Kuwait's Amir patronizes KU students’ graduation ceremony – KU senior staff praise Amir’s ‘fatherly sponsorship’

KUWAIT: His Highness the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah yesterday patronized and attended a broad ceremony marking graduation of the 44th batch of Kuwait University's students for the 2013-2014 academic year.

HH the Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah distributed graduation certificates to more than 166 students, including those with PhD degrees, 31 with Masters and 134 with B A degrees; all of excellent records. The ceremony was held at the Late Sheikh Abdullah Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Theater in Shuwaikh district.

Addressing the ceremony, Minister of Education and Higher Education Dr Bader Al-Essa expressed deep gratitude to HH the Amir for his kind patronization of the graduates and his support for the academic sector, "thus enabling it to overcome challenges."

A new era

Kuwait University, the minister added, will usher a new era, with a new administration, "main task of which is promoting the university and updating its curriculums, teaching methods and scientific research, compatible with the new educational plan, worked out by the Ministry of Education in cooperation with the World Bank and Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Science (KFAS), so that Kuwait's status be lifted to the level it deserves among nations that advocate knowledge and culture." He congratulated the graduated youngsters, advising them to seek further knowledge during their life, "for the certificate is only a permit to a greater life."

HH the Amir arrived at the ceremony venue in his motorcade, where he was welcomed by Minister Essa and attending officials. The ceremony was also attended by HH the Crown Prince Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, National Assembly Speaker Marzouq Ali Al-Ghanim, former National Assembly Speaker Jassem Al-Kharafi, HH Sheikh Nasser Al-Mohammad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, HH the Prime Minister Sheikh Jaber Al-Mubarak Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, First Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Hamad Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of the Amiri Diwan Affairs Sheikh Ali Jarrah Al-Sabah, senior Sheikhs, senior State officials and a large number of families of the graduates and other citizens.

KU's Acting President Dr Hayatt Nasser Al-Hajji greeted the attendees and hailed HH the Amir, "who has been guiding the new generations so that they may press ahead in service of the society and the dear homeland." Addressing HH the Amir, she said, "the fatherly sponsorship, you have honored your citizens, with is a medal of pride for those who have earned it." She expressed gratitude to HH the Amir, HH the Crown Prince and warmly welcomed the guests and participants in "this academic concert."

KU development

On development of Kuwait University, the Acting President indicated that construction of the nursing faculty was underway, indicated at plans to establish MA-degree studies for specialties, such as dentistry, financing, sociology, bio-technology, criminal evidence, social service, in addition to PhD's studies in translation, medical drugs and nuclear medicine.

"Be good ambassadors of morals and knowledge in Kuwait and across the world" Dr Hajji said, turning to the newly-graduated students. "It is no exaggeration to say that as much as we are overjoyed with success of our children, we are greatly proud of your presence" on the premises for the graduation ceremony, she said to HH the Amir.

The students, in their statement, expressed deep appreciation to the Amir for being present at the academic event venue, vowing faithfulness to the homeland and contribution to efforts aimed at making Kuwait a minaret for science and scholars. They noted the recent UN honoring of HH the Amir as a Humanitarian Leader. "We pledge that we shall follow your steps with respect of caring for mankind and supporting voluntary work for service of the human race." - KUNA

Human giving

Meanwhile, leading staff and graduates of Kuwait University praised HH the Amir's fatherly sponsorship of the ceremony. Dr Hajji, who is also the dean of the Faculty of Arts, indicated that HH the Amir's honoring of the students underlined necessity of human giving at all levels, namely dedication, faithfulness and desire to serve the homeland. "Kuwait has granted us stability and peace so that we could teach the generations to seek knowledge as a vehicle for progress."

Dr Abdulredha Asiri, dean of the Sociology Faculty, said HH the Amir's fatherly care for the students signals the KU great status. For his part, dean of the Business Administration Faculty Dr Jassem Al-Mudhaf urged the graduates to maintain contacts with the university after graduation.

Hanan Al-Ajmi, a mathematics graduate, said she was elated with this special honoring, noting her desire to excel in her future career as a teacher. Her fellow graduate, Jumana Al-Babtain, said HH the Amir's personal honoring of the students would nudge her toward further excellence. Other graduates echoed identical expressions of gratitude to HH the Amir.