5.6.1 Policy of non-discrimination against women
5.6.2 Policy of non-discrimination for transgender people
5.6.3 Maternity and paternity policies that support women’s participation
5.6.4 Accessible childcare facilities for students
5.6.5 Childcare facilities for staff and faculty
5.6.6 Women’s mentoring schemes
5.6.7 Measurement/tracking of women’s likelihood of graduating compared to men’s
5.6.8 Policy that protects those reporting discrimination from educational or employment disadvantage
5.6.9 Paternity Policy
In the academic year 2020-2021, GUST had 191 students in training courses with 120 of them being female students. The female to male ratio is 63% females.
Course Title |
No. of students |
No. of Female students |
Semester |
Secondary School Student Teaching |
33 |
30 |
Spring 2020-21 |
Practicum in Linguistics/Translation |
5 |
4 |
Spring 2020-21 |
Internship |
65 |
42 |
Fall 2020-21 |
78 |
40 |
Spring 2020-21 |
|
10 |
4 |
Summer 2020-21 |
Ms. Haya Al-Wuhaib received a full scholarship to continue their education at the University of Edinburgh
Kuwait City, 31 August 2021: Gulf University for Science and Technology’s (GUST) held a press conference announcing the commencement of the construction of its new academic building at its campus located in West Mishref. GUST also announced at the press conference, the recipients of its fully sponsored Graduate Scholarship, Ms. Haya Al-Wuhaib and Bader Al-Sharhan, who both received a full scholarship to continue their education at the University of Edinburgh. The Graduate Scholarship is awarded to distinguished students and offers a full sponsorship of their graduate and post-doctoral studies from a list of various universities in the United Kingdom. Upon completion of their graduate degrees both students have the opportunity to engage in an academic teaching role at GUST .
GUST Faculty Member Noor Hamadah 8th to Attain Full Graduate Scholarship
Date: 20 December 2020: 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 (four of them are women):
• 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 Office of Student Life (OSL)
The Gulf University of Science and Technology (GUST) established the American-style accredited degree granting university by developing and maintaining a “students comes first” attitude and by providing a positive and creative work environment that respects diversity, new ideas and hard work; GUST has a complete understanding that education is accomplished through learning both in and out of the classroom. As a result, GUST seeks to graduate people of competence and character who can lead the way for meaningful change in our world. Together with the students, faculty and staff, the Office of Student Life (OSL) strives to unite learning and living to adapt with the rapid changes of our 21st century environment .
Vision:
The Office of Student Life (OSL) seeks to create a dynamic and healthy learning environment to fulfill the GUST experience. OSL optimizes students’ social brilliance skills and talents, professional experiences and leaning beyond the academic settings. We aim to build GUSTs youth for the future.
Mission:
The Office of Student Life seeks to create a dynamic environment to get the GUST experience. It provides students’ centered services, programs and experiences through exposing the students to out of the classroom learning opportunities, engaging them in different events and activities internally and externally, locally and internationally. The OSL collaborates with the students to foster a diverse and energetic campus life in order to support the educational and developmental goals, enhance the skills, interests, professional experiences, leadership skills, and learning beyond the academic settings. The OSL is committed to improve the student’s social intelligence and steers them towards a promising future and a successful career. Students are valuable assets, leaders of the future, citizens of the community and the tools to a brighter future.
New Students Orientation
The Student Life Office is tasked to prepare an orientation day to welcome the new students at the beginning of each academic year. This event is to help facilitate the student’s transition to university life through conducting introductory sessions, Q & A with the vice presidents, deans of colleges and heads of departments and other related programs.
OSL Campaigns
Motivational campaigns:
OSL conducts motivational campaigns annually to address the student’s ethical values and morale to lead a healthy social life. We aim to give back to the community and strive to create better citizens in our society. The values will be as follow:
• GUST Stars: Gust students who are gifted, determined to reach the top with dedication and persistence.
• GUST Giving: about being kind, charitable, helpful, volunteering, selfless acts and giving.
• GUST Love’s Kuwait: how can we be the ideal citizens to present our country proudly.
• GUST Drive: This will revolve around the code of conduct while driving to and from GUST, supports the traffic law system, expressing appreciations to the officers of law.
GUSTIVITY (G+):
OSL has launched its GUSTIVITY (G+) Campaign all over the university campus in a collaboration with Alnowair. The campaign’s main goal is to promote and spread positivity across the university campus.
The campaign is a yearlong initiative that will focus on specific forms of positivity throughout the year.
The campaign teaser which launched last week was a series of small gifts from the various shops and eating establishments across campus where random students, staff and faculty won free items over the week.
Initiative driven to spread a positive attitude at GUST through passion, simplicity, meaningful ideas and exercises to create a more positive environment where we help GUST students discover their inner positivity and set a benchmark for other educational institutions in Kuwait. This can also equip GUST students with various tools and idea that they can use in their personal life .
Students 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 [5].
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
• Islamic Finance Club
• Media Club
• Management Club
• Accounting Club
• Technology Club
• English Club
• Public Relations Club
• Debate Club
• Foundation Club
• The Human Development Club
• Human Rights Club
• Music Club
• Ruwwad Business Club
• Bayan Cultural Club
• Marketing Club
• Economics Club
Students Employment
The Office of Student Life has successfully hired 33 students in Fall semester, 38 students in Spring semester and 25 students in Summer semester of the year 2020-2021, the pie chart below shows the distribution of students/positions
71% of female students participation in women’s mentoring schemes
The ratio of female/male student participation in mentoring schemes is 71% female to 29% male. They are distributed into several categories as show in the figure below (Admin assistants, Note Takers…)
The distribution of students/positions :
Female/Male student employment ratio
Community Service Program
The OSL has just started conducting trips to different places in Kuwait on different occasions to help enforce the definition of -giving back to the community- and strengthen the student’s relations with the society.
1.Bayan club
Topics |
Description |
Date |
Time |
PLATFORM |
Others |
ST BAYAN podcast 1 episode “Truth” |
Bayan’s first monthly podcast that covers many topics about the student’s life |
21/10/2020 |
-- |
Social Media Applications, YouTube and Bayan’s Website |
Random events And activities. |
CAP Diwaneyah |
This Diwaneyah focused on poetry, as everyone who writes poems both in English and Arabic, or enjoys performing were welcomed to join. |
28/10/2020 |
7:00 pm |
Zoom |
Random events And activities |
Movie discussion: inception
|
This was a discussion on a movie titled “Inception”. |
4/11/2020 |
8: 00 pm |
Zoom Meeting ID: 988 9643
|
Seminar |
prostate cancer awareness |
The club gave out vouchers to all students, on the occasion of prostate cancer awareness month. The vouchers are from” Top Clean Q8”, which is a cars wash company based in Kuwait. |
8/11/2020 |
-- |
By Email |
Distributions |
CAP Diwaneyah |
This Diwaneyah focused on prose, as all students who write stories, novellas, or any other genre of prose were welcomed to join and share their works. |
11/11/2020 |
7:00 pm |
Zoom Meeting ID: 981 2964 3645 |
Random events And activities |
Ink drawing |
The workshop presenter was Mr.Omar Abdullah, the students were taught how to draw using ink, and they were trained to use different techniques and tools that can enhance their skills. |
9/11/2020 |
6:00pm |
Zoom |
Workshop |
Open discussion
|
All GUST's clubs were invited to discuss a very important topic: how would they define themselves as students, what are their dreams, and how to overcome the difficulties. |
18/11/2020 |
8:00 pm |
Zoom |
Random events And activities. |
CAP Diwaneyah |
This Diwaneyah focused on art, as all talented students were welcomed to share their works. |
25/11/2020 |
7:00 pm |
Zoom |
Random events And activities |
Book discussion: كتاب في بيوت الآخرين للكاتبة ريم الهاجري
|
Students were invited to discuss a book titled ، في بيوت الآخرين written by a Kuwaiti author Reem Al-Hajri in 2018. |
2/12/2020 |
8:00 PM |
Zoom |
Random events And activities |
CAP Diwaneyah For photography
|
This Diwaneyah focused on photography. It was aimed to support all students by having an informal discussion, as all photographers and |
9/12/2020 |
7:00 PM |
ZOOM |
Random events And activities |
|
videographers were welcomed to display their works. |
|
|
|
|
Competitions for students |
Students were asked to follow Bayan Instagram account and mention two of their friends, and the winners were selected randomly. Also, another draw was made particularly for Bayan Club members. |
6/12/2020 |
|
|
Random events And activities |
Bayan Exhibition
|
It included art Gallery , Poetry night, a seminar that discussed the way art affects our relationships with others, and a competition. |
16/12/2020 |
All day |
(BCC’s Website)
Zoom |
Random events And activities
Seminar |
Topics |
Description |
Date |
Time |
PLATFORM |
Others |
BCC podcast (second episode). |
This episode tried to explore reality. Since Technology has become part of everyone's life, the episode analyzed this fact, and linked it to our reality; how to define truth in today's life, and can Technology change the way people act and react, and most importantly; how can online users be defined. |
23/12/2020 |
-- |
all platforms. |
Random events And activities
|
Passion: from a different perspective. |
Seminar with GUST graduate (Abdullah Al- Baqshi), his major is accounting, but he works as a photographer, and he is a founder of two businesses related to photography. |
30/12/3030 |
8:00 pm |
Instagram live: @BCCGUST |
Seminar |
Movie discussion [Coco]
|
Students and members discussed a movie titled “Coco”. |
9/1/2021 |
7:00 pm |
Instagram live: @BCCGUST |
Random events And activities |
Introduction to filmmaking [free workshop]
|
Filmmakers workshop was free of charge as it aimed to provide students with the basics of filmmaking, and the attendees got verified certificates after attending it. |
6/1/2021 |
7:00 pm |
Microsoft teams
|
Workshop |
Certified media expert program
|
This program was in collaboration with the integrated media academy in Kuwait; the club gave two tickets for MCM students to attend the program, In addition to offering 25% discount on the same program for other students. |
10/1/2020
21/1/2020 |
-- |
zoom cloud meetings. It is organized by the integrated media academy
|
collaboration with the integrated media academy |
Literature vs truth |
This seminar was presented by Mr. Ibraheem Farghali who is a famous author and journalist, the seminar discussed literature, how to define it, and what is the meaning of truth, and how to evaluate books and articles.
|
13/1/2021 |
8:00 pm |
Instagram live @BCCGUST
|
Seminar |
BCC entertainment festival |
The presenter was: Mr. Saud Al-Fayyadh. It included different competitions, and the prizes that were given during the festival were around 350 prizes. |
20/1/2021 |
9:00 pm |
Instagram live @BCCGUST
|
Random events And activities |
Build your future |
workshop Presenter: Dr.Ahmad Rajab (Professor at GUST). .Trainer: Mr.Jack Montgomery , the students were taught how to write their resumes, how to use literature as a technique to make it attractive, and what can be done to enhance the resume. |
18/1/2021 |
8:00 pm |
Microsoft teams |
Workshop |
Supporting our talented students. |
The club talked about each talent on social media during the three months of the semester. |
Spring semester |
|
social media accounts |
Random events And activities |
organize a competition |
The club organized a competition and the prizes were free meals. |
6/3/2021 |
-- |
Post |
Random events And activities |
The portray of women in Nizar Qabbani‘s poetry. |
On the occasion of women international day, a seminar was organized to help the students enhance their skills towards analyzing and critical thinking of peotry. |
8/3/2021 |
8:00 pm |
Microsoft teams |
Seminar |
The other side of products |
A seminar by a Guest: Abdulsalam Al-hajri. It talked about the products we consume, who produces them, what are the stories behind them, how to make the audience attached to them. |
10/3/2021 |
8:00 pm |
Instagram live |
Seminar |
Topics |
Description |
Date |
Time |
PLATFORM |
Others |
BCC Podcast, s2, e1 — do you exist |
This episode aimed to explore the hidden aspects of people, and a lot of questions were asked that can make the listener wonder; as a person, how would you define yourself?, why “sometimes” we behave in certain ways, and what are the hidden parts behind all the actions. |
13/3/2021 |
All day |
All platforms |
Random events And activities |
What you don’t know about success |
A seminar that aimed to motivate students and provide them with successful stories, both the club advisor and members asked each other questions, and told the audience about their successful experiences, in order to help the students succeed in life. |
20/3/2021 |
8:00 pm |
live |
Seminar |
labor law, private sector, termination of contract. |
A workshop with Dr. Ahmad Rajab, This workshop aimed to help the students to become aware of the workplace, the termination of contract, and the labor law in Kuwait “in general”, in order to be aware of their rights, and be prepared for future. |
17/3/2021 |
8:00pm |
Microsoft teams |
Workshop |
cultural voice of youth. |
A seminar with guest: Mohammed Al-Mutawa, this seminar aimed to explore the cultural organizations in Kuwait, in order to make our students aware of this movement, its challenges, how to establish a cultural organization, and how to succeed. |
15/3/2021 |
8:00 pm |
live |
Seminar |
BCC Manshour [First article] |
In the first article, we discussed the difference between equality and justice; what are the concepts and the basics of each one, and when we should talk about justice and when we should talk about equality. |
20/3/2021 |
5:00 pm |
BCC website. |
Random events And activities |
Movie discussion [shutter Island]
|
This discussion aimed to enhance the students’ skills and teaches them how to analyze objectively, as a movie titled Shutter Island was discussed. |
22/3/2021 |
8:00 pm |
Live @bccgust
|
Random events And activities |
Watercolor workshop
|
workshop aimed to introduce the students to a new technique of art (watercolor) and the attendees got a certificate from the trainer in return.
|
24/3/2021 |
8:00 PM |
Microsoft teams
|
Workshop |
Talented Program |
Support our talented GUSTers on a monthly basis. |
27/3/2021 |
05:00 PM |
Post |
Program |
Reading clubs in Kuwait |
Seminar by Mr. Saliman Al Abdelhady that discussed the reading clubs in Kuwait, current challenges, and how to launch them. |
29/3/2021 |
08:00 PM |
Post |
Seminar |
Ministry of youth and the excellence and creativity award |
The seminar aimed to highlight the role of the ministry of youth and supporting youth. Taking into consideration that Mr. Al-Khonaini has been recently awarded the Kuwait award for Excellence and creativity for digital media by the Ministry of Youth Affairs in Kuwait on the 16th of March 2021. |
31/03/2021 |
08:00 PM |
Instagram Live @bccgust |
Seminar |
Competition |
It’s an entertaining competition for all the students and there were 2 winners that were selected randomly. |
03/04/2021 |
05:00 PM |
Instagram Post |
Competition |
Online Learning |
Dr. Osama Al Falah discussed the concept of moving from campus to online learning. |
05/04/2021 |
08:00 PM |
Clubhouse |
Discussion |
Art Discussion |
This was an open discussion, and gave our members and all other students who were interested in art to share their views about how to link art to reality, give it value, and most importantly; how to create original characters that would be able to convey messages through the artworks. |
07/04/2021 |
08:00 PM |
Clubhouse |
Discussion |
BCC podcast [second episode]: others |
This episode aimed to discuss the opinions of others, how to accept them and respect them, no matter what your opinion is! |
10/04/2021 |
05:00 PM |
YouTube |
Podcast |
Seminar |
This seminar aimed to discuss the art, from the artists‘ perspective, how would they view, define, and express art. Guest Speaker: Mr. Ahmed muqeem. |
11/04/2021 |
08:00 PM |
live @BCCGUST |
Seminar |
Competition |
This competition lasted for 30 days. Our Ramadan competition was under the title of: Ramadan with Bayan. It included daily questions, and 3 winners were selected daily. |
13/04/2021 until 12/05/2021
During Ramadan |
-- |
Instagram post @BCCGUST |
Competition |
Topics |
Description |
Date |
Time |
PLATFORM |
Others |
Interview |
Dr. Chay is a scholar from Singapore, and someone who’s interested and has admiration for Kuwait and its culture, which is presented through its literature, drama, TV shows, cinema, and so on. So the club conducted an interview with him. |
21/04/2021 |
09:00 PM |
Instagram live @BCCGUST |
Interview |
Seminar |
A seminar by Mr. Mohammad Al-Zayed that discussed the effects of podcasts, since it’s a trendy tool and he is the founder of Mahfoof podcast. |
19/04/2021 |
10:00 PM |
Instagram live @BCCGUST |
Seminar |
Drama in Kuwait |
A discussion by club members, and invited students to attend and share their opinions about drama in media such as series, TV shows, and the role of it in Kuwait’s culture. |
26/04/2021 |
10:00 PM |
Microsoft teams |
Discussion |
Professional linked in profile |
Presenter: DR. Karim Ibrahim. The aim of conducting this workshop was to help students know more about LinkedIn which would help them in future and to get better chances. |
28/04/2021 |
01:00 PM |
Microsoft teams |
Workshop |
Book discussion: The Alchemist |
This discussion explored the book and gave all students the chance to share their views, as the discussion was moderated by our members. |
3/5/2021 |
10:00 PM |
Clubhouse |
Discussion |
Life Skills |
this discussion aimed to give some of our honor students the opportunity to share and talk about some skills; such as writing professional emails to profs, taking notes, time management, and other stuff. |
5/5/2021 |
10:00PM |
Microsoft Teams |
discussion |
Entertaining competition |
It was an entertaining competition, that was sponsored by an application called Walsos. Will last for one month, the rules were: following BBC page and also following the sponsor ‘s page, while downloading the application. After That, a withdrawal took place, and one winner was picked, and the prize was a gold bar. |
2/5/2021 |
8:00PM |
|
Competition |
Talented students program.
|
The club talked about each talent on social media during the three months of the semester. |
2021-05-08 |
10 PM |
Instagram: @BCCGUST |
Post |
Cinema and youth. |
Guest: Mr. Hamad Al-Sarraf. The seminar aimed to look at the cinema from the youth’s perspective of; how they perceive it, what is the role of cinema in Kuwait. |
2021-05-10 |
10 PM |
Instagram live: @BCCGUST |
Seminar |
Discount for GUST students |
Provided the students with a discount to order from the store. |
2021-05-09 |
10 PM |
Instagram: @BCCGUST |
Post |
Talented students program: Third Talent |
The club talked about each talent on social media during the three months of the semester. |
2021-05-17 |
5 PM |
Instagram: @BCCGUST |
Post |
Discount |
Provided the students with a discount to order from the store. |
2021-05-17 |
8 PM |
Instagram: @BCCGUST |
Post |
Seminar: Digitalization of life |
This seminar aimed to look at cryptocurrencies from a cultural perspective, what would happen, and how all this would change our culture. |
2021-05-18 |
8 PM |
Instagram live @BCCGUST |
Seminar |
Open Discussion: Reading in Palestinian Literature |
this discussion explored Palestinian literature, its themes, as well as its characteristics. |
22-5-2021 |
8 PM |
Clubhouse |
Discussion |
|
SUMMER |
|
|
|
|
Landing on your dream job |
This seminar was with Dr. Ahmad Rajab to help new graduates finding suitable jobs considering the pandemic and its impact on technology. |
2021 – 7 - 12 |
8 PM |
MS Teams |
Seminar |
English Club
Topics |
Description |
Date |
Time |
PLATFORM |
Others |
Passion to Profession
|
This seminar was By Ms. Liane Al-Ghusain and it talked about:
|
24/11/2020 |
5 PM |
instagram (@engl_gust)
|
Seminar |
Short Story Writing Competition |
The competition was open to the entire student body at GUST to promote interest in literature and writing. |
29/11/2020 |
-- |
(@engl_gust) / Instagram Post |
Random events And activities |
Poetry During Quarantine
|
Virtual Poetry During Quarantine Night Performances that included both English and Arabic poetry, Participation for the event included both students from GUST, and nonGUST students. |
17/12/2020 |
5:00 PM |
(@engl_gust) / Instagram LIVE |
Random events And activities |
Truth Within Fiction |
This seminar was with the writer and academic Ms.Layla AlAmmar to speak to the student body about writing and her journey with it, these topics were discussed:
|
7/1/2021 |
5:00 PM |
(@engl_gust) / Instagram LIVE |
Seminar |
Pandemic Schooling: a New Chapter in Academia. |
The seminar was by Dr.Florentina Halimi about students' emotional engagement and motivation during the life of the pandemic. The following topics were discussed: • An Introduction to Motivation and Student Engagement • A general appraisal of the status quo of the education field; specifically, with regards to student motivation |
25/3/2021 |
4:00 PM |
Instagram Live @engl_gust |
Seminar |
|
and the resultant performance at schools and universities. • The effects of the pandemic and online learning on education and motivation for students in the past year. • Tips on how to help students become more motivated to better their performance. |
|
|
|
|
Poetry Competition |
The poetry competition focused on themes surrounding Ramadan and the format was similar to most of the competitions we’ve held prior. Registration for the competition will be |
10/04/2021 |
-- |
Instagram post @engl_gust |
Competition |
The Epic of Comic Book Heroes |
The seminar was with Ahmed Al-Ameen, a very accomplished graphic novelist and author of “The Epics of Enkidu” which is a superhero comic which is a sequel to The Epic of Gilgamesh with an autistic main character as its superhero. • |
2021-05-27 |
07:00 PM |
Instagram Live |
Seminar |
Movie Night |
The English Club hosted a Movie Night for students over Netflix Party as the club screened a literary themed movie and held a discussion about the movie. |
2021-06-03 |
7:00- 9:00 pm |
Netflix Party |
Movie Night |
Anime Club
Topics |
Description |
Date |
Time |
PLATFORM |
Others |
Fifa Gaming Tournament
|
collaboration event with “Strikers Sports” company FIFA 2020, that tournament was about GUST students competing against each other to try to see who the best FIFA gamer is. |
17/11/2020 |
12:00 pm |
|
Virtual random events |
Anime Art Contest |
art contest is to draw your favorite childhood anime. |
12/12/2020 |
All day |
Post Instagram @gustanimeclub
|
Virtual random events |
Seminar |
Seminar by Mr. Bader AlFailakawi that discussed Japan’s education system and how did it helps fixing its economy. |
08/04/2021 |
07:00 PM |
Instagram live @animeclub_gust
|
Seminar |
Giveaways |
A Funkopop giveaway with @q8_toys on Instagram, as a question was posted on Instagram and a draw was conducted to determine the winners. |
13/04/2021 |
One day |
Post Instagram |
random events |
Technology Club
Marketing Club
Islamic Finance Club
Human Rights Club
Economy Club
Public Relations Club
Music Club
Ruwwad Club
The One Stop Students Services Center
Gulf University of Science and Technology have a highly specialized department called the One Stop Student Services Center (OSC) .
OSC provide services to all students regardless of color, gender, social background, nationality, disability or any other factor including students from underrepresented groups.
The following services are provided for the documented students registered at the disability services center:
• Proctoring exams outside the classroom
• Extended time during exams/quizzes
• Orally administered exams
• Note taking services
• Use of a tape recorder during class
• Special materials for classroom
• Parking
COUNSELING
Counseling Center provides individual and group counseling to students facing various Psychological and emotional challenges affecting their performance. The students learn various life – skills to overcome their psychological distress and perform to their full potential. They are referred by HOD, Instructors, Coordinators and Parents. Self – referred students are also welcomed .
Individual as well as group counseling services are offered to all undergraduate students by professional and certified counselor. Students encounter numerous obstacles during their University lives, such difficulties could be related to academics, domestic concerns and other social factors. The role of the counselor is to help students overcome emotional or psychological distress, achieve their full academic and personal potential and develop life – long skills. The counseling is also offered to support staff & parents related to the students referred. Healthy-living workshops are offered on Mental Health issues, Stress Management and various effective life-skills.
The counselor
Dr. Fejer AlMajed is a doctor turned psychotherapist with a medical degree and clinical doctorate from the University of Aberdeen and University of Edinburgh. She has worked extensively in hospitals, polyclinics and private counselling agencies in both Scotland and Kuwait. She is also passionate about mental health community involvement and believes in the social impact of mental health awareness.
Services
• Counseling: Individual and Group
• Short-term counseling for such matters as: anxiety, depression, loneliness, identity confusion, stress management, time management, eating disorders, alcohol/drug use/abuse, relationship concerns, grief and loss, family stress, sexual orientation, college-related transition, developmental issues, and personal growth and development.
• Assistance for students who have been diagnosed with one or more long-term psychiatric conditions for referrals to off-campus resources, work on time-limited focused goals, and crisis.
• Crisis intervention.
• Assessment and referral community resources, particularly for students who’s presenting concerns are beyond Counseling Services’ scope of practice.
• Mental health consultation, education, and outreach programs for students, faculty, and staff.
• Consultation and information to students, staff, parents and management.
• Provision of skills and coping techniques which can be used throughout a student's academic and future career.
• Provide workshops for students & Staff on Mental health issues
COUNSELING SESSIONS
Scheduling an Appointment
• GUST undergraduate students may make appointments to see the counselor by going to the OSC / Counseling Center. Students are required to give a name, Student ID no., contact phone number, and contact e-mail address. Students and the counselor with whom the appointment is made will receive an immediate confirmation e-mail of the appointment once the process is completed.
• Generally, Counseling Center is open Sunday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 3:00 PM from the arrival of students for the September semester until the end of Summer Semester. There are no scheduled walk-in hours. Appointments are recommended for all counseling sessions to be sure the counselor is available.
• The staff/faculty member will also contact the counseling area, send an email, or stop by the counselor’s office to provide further information. The staff/faculty member informs the counselor if the report is for information only, the student will self-report, or if the counselor needs to insist on a meeting with the student. The counselor may follow up with the faculty/staff member to report if the student came to a session, or if the faculty/staff member is not sure how to interact with the student.
• Contacting the Student: The counselor uses home and mobile phone numbers, GUST email system, and/or text messaging to set initial and follow up sessions with students who have been referred to counseling or who have requested the services. If the reporting person and/or the counselor feel that it is urgent for the counselor to meet with the student immediately, the counselor can go to the office of the reporting staff/faculty member to meet the student. Once the student is contacted, a meeting is set-up and documented with the Counselor.
• Each session is of 45-60 minutes and is pre-scheduled with the consent of the student, taking his /her academic schedule in account
Duration
• Each session is of 45-60 minutes on weekly basis.
Assessments
The diagnosis and therapy depend on the clinical observation, the information presented by the students/instructors/parents and formal assessments.
All standardized tests are used to assess the emotional and psychological problems. The assessment results are interpreted and explained to the students concerned.
BDI: Beck Depression Inventory
BAI: Beck Anxiety Inventory
BHS: Beck Hopelessness Scale
SCL-90 - Symptom Checklist 90-R
Self -Evaluation : the Glazer - Stress control Life Style Questionnaire
The Rosenberg Self- Esteem Scale
SAD: Suicidal Assessment
SCID-II for Axis II disorders
CAS - Clinical Anger Scale
Progress Notes
Progress notes will be completed within 24 hours of services. Progress notes will include subjective and objective observations, assessment of need, therapeutic techniques used during the session, and a plan for future services. Progress notes do not include any personal information of the client. They hold the file no and session no.
Filling system
Documentation of Services and Clinical Files
• All counseling services provided to GUST undergraduate students is documented in student counseling files which are kept strictly confidential in the Counseling Center. All “hard copy” documentation of services and other confidential information is kept in filing cabinets in a safe place. No student files is removed from the premises, unless required by a court order or some other extraordinary circumstance.
• Students completes the New Client Information Sheet at the time of their first session each academic year.
• Students reads the Consent for Services form and if in agreement, signs and date the form at the time of their first session.(remove that)
• Progress notes will be completed within 24 hours of services. Progress notes will include subjective and objective observations, assessment of need, therapeutic techniques used during the session, and a plan for future services.
• Missed, canceled, or rescheduled appointments require a brief note by the counselor indicating what occurred. If a counselor sends a student a letter or e-mail relating to the appointment, a copy of the correspondence may substitute for the note documenting the missed, canceled, or rescheduled appointment.
• Documentation of emergency or other services provided after regular working hours (including any services or consultations accessed by means of the emergency cell phone) is completed as soon as practically possible, using the “Progress Note” form. The original form is kept in the student’s counseling file (if applicable).
• Documentation of any student’s permission to release confidential information is made using Counseling Center release form. The original is kept in the student’s counseling file.
• Copies of any correspondence (including e-mail messages) with or about clients is included in student counseling files.
OSC Team
THE OSC Team at GUST is comprised of only female professional specialists and advisors .