle and that women and girls have the resources and opportunities they need to thrive in all aspects of society.
Policy of non-discrimination
GUST code of Conduct Policy was issued in October 2nd 2013 and slightly modified in April 12th 2022.
In GUST Code of Conduct Policy, article I, Our commitment states:
The Gulf University of Science & Technology (GUST) is committed to the highest level of integrity and honesty in all of its affairs, without any kind of discrimination against women.
Equal Employment Opportunity
It is GUST’s policy to recruit, employ and promote employees on the basis of their skills, qualifications and abilities required for the work to be performed, with no discrimination to race, color, religion, sex, age, social status, physical or mental disability or any other factor.
If outsourcing activities to third parties needed, then GUST takes all appropriate measures to ensure the equivalent rights of employees are met.
Harassment
GUST is committed to provide all employees with a work place that is free from harassment based on race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, social status, physical or mental disability or any other factor. Harassment include all actions of verbal harassment, physical harassment, visual harassment or sexual harassment.
Admission Requirements and Procedures
Admission to GUST is on a competitive basis. Regardless of the type of admission, all applicants must submit all documentation to complete the general admission requirements.
GUST welcomes applications from students from all types of schools and backgrounds. We provide our students with the best educational resources and services to promote intellectual growth and career advancement. From the academic challenges encountered when adjusting to university life to the various campus activities offered for students, GUST has a diverse collection of resources available to help our students succeed both academically and personally.
Gulf University for Science and Technology takes women’s applications, acceptance and completion rates very seriously. The Admission and Registration department has a dedicated team to track and measure the rates mentioned on a regular basis. GUST University tracks both undergrads and postgrads female/male, international/local, and other ratios for admitted, enrolled and graduated students.
GUST Professor Wins Award for “Monograph of the Year”
Kuwait City, 20 December 2021: Assistant Professor of English, Dr. Shahd Al Shammari Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) was awarded the 2021 Outstanding Monograph of the Year. The award was presented to her by the International and Intercultural Communication Division (IICD) at the National Communication Association’s (NAC) for her paper titled Microaggressions in Flux: Whiteness, disability, masculinity in Academia which was also co-authored by Kuwait University’s Assistant Professor of Mass Communication, Dr. Haneen Ghabra.
The paper worked to present experiences with intercultural communication across their disciplines, reflecting on academic experiences using the lens of performance studies and autoethnography which is a form of qualitative research in which an author uses self-reflection and writing to explore anecdotal and personal experience and connect this autobiographical story to wider cultural, political, and social meanings and understandings. As an autoethnographic piece, the research localized their experiences both in the West and in Kuwait, reflecting on systems of oppression, injustices, and microaggressions.
The IICD promotes research and teaching in intercultural, international, and intergroup (including interracial/interethnic) communication. The division presents research representing many perspectives and conducted by qualitative, quantitative, and rhetorical methods. The NAC presents this award annually that is selected by a committee which unanimously voted on Dr. Al Shammari’s paper for this year.
Assistant Professor of English, Dr. Shahd Al Shammari said “We are both proud to be recognized internationally and hope to see our work read by scholars and students of various disciplines. Research has to be critical, reflexive, and also accessible. I am happy to have co-authored with Dr. Al-Ghabra in order to foster research practices across universities in Kuwait.”
Dr. Shahd Al-Shammari also recently published an article with GUST alumna Yasmeen Al-Askari titled Exile and the Disabled Body in Randa Jarrar's "The Life, Loves, and Adventures of Zelwa the Halfie" and also is a member of TESOL International Association Kuwait. Dr. Al Shammari’s publications and research are an example of GUST’s dedication to become a hybrid teaching and research institute within the forthcoming years.
GUST Faculty and Alumni Publish Paper in an International Journal
Kuwait City, 12 September 2021: Gulf University for Science and Technology's (GUST) Alumna Yasmeen Al-Askari and Assistant Professor of English Literature at GUST, Dr. Shahd Al-Shammari, co-authored a paper titled Exile and the Disabled Body in Randa Jarrar's "The Life, Loves, and Adventures of Zelwa the Halfie", which has been published in the International Academic Forum: Journal for Arts and Humanities (IAFOR). IAFOR Journal of Arts & Humanities is an internationally reviewed and editorially independent interdisciplinary journal associated with IAFOR's international conferences on the arts and humanities.
The paper dissected the themes of exile, diaspora, disability, identity, and language using Edward Said's work as a platform for their argument and research. Dr. Al-Shammari and Ms. Al-Askari used Said's suggestion of a mind/body split, giving room to consider the sense of self as already in-between, as the exiled 'I' attempts to find a home within a new land and a new body. The authors conclude with how Arabic literature considers notions of exile and disability in various ways and how contemporary Anglophone literature deals with concepts of diaspora and exile, similar to trends in Disability Studies as a field.
Assistant Professor of English Literature, Dr. Shahd Al-Shammari said, "Co-authoring a paper with a GUST alumna has been a great learning experience for me and has offered a great experience in the academic field for Yasmine Al-Askari, one of our top literature graduates from the English Department. I am happy to co-author this paper with her and hope she continues her graduate studies. Furthermore, at GUST, we will continue to show our constant support and celebrate her future achievements as a product of this prestigious institution."
Yasmeen Al-Askari has graduated from GUST's English Department and is now working as a full-time teacher. She wishes to earn her Master's degree in English Literature, publishing papers to strengthen her application. Dr. Shahd Al-Shammari is an Assistant Professor in the English Department and has been vital in helping students develop their skills by organizing key events such as "Poetry in the Time of COVID." She has published several peer reviewed articles and has also written two chapters for two separate books that have been published and has also appeared at several conferences such as TESOL and Film and Visual Media in the Gulf. Dr. Al-Shammari’s upcoming memoir is set to appear in 2021, titled Head Above Water in which she highlights the role of education and mentors.
GUST Establishes First Ever Translation Internship Program
Kuwait City, 29 June 2021: Gulf University for Science and Technology launched the Translation Internship Program, which is the first program in Kuwait that provides translation students with a chance to boost their professional careers in the field of translation. The internship program is organized by the English department’s Post-Doctoral Researcher, Dr. Asmaa Alduhaim, and was in a collaboration with Kuwait State Television - Channel 2 (KTV2) and Ahli United Bank (AUB). The program was held over a two-month period at both institutions starting in April and ending in June.
Five students enrolled in the program this year, including Mariam Safar and Hessa Al-Toum who were placed as translators at KTV2. Their training included translating Kuwaiti songs, Kuwaiti TV shows, and world news. They also developed their skills in creating subtitles as well as learning the difference between audiovisual translation and other types of translation. Students Nabaa Alhaddad, Mohammed Al-baba, and Shahad Alzaid were placed as translators at Ahli United Bank in Kuwait where they attended several training sessions that instructed them on how to translate technically demanding texts related to banking procedures, documents and letters.
Post-doctoral Researcher at the English Department, Dr. Asmaa Alduhaim, said “This program is a practical introduction to the field of Translation Studies, and an amazing insight into a translators’ career. The internship program is an excellent opportunity to develop your translation skills, congratulations on the five students who completed the internship, a job well done.”
The Translation Internship Program introduces the students to the real-world experience and further gained a better understanding of their potential career and its challenges. The internship further provided students with the opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills learned in the classroom in a work setting.
Computer Science Capstone Project Among Top 25 Finalists in Middle East
Kuwait City, 9 May 2021: GUST Computer Science senior students, Ayah Beidas, Fatme Ghaddar, Kousar Mohi and Haya Al Tunaib participated by presenting their capstone project at the 6th annual Dell Technologies Graduation Project Competition for the Middle East, which was elected among the top 25 projects. Projects were submitted online, then blindly reviewed and evaluated through a multi-stage evaluation process by international professors and senior Dell Technologies experts from around the world.
Led by the Head of the Computer Science Department, Associate Professor, Dr. Mahmoud Elish, GUST students developed and presented “Autemo”, a cross-platform mobile application (iOS/Android) intended to improve the quality of life of children suffering from autism by alleviating and enhancing their social skills. It targets autistic children’s inability to express emotions, by training the facial, verbal and cognitive skills of the child. “Autemo” was among the top 25 projects out of 235 projects that were submitted. At the event, more than 100 universities participated, representing 19 countries from region with a total participation number of 1,060 students. Top 25 teams/finalists will be offered technical mentorship from Dell Technologies and will qualify to the final round of the competition.
The competition is open to senior undergraduate students from universities in the Middle East, Russia, Africa and Turkey. Students are invited to submit their project abstracts in areas related to the advancement of technology and applications related to the following focus areas: Artificial Intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), and Multi-Cloud.
Head of the Computer Science Department, Associate Professor, Dr. Mahmoud Elish said “This outstanding achievement is a testament to our Computer Science students’ talent and skillsets. It is also an indication of the quality curriculum offered by the Computer Science major at GUST. Congratulations!”
This year students from GUSTs Computer Science Department have participated and excelled at several regional and local competitions, such as the 8th KCPC Tournament held in February. This is a testament to the regular practice teams get with in house tournaments such as the Annual Programming Competition, breeding an environment of competitive academic excellence.
GUST Professor Interviewed on KTV
Kuwait City, 10 October 2021: Gulf University for Science and Technology’s (GUST) Post-Doctoral Researcher, Dr. Asma AlDuhaim, was interviewed live on Kuwait Television (KTV) to discuss and highlight the importance of translators in today’s world. The interview took place on September 27, three days before the International Translation Day on September 30, which the UN officially declared in 2017. Dr. AlDuhaim discussed the importance of highlighting the role of translators and interpreters across the world. She also explained the differences between the approaches used in the translation field across different genres and texts. Dr. Asma AlDuhaim received her PhD in Modern Languages and Translation Studies from the University of Birmingham in 2018 and currently teaches various translation courses at GUST while also volunteering at Kafo since 2019. She has had several articles published in peer-review journals such as the “International Journal of English Linguistics” and the “International Journal of English Language and Linguistics Research”.
To watch the full interview click on the following link: https://youtu.be/0QH3Ga9SGrs
Date:
10 October 2021 to 11 January 2022
CTLR Collaborates with Microsoft on DigiGirlz Program
GUST’s Center for Teaching, Learning, and Research, collaborated with the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), Microsoft, and the Kuwait Ministry of Education, to host over 15 girls’ high schools on campus for the Microsoft DigiGirlz Program. The program is a digital skills program, aiming to inspire young women to pursue a career in technology.
The event was attended by senior officials including GUST President, Professor Walid Bouhamra, Microsoft General Manager, Charles Nahas, and Dr. Salam Al-Ablani, KFAS Scientific Culture Director.
The event welcomed a panel comprised of leading women in technology, including: Haya Al-Mana, Zain Kuwait’s Sustainability Manager, Noora Al-Askar, Founder of MyNutriBox App, and Arwa Al-Jaser, Founder of Mukkancom IT solutions company. The women all spoke about their journey in the field from how they started to how they succeeded. Students were then able to ask them questions about different aspects of z their experience.
The program then gave students the opportunity to learn about careers in technology, connect with Microsoft employees, and participate in hands-on computer and technology workshops.
GUST Faculty Member Appointed to Editorial Board of the International Journal ‘Disability & Society’
Dr. Shahd Al Shammari, Assistant Professor of English at Gulf University for Science and Technology, has been elected to the Editorial Board of the international academic journal, Disability & Society. As an editor on the editorial board of the journal, Dr. Al Shammari will be reviewing articles submitted by academics worldwide, while ensuring the tone and direction of the editorial publishing policy.
Disability & Society is an international disability studies journal that provides a focus for debate about issues such as human rights, discrimination, definitions, policies and practices. It appears against a backdrop of constant change in the ways in which disability is viewed and responded to.
Assistant Professor at the English Dept., Dr. Shahd Al Shammari said, "It is an honor to be involved with such a prestigious academic journal. I look forward to more rigorous research to shed more light on these important topics, and to raise GUST and Kuwait’s academic and professional standing."
Dr. Al Shammari is a widely published scholar whose articles appear in internationally renowned peer-reviewed academic journals, and is also an accomplished creative writer. Her work has been featured at numerous events, including the Emirates Literature Festival, and the Malta Book Festival. Dr. Al Shammari’s focus on women and disability studies solidifies her among the best young early-career researchers in the Gulf region.
The peer-reviewed top-tier Q2 journal was established in 1986 and is published by the international publisher Taylor & Francis Group in the UK. It is considered one of the leading contributors to the field of Disability Studies and has been cited to have a 2017 1.212 impact factor.
This is a prestigious nomination that will enhance GUST's exposure to the international and regional level of research collaboration and reputation, and will enhance the place and influence GUST maintains amongst the top universities that can contribute in economic research on the Middle East and North African region.
GUST Recognizes Computer Science Students for Academic Excellence
Kuwait City, 28 June 2021: Gulf University for Science and Technology’s (GUST) Computer Science Department held a ceremony recognizing student’s achievements in research collaboration and competition participation. The ceremony was held on June 9 via Microsoft Teams where the Dean of the College of Arts and Science, Professor Bashar Ibrahim and Head of the Computer Science Department, Associate Professor Mahmoud Elish praised the students for their immense efforts throughout the academic year.
The Computer Science department recognized 20 outstanding students for their contribution to collaborative research projects and their achievements in local and regional programming competition. Four students were also recognized for becoming the top 25 finalists in the MENA region plus Russia and Turkey for the Dell Technologies Graduation Project. The team of four students were Led Dr. Mahmoud Elish, and developed “Autemo”, a cross-platform mobile application (iOS/Android) intended to improve the quality of life of children suffering from autism by alleviating and enhancing their social skills. It targets autistic children’s inability to express emotions, by training the facial, verbal and cognitive skills of the child.
Dean of the College of Arts and Science, Professor Mohammed Ibrahim, said “We are very proud of our student's achievements within the field of Computer Science. They have shown a hunger for academic excellence and believe they have the right attitude to succeed in their future careers. We applaud you for all your hard work!”
This year students from GUSTs Computer Science Department have participated and excelled at several regional and local competitions, such as the 8th KCPC Tournament held in February and the Dell Technologies Graduation Project. They are also given great insight from professionals in the fields provided by the research webinars hosted by the Computer Science department, instilling GUSTs goal of becoming a hybrid teaching and research institute.
The following students have been recognized for their achievements:
Valuable contribution to collaborative research projects
· Osama Kassem
· Abdulwahab Alsaleh
· Fatme Ghaddar
· Ayah Beidas
· Kousar Mohi
· Mostafa Shirin Bab
· Ghada Raee
· Sara AlNakhal
· Sana Kojan
· Nasser Akreem
Achievements in local and regional programming competitions
· Abdulwahab Alsaleh
· Mohammad Bouland
· Osama Kassem
· Mohammad Alaskandarani
· Mostafa Bab
· Ali Jassim
Capstone project among the top 25 finalists in Dell Technologies Graduation Project Competition for Middle East, Russia, Africa and Turkey
· Ayah Beidas
· Fatme Ghaddar
· Kousar Mohi
· Haya Al Tunaib
GUST Faculty Member Noor Hamadah 8th to Attain Full Graduate Scholarship
GUST has awarded English Foundation Teaching Assistant, Ms. Noor Hamadah, its fully sponsored Graduate Scholarship to enable her to complete her higher studies abroad. Ms. Hamadah has officially been accepted at the University of Leeds to pursue a master’s degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages. She is the 8th GUST member to receive this scholarship.
GUST offers this scholarship to a selective number of alumni each year to encourage them to pursue their graduate degrees, in one of the top 100 ranked universities worldwide. The university has already funded seven of its students to pursue their graduate studies, among which are five recipients currently pursuing their degrees:
· Hala Al Mutawa, PhD in Curriculum and Instructions, Pennsylvania State University, US.
· Maryam Al Kandari, PhD in Computer Science, University of Manchester, UK.
· Maryam Al Muhanna, PhD in Linguistics and Applied Linguistics, Arizona State University, US.
· Fatma Al Bader, PhD in Accounting, University of Edinburgh, UK.
· Mohammed AL Muraikhi, PhD in Finance, University of Leeds, UK.
Upon the completion of their degrees they will return to GUST as faculty members. This effort comes as part of GUST’s faculty hiring strategy to integrate its graduates as future faculty members.
The eligibility requirements for the scholarship include Kuwaiti citizenship, be at least 28 years of age, hold an undergraduate degree from GUST, and at least a B+ or a 3.30 GPA score. Applicants should also be able to demonstrate a strong command of the English language, and meet all academic requirements of the concerned universities.
International study has proven its benefits to the growth and development of individuals. GUST prides itself in its growing portfolio of international courses and programs, and strives to connect with renowned universities worldwide to deliver a well-rounded experience to its students and faculty.
GUST Sponsors Summer Scholarships to UMSL and GW for the 11th Time
GUST awarded today a group of its students with summer scholarships abroad for the 11th time since 2006. Six GUST students will be attending summer classes at the University of Missouri - St. Louis (UMSL) and four at George Washington University (GW) in the USA, bringing the total to 10 students. The aim of the program is to enrich students’ academic experience and personal development through international study.
A combination of factors are taken into consideration when choosing the candidates: the completion of at least 60 credit hours, a CGPA of 3.0 and above, a written personal statement, and a recent TOEFL score. After carefully assessing all the material and conducting one-on-one interviews with each candidate, the GUST Summer Scholarship Committee recommended 11 students to be awarded summer scholarships for the 2015/2016 academic year, recognizing their high academic achievements and personal merits.
GUST Vice President for Academic Services, Dr. Sabah Al-Quaddoomi, said, “This highly competitive scholarship is intended to recognize and reward outstanding academic accomplishments by our students. We are so proud of our 2016 scholarship recipients. Without a doubt, these students will be worthy ambassadors of GUST during their summer studies in the United States.”
After their nominations, Dr. Raghad Al-Kazemi, Dean of Student Affairs, and Mrs. Maria Fedorova, International Program Coordinator, met with the students to discuss different aspects of the scholarship procedures and details to prepare them for their trip.
The students who will be attending UMSL are: Razan Sifan, Mariam Alghanim, Mohammad Charrwi, Mustapha Bin Khadra, Raghd Al-Zagezoug, and Zahraa Al Ali.
Finance major and scholarship recipient to UMSL, Mustapha Bin Khadra, said, “I hope to share my personal academic skills that I’ve learned here with UMSL students. I want to leave a good impression of a successful GUST student who represented the university well.”
The students who will be attending GW are: Alia Attia, Nazeema Derbas, Sahar Ghobar, and Danah Alsabt.
Finance major and scholarship recipient to GW, Nazeema Derbas, said, “For GUST to give us an opportunity to have the experience of studying abroad is a chance that I wouldn’t miss. I am looking forward to having this experience and discovering how it feels like to study abroad, even if it is only for a short period of time.”
GUST summer scholarships are open to all eligible students from its College of Arts & Sciences and the College of Business Administration. The scholarships cover tuition for up to 6 academic credit hours, a round trip ticket to the United States, accommodation, and a support allowance.
GUST and KPC Announce Recipients for Sustainable Development Scholarship
Gulf University for Science and Technology announced last week that GUST alumni have been awarded the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) Sustainable Development Scholarship to the University of Sussex in the United Kingdom. The scholarship is the first of its kind for both institutions and is set to take place from November 23 to December 7. The scholarship covers all tuition fees as well as travel and subsistence costs and educational materials during the two-week training course.
The alumni were selected based on criteria set by the university and KPC. Notably, applicants had to have a GPA of 3.3 or above, graduated within the last two years, be Kuwaiti citizens, and be unemploymed throughout the duration of the program.
The selected alumni are: Lojain AlOmani, Sara AlMusallam, Samaa AlSaif, Ghadna AlKhamees, Munirah AlMailam, Shaikha AlMatouq, Budoor AlKhaledi, Bodoor AlZanki, and Yousef AlMunayes.
GUST President, Professor Walid Bouhamra, and KPC PR Manager, Jamal Al-Sanoosi met with the recipients to congratulate them and express their excitement for the program. Also present at the meeting were Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Fahed Al-Sumait, Vice President for Professional Development and Community Services, Dr. Ahmed Al-Darbas, Dean of the College of Business Administration, Prof. Antonis Simintiras, Head of the Business Administration Department, Dr. Ahmed El-Melegy, Initiative Members, Dr. Osama Al-Falah and Dr. Garvan Whelan, as well as International Program Coordinator, Nabae Asfar.
The students will be attending daily courses on Sustainable Development which crystallizes key concepts and provides the alumni with the opportunity to apply them to their geographical context of Kuwait and across various sectors, in particular, energy. All classes will be held at the Science Policy Research Unit at the University of Sussex.
The sessions have been assembled into an intensive course with a distinct and cumulative set of learning outcomes, and will be delivered through purpose-designed teaching and learning activities. The first week will include an introduction of the historical and contemporary debates on sustainable development as a whole, help the students understand the origin of sustainable development and its current manifestations in business, policy and politics; as well as apply a selection of economic and non-economic frameworks to understand and analyze sustainable development issues, in particular around the energy policy. The second week will focus on transformations to sustainable development where students will get to understand the systemic changes required to deliver the 17 sustainable development goals as set by the United Nations, the role of power and politics in their realization, and to develop an appreciation of the economic, social, and historical roots of social and environmental injustice.
By the end of the course students will be able to demonstrate a working knowledge and understanding of sustainable development concepts and frameworks, and have the ability to apply them at different levels and in different contexts.
Although this is the first scholarship for alumni, it is a valuable addition to GUST’s multiple study abroad programs available to its students. Other similar opportunities include the Summer Scholarship Program to the University of Missouri – St. Louis and George Washington University in the USA, and the MBA study abroad course which most recently took place at the Freie University in Berlin, Germany.
