News
Throughout 2012, the American University of Kuwait has significantly expanded its support for academic and student services with several IT and technology infrastructure projects. The University has adopted a video collaboration and meetings platform that facilitates a visual connection between professors and staff who are globally dispersed.
Advances in learning support were achieved by optimizing projector, video, and internet connectivity into all classrooms so that more than 100 faculty members on AUK's campus can connect with approximately 2200 students to share resources to make the most of the learning experience.
Using the same space, AUK increased the computer count from 108 to 156 in four computer labs, a 44% optimization. AUK's annual energy cost for the 108 computers was 1,660,954 kW a year. The new 156 computers use 204,984 kW a year. AUK's going green resulted in a 1,455,970 kW decrease (87%) in energy costs.
The University has successfully deployed "mobile applications" through the Ellucian Mobile Connection framework providing smart phone and mobile devices access to useful student services. The performance reporting and analytics platform has been upgraded to the current versions in support of a push to open operational reporting to a wider range of end-users and a critical push to enhance the value of institutional research and planning.
In addition to this outstanding year of activities the IT department initiated a knowledge and cultural exchange via IT internship for a student from Dartmouth, AUK's international partner institution. AUK hopes to continue improving on its integration of technology into our campus and our efforts to save energy.
Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 7th January 2013
Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2013
In partnership with Dar Al-Farasha of Kuwait, Beirut's publishing house Dar Al-Farabi has published the Arabic translation of Abundance from the Desert: Classical Arabic Poetry by AUK's Associate Professor of Arabic Raymond Farrin.
Abundance from the Desert was first published in English by Syracuse University Press (2011). The book introduces classical Arabic poetry to a Western audience, presenting a number of major works from various time periods, regions, and genres and discussing each one in its context. In addition, the book marks an important step forward in the study of Arabic poetry, highlighting the incidence in this tradition of ring composition (a method of composition similar to the arrangement of a necklace, whereby the end is connected to the middle, and the most significant part lies in the middle).
"As I was writing Abundance from the Desert, I realized that the book might well interest an Arab reader, particularly because this approach to analyzing early poetry is not well known in the field of Arabic literature. I resolved then to translate the book into Arabic," commented Dr. Farrin, adding, "The translation was not an easy project-it ended up taking me almost four years-though I hope it was a worthwhile one. I am grateful for AUK's support of the project and for the editing by Kuwaiti poet Dalal Al-Baroud. Now that the Arabic version has come out," he says, "I am more proud of it than I am of the English version, which was my first published book."
Raymond Farrin received his Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. He studied Arabic in Cairo before specializing in classical Arabic poetry at Berkeley. He has been on the AUK faculty since 2006.
Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 7th January 2013
A new book, titled Remote Control: Indian Television in the New Millennium, authored by Dr. Shoma Munshi, Professor of Anthropology at the American University of Kuwait (AUK), was released by Penguin Books worldwide in December 2012. The book's focus is 'What do the TV shows we're watching tell us about ourselves?'
Munshi argues that television is the single most powerful and dynamic agent of change in India today. It is also India's most popular and accessible form of entertainment. The book examines three kinds of programming - 24x7 news, soap operas, and reality shows - that have changed Indian television forever, and analyzes how these three genres, while drawing on different sources, are hybridized, indigenized and manage to ultimately project a distinctively 'Indian' identity. Munshi's book shows us how everyday reality in India in the twenty-first century shapes television; and how television, in turn, shapes us.
About her new release, Munshi comments, "This is my second single authored monograph since I joined AUK. I am particularly happy since this book is dedicated to my father, Wing Commander Anil Chandra Munshi, who came to AUK several times, and whom I lost two years ago, but my father read through and corrected the first draft of the book manuscript."
Munshi's book has already garnered extensive advance praise. Sunil Lulla, Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer of the Times Television Network, states "Shoma's book captures the rapidly changing pace in the Indian television domain. Big plots, subtle changes, new scripts, stolen ideas, factual updates, dreams and disrupted plans - all neatly explained. Good if you know nothing about Indian TV. Even better if you think you knew it all." Professor Dale F. Eickelman, Professor of Anthropology, Dartmouth College, USA, and the AUK-Dartmouth Relationship Coordinator, notes "Remote Control is the authoritative and entertaining story of India's rapidly evolving and hotly competitive television programming in the twenty-first century. A must read, it places Indian television on a worldwide stage and is a model for comparable studies elsewhere."
Munshi is the author of Prime Time Soap Operas on Indian Television (Routledge, 2010); editor of Images of the 'Modern Woman' in Asia: Global Media, Local Meanings (Curzon 2001); and co-editor of Media, War and Terrorism: Responses from the Middle East and Asia (Routledge, 2004, 2006). She also has several publications in refereed journals.
Munshi earned her PhD from the Ecole des Hautes Etudes en Sciences Sociales (EHESS), in Paris, France; and her work experience encompasses the University of Delhi, University of Amsterdam, University of Pennsylvania, and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in New Delhi, India, before joining AUK in January 2006 .
Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 19th December 2012
In recognition of AUK students' academic achievements for Spring 2012, a ceremony was held at the AUK Liberal Arts Auditorium where recipients of the President's Honor Roll and Dean's Honor List celebrated their success with faculty, staff and parents.
The ceremony, which took place earlier this month, started with an introductory word from AUK President, Dr. Winfred Thompson. The President congratulated students on their achievements and quoting Emily Dickinson's poem, "Success is counted sweetest by those who ne'er succeed."
The Ceremony honored 26 students for the high distinction, which placed them on the President's Honor Roll. Students in this category have managed to maintain a 4.0 Grade Point Average (GPA). The Dean's List featured 119 awardees, out of which 48 were awarded by Dr. Nizar Hamzeh, Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, while 61 were awarded by Dr. Mohsen Bagnied, Department Chair of Marketing and Management. Students on the Dean's Honor List have earned a minimum of 3.7 GPA.
Dr. Bagnied expressed his admiration at the students' achievements, pointing out that with this number of outstanding students in the College of Business and Economics, "We got the best business school in Kuwait."
In his closing remarks, President Thompson congratulated the students again and urged them to continue building their academic success.
Spring 2012 President's Honor Roll
| Aya Abdulhamid | Mohammad AlZafiri |
| Saleh Al Ojeiri | Hiba Bazzi |
| Abdulla Al Wohaib | Nada Bedir |
| Makia Al-Arbash | Nada El-Badry |
| Mohammed Yousr Al-Ayyoubi | Isha Haider |
| Ali Al-Baghli | Farnaz Heidari |
| Ayat Al-Bloushi | Jihan Kablaoui |
| Alaa Eddin Al-Chalabi | Noor Kassem |
| Fatima Al-Faraj | Monica Matta |
| Aisha Al-Hunaidi | Arwa Mulla Ali |
| Salwa Al-Qattan | Ali Rady |
| Huda Al-Rashid | Balqees Salem |
| Salem Al-Salem | Sally Zaghloul |
Spring 2012 Dean's Honor List
College of Arts & Sciences| Aya Abdulhamid | Shahad Al Asfour |
| Yousef Abdul-Husain | Matrah Al dooseri |
| Yasmin Abou Zeid | Jumanah Al Refaei |
| Jenan Al-Alban | Halima Al-Wazzan |
| Hiam Al-Ali | Anwar Behbehani |
| Talal Al-Ali | Noor Behbehani |
| Jassem Al-Ansari | Farah Bossakhar |
| Makia Al-Arbash | Jassem Bourahmah |
| Zainab Al-Baksami | Zahraa Hamadi |
| Ayat Al-Bloushi | Farnaz Heidari |
| Alaa Eddin Al-Chalabi | Noor Kassem |
| Sara Al-Enezi | Salli Khaddag |
| Radia Alfili | Stephanie Khalil |
| Fraih Al-Fraih | Yasser Khalil |
| Aisha Al-Fuwaires | Sara Mohamed |
| Sulaiman Al-Ghounaim | Arwa Mulla Ali |
| Rasha Al-Jabi | Dina Naser |
| Lamis Al-Nazer | Ali Rady |
| Nourah AlOmar | Behnaz Rahimi |
| Salwa Al-Qattan | Farah Rasheed |
| Ahmed Al-Sabah | Sara Soliman |
| Salem Al-Salem | Sarah Thakur |
| Batol Al-Saraf | Maymoonah Toubeh |
| Sayed Hashim Al-Tabtabaei | Joshua Williams |
College of Business & Economics
| Sara Abdel Baki | Huda Al-Rashid |
| Bassam Abulibdeh | Mohammad Al-Sabah |
| Saleh Al Ojeiri | Fahad Al-Saeed |
| Abdulla Al Wohaib | Noor Al-Sanea |
| Sarah Al-Ajmi | Farah Al-Saqlawi |
| Bashaer Al-Ali | Dina Al-Sayer |
| Mohammed Yousr Al-Ayyoubi | Noora Al-Sebaie |
| Ali Al-Baghli | Fahad Al-Shaya |
| Reem Al-Bassam | Sarah AlTerkait |
| Bibi Al-Behbehani | Dalal Al-Therban |
| Fatima Al-Faraj | Mohammad AlZafiri |
| Tala Al-ghusain | Njoud Aweis |
| Shahad Al-Harban | Hiba Bazzi |
| Aisha Al-Hunaidi | Nada Bedir |
| Al-Jazi Al-Huwaishel | Zahra Bin Nakhi |
| Jana Al-Mashaan | Zeinab Chebli |
| Rahma Al-Mishwat | Fatma Ebrahimi |
| Faiyez Al-Mousharji | Mashael Eissa |
| Helal Al-Mutairi | Nada El-Badry |
| Maryam Al-Nassar | Razan Farhat |
| Shaimaa Al-Qazwini | Carol Ghali |
| Hashim Al-Rasheed | Isha Haider |
| Jihan Kablaoui | Madonna Reyad |
| Manit Kaur | Balqees Salem |
| Sophia Massouh | Lina Salout |
| Monica Matta | Ayatallah Sharawi |
| Ahmed Mohamed Tawfik | Majdi Suleiman |
| Dalal Mohammad | Fatma Yasin |
| Ghaidaa Naqi | Rana Youssef |
| May Omran | Sally Zaghloul |
| Sara Qaddoura |
Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 17th December 2012
Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2012
The American University of Kuwait held their Annual Faculty Recognition Dinner on November 29 at the Marina Hotel Atlantic restaurant. The dinner is held to recognize faculty members who have attained significant success in scholarly research indicated by publications, exhibitions, grants, conference papers and Faculty promotions.
Acting Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dr. Nizar Hamzeh commenced the ceremony by speaking on the significance of the event and explained the different categories for faculty recognition. Dr. Hamzeh then invited AUK President Dr. Winfred Thompson to the podium, who gave welcoming remarks and congratulated AUK faculty members on their achievements. Dr. Thompson also emphasized the importance of research in academia. The event then proceeded with acknowledgments of faculty members who attained significant scholarly achievements, listing the categories and the details of each achievement.
Below is a list of all AUK faculty whose achievements were recognized:
Publications
Books:
Dr. Ghazi Nassir
Book Chapters:
Dr. Amir Zeid
Dr. Charles Chiemeke
Dr. George Irani
Dr. Issam Damaj
Dr. Karim Jallad
Dr. Ralph Palliam
Dr. Rawda Awwad, Dr. Ralph Palliam, and Professor Robert Ankli
Dr. Roman Kulchitsky
Journal Articles:
Dr. Amir Zeid
Dr. Andrei Zavaliy
Dr. Antonia Stamos
Dr. Ayman Haddad
Dr. Bashar Zogheib
Dr. Christopher Ohan
Dr. Farah Al-Nakib
Dr. James Rose
Dr. Juliet Dinkha
Dr. Karim Jallad
Dr. Khitam Al-Khouli
Dr. Lisa Urkevich
Professor Marcelline Fusilier
Dr. Marjorie Kelly
Dr. Michael Aristidou
Dr. Mohammed El-Abd
Dr. Mutlaq Almutairi
Professor Robert Ankli and Dr. Ralph Palliam
Book Reviews:
Dr. Bashar Zogheib
Dr. Ralph Palliam and Dr. Hanas Cader
Exhibitions and Performances/Designs
Dr. Antonia Stamos
Professor George Bauer
Ms. Ghaidaa Mohamad
Ms. Marcella Kulchitsky
Dr. Marjorie Kelly
Ms. Maryam Hosseinnia
Ms. Sharon Lawrence
Mr. William Andersen
External Grants and/or Fellowships
External Grants:
Dr. Amir Zeid
Dr. Antonia Stamos
Dr. Farah Al-Nakib
Dr. Gholam R. Vatandoust
Dr. Kathy Nixon
Fellowships:
Dr. Mohammed El-Abd
Awards:
Mr. Don Prades
Conference Papers
Mr. Ahmad Mostafa
Dr. Amir Zeid
Dr. Andrei Zavaliy
Dr. Antonia Stamos
Dr. Ayman Haddad
Dr. Charles Chiemeke
Dr. George Irani
Dr. Gholam Vatandoust
Dr. Issam Damaj
Dr. James Rose
Dr. Juliet Dinkha
Dr. Marjorie Kelly
Ms. Maryam Hosseinnia
Dr. Michael Aristidou
Dr. Mohammed El Abd
Faculty Promotion
College of Arts & Sciences
Dr. Amir Zeid from Assistant Professor of Computer Science to Associate Professor of Computer Science
Dr. Andrei Zavaliy from Assistant Professor of Philosophy to Associate Professor of Philosophy
Dr. Issam Damaj from Assistant Professor of Computer Engineering to Associate Professor of Computer Engineering
Dr. Marjorie Kelly from Assistant Professor of Anthropology to Associate Professor of Anthropology
Ms. Maryam Hosseinnia from Assistant Professor of Graphic Design to Associate Professor of Graphic Design
Dr. Kathryn Kleypas from Assistant Professor of English Language & Literature to Associate Professor of English Language & Literature
College of Business & Economics
Dr. Ayman Haddad from Assistant Professor of Accounting to Associate Professor of Accounting
Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 13th December 2012
Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2012
The American University of Kuwait announced the winners of the student competition for the Fall 2012 President's Exhibition. The winning art work was selected from the "best of the best" student class work from the previous semester. All entries were submitted to the competition by the AUK ART and Graphic Design professors. The Exhibition includes painting, drawing, sculpture, graphic design, cut paper, and photography work juried for creativity, originality, and technique. The 26 winners of the competition are:
Behnaz Rahimi, Dana Ismael, Shahad Al Terkait, Farah Al Ajeel, Mariam Abdulrasool, Nada Al Sharif, Asmaa Al Arbash, Sarah AlHaddad, Bashayer Al-Zayed, Wafaa Al-Husaini, Dana Abdullah, Lamis AlNazer, Abrar Sulaiman, Alia Darwish, Manar AbdulBari Mashal, Moustafa El Khashab, Dana Hani, Abdullaziz Al-Hoqal, Dina Naser, Zahraa Hamadi, Nader Makki, Afnan Abdullah, Jenan Al-Alban, Latifah AlSaad, Farah Madi, and Lujain F. Al-Khuzam.
Students who created the winning artwork received a certificate signed by AUK President Dr. Winfred Thompson; they and their parents were honored at a reception inaugurating the exhibition. The current exhibition will be displayed in the President's Office for six months, on view for the University, as well as dignitaries and other honored visitors to the University.
The AUK President's Exhibition is an excellent opportunity for students, increasing student pride in execution, rewarding excellent work, and providing a valuable accomplishment on student resumes as they graduate from AUK and go on to graduate school or the workplace.
Professor Sharon Orleans Lawrence, Chair of the Art and Graphic Design Department, is also Chair of AUK's President's Exhibition; Professor Marcella Kulchitsky, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, is Co-Chair.
From Left: Professor Sharon Lawrence, President Winfred Thompson, and Professor Marcella Kulchitsky
President Thompson handing a certificate to one of the Art students
Moustafa Elkhashab and his father with Professor Maryam Hosseinnia
Students next to their artwork
Lujain Al-Khazam with her painting, Tulips
Professor William Andersen and Abdulaziz Al-Hoqual
Nada Al Sharif, Professor Sharon Lawrence, Lamis AlNazer, Dana Ismael
Nada Al Sharif and Professor Sharon Lawrence
Shahad Al Terkait and her Creative Photography Project, Red Heels
Professor Marcella Kulchitsky and Manar AbdulBari Mashal
Rawan Al-Hussaini and friend
Dana Ismael with Professor Marcella Kulchitsky
Professor Rita Merheb examining a wire sculpture
Students' Artwork
Students' Artwork
The Center for Gulf Studies at the American University of Kuwait hosted a lecture on December 5, 2012 by Dr. Mary Ann Tetreault, Cox Distinguished Professor of International Affairs Emerita at Trinity University, entitled "Politics in the Gulf Before and After the Arab Spring." During her talk Dr. Tetreault covered the different ways in which the social upheavals taking place around the Arab World, termed by many as the 'Arab Spring,' are impacting the Gulf region, with specific emphasis on Kuwait.
Dr. Tetreault began her lecture by describing the political and social evolution of the Gulf region over recent decades. According to Dr. Tetreault, the social contract between the citizens of the Gulf countries and their respective rulers has evolved away from classical rentier theory, which tends to characterize Gulf citizens as passive parties with no desire for reform so long as their material wants and needs are provided for by the ruling establishment. This theory, according to Dr. Tetreault, is no longer the case in today's Gulf society, with the demands of the Gulf citizen, and specifically the Kuwaiti, including: an increase in choice, fairness, transparency, and ultimately dignity, the latter being a universal theme across those countries that have experienced or are experiencing the so-called 'Arab Spring.' What has distinguished most of the social unrest in the Gulf region from their other Arab counterparts is the fact that such demands have not challenged the ruling system. They are instead demanding a 'rule of law' rather than a 'rule by law,' which implies an end to rampant corruption, the protection of human rights and the guarantee of equal opportunities.
Specifically within Kuwait, society has in recent years experienced increased fragmentation. Distinctions within the local Kuwaiti society include: divisions based on wealth, the badu (Bedouin) vs. the hadar (urban), the bidoon, the Sunni vs. the Shi'a, the youth vs. the old, and the religious vs. the secular. Cutting across these divisions are supra-divisions that separate those who are 'privileged' in society and from those who are not. More recently, another division cutting across all others is one that distinguishes those that support the political boycott (who Dr. Tetreault refers to as 'Reformers') from those who support political participation. Historically, Kuwait has done a poor job in addressing such divisions, and Dr. Tetreault points out that in some cases, divisions between different groups such as the hadar and badu have been exacerbated, as is the case in Kuwait's housing policy that often reinforces the spatial divide between such groups.
During the question and answer period, many in the audience mentioned the issue of wasta, the loose term describing favoritism attained through social connections. According to Dr. Tetreault, a major problem for the Gulf is that wasta has become institutionalized, and is rampant in critical areas of society such as within Parliament as well as across government institutions and ministries. In responding to another question about what the agenda was of the 'Reformers,' Dr. Tetreault emphasized that it is important to recognize that a democracy is not premised simply on having elections, but rather on establishing human rights and on guaranteeing protection of those rights, particularly those of women. When commenting on the growing antagonism between the different groups within Kuwait, Dr. Tetreault said that it is crucial for the different groups to continue dialogue and to come to terms with the fact that no group will attain everything they are demanding from the other. However, Dr. Tetreault expressed optimism for Kuwait's future when responding to a question about whether Arab countries were doomed to chaos, claiming that it is perfectly possible for there to be peaceful political reform in Kuwait so long as constant and meaningful dialogue is ensured and all parties can have their demands and grievances addressed.
The Center for Gulf Studies (CGS) at the American University of Kuwait aims to promote greater cultural understanding of and increased intellectual interest in the Gulf, by facilitating free and open academic discourse on a range of issues that both shape and challenge this critical region of the world. The goal of CGS is to enable scholars as well as political and civil society actors both within and outside the region to contribute and add value to the burgeoning field of Gulf Studies, while at the same time informing and engaging the general public. To this end, the CGS encourages, supports, and cultivates interesting and original research on the Gulf, while regularly organizing a variety of public academic events such as lectures, roundtable discussions, and conferences.
Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 10th December 2012
The American University of Kuwait held a fire drill today on Campus to ensure that all safety procedures are working properly and up-to-date. The drill took place at 10 am when the alarm bells sounded. Fake smoke bombs were also used to resemble a real life emergency. All students, staff and faculty were escorted by Security guards and Building Captains to different assembly points across campus. The drill was successful and the campus was evacuated in excellent time. Dr. Carol A. Ross-Scott, Vice President, Administrative and Student Affairs at AUK, explained that "Drills are intended to ensure there is a baseline of knowledge in addition to allowing us to see if there are issues that need to be addressed in the event of a real emergency".
Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 9th December 2012
Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2012
Ebla Documentary, part of the Kuwaiti closed shareholding company Ebla Productions, will begin social awareness campaign initiatives on several different elements of Kuwaiti society through the use of multimedia. After several brainstorming sessions, a team of creative professionals decided to shed light on an issue affecting all citizens and residents of Kuwait, safety on the road. The "Teswa | Drive Safe" campaign was the perfect beginning to this heartfelt initiative. Comprised of a documentary and marketing campaign which raises awareness on driving problems in Kuwait with the aim of saving lives.
Ebla Documentary created the first investigative film inquiring into the reasons behind Kuwait's road accident death toll, disclosing the factors that make Kuwait the country with the highest global statistic of lethal car accidents per capita.
This initiative was introduced by Noora Kassem Partner | Producer, a journalist with a graduate degree from SOAS. Kassem has returned to Kuwait after working for Al Jazeera documentary and Reuters, and felt that she can harness her skills in a way that can garner change through these campaigns.
The film features Kuwaiti thinkers, celebrities, race car drivers, government employees, doctors and psychologists, as well as average citizens, to offer a comprehensive look into the varied elements that cause reckless driving. The 30 minute film covers a wide range of issues identifying the source of the problem, ranging from institutional to societal factors, and concludes by offering proposed solutions. The aim of the film is to inspire proactive change, raise awareness and to empower society to produce change. The film will be launched in tandem with a nation-wide marketing campaign that includes outdoor media, magazines, radio and newspapers.
The American University of Kuwait joined the campaign by sponsoring the film as well as providing a free venue for the screening on December 11, 2012. The Teswa Team will be at the event garnering support and handing out drive safe bands as well as discussing the golden rules of driving brought to Kuwait through the Federation Internationale de L'Automobile (FIA) President Mr. Jean Todt, who expressed his support for the film and campaign during a conference on driving safety. The Teswa team scheduled to be Present to answer any and all questions at AUK consists of the Partner | Producer : Noora Kassem, Director | Noor Arnaoot, Creative Director | Dahlia Mahmoud.
The premier of the film will take place at Cinescape Cinemas in 360 Mall, with an audience of influential figures, VIPs, bloggers and media in Kuwait, and viewings of the film will be made available in Cinescape Cinemas across Kuwait for a week after the private premier. The film will also be screened at the American School of Kuwait, with the aim of visiting as many educational institutions as the campaign garners more interest.
Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 6th December 2012
The Center for Gulf Studies (CGS) at the American University of Kuwait hosted a panel discussion titled, 'Memory, Identity, Forgiveness: New Perspectives on the Iraqi Invasion of Kuwait' on. Research by the panelists was conducted primarily through the collection of oral history accounts of the invasion and liberation of Kuwait, providing a unique and innovative approach to analyzing the events of 1990 and 1991.
The panelists included: - Dr. Ildiko Kaposi (speaker), Assistant Professor of Communications and Media at AUK.
- Dr. Christopher Ohan (speaker), Associate Professor of History and Chair of the Department of International Relations at AUK.
- Dr. Nicholas Scull (speaker), Assistant Professor of Psychology at AUK.
- Dr. Farah Al Nakib (moderator), Assistant Professor of History at AUK and Director of the Center for Gulf Studies.
The discussion commenced with the first speaker, Dr. Kaposi, who explored the connections between media and memory in the context of the 1990 invasion and 1991 liberation of Kuwait. According to Dr. Kaposi, the first Gulf War can be characterized as the first war that was televised live to a global audience. This, she describes, created a sense of surrealism towards the war among those living outside Kuwait. To some, it seemed to be taking place on the TV screens rather than on the ground, and was regarded as more of a media spectacle than an actual war. This, along with the mainstream global media's need to provide a simplified narrative suitable for mass consumption, contrasted sharply with local memories of the conflict. The media emerged as a powerful force in shaping Kuwaiti memories, along with interpersonal interactions and oral communication. For example, while those outside of Kuwait experienced the invasion purely as a media spectacle, those inside were able to draw on both global media and local experiences to form their memories.
Dr. Ohan began his talk by explaining that common identity is often produced by shared experiences and that in most cases, a collective traumatic experience produces unity. In Kuwait, however, the invasion did not produce a unified experience, but instead, it served to increase distinction between Kuwaitis and 'the other.' For many expatriates living in Kuwait at the time, such as Syrians, Palestinians, and Lebanese who had grown up in Kuwait, the invasion diminished their sense of belonging in the country.
During his talk, Dr. Scull explored the idea of forgiveness and the role of Islam in mediating forgiveness. Dr. Scull attempted to ascertain whether forgiving those who have transgressed, such as those who have experienced trauma in Kuwait at the hands of the Iraqi army during the invasion, actually bolsters the mental health of those involved. His results revealed that people who had forgiven those who had wronged them and had less vengeful sentiments experienced lower rates of depression and greater psychological well-being. Regarding the role of Islam, Dr. Scull noted that those who were more religious tended to be less forgiving. This, he claimed, is consistent with trends for other religions that he researched in the past. Most importantly, however, was the realization by Dr. Scull that those who emphasized the role of Islam as a means of forgiveness tended to be the most forgiving. This means that, among adherents to Islam, simple devotion to the religion along with the practices of the pillars, etc. did not produce high levels of forgiveness. However, people who are conscious of Islam's favorability towards forgiveness are likely to forgive those who have wronged them.
After all the panelists spoke, members of the audience engaged in a Q&A with the panelists. The discussion explored further the aftermath of the invasion and what it means for citizens and residents of Kuwait today.
The Center for Gulf Studies (CGS) at the American University of Kuwait aims to promote greater cultural understanding of and increased intellectual interest in the Gulf, by facilitating free and open academic discourse on a range of issues that both shape and challenge this critical region of the world. The goal of CGS is to enable scholars as well as political and civil society actors both within and outside the region to contribute and add value to the burgeoning field of Gulf Studies, while at the same time informing and engaging the general public. To this end, the CGS encourages, supports, and cultivates interesting and original research on the Gulf, while regularly organizing a variety of public academic events such as lectures, roundtable discussions, and conferences.
Released by the Office of Public Affairs on the 6th December 2012
Photography by the Office of Public Affairs (C) 2012
