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The University hosted Mr. Mohamad Shouman, General Manager of the Corporate Banking Sector at Kuwait Finance House, for a guest lecture organized by Dr. Wafaa Sbeiti from the College of Business and Economics. The event served as part of the University’s broader initiative to enhance experiential learning and provide students with direct exposure to sector-specific expertise.

Under the title “ESG Frameworks and Sustainable Finance: Shaping Kuwait’s Corporate Future,” the session examined the practical adoption of sustainability-driven approaches within corporate banking. Mr. Shouman addressed how financial institutions are redefining performance metrics beyond traditional profitability to include social impact, environmental responsibility, and governance effectiveness. He discussed the role of structured ESG reporting in improving corporate accountability and strengthening stakeholder trust, as well as its influence on investment evaluation and credit assessment.

The lecture further considered the intersection between sustainable finance and national development objectives, highlighting how responsible financial practices can support economic resilience and innovation. Students were encouraged to consider the long-term implications of sustainability on corporate strategy, capital allocation, and institutional reputation within an increasingly competitive financial environment.

Concluding the session, Mr. Shouman reflected on the evolving skill sets required in the banking sector, emphasizing analytical thinking, ethical judgment, and adaptability as essential competencies for future professionals. The event provided students with a deeper understanding of how global sustainability trends are localized within Kuwait’s financial landscape, reinforcing the University’s role in preparing graduates to engage thoughtfully and effectively with the future of corporate finance.

AUK hosted a book talk and signing to celebrate the release of The History of Kuwait: What the Historian’s Memory Overlooked (Takween, 2025), authored by Dr. Hesham Al-Awadi, Professor of History and International Relations in the College of Arts & Sciences. Organized jointly by the AUK Library and the Office of Research and Grants’ Faculty Speaker Series (FSS), the event welcomed a diverse audience of academics, researchers, students, alumni, and external guests.

The event opened with remarks from Dr. Salime Smadi, Chair of the Faculty Speaker Series, who welcomed attendees and underscored the significance of supporting faculty research. This was followed by a message from Ms. Asma Al Kanan, University Librarian, who emphasized the library’s commitment to fostering knowledge creation, intellectual exchange, and cultural engagement through such initiatives.

During his lecture, Prof. Al-Awadi discussed the research journey behind the book, highlighting the extensive effort devoted to collecting historical documents and images. Drawing on more than 170 references from local, regional, and international sources, the book seeks to restore recognition to less- documented groups and communities that played a vital role in shaping Kuwait’s history but have long been absent from mainstream narratives. Prof. Al-Awadi noted that the work aims to encourage a more inclusive and nuanced understanding of the country’s past.

The session featured vibrant audience engagement, with attendees posing questions on research methodology and the importance of revisiting historical accounts through broader and more inclusive perspectives. The discussion underscored a growing interest in critical approaches that complement dominant historical narratives.

The event concluded with a book signing ceremony, offering attendees the opportunity to receive signed copies directly from the author. The celebratory atmosphere reflected the academic community’s appreciation of Prof. Al-Awadi’s contribution to Kuwait’s historiography and his efforts to illuminate overlooked dimensions of the country’s past.

Images from the event

AUK hosted a specialized forum titled “Artificial Intelligence Adoption in Higher Education in Kuwait,” organized by the Office of Research and Grants (ORG) in collaboration with the Office of Institutional Research. The event brought together faculty, staff, and administrators to examine the evolving role of artificial intelligence in advancing teaching, research, and institutional effectiveness.

The event opened with welcome remarks from Ms. Afsah Abdullah of the Office of Research and Grants, who highlighted the importance of cross-campus collaboration in advancing innovation. Dr. Ahmad Alsaber, Director of the Office of Institutional Research, followed with opening remarks that framed AI adoption as a strategic priority for AUK and emphasized its potential to support evidence-based decision-making and academic excellence.

The program featured two keynote addresses from AUK faculty members with expertise in artificial intelligence. Dr. Belal Gharaibeh delivered a keynote on AI Adoption in Academic Research, discussing how AI-driven tools can enhance research design, analysis, and scholarly productivity. Dr. Dmytro Roman Kulchitsky presented on AI Initiatives at AUK, outlining current and emerging efforts to integrate AI across academic programs and institutional operations.

A moderated panel discussion further enriched the event, bringing together perspectives from academia and industry. The panel, moderated by Dr. Sarah Al-Shamali, included Dr. Husam Arman (KISR), Dr. Ali Alfaily (PAAET), Mr. Abdullah Khaleel Kamal, an AI and data analytics specialist, and Ms. Dima Aburashid, Senior Instructor of Computer Science at AUK. Panelists discussed the practical applications of AI in higher education, challenges related to implementation, and opportunities for national and institutional collaboration.

Discussions throughout the forum emphasized the responsible integration of AI technologies within academic and administrative contexts. Participants highlighted the importance of AI literacy, ethical use, academic integrity, and transparency, while underscoring the role of human judgment and expertise in guiding AI-supported decision-making. The conversations also encouraged interdisciplinary collaboration as a key driver of sustainable innovation.

The event concluded by reinforcing AUK’s commitment to supporting initiatives that align with Kuwait’s digital transformation goals. Attendees were encouraged to explore research projects, partnerships, and proposals that advance the responsible and impactful use of artificial intelligence in education.

Through initiatives such as this forum, AUK continues to position itself as a forward-looking institution dedicated to innovation, academic excellence, and regional leadership in technology-enabled higher education.

Images from the event

AUK continued its Faculty Speaker Series with an engaging literary talk delivered by Dr. Hanan Muzaffar, Associate Professor of English Literature in the College of Arts and Sciences. The event was introduced by Dr. Salime Smadi, Chair of the Faculty Speaker Series, who welcomed attendees and provided an overview of Dr. Muzaffar’s academic background and research interests. Faculty members, students, and guests from the wider community attended the session, filling the Multipurpose Room for an afternoon of thoughtful discussion on literature, identity, and resistance.

Dr. Muzaffar, who joined AUK in 2015, earned her PhD from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 2000, specializing in literary theory and minority writers. Her research encompasses women’s literature, minority narratives, gender studies, and comparative literature. Recently, her scholarly work has explored cyborg theory, as well as the intersection of medicine and literature. She is also involved in translating fiction and theoretical works from English to Arabic, contributing to the accessibility of literary scholarship in the region.

Her lecture, titled “Land, Body, and Resistance in Susan Abulhawa’s Against the Loveless World,” offered an ecofeminist analysis of Abulhawa’s acclaimed novel. Dr. Muzaffar explored how the narrative draws connections between the exploitation of the Palestinian landscape and the commodification of women’s bodies, arguing that these experiences reflect parallel forms of occupation and domination. To frame her analysis, she referenced notable ecofeminist scholars such as Vandana Shiva, Greta Gaard, and Ynestra King, whose work underscores the interconnectedness of environmental and gender-based oppression.

The presentation began with Dr. Muzaffar reading selected passages from the novel, introducing the audience to its protagonist, Nahr, who returns to Palestine after years of displacement. Dr. Muzaffar explained how Nahr’s personal transformation mirrors a collective Palestinian experience, where reclaiming land represents not only physical belonging but also cultural survival and bodily autonomy. She emphasized that Abulhawa uses Nahr’s character to illustrate how identity is shaped, threatened, and ultimately reconstructed through resistance.

Drawing connections to broader trends in Palestinian literature, Dr. Muzaffar highlighted the longstanding symbolic significance of land as both a physical and emotional anchor. She noted that Palestinian writers often depict land as intertwined with memory, heritage, and the body, forming a powerful narrative space for challenging erasure and asserting presence. According to Dr. Muzaffar, this tradition positions the land as a living entity that shapes identities and embodies the collective struggle for justice.

Throughout the talk, she emphasized that the degradation of the environment cannot be separated from systems of gendered, racial, and economic inequality. She explained that the same forces responsible for environmental destruction, colonialism, militarization, and patriarchal capitalism, also perpetuate violence against marginalized communities, particularly women. In Abulhawa’s novel, protecting the land becomes an act of defiance, just as preserving dignity and selfhood becomes a form of resistance.

Audience members engaged in a lively discussion following the presentation, asking questions about the role of literature in shaping political consciousness, the evolution of ecofeminist thought, and how contemporary writers navigate themes of displacement and identity. Many attendees expressed appreciation for the interdisciplinary nature of the talk, which seamlessly blended literary theory with social and environmental scholarship.

The Faculty Speaker Series continues to serve as a platform for showcasing the research and expertise of AUK faculty members, enriching the academic environment by fostering dialogue across disciplines. This event underscored the value of literature as a lens through which students and community members can explore complex social issues and deepen their understanding of global narratives.

The Board of Trustees of AUK, chaired by Sheikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, held its scheduled meeting with the attendance of board members and the university’s senior administration. The agenda included the discussion of a number of strategic matters related to the university’s progress and the continued enhancement of educational quality.

During the meeting, the Board reviewed the performance of the university administration, including academic and administrative progress indicators, the level of implementation of developmental initiatives, and the extent of alignment with the university’s strategic plan.

The Board also discussed the university’s preparations for the next academic semester, as well as plans to elevate student services, develop academic programs, and strengthen an educational environment that supports innovation and scientific research—aligned with AUK’s mission to provide high-quality education in Kuwait.

As part of its academic vision, the Board emphasized the importance of AUK’s leading position as a distinguished center for the humanities in Kuwait and the region—a role that has contributed to equipping students with critical thinking, innovation, and the ability to tackle global challenges. The Board underscored the need to further advance interdisciplinary learning and expand international partnerships that enrich the overall educational experience.

The meeting also addressed the rapid impact of modern technologies and artificial intelligence on the future of higher education, highlighting the importance of keeping pace with these transformations. This includes integrating AI-related skills and tools into curricula, updating learning and assessment strategies, and enabling students to acquire advanced digital competencies necessary for success in future job markets.

At the conclusion of the meeting, the Board of Trustees reaffirmed its ongoing support for the efforts of the university administration and its commitment to ensuring that AUK continues to maintain its leading position as a prominent academic institution both locally and regionally, while continuing to prepare a generation capable of shaping a future driven by knowledge, innovation, and humanity.

Sheikha Dana Nasser Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah, Chair of the Board of Trustees

A group photo of the Board of Trustees and the senior administration of the American University of Kuwait

AUK Library participated in the 48th Kuwait International Book Fair, an event that brought together more than 600 exhibitors representing publishing houses, cultural organizations, and educational institutions from across the region and beyond. This year’s fair held particular importance as it aligned with Kuwait’s recognition as the Arab Capital of Culture and Media for 2025, drawing hundreds of thousands of visitors to the fairgrounds.

AUK’s booth highlighted the Oral History and Documentation Project, a pioneering initiative co-sponsored by Kuwait Projects Company (KIPCO) and is dedicated to recording and preserving firsthand accounts of Kuwait’s social and cultural evolution. Visitors listened to curated audio clips featuring individuals such as Abdullah Bishara, Former Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and Sarah Akbar, Kuwaiti Chemical and Petroleum Engineer, Women’s Rights Advocate, and Co-Founder & Former CEO of Kuwait Energy. Their interviews capture personal narratives spanning Kuwait’s early maritime traditions, major historical turning points, and contemporary developments. The recordings offered guests an authentic glimpse into the nation’s collective memory and demonstrated the project’s value as a scholarly and cultural resource.

The exhibit generated interest not only among community members but also among prospective students and families seeking information about AUK’s academic offerings. Many engaged with representatives to learn more about admissions and university life, reinforcing the fair’s role as a platform for meaningful outreach.

In addition, AUK organized a field trip for students and staff to visit the fair. Participants began at the university’s booth to explore the Oral History Project before touring the exposition’s diverse halls. The experience encouraged students to engage with the literary environment, reflect on Kuwait’s cultural landscape, and discover new reading interests. Several participants described the visit as an enriching highlight of their academic year.

AUK’s involvement in the Kuwait International Book Fair reflects the university’s continued commitment to cultural engagement and its mission to support learning that extends beyond the classroom.

Those interested in learning more about the Oral History and Documentation Project may visit: www.oralhistory.auk.edu.kw

Group photo of students and staff from the American University of Kuwait

Students visiting the American University of Kuwait’s booth

Students visiting the American University of Kuwait’s booth

AUK proudly hosted the fourth edition of the Gulf Bank Datathon, marking the first time a private university in Kuwait has been selected to host this national event. Organized in collaboration with Gulf Bank and Coded, the Datathon brought together more than 500 participants, including university students, school students, professionals, and emerging data enthusiasts from across Kuwait.

This year’s Datathon surpassed all previous editions with exceptional engagement, recording over 220 competitors in the main tracks and more than 250 attendees in the preparatory workshops delivered by Gulf Bank experts. Participants immersed themselves in three advanced tracks, Data Science, Data Engineering, and Generative AI, each designed around real Gulf Bank datasets, allowing them to tackle authentic industry challenges and develop applied, career-ready solutions.

In a major first for the Datathon, three prizes were awarded in each track, expanding opportunities for recognition and spotlighting a wider spectrum of local talent. AUK proudly sponsored the second and third prizes in the Data Science track, reinforcing the university’s commitment to supporting Kuwait’s digital future.

AUK’s Data Club played a central and outstanding role in the success of the event. Students worked hand-in-hand with the university’s IT and PR & Marketing departments to coordinate logistics, assist participants, manage registrations, and ensure the seamless delivery of workshops and competition rounds. Their professionalism reflected the strength and unity of AUK’s student community.

Across the two-day event, the AUK campus buzzed with energy and innovation, with participants describing the Datathon as “inspiring,” “challenging,” and “career-shaping.” The Datathon brought together students, faculty, industry leaders, and community partners in a vibrant display of collaboration, creativity, and data-driven problem-solving.

AUK extends its appreciation to Gulf Bank, Coded, the judges, mentors, and all contributors who played a role in making this national event a resounding success. The achievement of hosting Gulf Bank Datathon V4 stands as a powerful example of how education and industry can come together to expand opportunities, empower young talent, and drive Kuwait’s data-driven future.

Images from the event

The College of Business and Economics (CBE) at AUK hosted an informative academic session titled “Understanding Taxes in Kuwait: Pillar Two and Transfer Pricing,” presented by KPMG Tax specialists Zulaiha Hassen and Hakim Abde Ali. The event was organized by AUK Accounting Professor, Dr. Kameleddine Benamer.

The workshop offered students a clear and structured overview of Kuwait’s rapidly evolving tax landscape, with a particular focus on the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT) under OECD Pillar Two rules and the growing significance of Transfer Pricing documentation and compliance. More than just a lecture, the session invited active participation, with students raising thoughtful questions and engaging deeply with the real-world scenarios presented by the experts.

Throughout the session, students explored Kuwait’s current tax framework, including the country’s longstanding exemption of personal income tax and limited corporate taxation, as well as the introduction of DMTT, effective January 1, 2025. The presenters explained how the new rules ensure multinational enterprises (MNEs) operating in Kuwait meet a minimum effective tax rate of 15%, applicable to groups with global consolidated revenues of at least EUR 750 million in two of the previous four fiscal years.

Participants also gained clarity on the mechanisms of Pillar Two implementation, including the Qualified Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (QDMTT), Safe Harbor provisions, and required registration timelines for in-scope entities. A dedicated portion of the session addressed Transfer Pricing, emphasizing the Arm’s Length Principle for related-party transactions, acceptable pricing methodologies, and the importance of maintaining both Master File and Local File documentation in line with OECD BEPS Action 13.

By the end of the event, students had strengthened their understanding of global tax compliance, the strategic impact of Transfer Pricing on effective tax rates, and the essential role of accurate reporting in multinational operations. The workshop underscored AUK’s commitment to enriching academic learning through exposure to industry expertise, preparing students to navigate complex financial and regulatory environments with confidence.

This session forms part of CBE’s ongoing efforts to integrate professional insight into the curriculum, fostering meaningful collaboration between academia and leading international firms such as KPMG.