In alignment with global and local efforts toward digital transformation in the field of modern technology and global digitization, the College of Life Sciences, represented by the Department of Information Sciences, organized the launch ceremony for the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence Program for the 2025/2026 academic year. The event was held under the patronage and presence of the Acting President of the College of Life Sciences, Prof. Ahmed Al-Lafi, on Monday, April 14, 2025.
The celebration aimed to support the “New Kuwait 2035” Vision and promote technological innovation in parallel with the technological revolution. It was attended by university leaders, college presidents, faculty members, academic support staff, and participants from various public and private sector institutions.
The ceremony’s MC and faculty member from the Department of Information Sciences, Dr. Aseel Al-Munais, affirmed that launching the Data Science and Artificial Intelligence program reflects the commitment of the Department to Kuwait Vision 2035 and to the rapid scientific and technological developments in this vital field. She emphasized the importance of preparing qualified national cadres equipped with advanced knowledge and strong technical skills to meet the needs of the labor market and contribute effectively to innovation and data-driven decision-making.
Dr. Abdullah Al-Mutairi, faculty member in the same department, delivered a visual presentation titled “Artificial Intelligence and Empowering the Future,” discussing AI’s role in creating new professional opportunities. He noted that this program would be a valuable addition to Kuwait University’s academic landscape, offering a vital platform for scientific research and technical development. He added that it represents a unique opportunity for students to gain future-ready skills in one of the world’s most influential fields.
Dr. Bader Ali, also a faculty member, highlighted that this is the only such program at Kuwait University, designed to prepare national talent. He stressed the importance of keeping pace with the era of big data and AI and stated that the program has been designed in accordance with international curriculum standards set by ABET and ACM, laying the groundwork for future academic accreditation. He added that international reviewers had praised the program for its strength and significance.
The event included several panel discussions covering key themes such as the importance of big data and AI in driving change across sectors. One of the panels, titled “Innovate to Elevate: Empowering Institutions Through Data Science and AI,” featured discussions with leaders from both public and private institutions.
In this context, Dr. Hanadi Abdulsalam, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs, Research, and Graduate Studies, emphasized the importance of this field across sectors. She moderated a conversation with:
•    Dr. Zainab Al-Bader, Acting Vice President for Information Technology at Kuwait University,
•    Eng. Bassam Al-Shammari, Head of Enterprise Applications and Chair of the Innovation Committee at Kuwait National Petroleum Company,
•    Eng. Mujbil Al-Qattan, Customer Engineer specializing in Smart Analytics at Google Cloud.
Each of the speakers underscored the relevance of the program in their respective organizations and shared their strategies for accelerating AI adoption and leveraging its benefits.
On the sidelines of the event, an exhibition was held with the participation of both governmental and private sector entities, as well as professional organizations, including:
•    The Artificial Intelligence of Things Society,
•    The Public Authority for Industry,
•    The Public Institution for Social Security,
•    The Kuwait News Agency (KUNA), among others.
A panel discussion featuring alumni of the Department of Information Sciences was also held, led by Dr. Shaikha Al-Duaij, with the aim of strengthening alumni relations and ensuring continuity between graduates and current students. The discussion included:
•    Ms. Mariam Al-Ansari, Director of Planning at the Graduate Studies College,
•    Ms. Zainab Al-Awadhi, faculty member at the College of Basic Education’s Information Studies Department,
•    Ms. Anfal Malallah, Program Designer at the Public Authority for Civil Information.
This panel focused on real-world challenges graduates face in the job market and shared insights to prepare current students for life after graduation.
Additionally, a student workshop titled “Our Dialect Trained the Machine” was presented by Dr. Shaikha Al-Khoder, and delivered by Deema Bou Rahma, Senior Computer Engineer at the College of Architecture.
At the conclusion of the event, Prof. Ahmed Al-Lafi, Acting President of the College of Life Sciences, and Dr. Zainab Al-Jazzaf, Acting President of the Department of Information Sciences, honored all participants in the panel discussions for their contributions in highlighting the vital role of artificial intelligence.