Sheikha Dana Nasser Al-Sabah Speaks at Kuwait’s National Women’s Day Ceremony
20th May 2019 | by the Department of PR & Marketing
The American University of Kuwait (AUK) Founder and Chair of the Board of Trustees, Sheikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Sabah received an invitation from Sheikha Fadia Saad Al-Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah, Chairperson of the Kuwait Union of Women’s Associations to participate in a panel discussion to relate her journey in philanthropy and her vision of women’s roles in developing the Kuwaiti society in the future. The panel took place during a ceremony under the patronage of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah which honored women’s achievements in Kuwait’s social and professional arenas in celebration of Kuwait’s National Women’s Day.
Sheikha Dana recounted her journey in philanthropy as an inspiration derived from the example set by her grandfather, His Highness the Amir. She stressed the importance of giving back to one’s community to contribute to the greater development of their country towards prosperity. In her pursuit of advancing the Kuwaiti society, Shaikha Dana believed that education is at the forefront of knowledge and social progress. She pioneered the project of introducing a Liberal Arts approach to learning by founding the American University of Kuwait (AUK)—the first liberal arts institution in Kuwait. The University enables students to think and learn through a curriculum that is specially designed to allow them to explore the many facets of education while allowing them the freedom to critically think and analyze the world from their own perspectives.
Throughout her talk, Shaikha Dana aimed to inspire the habit of giving without seeking anything in return as everyone’s efforts are serving the greater good of Kuwait’s future generations, “While some may classify philanthropy as an example of women’s leadership in societal contributions, I believe that it is a shared and equal duty for both men and women to invest in the development of Kuwait’s society,” she said.
Al-Sabah is the chairwoman of United Education Co. (UEC), Kuwait’s leading company in the education sector. UEC consolidates seven K-12 schools with over 12,500 students. The United Education network includes some of the leading American, Indian, and Pakistani schools in Kuwait.
She is also the Chief Executive Officer of Al-Futooh Holding Co., the major stakeholder in Kuwait Project Co. (KIPCO), a multi-sector operating holding company with a diversified portfolio spanning the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and the wider Middle East and North Africa region.
Sheikha Dana Nasser Al-Sabah during the panel discussion