News
10, Jan 2023
AUK Professor Dr. Craig Loomis Authors New Collection of Short Stories
Dr. Craig Loomis, associate professor of English and literature at AUK, published a collection of short stories, titled, “Where the Clouds Begin: Tales from the California Foothills.”
The book synopsis reads as follows, “Where the Clouds Begin is a powerfully written series of short stories which plunge readers in the emotional, funny, complex and sometimes dark sides of family and small-town life. Loomis masterfully captures the sometimes triumphant and sometimes aching emotions of a young man growing up in the Sierra Nevada foothills in a tumultuous family. The town is full of colorful and unforgettable characters. Each story is distinct in this dynamic anthology. Loomis etches every character with care and the narratives draw you in thoroughly. You feel as though you were there, experiencing what he did, growing up like Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird. Many of the events will leave you laughing, but some of the tales are deeply thought-provoking. These tales provide a emotional and satisfying ride into the past.”
Dr. Craig Loomis received his PhD from The University of Toledo in 1992, with a dissertation entitled, "The Alluring Orient: The West and Sexual Myth in the Modern Hong Kong Novel." His teaching interests are creative writing, short stories, twentieth-century American literature, and Asian literatures.
He published short fiction in such literary journals as The Iowa Review, The Colorado Review, The Prague Revue, The Rambler, Quarterly West, The Maryland Review, The Berkeley Review, the Evansville Review, and Karamu. His short story collection, “The Salmiya Collection: Stories of the Life and Times of Modern Kuwait,” was published 2013. In October 2021, he published his novel, “This is a Chair: A Lyrical Tale of Life, Death and Other Curriculum Challenges”.
The book can be purchased from Amazon.
The book synopsis reads as follows, “Where the Clouds Begin is a powerfully written series of short stories which plunge readers in the emotional, funny, complex and sometimes dark sides of family and small-town life. Loomis masterfully captures the sometimes triumphant and sometimes aching emotions of a young man growing up in the Sierra Nevada foothills in a tumultuous family. The town is full of colorful and unforgettable characters. Each story is distinct in this dynamic anthology. Loomis etches every character with care and the narratives draw you in thoroughly. You feel as though you were there, experiencing what he did, growing up like Scout in To Kill a Mockingbird. Many of the events will leave you laughing, but some of the tales are deeply thought-provoking. These tales provide a emotional and satisfying ride into the past.”
Dr. Craig Loomis received his PhD from The University of Toledo in 1992, with a dissertation entitled, "The Alluring Orient: The West and Sexual Myth in the Modern Hong Kong Novel." His teaching interests are creative writing, short stories, twentieth-century American literature, and Asian literatures.
He published short fiction in such literary journals as The Iowa Review, The Colorado Review, The Prague Revue, The Rambler, Quarterly West, The Maryland Review, The Berkeley Review, the Evansville Review, and Karamu. His short story collection, “The Salmiya Collection: Stories of the Life and Times of Modern Kuwait,” was published 2013. In October 2021, he published his novel, “This is a Chair: A Lyrical Tale of Life, Death and Other Curriculum Challenges”.
The book can be purchased from Amazon.
Book cover
04, Jan 2023
AUK Office of Research and Grants Hosts Seminar on Open Access Publishing
The Office of Research and Grants (ORG) at AUK organized a seminar titled, Understanding Open Access Publishing. The seminar was presented by AUK librarian, Ms. Asma Al-Kanan.
Dr. Iyad Abu Doush, ORG director, introduced the seminar and emphasized the importance of open access when publishing research. The seminar focused on the concept of open access and how it works. This included discussion on open access publishing, detailing the common models of open access publishing, licensing options, agreements, and authors’ rights.
Ms. Al-Kanan discussed how open access allows immediate access to scientific and scholarly articles, free of charge, and free of most copyright and licensing restrictions. Open access journals, as explained by Ms. Al-Kanan, have high research discoverability and can be shared widely and openly.
Additionally, Ms. Al-Kanan shared two resources, Sherpa Romeo and Sherpa Juliet, that are essential to use when publishing in open access journals. She explained different types and terms of licenses provided by creative commons for researchers to use when making their work available to the public. She also highlighted that several well-known institutes have open access policies to have published outputs accessible and reusable without copyright and licensing restrictions.
The seminar concluded with a Q&A session with the attendees.
Dr. Iyad Abu Doush, ORG director, introduced the seminar and emphasized the importance of open access when publishing research. The seminar focused on the concept of open access and how it works. This included discussion on open access publishing, detailing the common models of open access publishing, licensing options, agreements, and authors’ rights.
Ms. Al-Kanan discussed how open access allows immediate access to scientific and scholarly articles, free of charge, and free of most copyright and licensing restrictions. Open access journals, as explained by Ms. Al-Kanan, have high research discoverability and can be shared widely and openly.
Additionally, Ms. Al-Kanan shared two resources, Sherpa Romeo and Sherpa Juliet, that are essential to use when publishing in open access journals. She explained different types and terms of licenses provided by creative commons for researchers to use when making their work available to the public. She also highlighted that several well-known institutes have open access policies to have published outputs accessible and reusable without copyright and licensing restrictions.
The seminar concluded with a Q&A session with the attendees.
ORG director, Dr. Iyad Abu Doush, with Ms. Asma Al Kanan, Dr. Aaron Rababah, Dr. Claire Giddings, and Dr. Ralph William
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04, Jan 2023
AUK Sponsors 26th Annual Conference and Exhibition - Special Libraries Association
AUK is sponsoring the annual conference and exhibition of the Special Libraries Association (SLA)-Arabian Gulf Chapter (AGC). The conference’s theme, titled “Emerging Technologies and their Applications in Libraries and Information Institutions,” will be held from 7th-9th March, 2023 at the Jumeirah Messilah Beach Hotel in Kuwait.
SLA is a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners in business, government, academic, and other “specialized” settings.
AGC holds its annual conference in one of the Gulf states every year where members meet and attend various activities. The annual conference also features pre-conference workshops and an exhibition where latest library products, services, and technologies are displayed and demonstrated. Commenting on the significance of the sponsorship, AUK librarian, Ms. Asma Al-Kanan, stated, “AUK as an educational institution supports learning communities and libraries in their attempts to advance and serve their communities, whether they are academic or non-academic institutions. AUK values partnerships and external relationships and has extended support to the outer communities in so many ways. The SLA-AGC creates a great opportunity for information professionals in the GCC, educators, and publishers to network and share the latest trends and best practices.”
SLA-AGC is expected to host a large number of experts and educators in the GCC. To register for attendance, visit the official SLA-AGC website (http://www.slaagc.org/slaagc2023/).
SLA is a nonprofit global organization for innovative information professionals and their strategic partners in business, government, academic, and other “specialized” settings.
AGC holds its annual conference in one of the Gulf states every year where members meet and attend various activities. The annual conference also features pre-conference workshops and an exhibition where latest library products, services, and technologies are displayed and demonstrated. Commenting on the significance of the sponsorship, AUK librarian, Ms. Asma Al-Kanan, stated, “AUK as an educational institution supports learning communities and libraries in their attempts to advance and serve their communities, whether they are academic or non-academic institutions. AUK values partnerships and external relationships and has extended support to the outer communities in so many ways. The SLA-AGC creates a great opportunity for information professionals in the GCC, educators, and publishers to network and share the latest trends and best practices.”
SLA-AGC is expected to host a large number of experts and educators in the GCC. To register for attendance, visit the official SLA-AGC website (http://www.slaagc.org/slaagc2023/).
AUK librarian, Ms. Asma Al-Kanan
26, Dec 2022
AUK Students Participate in Africa and Arab Collegiate Programming Championship
Students from the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences (CEAS) at AUK participated in the Arab and Africa Regional Contest (ACPC) in Sharm-El-Sheikh, Egypt.
With hundreds of students participating from the MENA region, the experience proved to be enriching for Yousef AlHamad, Fahad Kalloush, and Reem El-Sabaa, who had all qualified for ACPC having secured 3rd place in the 10th Kuwait Collegiate Programming Contest (KCPC).
Reflecting on the experience, Kalloush discussed what he learned from this trip and how it helped shape his understanding of teamwork, “This experience has been an eye-opening journey, and I’m very lucky to have been a part of it. I’ve learned how different it is when traveling with friends and how those few days have made us understand each other in different ways. When working in teams it is important for each member to be attentive and work together even when stressed or under pressure. Our team is all our strengths and weaknesses and we complete each other’s personal skills and thinking process especially because our team consists of friends and not just teammates.”
ElSabaa shared the same sentiment, emphasizing the large extent in which this trip was beneficial for her, “I learned that passion drives people to gaining new experiences that are loaded with memories. I also learned the value and power of teamwork, and how it isn’t about what every individual in a team is capable of, but what all of us as a team can achieve.”
On the other hand, AlHamad highlighted how the trip gave him the opportunity to learn how to “bridge the gap between cultures” and deepen his understanding of how to “more easily recognize graphing and search problems.”
Such competitions encourage students to collaborate in diverse and challenging environments. Kalloush, ElSabaa, and AlHamad are a testament to AUK’s commitment to providing students with enriching experiences that prepare them for the contemporary world.
With hundreds of students participating from the MENA region, the experience proved to be enriching for Yousef AlHamad, Fahad Kalloush, and Reem El-Sabaa, who had all qualified for ACPC having secured 3rd place in the 10th Kuwait Collegiate Programming Contest (KCPC).
Reflecting on the experience, Kalloush discussed what he learned from this trip and how it helped shape his understanding of teamwork, “This experience has been an eye-opening journey, and I’m very lucky to have been a part of it. I’ve learned how different it is when traveling with friends and how those few days have made us understand each other in different ways. When working in teams it is important for each member to be attentive and work together even when stressed or under pressure. Our team is all our strengths and weaknesses and we complete each other’s personal skills and thinking process especially because our team consists of friends and not just teammates.”
ElSabaa shared the same sentiment, emphasizing the large extent in which this trip was beneficial for her, “I learned that passion drives people to gaining new experiences that are loaded with memories. I also learned the value and power of teamwork, and how it isn’t about what every individual in a team is capable of, but what all of us as a team can achieve.”
On the other hand, AlHamad highlighted how the trip gave him the opportunity to learn how to “bridge the gap between cultures” and deepen his understanding of how to “more easily recognize graphing and search problems.”
Such competitions encourage students to collaborate in diverse and challenging environments. Kalloush, ElSabaa, and AlHamad are a testament to AUK’s commitment to providing students with enriching experiences that prepare them for the contemporary world.
ACPC participants
22, Dec 2022
AUK Students Participate in Warba Bank’s Rowad Innovation Program
Five AUK students participated in Warba Bank’s Rowad Innovation Program, a training and workshop challenge where teams were coached by the banking industry’s top mentors to develop innovative solutions for real-life financial business issues. The students were nominated by AUK college deans based on their high academic performances and GPA scores.
Brought to AUK by its Office of Alumni Affairs and Career Development (AACD), the University’s team included Amnah Derdab, majoring in economics and marketing; Husnain Hassan, majoring in accounting; Donia Al-Gouhari, majoring in business management and finance; Laila Dallol, majoring in electrical engineering; and Ali Darwiche, majoring in computer engineering.
The challenge presented by Warba Bank centered around the question of how banks can improve brand perception with the younger generation, especially communities already engaged in e-sports and gaming, and how banks can leverage gamification techniques to better engage youth.
The AUK team presented their solution with a business model that revolved around the three main elements of the challenge: community, competition, and financial solutions. This involved designing a prototype that was attractive to youth and gamification.
Commenting on the project, team member Ali Darwiche said, “Coming from an engineering background to a competition that is more business and design oriented, it gave me the opportunity and resources to learn about fields that I have not interacted with.”
Abir Tannir, director of the Office of Alumni Affairs and Career Development (AACD), expressed her pride towards the participating students, “We are proud of our students who executed their skills and knowledge into an innovative real-life experience. This is what AUK is all about—Learn, Think, Become. I am also grateful to our alumni who previously participated in the Rowad Program as students. They were mentoring our current team to a successful learning experience. Warba Bank has given AUK students a tremendous innovative opportunity that enabled them to flourish and grow.”
Programs as such give students the opportunity to expand their knowledge outside the classroom that will aid them in implementing their coursework material to real-life experiences. The AACD continuously engages with AUK students and alumni to provide support and recognition for their achievements and professional excellence. The AACD also directs students and alumni towards programs, services, and workshops that contribute to their holistic learning experience with a balance of theoretical and practical initiatives.
Brought to AUK by its Office of Alumni Affairs and Career Development (AACD), the University’s team included Amnah Derdab, majoring in economics and marketing; Husnain Hassan, majoring in accounting; Donia Al-Gouhari, majoring in business management and finance; Laila Dallol, majoring in electrical engineering; and Ali Darwiche, majoring in computer engineering.
The challenge presented by Warba Bank centered around the question of how banks can improve brand perception with the younger generation, especially communities already engaged in e-sports and gaming, and how banks can leverage gamification techniques to better engage youth.
The AUK team presented their solution with a business model that revolved around the three main elements of the challenge: community, competition, and financial solutions. This involved designing a prototype that was attractive to youth and gamification.
Commenting on the project, team member Ali Darwiche said, “Coming from an engineering background to a competition that is more business and design oriented, it gave me the opportunity and resources to learn about fields that I have not interacted with.”
Abir Tannir, director of the Office of Alumni Affairs and Career Development (AACD), expressed her pride towards the participating students, “We are proud of our students who executed their skills and knowledge into an innovative real-life experience. This is what AUK is all about—Learn, Think, Become. I am also grateful to our alumni who previously participated in the Rowad Program as students. They were mentoring our current team to a successful learning experience. Warba Bank has given AUK students a tremendous innovative opportunity that enabled them to flourish and grow.”
Programs as such give students the opportunity to expand their knowledge outside the classroom that will aid them in implementing their coursework material to real-life experiences. The AACD continuously engages with AUK students and alumni to provide support and recognition for their achievements and professional excellence. The AACD also directs students and alumni towards programs, services, and workshops that contribute to their holistic learning experience with a balance of theoretical and practical initiatives.
AUK participating students receiving an award from Warba’s CEO Mr.Shaheen Al Ghanim
Mr. Shaheen Al Ghanim presenting a plaque to Ms. Abir Tannir
AUK participating students with Mr.Shaheen Al Ghanim and Ms. Abir Tannir
22, Dec 2022
CCE-AUK Launches Arabic Certification During First Cambridge International Certifications Alumni Reunion
The Center for Continuing Education (CCE) at AUK held its first Cambridge International Certifications alumni reunion, during which they announced the launch of the Cambridge International Teaching Certifications in Arabic.
CCE continues to expand the scope of its qualifications to all teachers and leaders who seek to become internationally certified educators across various government and private educational institutions where Arabic is considered the primary medium of instruction.
Commenting on the launch of the certification, Ms. Nehal El Shafei, CCE director, stated, “I’m pleased to announce the launch of the ‘Arabic Cambridge International Teaching Certifications.’ Being the only accredited center providing for the Cambridge Professionals Development Certificate programs, language is now no longer a barrier in a teacher’s journey towards becoming talented educators through applying international standards, in the Arab world and across the globe.”
During the alumni reunion, AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, highlighted the Center’s achievements throughout the years, “AUK’s Center for Continuing Education has been AUK’s learning hub for professional development for over 18 years. It offers dynamic, focused and innovative training contents and practices based on international standards. With its mission in advancing Kuwait’s professional community, the CCE has diversified its training solutions and certified programs, and has therefore distinguished itself as the preferred training provider in the country.”
These qualifications are internationally recognized as a mark of excellence. They are designed to help teachers and leaders improve the quality of their educational leadership practices and teaching principles by applying new ideas and approaches, developing reflective practices, and employing a wide range of active learning strategies that would strengthen their future and inspire the generations that follow. As attested by Ms. Hind Ahmad Obaid, a teacher at a local bilingual school and a distinction holder of the Cambridge International Teaching Certificate, she highly praised the program by saying, “This certificate offers the perfect balance between theory and practice and is suitable for teachers regardless of the age level they work with. Being a certificate awarded by Cambridge International Assessment, the material offered is up-to-date, and once you earn the certificate, your qualification will be recognized locally and internationally, as a teacher.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Nawal Al Habeeb, a school general manager at Happy Land Pre-school Group, and a distinction holder of the Cambridge International Teaching Certificate, expressed her gratitude towards CCE, “When I decided to join this program, I was looking to boost my confidence as manager, keep up with new techniques and skills which in turn translates into job satisfaction, better employee performances and productivity, and overall success. This certificate is not an end goal in itself, it is the change you catalyze with it. It showed me how capable we are of accomplishing big goals with resilience and commitment.”
Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications are accredited by the University College London (UCL) Institute of Education. The Certificates are accredited with 60 credits at Level 4 of the Quality Assurance Agency Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (FHEQ). UCL Institute of Education was ranked number one for education worldwide many times.
Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications (Cambridge PDQs) transform professional learning for practicing teachers and leaders in their educational system. Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications supports Cambridge teachers and leaders to engage critically with relevant concepts, apply new ideas and approaches in their own teaching and learning context, evaluate experiences to plan further development, improve the quality of their teaching, develop as successful learners, and improve their professional practice.
As part of the American University of Kuwait (AUK), the Center for Continuing Education (CCE) has been recognized as a successful and leading professional development center in Kuwait. Listed as an approved training center at the Civil Service Commission and endorsed by PAAET, CCE has been offering a range of internationally certified professional development programs in leadership, management, business, finance and accounting, human resources, technology, language, teacher, and self-development. The Center works with a diverse team of AUK professors and certified professional experts at an international standard and develops programs and curriculums which meet training requirements of various audiences. Through the Center’s partnership with top-notch universities, institutions, and accreditation bodies such as Cambridge International Examinations, Chartered Institute for Securities, and Investment (CISI-UK), CertNEXUS, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), British Council and others from across the globe, CCE continues to deliver relevant, applied training programs, courses, and proctoring services to our many clients in Kuwait.
CCE continues to expand the scope of its qualifications to all teachers and leaders who seek to become internationally certified educators across various government and private educational institutions where Arabic is considered the primary medium of instruction.
Commenting on the launch of the certification, Ms. Nehal El Shafei, CCE director, stated, “I’m pleased to announce the launch of the ‘Arabic Cambridge International Teaching Certifications.’ Being the only accredited center providing for the Cambridge Professionals Development Certificate programs, language is now no longer a barrier in a teacher’s journey towards becoming talented educators through applying international standards, in the Arab world and across the globe.”
During the alumni reunion, AUK president, Dr. Rawda Awwad, highlighted the Center’s achievements throughout the years, “AUK’s Center for Continuing Education has been AUK’s learning hub for professional development for over 18 years. It offers dynamic, focused and innovative training contents and practices based on international standards. With its mission in advancing Kuwait’s professional community, the CCE has diversified its training solutions and certified programs, and has therefore distinguished itself as the preferred training provider in the country.”
These qualifications are internationally recognized as a mark of excellence. They are designed to help teachers and leaders improve the quality of their educational leadership practices and teaching principles by applying new ideas and approaches, developing reflective practices, and employing a wide range of active learning strategies that would strengthen their future and inspire the generations that follow. As attested by Ms. Hind Ahmad Obaid, a teacher at a local bilingual school and a distinction holder of the Cambridge International Teaching Certificate, she highly praised the program by saying, “This certificate offers the perfect balance between theory and practice and is suitable for teachers regardless of the age level they work with. Being a certificate awarded by Cambridge International Assessment, the material offered is up-to-date, and once you earn the certificate, your qualification will be recognized locally and internationally, as a teacher.”
Meanwhile, Ms. Nawal Al Habeeb, a school general manager at Happy Land Pre-school Group, and a distinction holder of the Cambridge International Teaching Certificate, expressed her gratitude towards CCE, “When I decided to join this program, I was looking to boost my confidence as manager, keep up with new techniques and skills which in turn translates into job satisfaction, better employee performances and productivity, and overall success. This certificate is not an end goal in itself, it is the change you catalyze with it. It showed me how capable we are of accomplishing big goals with resilience and commitment.”
Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications are accredited by the University College London (UCL) Institute of Education. The Certificates are accredited with 60 credits at Level 4 of the Quality Assurance Agency Framework for Higher Education Qualifications in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland (FHEQ). UCL Institute of Education was ranked number one for education worldwide many times.
Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications (Cambridge PDQs) transform professional learning for practicing teachers and leaders in their educational system. Cambridge Professional Development Qualifications supports Cambridge teachers and leaders to engage critically with relevant concepts, apply new ideas and approaches in their own teaching and learning context, evaluate experiences to plan further development, improve the quality of their teaching, develop as successful learners, and improve their professional practice.
As part of the American University of Kuwait (AUK), the Center for Continuing Education (CCE) has been recognized as a successful and leading professional development center in Kuwait. Listed as an approved training center at the Civil Service Commission and endorsed by PAAET, CCE has been offering a range of internationally certified professional development programs in leadership, management, business, finance and accounting, human resources, technology, language, teacher, and self-development. The Center works with a diverse team of AUK professors and certified professional experts at an international standard and develops programs and curriculums which meet training requirements of various audiences. Through the Center’s partnership with top-notch universities, institutions, and accreditation bodies such as Cambridge International Examinations, Chartered Institute for Securities, and Investment (CISI-UK), CertNEXUS, Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), British Council and others from across the globe, CCE continues to deliver relevant, applied training programs, courses, and proctoring services to our many clients in Kuwait.
Group photo of Cambridge International Teaching Certificate holders
CCE team with Mr. Mohammad Sallam, Cambridge trainer & program leader
21, Dec 2022
AUK CCE Hosts Panel Discussion in Partnership with GATES Group
The Center for Continuing Education (CCE) at AUK held a panel discussion with GATES Group in the AUK theater. The conference, titled “Roadmap to Sustainable Quality in Healthcare Through Education, Digitalization & Accreditation,” discussed how major healthcare players, whether regulators, payors, or providers, can better cooperate and develop their business model towards a value-based patient-centric model.
The panel discussion included a range of highly influential decision-makers. Partaking in the panel discussion were Mr. Ali Al-Hendal, deputy CEO at Gulf Insurance Group (GIG); Dr. Raghad Al-Kazimi, CMO at Al-Salam Hospital and representative of the Kuwait Private Hospitals Association; Mr. Ahmad Najjar, pre-sales manager at MGS; Dr. Ali Charara, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at AUK; and Dr. Adel Oleik, GATES Group founder and managing partner.
The discussion was preceded by an opening speech from Ms. Amal Al-Binali, AUK’s executive vice president, and moderated by Mr. Samer Hanna, executive partner and consultancy director at GATES Group. The key organizer was Ms. Nehal El Shafei, CCE director at AUK.
The panelists highlighted international trends in healthcare economics and quality together with the Kuwaiti healthcare system challenges and future needs. Mr. Ali Al-Hendal detailed the challenges of healthcare insurance, all affecting patient care, and focused on quality, revenue cycle management, and win-win relationships between hospitals and insurance as responses to these challenges.
Dr. Adel Oleik clarified the roadmap of a value-based reimbursement model and its health economic implications. Dr. Oleik suggested a roadmap for organizations to be sustainably accredited that involves a triangle of education, digitalization, and consultancy. The partnership between CCE-AUK and GATES Group, through offering internationally accredited certifications and training programs, will make capacity-building and training of healthcare leaders and professionals on international accreditation standards and change management methods more accessible.
In turn, Dr. Raghad AlKazemi described the weakness of the quality culture in healthcare institutions, as she explained the need to look at quality and safety practices beyond taking precautions against COVID-19 and infection control measures. She also emphasized the role of leadership in promoting sustainable quality and accreditation in healthcare institutions.
Dr. Ali Charara discussed the role of education in building leaders, emphasizing that AUK educates on tasks and behaviors. He talked about the transition of leadership approaches in organizations and urged educational institutions to cope with this change by tailoring academic and certification programs to bring sustainable practices to healthcare organizations.
Mr. Ahmad Al-Najjar spoke about technology being seen as a tool to achieve a specific goal. He talked about how healthcare organizations should understand the role of digitalization and include in their strategies the adaptation of digital transformation. He also mentioned DQuaM©, a digital solution for quality management that helps reduce paperwork burden and make quality everyone’s everyday job.
Mr. Lindsay Sales, senior expert at GATES Group from the audience attending online, added that incentives are highly important in a value-based reimbursement model, and he shared his experience in Australia where insurers, if accredited, were paid an additional daily payment. It also contributed to being classified as a preferred provider by insurers.
The panel was followed by a discussion with participants who provided reflections and asked the panelists about various topics presented. Key interventions were from Mr. Alex Jankuloski, Kuwait Hospital CEO; Mr. Ibrahim Qaddoura, New Mowasat Hospital CFO; Mr. Yousef Alabdullah from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS); and Dr. Shaimaa Rabaeah from Kuwait Technical College.
This event paved the way for wider collaborations between the public and private sectors to drift away from commercialized healthcare practices and move towards a patient-centered healthcare system in Kuwait.
The panel discussion included a range of highly influential decision-makers. Partaking in the panel discussion were Mr. Ali Al-Hendal, deputy CEO at Gulf Insurance Group (GIG); Dr. Raghad Al-Kazimi, CMO at Al-Salam Hospital and representative of the Kuwait Private Hospitals Association; Mr. Ahmad Najjar, pre-sales manager at MGS; Dr. Ali Charara, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at AUK; and Dr. Adel Oleik, GATES Group founder and managing partner.
The discussion was preceded by an opening speech from Ms. Amal Al-Binali, AUK’s executive vice president, and moderated by Mr. Samer Hanna, executive partner and consultancy director at GATES Group. The key organizer was Ms. Nehal El Shafei, CCE director at AUK.
The panelists highlighted international trends in healthcare economics and quality together with the Kuwaiti healthcare system challenges and future needs. Mr. Ali Al-Hendal detailed the challenges of healthcare insurance, all affecting patient care, and focused on quality, revenue cycle management, and win-win relationships between hospitals and insurance as responses to these challenges.
Dr. Adel Oleik clarified the roadmap of a value-based reimbursement model and its health economic implications. Dr. Oleik suggested a roadmap for organizations to be sustainably accredited that involves a triangle of education, digitalization, and consultancy. The partnership between CCE-AUK and GATES Group, through offering internationally accredited certifications and training programs, will make capacity-building and training of healthcare leaders and professionals on international accreditation standards and change management methods more accessible.
In turn, Dr. Raghad AlKazemi described the weakness of the quality culture in healthcare institutions, as she explained the need to look at quality and safety practices beyond taking precautions against COVID-19 and infection control measures. She also emphasized the role of leadership in promoting sustainable quality and accreditation in healthcare institutions.
Dr. Ali Charara discussed the role of education in building leaders, emphasizing that AUK educates on tasks and behaviors. He talked about the transition of leadership approaches in organizations and urged educational institutions to cope with this change by tailoring academic and certification programs to bring sustainable practices to healthcare organizations.
Mr. Ahmad Al-Najjar spoke about technology being seen as a tool to achieve a specific goal. He talked about how healthcare organizations should understand the role of digitalization and include in their strategies the adaptation of digital transformation. He also mentioned DQuaM©, a digital solution for quality management that helps reduce paperwork burden and make quality everyone’s everyday job.
Mr. Lindsay Sales, senior expert at GATES Group from the audience attending online, added that incentives are highly important in a value-based reimbursement model, and he shared his experience in Australia where insurers, if accredited, were paid an additional daily payment. It also contributed to being classified as a preferred provider by insurers.
The panel was followed by a discussion with participants who provided reflections and asked the panelists about various topics presented. Key interventions were from Mr. Alex Jankuloski, Kuwait Hospital CEO; Mr. Ibrahim Qaddoura, New Mowasat Hospital CFO; Mr. Yousef Alabdullah from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS); and Dr. Shaimaa Rabaeah from Kuwait Technical College.
This event paved the way for wider collaborations between the public and private sectors to drift away from commercialized healthcare practices and move towards a patient-centered healthcare system in Kuwait.
Group photo of the panel discussion speakers
Group photo of the panel discussion speakers with AUK’s members
21, Dec 2022
AUK Hosts 16th Talent Show
AUK hosted the 16th student talent show in the AUK theater. Organized by AUK’s Office of Student Life, Division of Student Affairs, the event was attended by the campus community and external guests.
The show was hosted by AUK students, Tameem Al-Tameem and Farah Waez, who presented a total of 17 singing and dances performances. Batool Abdulhusain won first place, Basel Hussain came in second, and Abdullah Bekheet secured third place.
The event’s judging panel included Student Council president, Lolwah Salem; and AUK staff members Dalia Hassan and Lama Abdo. The special guests invited to attend the event were three representatives from VO—the first Kuwait-based integrated youth platform and creative hub for young talents in Kuwait. VO awarded Noor Qaddoumi and Basel Hussain with two golden keys to participate in their show MicroVone.
The dean of student affairs, Ms. Hala Al-Abdulrazzaq, expressed her pride towards AUK’s students, “We are happy and proud to host such a lovely event to showcase a group of our exquisitely talented students. The event was a success, and we appreciate the continuous support the AUK audience showed to the student performers and to our guests.”
The show was hosted by AUK students, Tameem Al-Tameem and Farah Waez, who presented a total of 17 singing and dances performances. Batool Abdulhusain won first place, Basel Hussain came in second, and Abdullah Bekheet secured third place.
The event’s judging panel included Student Council president, Lolwah Salem; and AUK staff members Dalia Hassan and Lama Abdo. The special guests invited to attend the event were three representatives from VO—the first Kuwait-based integrated youth platform and creative hub for young talents in Kuwait. VO awarded Noor Qaddoumi and Basel Hussain with two golden keys to participate in their show MicroVone.
The dean of student affairs, Ms. Hala Al-Abdulrazzaq, expressed her pride towards AUK’s students, “We are happy and proud to host such a lovely event to showcase a group of our exquisitely talented students. The event was a success, and we appreciate the continuous support the AUK audience showed to the student performers and to our guests.”
Group photo of winners
21, Dec 2022
AUK Students Film in Failaka Island
AUK communication and media students visited Failaka Island to shoot videos and utilize the range of sceneries the location offers. Dr. Mohammed Akbar, associate professor of communication, organized the trip and accompanied the students who are enrolled in his Documentary Production course.
Students produced videos that include a five-minute narrative documentary highlighting the aftermath of the 1990 Iraqi invasion; and another five-minute observational documentary featuring the students’ activities and the journey from Marina Crescent to Failaka Island.
Through this field trip, students were able to practice filming various documentary styles and shots. With Failaka Island being known as one of Kuwait’s most diverse locations for filming, students were able to experiment with distinctive types of videography techniques.
Field trips as such give students the opportunity to expand their knowledge outside the classroom and gain experiences that will aid them in implementing their coursework material.
Students produced videos that include a five-minute narrative documentary highlighting the aftermath of the 1990 Iraqi invasion; and another five-minute observational documentary featuring the students’ activities and the journey from Marina Crescent to Failaka Island.
Through this field trip, students were able to practice filming various documentary styles and shots. With Failaka Island being known as one of Kuwait’s most diverse locations for filming, students were able to experiment with distinctive types of videography techniques.
Field trips as such give students the opportunity to expand their knowledge outside the classroom and gain experiences that will aid them in implementing their coursework material.
Group photo of students with Dr. Mohammed Akbar
20, Dec 2022
AUK Hosts Seventh Talk of Faculty Speaker Series
AUK hosted the seventh talk of the Faculty Speaker Series, and the second talk of the academic year 2022-2023, entitled “Literature and Medicine in the English Classroom” presented by associate professor of English literature, Dr. Hanan Muzaffar, from the College of Arts and Sciences. Attendees included AUK faculty and students, including academicians and guests.
Dr. Muzaffar shared her views on the link between medicine and literature, explaining that as English majors, students are used to the interdisciplinary nature of study, reading literature that encompasses a wide array of fields such as philosophy, science, art, politics, and medicine.
“In trying to understand today’s generation, we often see them as distinct by their awareness of and struggles with health—mental and physical, in addition to the outspoken manner in which they address these issues, to our detriment as parents and educators at times. Putting them in conversation with works of literature, characters and writers who also have illnesses as part of their lives forces students to situate themselves as part of a bigger world, and to reassess their own relation to illness, to normalize it as part of life, and to allow for a better acceptance of it,” she stated.
Dr. Muzaffar emphasized the importance of students being the producers of meaning in her classes. She also gave examples of her own students’ reactions to the theme of illness by reading a few samples from their papers.
The event concluded with an open discussion and Q&A session with the audience.
The Faculty Speaker Series is a platform that enables faculty members to showcase their research and scholarly accomplishments. The event also allows AUK to make a difference in the community both in Kuwait and beyond by spreading knowledge and awareness about various topics while offering an opportunity to the general public to take part in the AUK experience.
Dr. Muzaffar shared her views on the link between medicine and literature, explaining that as English majors, students are used to the interdisciplinary nature of study, reading literature that encompasses a wide array of fields such as philosophy, science, art, politics, and medicine.
“In trying to understand today’s generation, we often see them as distinct by their awareness of and struggles with health—mental and physical, in addition to the outspoken manner in which they address these issues, to our detriment as parents and educators at times. Putting them in conversation with works of literature, characters and writers who also have illnesses as part of their lives forces students to situate themselves as part of a bigger world, and to reassess their own relation to illness, to normalize it as part of life, and to allow for a better acceptance of it,” she stated.
Dr. Muzaffar emphasized the importance of students being the producers of meaning in her classes. She also gave examples of her own students’ reactions to the theme of illness by reading a few samples from their papers.
The event concluded with an open discussion and Q&A session with the audience.
The Faculty Speaker Series is a platform that enables faculty members to showcase their research and scholarly accomplishments. The event also allows AUK to make a difference in the community both in Kuwait and beyond by spreading knowledge and awareness about various topics while offering an opportunity to the general public to take part in the AUK experience.
Associate professor of English literature, Dr. Hanan Muzaffar, from the College of Arts and Sciences
Dr. Hanan Muzaffar giving her presentation
