As Part of International Academic Cooperation Aimed at Supporting and Developing Higher Education in Kuwait,
Dr. Ashwin Fernandez, Regional Director for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia at QS World University Rankings, Visits Kuwait University.

In the presence of Acting President of Kuwait University, Prof. Osama Al-Saeed, Kuwait University received Dr. Ashwin Fernandez, the Regional Director for the Middle East, Africa, and South Asia at QS World University Rankings, on the morning of Tuesday, September 17, 2024. This visit was part of international academic cooperation aimed at supporting and developing the higher education system in Kuwait, which contributes to enhancing Kuwait University's standing both regionally and globally.
He was welcomed by Vice President for Planning, Prof. Asaad Al-Rashed, the Acting Assistant Vice President for Institutional Development, Dr. Bibi Al-Ajmi, and the Acting Assistant Vice President for Strategic Planning, Dr. Walid Chakroun.
During the visit, Dr. Fernandez emphasized the importance of developing human capital as a fundamental element in supporting Kuwait's transition towards a knowledge-based economy. He praised the ongoing efforts of Kuwait University to achieve this goal by enhancing the quality of education and research, and by providing a stimulating learning environment that meets the rapidly changing demands of the global job market.
Dr. Fernandez highlighted the significance of global university rankings and the enhancement of cooperation with leading international institutions in the fields of education and academic classification to achieve sustainable educational excellence. This, he noted, fosters academic competitiveness among universities and supports innovation and quality in education. He emphasized that Kuwait's clear vision and investments in higher education are paving the way for building a knowledge-based economy and competing on the global stage.
Acting President of Kuwait University Prof. Osama Al-Saeed expressed his happiness with the visit and the importance of ongoing collaboration between Kuwait University and QS. He noted that achieving tangible progress in global rankings requires a collective effort from all parties and reinforces the university's vision of becoming a leading center for research and innovation both regionally and globally.
For his part, Vice President for Planning Prof. Asaad Al-Rashed emphasized the importance of university rankings as a strategic tool that contributes to improving institutional performance and enhancing the university's international standing. He explained that rankings rely on key criteria, including the quality of education, research output, and international partnerships. These criteria help guide the university in achieving its strategic goals and developing its programs and plans in line with these standards to ensure quality and sustainable excellence.
In this regard, Acting Assistant Vice President for Institutional Development Dr. Bibi Al-Ajmi affirmed that Kuwait University is committed to developing and supporting all academic, research, and administrative practices to ensure excellence in higher education outcomes, research, and community services. She emphasized that this commitment aligns with the needs of society and the demands of the job market.
It is noteworthy that the academic ranking of Kuwait University and the efforts to enhance it have already contributed to addressing many factors that could affect the university's position in the rankings. This is the result of institutional work focused on quality and the development of operations for all members of Kuwait University, including students, faculty, and administrative staff.
This visit comes at a crucial time for Kuwait University, as it is working on developing its academic programs and upgrading its infrastructure to meet the needs of the upcoming phase, which focuses on innovation, research, and technology to support the national transition to a knowledge-based economy.