KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah is pictured with Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) top officials and winners. — Amiri Diwan photos

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday patronized award distribution ceremony held by Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) for winners in 2014 and 2015.

At onset of the event, His Highness the Amir was welcomed at the venue, Salwa Al-Sabah Hall, by KFAS General Director Dr Adnan Ahmad Shehabeddine and board members. Attending were His Highness the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Al-Ghanem, senior Sheikhs, His Highness Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Acting Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Sheikh Mohammad Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah and senior State officials.

The ceremony got underway with the National Anthem, followed by Koranic verses, then screening of documentary about the foundation achievements and later a statement by the general director, expressing gratitude to His Highness the Amir for his sponsorship of the event, boasting that KFAS, founded 36 years ago, has honored up to 106 Arab and Kuwaiti scientists.

And, 25 years after launching the "science innovation" award, the foundation "boasts that it has honored 145 Kuwaiti researchers encouraging them to devote their full time to research, studies, composition and translation. "On behalf of the foundation and its board, I express deep congratulations to the winners of the award for the years 2014 and 2015."

Private sector

"KFAS has always prioritized the country's private sector and has introduced various initiatives aimed at assisting young entrepreneurs to hone their skills. It is through such initiatives that we hope to motivate the youth so that they can represent our nation in international arenas," he said.

As part of efforts of disseminating knowledge, KFAS has financed and endorsed various research in numerous fields, he added. KFAS has also put together more than 50 educational events in Kuwait and helped patronize around 150 researchers to take part in international conferences and events.

KFAS also publishes an informative magazine that contains the latest research and breakthroughs in numerous fields of science, he pointed out. "This year was a stellar year in terms of scientific advancement in the country. Scientific institutions affiliated with KFAS have recorded around 90 new scientific inventions," he said.

Kuwait's Scientific Center now boasts more than 8 million visitors while medical institutions associated with KFAS have made strides with the help of regional and international partners, the KFAS chief added. "All the progress made would not have been possible without our international partners, with whom we have developed a partnership that strives for scientific excellence," he said.

The KFAS is also in the process of developing strategic plans to introduce new measures aimed at bolstering the capacity of scientific production in the country, he noted. KFAS is certainly on its way to becoming a regional hub of scientific research and advancement.

As KFAS celebrates the 40th anniversary of its inception, Shehabeddine pledged that KFAS "will continue to encourage the youth to pursue education at all costs." Calling them "the pillars of our nation," the KFAS General Director highlighted the importance of youth contributions to society.

Pursuing excellence

Renowned college professor Mahdi Arar joined the festivities Wednesday during the award distribution ceremony. Speaking to the audience, Arar congratulated the winners of the KFAS awards, expressing gratitude for the Kuwaiti leadership and KFAS for organizing an "event of academic prominence." "We gather here today to honor a group of talented scientists who have claimed the prestigious KFAS award for the 2014/2015 term. Nine of those honored today are Arabs who have devoted their lives to pursue excellence in their chosen fields.

"The awards given here are tokens of appreciation for the tremendous work put forth by these researchers and scientists," he said. "A total of ten standouts will be honored here with an award that aims to encourage the pursuit of education and knowledge. We congratulate the recipients of the awards and KFAS for promoting education and science," he added. Wishing KFAS more prosperity and success, Arar called Kuwait "a regional hub of scientific advancement and power." - KUNA