The Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST) welcomed a group of students from Al Yarmouk High School for Girls to its Center of Artificial Intelligence and Robotics (CAIR). The visit aimed at preparing the students for the "AI in Geology" competition organized by Al Assimah Educational Area.

Under the expert guidance of Dr. Mohammad Naji, Head of CAIR, and Eng. Hajar Al Sulaili, Lab Assistant at CAIR, the students participated in intensive workshops and training sessions over a three-week period. These sessions focused on equipping the students with the necessary skills and knowledge to develop a successful robotic project for the competition.

The Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST) had the pleasure of hosting a delegation from the Korean Institute of Science and Technology Information (KISTI). The visit concluded in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) aimed at strengthening scientific research collaboration between the two institutions. Professor Khalid Al Begain, President of KCST, extended a warm welcome to the Korean delegation, which comprised representatives from KISTI and the Korean Embassy. Dr. Kim Jaesoo, President of KISTI, led the delegation. This strategic partnership underscores the commitment of both institutions to expand their collaborative efforts in scientific research, building upon the existing relationship and fostering innovation.

The Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST) proudly launched the India Book Corner at its university library. The event was graced by the presence of His Excellency Dr. Adarsh Suika, the Indian Ambassador to Kuwait, and a delegation from the Indian Embassy. The India Book Corner, an initiative by the Embassy of India, aims to enrich the educational resources available at universities across Kuwait. The collection features a diverse range of books spanning scientific, cultural, and literary fields. This valuable addition to KCST's library is expected to enhance the university's educational role by encouraging students to explore the rich cultural heritage of India. Furthermore, the initiative provides students with the opportunity to benefit from the insights and perspectives offered by Indian institutions in the realms of science and education.

The Kuwait College of Science and Technology (KCST) welcomed a group of talented students from Habeeba Bent Shrayeq Al Ansari High School for Girls. The students, who have already formed a cybersecurity team known as "Habeeba Leaders in Cybersecurity," were treated to a comprehensive campus tour that showcased KCST's key facilities and advanced laboratories. The tour concluded at the Cybersecurity Lab, where the students engaged in an interactive workshop led by Eng. Eissa Al Enezi and Eng. Al Yamamah Al Shammeri, lab assistants. The workshop covered various cybersecurity topics and included a fun and engaging cyber game, providing the students with a valuable learning experience.

KCST hosted the Soliya Connect Program for the fourth time in Kuwait, in partnership with the U.S. Embassy and the Stevens Initiative Organization. This program, designed to foster dialogue between college-aged youth in the United States and the Middle East and North Africa, took place in two rounds during the Spring semester of 2024. The first round focused on the topic of "Freedom of Speech: Meanings and Limits," while the second round explored "Life Goals: What is a Meaningful Life." Facilitated by trained professionals, the program featured both synchronous (live) and asynchronous exchanges, allowing participants to discuss global and social issues in a collaborative environment. The Soliya Connect Program aimed to create a network with American students, develop essential dialogue skills, and promote understanding of current global challenges.

KCST has established a strategic partnership with Quadron, a leading Hungarian cybersecurity company. The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed at the Hungarian Embassy in Kuwait, in the presence of the Hungarian Ambassador, Mr. András Szabó. The MOU establishes a framework for collaboration between KCST and Quadron, with the goal of leveraging mutual opportunities in Kuwait. This partnership will allow both institutions to benefit from each other's expertise and resources in the field of cybersecurity.

KCST signed an MOU with Kuwait Hackers, an institution founded by Dr. Basil Al Othman that offers cybersecurity courses to the public. This collaboration aims at expanding access to cybersecurity education and raise awareness about the importance of digital defense. By partnering with raising Kuwait Hackers, KCST seeks to equip individuals with the necessary skills and knowledge to address the evolving cyber threats and protect against cyberattacks.

KCST further opened the Hungarian Book Corner. The ceremony was graced by His Excellency, Mr. András Szabó, Ambassador of Hungary to Kuwait. Ambassador Szabó joined Professor Khalid Al Begain, KCST President, and a delegation from both the Hungarian Embassy and KCST management, in cutting the ribbon to officially inaugurate the new resource. This initiative, provided by the Hungarian Embassy, features a curated collection of books encompassing scientific, cultural, and literary fields. The Hungarian Book Corner will enrich the educational experience of KCST students by providing them with access to diverse perspectives and knowledge from Hungary.

KCST signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Engineering and Marketing International (EMI), a leading Lebanese company. This collaboration stems from the S4 IoT Symposium and marks a significant step forward for both entities. Under the terms of the MoU, EMI intends to equip a KCST laboratory with advanced machinery. Established to provide cutting-edge solutions to the process industry across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region, EMI boasts a successful track record of representing and implementing OSISoft and Matrikon OPC products and services in the region. The collaboration will provide KCST students with access to advanced equipment and expertise, further enhancing their educational experience.

In the presence of His Excellency, Mr. András Szabó, Ambassador of Hungary to Kuwait, KCST signed a landmark MoU with Tengr.ai, a leading Hungarian company specializing in artificial intelligence. This agreement signifies a significant milestone in the realm of educational and technological collaboration. KCST, renowned for its commitment to innovation and academic excellence, continuously seeks to enhance its academic offerings through strategic partnerships. Tengr.ai, known for its cutting-edge platform that leverages advanced AI technology to generate near-realistic photos, presents a valuable opportunity for collaboration. The MoU paves the way for joint research initiatives, fostering knowledge exchange between the two institutions. Students and faculty at KCST will gain access to state-of-the-art tools and expertise in artificial intelligence and image generation, empowering them to delve deeper into this rapidly evolving field.

The Languages Department hosted a seminar titled "The Difference between British English and American English Dialects," presented by Mr. Alban Beqiri. The seminar delved into the distinctive features of these two prominent English dialects, covering pronunciation, vocabulary, and writing structure. Attendees gained valuable insights into the historical and cultural factors that have shaped these linguistic variations. Interactive discussions encouraged participants to explore the practical implications of understanding these differences in today's global communication landscape.

The Student Wellbeing Unit organized a series of sessions for Foundation students focused on "Understanding and Managing Anxiety at College: Using the CBT Techniques." Ms. Dima Aljam, the Students Counselor, led these sessions, which aimed at integrating mental health support with academic success. Students learned practical strategies for identifying and addressing anxiety triggers, fostering a supportive college environment, and cultivating resilience. By acquiring tools to manage anxiety, students were empowered to navigate their college journey with greater mental well-being.

The Languages Department hosted a seminar titled "How to Enhance the Speaking Skills in the English Language," presented by Ms. Elzahraa Hassane. The seminar provided students with practical strategies to improve their English-speaking abilities. Through interactive exercises and guided practice, students learned techniques to enhance their pronunciation, fluency, and confidence. The seminar addressed common challenges and offered tailored approaches to overcome them, empowering individuals to communicate effectively in various English-speaking environments.

The Student Success Center hosted an orientation for Level Three students. The orientation provided students with valuable information about the center's services, major selection process, and how to submit requests. Students also had the opportunity to explore the advising center's offerings, which further enhanced the university's support system. Additionally, students participated in academic mentorship sessions, receiving personalized guidance and support.

Mr. Abdullah Al Farhan from the Languages Department presented a seminar titled "Formal Vs. Informal Language." The seminar explored the nuances of communication styles and taught attendees when to use formal or informal language in different contexts. Through interactive discussions and real-life examples, participants developed skills to adapt their language appropriately. This seminar aimed at improving communication effectiveness in both personal and professional settings.

Ms. Huda Abuaishah, an English Lecturer in the Foundation Department, organized a student exhibition titled "Technology in Everyday Life. " As an in-class assessment, students worked throughout the spring semester to develop their ideas and practice their English speaking skills. The exhibition featured five groups, each consisting of four to five students. Each group presented a technological aspect that is currently used or is being developed for future implementation. Following the presentations, a competition was held where groups presented their ideas to a public audience. The judging panel included three foundation lecturers from KCST and two Assistant Professors from GUST.

Ms. Seema Faruqui, from the Foundation Department, hosted Mr. Bashar Al Hunaidi to present a seminar titled: Kayak for Kuwait. Mr. Bashar shared his experience and journey when he kayaked from Kuwait to Oman and how he could survive with very limited access to amenities and food. Mr. Bashar told the students the whole objective of this trip which was to discover the beauty of nature in the Gulf countries and how to preserve the environment by practicing the healthiest behavior toward the gifted solid land, sea and air. The students interacted with Mr. Bashar and asked him many questions about his trip as well as his advice if they wish to repeat his experience.

Building on the success of previous workshops, the Cybersecurity Center offered the EC-Council's Certified Ethical Hacker Workshop (C|EH) for the third time. Dr. Basil Al Othman, a leading cybersecurity expert, led the intensive five-day training program. The C|EH workshop equips participants with the skills to simulate cyberattacks and identify vulnerabilities in secure systems. As the only accredited academic partner of EC-Council in Kuwait, KCST provides students with valuable training opportunities in ethical hacking.

In collaboration with IEEE Kuwait Section, KCST hosted a talk by Prof. Ian F. Akyildiz, a pioneer in 6G technology and the Metaverse. His lecture, titled "Unlocking The Future: Exploring Multi-Sensory Immersive and AI in the 6G-Enables Metaverse," provided an overview of this emerging technology, including its history and current research. The talk also addressed challenges and opportunities in multimedia research within the context of wireless sensor networks.

KCST hosted a workshop on "AI-generated images" presented by Mr. Péter W. Szabó, founder of Tengr.ai, a leading AI image generation company. The workshop targeted administrative staff and academics whose work involves photo creation. Mr. Szabó explored the advancements in photorealism achieved through machine learning. Participants gained insights into the fascinating world of AI and its applications in image generation. Through demonstrations and discussions, they learned about the underlying mechanisms of neural networks and deep learning architectures that power Tengr.ai's technology.

KCST hosted the annual TEFL Kuwait conference, themed "Navigating New Frontiers for Transformative and Sustainable Education." The conference, held on KCST's campus, attracted language teachers from universities and schools. It focused on exploring key topics shaping the global education landscape, addressing challenges and opportunities in teaching English as a second language.

KCST organized the inaugural S4 IoT'24 symposium, focusing on smart, sustainable, and secure Internet of Things (IoT). The symposium featured distinguished researchers from around the world, including Professor Mohammad Alumni from KAUST. The conference covered various aspects of IoT, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, and their applications. It was initiated by a group of KCST faculty members and researchers.

KCST organized the Al Mulla Exchange Hackathon for Mobile App Designing, sponsored by Al Mulla Group and Al Mulla Exchange Company. More than 50 students participated in the four-day hackathon, supervised by Dr. Basil Al Othman.

A KCST student team won the Homeland of Innovation award in the Kuwait National Robotics Competition, organized by Kuwait University, Sabah Al Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity, and Zain Company. The competition aimed at fostering creativity and innovation in robot design and manufacturing.

KCST organized the Ghabgathon, a Ramadan-themed hackathon, attracting students from various universities and young adults. Sponsored by the National Cyber Security Center, the Youth Public Authority, and Quadron Company, the competition challenged participants to develop a website related to Kuwaiti customs and traditions. Dr. Basill Al Othman led the program, guiding participants through the hackathon process.

The China Embassy organized a trip to China for KCST students, introducing them to Chinese culture. Seven students were selected to participate in the ten-day trip, hosted by Dalian University in Beijing. They studied the Chinese language and visited Beijing landmarks, gaining a deeper understanding of Chinese history and culture.

KCST students and alumni successfully completed the EC-COUNCIL Certified Incident Handler and Certified SOC Analyst workshops, obtaining the respective certifications with a three-year validity. The workshops provided comprehensive cybersecurity training and certification.

In collaboration with the Youth Public Authority, KCST sponsored the First Technology Competition (FTC) that was held in March for eighth and ninth grades and secondary school students. This competition was being held for the first time in Kuwait and it is a global championship under the umbrella of NASA, adding that the goal of the competition was to train students in engineering concepts, problem-solving skills, and thinking, criticism, design, promoting innovation, developing the educational environment, creating a spirit of competition, and participating in competitions at the international level.

KCST co-hosted the OWASP Kuwait and Dubai Chapters Conference on Artificial Intelligence Applications and Cybersecurity Challenges. This pioneering regional conference brought together experts in the field of cybersecurity to discuss the challenges and opportunities posed by AI. A panel discussion on AI governance highlighted the technical challenges associated with this technology.