His Excellency Dr. Nader Abdullah Al-Jalal, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research of the State of Kuwait, learned about the academic and research experience at Arabian Gulf University during a visit in which he was received by His Excellency Dr. Saad bin Saud Al-Fahaid, President of the University. He was briefed on the university’s history, its academic programs, and its educational, medical, and research facilities. He also met with Kuwaiti students studying at the university, listened to their future aspirations and impressions of their educational experience, and learned about the supportive academic and research environment the university provides—an environment that helps prepare and qualify them to actively contribute to serving the State of Kuwait and supporting the Gulf region’s development.
During the visit, His Excellency the President of Arabian Gulf University, Dr. Saad bin Saud Al-Fahaid, gave a presentation on the university’s history since its founding in 1980 by decree of Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, and its achievements over more than four decades in preparing and qualifying Gulf talent in specialized fields. He also reviewed the academic programs offered by the College of Medicine and Health Sciences and the College of Education, Administrative and Technical Sciences, praising the continuous support and patronage the university has received from Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC, which has played a pivotal role in strengthening its academic mission and cementing its status as a joint Gulf initiative for investing in people and knowledge. He also praised the role played by Kuwait in supporting the university’s progress since its founding and commending the excellence of Kuwaiti graduates in the various specialized fields they studied at the university, as well as their active role in serving their homelands and communities.
His Excellency the Minister was also briefed on the King Abdullah bin Abdulaziz Medical City project, the significant contribution it represents to the university’s health education and training system, and its anticipated role in strengthening the university’s capabilities in the fields of medical education, scientific research, and health services, explaining that the university’s academic and research progress is grounded in a robust institutional governance framework, anchored in the General Conference of Ministers of Higher Education of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Board of Trustees, the University Council, and the University Presidency, emphasizing the University’s commitment to continuing efforts to advance scientific research and expand specialized fields in ways that enhance the University’s competitiveness and solidify its academic standing.
His Excellency the University President explained that the 2025–2026 academic year saw the publication of 497 scientific and research outputs, and that 76% of the published research was in the first and second quartiles (Q1 and Q2) according to the international SCImago ranking, which confirms the quality of the university’s scientific output and its growing research presence. He noted that the university takes pride in hosting specialized academic chairs named after leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, which focus on various vital fields, including biotechnology, smart agriculture, digital education, and medical microbiology. These chairs have contributed to the publication of 24 peer-reviewed scientific papers in a single year. He noted that these achievements, international rankings, and accreditations are the result of the support and patronage the university receives from Their Majesties and Highnesses, the leaders of the GCC, and represent a testament to its ongoing efforts to enhance the quality of education and scientific research, support knowledge production, and consolidate its academic presence at the regional and international levels.
His Excellency the University President also referred to the University’s Strategic Plan (2026–2030), which is guided by an ambitious vision for the University to be “an academic beacon for human development and shaping the future,” in line with its Gulf-focused mission to prepare talent, build human capital, and contributing to sustainable development in the societies of the Gulf Cooperation Council. The plan focuses on enhancing the quality of educational outcomes, strengthening the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem, and instilling a culture of excellence and financial sustainability—all of which contribute to supporting the university’s goals, advancing its academic and administrative performance, and keeping pace with future changes and needs.
After that, a tour was held which included a visit to the university’s academic and training facilities, as well as the Medical Skills and Simulation Center, which recently received the ASPIRE Global Award for Excellence in Medical Education in the category of Excellence in Medical Simulation, awarded by the Association for Medical Education in Europe.
His Excellency the Kuwaiti Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research was briefed on the center’s expansion phases and its role in supporting the educational process and clinical training, as well as in developing the skills of students and healthcare practitioners through an advanced training environment that simulates real-world professional scenarios, thereby contributing to improving the quality of health education outcomes and enhancing the quality of healthcare.