Category: RECORDS IN GCC

SAUDI ARABIA: Community Heroes Honored at the ’10th Princess Seetah bint Abdulaziz Awards 2022′ Ceremony for ‘Creativity and Innovation in Social Work’

Fourteen Saudi individuals and two organizations were honored at the 10th Princess Seetah bint Abdulaziz awards for excellence in community upliftment work in Riyadh.

This year’s event was titled “Creativity and Innovation in Social Work,” which also, for the first time, honored students and principals for their social responsibility initiatives.

Dr. Fahad Al-Maghlouth, secretary-general of the Princess Seetah organization, said the aim of the awards was to “discover talent” as part of the Saudi government’s programs to develop the nation.

Princess Nouf bint Abdullah bin Saud Al-Kabeer Al-Saud, chair of the organization’s executive committee and member of its board of trustees, said that community upliftment projects were essential for a healthy society.

In the category “Responsible Citizenship,” several students were honored.

The winner of the elementary schools’ section was student Ayed Al-Ruwaili from Turaif in the Northern Borders, followed by Rima Al-Faris from Riyadh in second, and Hisham Al-Maarafi from Madinah in third.

The middle school winners were Sally Al-Harbi from Qassim in first place, followed by Adeeb Khadawardi from Makkah and Noura Al-Wadi’i from Jazan.

The high school winners were Samira Al-Maghlouth from the Eastern Province, Hanadi Karani from Madinah and Amr Al-Baraq from Jazan.

Also for the first time, as part of its “Tanseeq” platform linking government, non-government, non-profit, and private organizations in the field, two community bodies were honored.

The Osraty Association from Madinah and the Tawad Association from Al-Jouf won for their family development and counseling programs.

The winners of the Umm Al-Joud Initiative prize, for innovation in media and education, were also announced.

First place, for creating general awareness of social responsibility needs in society, was Dr. Abdullah Al-Alawai, who had his biggest supporter — his grandmother — take to the stage and accept the award on his behalf.

In second place was Dr. Mushawah Almushawah, who was honored for creating awareness of mental health issues.

In third place was Khattaf Al-Khattaf for highlighting technological and digital communication developments.

In fourth and fifth were Sultan Al-Kulaib for human development awareness, and Majid Al-Ghamdi for social media awareness.

Established in 2012 by royal decree, the Princess Seetah bint Abdulaziz Foundation for Excellence in Social Work encourages and supports community upliftment programs.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Fourteen Saudi individuals and two organizations are honored at the 10th Princess Seetah bint Abdulaziz awards for excellence in community upliftment work. (@seetahaward)

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SAUDI ARABIA

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E) :20 Emirati Female Designers Grab Attention at the Golden Jubilee of the ’50th Watch & Jewellery Middle East Show ‘ 2022 (WJMES)

-With more than 900 renowned local and global brands taking part at the 50th (golden jubilee) edition of the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show (WJMES), which continues until October 9 at Expo Centre Sharjah, 20 Emirati female designers managed to attract the visitors’ attention to the Emirati Jewellers platform, launched by Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, with the aim to support young Emirati talents in jewellery designing and spotlight their artistic works at the important event.

Abdallah Sultan Al Owais, Chairman of Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said that supporting Emirati entrepreneurs and talents is one of the main objectives that Sharjah Chamber is working to achieve, and the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show has always been supporting Emirati designers through such initiatives as the Emirati Jewellers platform.

He added that over more than eight editions, the platform has been able to provide an exemplary opportunity for the Emirati designers who wish to enter the world of gold-smithing and jewellery whether in Sharjah or the entire UAE, and it succeeded in attracting talents to the jewellery design and trade sector to develop their crafting and marketing skills.

He pointed out that the platform attracted more than 46 Emirati female designers and sponsored the Qelada project, launched by the Ministry of Community Development, to support female designers of determination.

Al-Owais underlined the participation of the youngest Emirati female jeweller along with many other female designers who presented impressive gold and jewellery designs.

Saif Mohamed Al-Midfa, CEO of Expo Centre Sharjah, underscored the importance of the Emirati Jewellers platform being an annual stimulus that attracts more and more Emirati creators to the world of jewellery design and benefits from the event’s large global participation, which contributes to providing these talents with more experiences to develop their businesses.
One of those talents who caught the attention of visitors was Dr. Abeer Awad.

She said, “My passion for beauty and drawing has driven me to discover this talent, and so have the many talent-fostering government initiatives, the most important of which is the Emirati Jewellers platform, which has been the strongest motivator for me to enhance my talent and start my own project”.

Designer Zahira Ahmed Al Marar pointed out that her participation is the second in this event, and she expressed her pride in taking part in this platform together with a group of Emirati talents who work as one team to brightly represent the UAE in such a global event, stressing that Sharjah Chamber is her first and biggest supporter to be a key participant at the event and show her designs to the whole world.

She expressed her gratitude to the Chamber for the great support and diligent follow-up to ensure the continuity and success of the projects.

Sheikha Al Serkal, in turn, underlined her keenness to participate in the Watch and Jewellery Middle East Show being a key platform to showcase her talent, which is admired by the visitors every year.


Azza Al Jarwan, on the other hand, praised Sharjah Chamber’s fostering of young Emirati jewellery talents and bringing to the fore their artistic works in the most outstanding event of jewellery exhibitions.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E)

UNITED ARAB EMIRATS (U.A.E): DMCC Awarded ‘Global Free Zone of the Year 2022’ for 8th Consecutive Year

DMCC – the world’s flagship Free Zone and Government of Dubai Authority on commodities trade and enterprise – has been named Global Free Zone of the Year 2022 by the Financial Times’ fDi Magazine for the eighth consecutive year.

The award, among the most prestigious of accolades a free zone can earn, is decided by the Financial Times Specialist editorial team and a panel of independent judges against a comprehensive set of criteria and a review of the free zones’ ecosystems.

The methodology focuses on metrics that demonstrate core growth of the free zones, both in terms of the increase in small and large tenants, and how effectively each free zone provides ecosystems and related initiatives that support growth, business and marketing strategy, infrastructure improvements, COVID-response and promotion of sustainability.

Reflecting the leading business district and trade hub that DMCC has created for businesses of all sizes, as well as its central focus on sustainability and social impact, DMCC also received: Large Tenant Free Zone of the Year – Global; Large Tenant Free Zone of the year – Middle East; Middle East Free Zone of the Year; SME Free Zone of the Year – Middle East; Excellence Award for ESG Practices – Global; and Excellence Award for Infrastructure Development – Global.

Ahmed bin Sulayem, Executive Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, DMCC, said, “Since DMCC was established in 2002, we have had two core goals – create a global gateway for trade, and comprehensively enhance the ease of doing business for our member companies. This simple yet critical strategy has underpinned our exceptional growth and is why our business district is now home to over 21,000 global businesses of all sizes and sectors.

“As we continue to accelerate our growth and break performance records across all our business verticals, I would like to thank Financial Times’ fDI Magazine for once again recognising DMCC’s achievements on the global stage.”

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E.)

QATAR: Qatar Foundation’s ‘Showtime!’ wins Two Awards at Cannes Film Festival

The film’s soundtrack was provided by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra, a member of Qatar Foundation.

Qatar Foundation’s musical theatre film ‘Showtime!’ won two awards at the Cannes International Film Festival in the categories of social media and short films.

‘Showtime!’ also won an award from Ofcom in London in the categories of cinematography, sound, and directing as well as a prize at the New York Festival for short films.

Established by Qatar Foundation, the initiative is rooted in the very fact that there is a vacuum in drama and musical programmes in Qatar Foundation schools. This prompted Qatar Foundation to embark on a musical theatre teaching process for students of all ages across Qatar.

The purpose of the show is to promote creativity in the field of performing arts and cultivate a culture of theatrical and musical performances in pre-university schools in the foundation.

Within a year, the project was ready to be showcased before the world, however, the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic hampered its smooth execution.

Qatar Foundation along with the help of The Edge Picture Company, took the stage to streets and filmed choreographed musical performances and successfully broadcasted it online.

The musical elements were led by West End choreographer Christopher Piper, and father and daughter team Steve Griffith as musical director, Jane Griffith as choreographer along with international Film Director Andrew Lancaster.

The creative team was led by 20 crew members and a cast of 55, occupied entirely by Qatar Foundation school staff and pupils with ages ranging from seven to 55 years old. It was considered the first musical theatre experience for many of the cast members.

Some of the locations utilised for the filming process included Qatar National Convention Centre, Qatar Science and Technology Park, Ceremonial Court, Oxygen Park, and Qatar National Library in Education City.

Other acknowledgements

The Doha Film Institute (DFI)-granted movie ‘Cotton Queen’ by Qatar-based Sudanese filmmaker Suzannah Mirghani claimed the ArteKino Award at Cannes Film Festival’s L’Atelier 2022.

In this arm, 16 directors whose projects bear a promising production are invited to the Festival de Cannes. Along with their producers, the directors are presented with the opportunity to meet potential partners, which acts as a key step in finalising their project and starting the making of their film.

In an Instagram story posted by DFI, Mirghani said, “This is my very first feature, thank you for taking a risk on me, thank you for taking a risk on Sudan. We do not have many films from Sudan as you know, you can count them on two hands in the history of Sudanese film and fiction feature films.”

“And those made by women, zero. Thank you for supporting us.”

source/content: dohanews.co (headline edited/ pix: qatarliving.com

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pix: qatarliving.com

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QATAR

SAUDI ARABIA: The ‘Outlet 2022 Shopping Festival’ sets New Guinness World Record as the ‘Largest Pop-Outlet Center’

The festival includes 3 million items manufactured by more than 1,500 international brands.

The Outlet 2022 shopping festival, being organized by the General Entertainment Authority, has won Guinness World Records recognition as the largest pop-outlet center.

Covering an area of 146,623 square meters, festival activities started on Saturday in Riyadh. It includes 3 million items, manufactured by more than 1,500 international brands, and discounts of up to 70 percent on fashion, accessories, and cosmetic products designed by international experts.

Farah Ahmed, who lives in Al-Rehab neighborhood where the outlet is located, described it as “impressive,” while Mohammed Al-Bugami, a Saudi private-sector employee, praised the “top organization” he witnessed on the first day.

“I have no words to describe how great and well-organized this festival is. I would like to thank the organizers for their efforts in making this shopping festival a reality,” he said.

Entry to the festival is free and outlet sections include home accessories, leather-made items, bridal gowns, suitcases, and electronics.

The fashion section includes products by names such as Zara, Massimo Dutti, GAP, Ralph Lauren, Diesel, Lacoste, Roberto Cavalli, Versace, and Mango. Additionally, visitors can choose between various sports shoe brands, including Adidas, Puma, and Nike.

GEA chairman, Turki Al-Asheikh, thanked Kuwaiti actresses Hayat Al-Fahad and Suad Abdullah, and Saudi actor Bashir Al-Ghunaim for taking part in the official festival promo that gained millions of views.

The GEA aims to encourage private-sector organizations to develop entertainment activities in the Kingdom. It was established in line with Saudi Vision 2030 to organize and develop the entertainment sector in the country and provide options and entertainment opportunities for all segments of society.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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The “Outlet 2022” shopping festival, being organized by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), has won Guinness World Records recognition. (Supplied)

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SAUDI ARABIA

BAHRAIN: Tala Bashmi, the Only Arab on Madrid’s The Best Chef Awards list 2022

Tala Bashmi is in good company.

Massimo Bottura, Niko Romito, Yannick Alleno, Heston Blumenthal, Clare Smyth and Anne-Sophie Pic are the big culinary names she’s ranked alongside on the top 100 list for this year’s The Best Chef Awards.

The Bahraini chef, who last year won the first Middle East & North Africa’s Best Female Chef Award, was at the awards ceremony in Madrid earlier this week.

“The people on this list are actual living legends in the culinary field, so for me to be on it at all is amazing,” she tells The National.

“What I’m currently doing is trying to put Middle Eastern cuisine on a global scale, so for me to be the only Arab on this list means I’m taking one step forward to doing that and to give our cuisine its moment in the spotlight and its culinary renaissance.”

Not only is Bashmi the only Arab, she’s also one of only 18 women who have made it on to this list of 100 culinary talents across the globe.

She ranked 93rd, but says the number didn’t “really matter” to her. “Going into this, I had no idea if I was going to make this list,” she says. “I’m from a small island that doesn’t get much exposure, so for me to get this is amazing.”

At the event, which was held at the Crystal Gallery of the Palacio de Cibeles, in Spain’s capital, she met some of her all-time heroes. This includes Andoni Luis Aduriz, a Spanish chef who ranked number five and picked up the award for The Best Science Chef Award. Bashmi describes him as “humble, down to earth and very focused on what matters in this industry rather than distractions around, which I really admire”.

Spain’s Dabiz Munoz picked up the top accolade of The Best Chef for a second consecutive year for his work at DiverXO restaurant in Madrid. Noma’s Rene Redzepi came second, while Spain’s Joan Roca i Fontane rounded out the top three.

Bashmi, who heads The Gulf Hotel Bahrain’s well-regarded restaurant Fusions by Tala, is no stranger to culinary accolades, having picked up her award for Best Female Chef in the region in Abu Dhabi this February. Her restaurant also ranked 39th on the first list of Mena’s 50 Best Restaurants.

She inherited an interest in cuisine and cultural identity from her father through his in-depth knowledge of the ingredients used. She then used this interest to launch Baked by T, before joining the Culinary Arts Academy in Lucerne, Switzerland.

Staying in the central European country, she had roles at the Grand Hotel Les Trois Rois in Basel and the Michelin-starred restaurant Prisma in Vitznau, where she learnt more about restaurant operations, as well as working in fast-paced kitchen environments.

Since returning to the Mena region, Bashmi has competed on MBC’s Top Chef Middle East television show in 2020, where she reached the finals.

In 2017, she took over the helm at Fusions by Tala, where she makes modern interpretations of Bahraini dishes, including the standout bamia, a traditional okra and meat stew, for which she uses Wagyu beef cheek, crispy okra glass and tomato broth rice.

“I try to appeal to every audience from every country, in a sense of bringing them back to a state of nostalgia,” she has previously said of her approach. Bashmi might do this through any of our senses, such as when she adds a campfire aroma to the Saudi-Bahraini dessert aseeda to evoke memories of camping, whether in the desert or the forest.

“I feel like this is still the beginning for me,” she says of her latest achievement. “People haven’t seen what came before, what led to today, so every time something is achieved, it’s a new beginning and opens new doors to opportunities I hadn’t even thought of.

“There’s so much more I want to achieve.”

source/content: thenationalnews.com (headline edited)

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pix: thebestchefawards.com

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BAHRAIN

SAUDI ARABIA: Re-elected to the Membership of the Council of International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), Canada

Saudi Arabia was elected to the membership of the Council of the International Civil Aviation Organization until 2025 during voting at the ICAO 41st general assembly in Montreal, Canada.

The Kingdom was re-elected after a voting process with the participation of 193 UN member states.

The council has 36 members, including the US, France, Singapore and the UK, “thus providing a voice to the Arab and Islamic countries,” the Saudi Press Agency reported on Saturday.

Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh bin Nasser Al-Jasser praised the importance of the election for the Kingdom, saying: “Since the establishment of the first airline in 1945, the Kingdom has proven its commitment and tireless work toward the aviation sector, both domestically and internationally.”

He added that the Kingdom is now working in line with the vision of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman by consolidating its global leadership role in the sector.

Al-Jasser said that the election “represents a broad tribute to the tireless efforts being made by the Kingdom to be a center for air linkage between the three continents to achieve the objectives of the national strategy for transport and logistics services.”

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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Saudi Minister of Transport and Logistics Saleh Al-Jasser attends 41st International Civil Aviation Organization General Assembly in Canada. (SPA)

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SAUDI ARABIA

UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E) : Mohammad Al Gergawi announces details of ‘Great Arab Minds’ designed to search for exceptional talents among Arabs

 Mohammad Abdullah Al Gergawi, Minister of Cabinet Affairs, Chairman of the Committee leading Great Arab Minds, and Secretary-General of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global Initiatives (MBRGI), highlighted the details of “The Great Arab Minds” initiative.

Launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister and Ruler of Dubai, in January 2022, the initiative is the Arab world’s largest movement designed to search for exceptional talents among Arab scientists, thinkers, and innovators across key fields.

The Great Arab Minds initiative, under the MBRGI, aims to identify, support and acknowledge leading thinkers in the region, amplify their impact and inspire future generations. One of its main purposes is to reduce the emigration of Arab scientists, specialists, intellectuals, doctors, and engineers.

He affirmed that “The Great Arab Minds” initiative reflect His Highness’ vision in reigniting the Arab World’s Civilisation Drive, support great Arab minds and acknowledge their work and achievements, in service of humanity.

Mohammad Al Gergawi pointed out the importance of the Arab Reading Challenge initiative launched by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, among many other development projects, serving more than 91 million beneficiaries.

A study conducted by KPMG, showed that ignorance costs the Arab world more than US$2 trillion. The Great Arab Minds initiative aims to change this reality and contribute to shaping a brighter future for Arab generations.

During an event organised in the Museum of the Future to announce the details of the initiative, Mohammad Al Gergawi witnessed the signing of four partnerships between “The Great Arab Minds” initiative and KPMG, LinkedIn, Meta, and Majarra.

The initiative’s mission is to search for exceptional talents among Arab scientists, thinkers, and innovators across key fields, aiming to identify, support and acknowledge leading thinkers in the region, amplify their impact and inspire future generations.

Over a 5-year period, “The Great Arab Minds” will reward scientists, thought leaders, scholars, and innovators across 6 categories: Natural Sciences (Physics and Chemistry), Medicine, Literature and Arts, Economics, Technology and Engineering, and Architecture & Design.

The initiative includes the “Mohammed bin Rashid Medal for Great Arab Minds”, which will be awarded to 6 winners of six categories each year.

The Great Arab Minds initiative aims to facilitate the recognition of Arab thought leaders, scholars, scientists, geniuses, and transforming their ideas to real-life breakthroughs and solutions. It also aims at empowering cluster of Arab scientists and thinkers and building a network of Arab thinkers, scientists, and exceptional talents in various fields to work as one team to drive the Arab world’s intellectual renaissance.

source/content: wam.ae (headline edited)

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source: youtube.com

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DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES (U.A.E.)

SAUDI ARABIA: Mishaal Ashemimry, First Saudi Woman to be Elected Vice President of the International Astronautical Federation

Saudi engineer Mishaal Ashemimry is the newly elected vice president of the International Astronautical Federation, becoming the first Saudi woman to hold the position after receiving 14 majority votes from international representatives.

Her role as one of the federation’s 12 vice presidents enables her to further the development of the space sector globally and consolidate the direction of the IAF.

As a Saudi woman and the first aerospace engineer in the Gulf Cooperation Council, her position strategically places the Kingdom at the forefront of the industry and highlights the country as a global leader in the field.

Since September 2021, Ashemimry has served as special advisor to the CEO of the Saudi Space Commission Mohammed Al-Tamimi, a position in which she consults on developing a national space strategy, creates and leads space programs, and advises leadership on direction and execution.

Ashemimry was previously a space nuclear technology consultant at the aerospace and defense company Northrop Grumman. She also conducted research funded by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center during her time as a research assistant at the Florida Institute of Technology

At 26 years old, the engineer was also president and CEO of her own aerospace company, MISHAAL Aerospace, established in 2010.

The company developed space rockets, designed and launched its own line of cost-effective rockets titled the “M-rocket” series, completed static tests for hybrid rocket propulsion systems and provided global consultation.

In 2015, Ashemimry won the Inspirational Woman of the Year Award at the Arab Women Awards and in 2018 was awarded for her scientific achievements by King Salman.

She received her bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and aerospace engineering in 2006 and her master’s degree in aerospace engineering in 2007, both from the Florida Institute of technology.

She is a certified Nitrox, rescue and open water diver, a commercial pilot and is trained in real space flight conditions of zero-gravity.

Ashemimry is an expert in aerodynamics, missile and rocket stage separation analysis, vehicle design, wind tunnel testing, simulations and analysis, and computational tool development.

source/content: arabnews.com (headline edited)

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SAUDI ARABIA

KUWAIT: Dr Ammar Bahman and Dr Nasser Al-Sayegh, 2 Kuwaiti Researchers Patent Device That Could Improve Efficiency of Power Plants

After three years of research during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, the Kuwaiti researchers  Ammar Bahman and Nasser Al-Sayegh have come up with an invention that could help reduce energy consumption in power plants.

Bahman is an assistant professor in the department of mechanical engineering at Kuwait University, and Al-Sayegh is an associate research scientist at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research.

Their idea, which has been registered with the U.S. Patent Office, revolves around the creation of a device that can calculate the physical state of nanoparticles dispersed in advanced thermal fluids called nanofluids.

The significance of Bayman and Al-Sayegh’s invention lies in contributing directly to the improvement of thermal systems used in Kuwait for power generation and water desalination. The invention will allow scientists to test the qualities of a nanofluid before offering it as an alternative to the conventional fluids currently used.

The researchers used virtual Internet meetings to continue working together throughout the Covid-19 curfews in Kuwait, moving through stages of clarifying the problem, discussing solutions, describing and illustrating their idea, and sending off the patent for examination.

Practical Benefit of the Invention

Bahman, who obtained a Ph.D. in mechanical engineering from Purdue University in the United States four years ago, told Al-Fanar Media that his work on this invention came from a desire to find solutions to common problems between different disciplines.

He explained that the invention is based on the scientific and practical benefit of using nanofluids to improve the efficiency of the cooling processes, because nanofluids have higher thermal properties than traditional liquids. Bahman said the invention offers a solution to a problem facing nanofluids, which is that the suspended nanoparticles are prone to settle under the liquid over time. This means that these liquids eventually lose their advanced thermal properties.

The new invention calculates the percentage of a nanofluid that has lost its thermal properties, and the time it takes for the nanofluid to complete the precipitation process. Such calculations are vital to the research and industrial sector, Bahman said, because they allow scientists, companies, and decision-makers to know the sustainability of energy-generation and conservation devices when used with nanofluids.

Al-Sayegh said the real benefit of the invention would be seen at power plants and water desalination plants, because they depend on heat transfer. The patent will allow specific nanofluids to be introduced to increase the plants’ efficiency by reducing the fuel used, thus saving electrical energy consumption, he told Al-Fanar Media.

Al-Sayegh said creating a device capable of characterising the physical state of particles suspended in nanofluids would revolutionise Kuwait’s thermal systems systems in terms of operational efficiency and fuel consumption challenges.

Research Environment in the Arab World

With the Patent Office at Kuwait University, Bahman plans to employ research results in the country’s industrial sector.

He wants to establish an energy centre affiliated with Kuwait University to conduct scientific and experimental research, offer consultations to the public and private sectors, and provide training opportunities for students, technicians, and specialist engineers.

He believes that to encourage innovation, researchers need an appropriate research environment and access to knowledge and human resources.

Bahman also thinks scientific criticism should be included in school curricula, along with the presentation of scientific problems to encourage innovative solutions. This could be achieved through joint scientific programmes with international universities and student exchange programmes, he said.

Current conditions in the Arab world “do not stimulate scientific research,” Bahman said. “The research process requires great focus, effort and time from the researcher, as well as a stable environment for those conducting scientific research. This can only be achieved when there is abundant financial support.”

Al-Sayegh added that he and Bahman were trying to establish a company to market their inventions, and turn them into practical products that serve a large number of people.

source/content: al-fanarmedia.org (for text -headline edited), (pixs: ovpr.ku.edu.kw)

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Dr. Ammar Bahman
Dr. Nasser Al-Sayegh

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KUWAIT