User:Kfas

Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences Background The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) was established on 12th December 1976 , by an initiative of the late Amir of the State of Kuwait Sheikh Jaber Al Ahmad Al Sabah supported by the Kuwaiti Shareholding Companies represented by the Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry KFAS funding is provided through the annual contribution of the shareholding companies representing 1% of their net annual profit..

H.H. The Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al Ahmad Al Jaber Al Sabah is the chairman of the Board of Directors.

The Board is comprised of 6 leading figures in the fields of sciences and economics. All Board members are appointed by the Amir of Kuwait.

The Foundation's  main objectives as set out in its charter are: to contribute  to the development of scientific infrastructure and promote the advancement of science technology and innovation (STI) in Kuwait and the Gulf Region. KFAS was established as a non-profit organisation .

Mission of KFAS Stimulate, support and invest in initiatives and human resources that contribute to the building of a strong STI system and culture and fostering an enabling environment.

Board of Directors Chairman H.H. The Amir Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah

Board of Directors Sheikha Hussah Sabah Salem Al-Sabah Prof. Fayzah Mohammad Al-Kharafi

Dr. Abdul Muhsen Medej Al-Medej Mr. Ali Ahmed Al Baghli Mr. Osamah Mohammad Al Nisf Dr. Adel Khalid Al-Sabeeh

Director General Dr. Adnan A. Shihab-Eldin

Strategy (2012-2016)

The current strategic program plan of the foundation covers the years 2012-2016 and is organised along four thrust areas (ST) , each of the thrusts is composed of a number of programs. ST1:Contribute to the development of a strong advocacy for science including science education, support the gifted and talented, and in general help advance scientific culture and the enabling environment in Kuwait. Programs that fall under ST1 are: • P1: Science and math education • P2: Engagement in Science and Technology • P3: Publicizing and Dissemination • P4: Support of Gifted Students in the Field of Math, Science and Technology ST2: Enhance and integrate R&D capacity in and among Kuwaiti Scientific Institutions to address national development priorities. Programs that fall under ST2: • P1: Research Grants • P2: Environmental research and intervention • P3: Water and Energy Program: ST3: Support innovation and assist in developing the required links to commercialization within a framework of an integrated Science Technology and Innovation system.

Programs that fall under ST3: • P1: Inventors support • P2: Incubation and support of commercialization • P3: Innovation Governance System ST4: Support the development of the Private sector’s scientific and technological capacities and participate in Building a Knowledge Economy. Programs that fall under ST4 • P1: Increasing demand and enhancing absorptive capacity for STI and management capacity development across all shareholding companies • P2: Assisting the Shareholding Companies to Develop STI and Management capacities: • P3: innovation Research Vouchers to support the development of STI and management capacities of shareholding SMEs

International Programs

Since its inception, KFAS has established collaboration programs with internationally renowned Institutions, organisations and universities in the USA, UK and Europe. The ongoing international programs at KFAS are:

• Kuwait Program at The Foundation National Des Sciences Politiques http://www.kfas.org/sciencespo.html • The Kuwait Program at the London School of Economics and Political Sciencehttp://www.kfas.org/lse.html • Kuwait-MIT Center for Natural Resources and the Environmenthttp://www.kfas.org/mit.html • Kuwait Program at Harvard Universityhttp://www.kfas.org/kuwait-program-harvard.html • Harvard Business School Executive Educationhttp://www.kfas.org/harvard-business-school.html • Oxford Centre for Islamic Studies http://www.kfas.org/oxford.html

KFAS Awards

In 1979, KFAS introduced a prize program to recognize outstanding scientific efforts and to enhance the development of scientific prospects. Through its Prize Program, KFAS recognises and honours prominent Kuwaiti and Arab scientists for their achievements and contributions in their respective fields. The Prize program currently includes: 1. The Kuwait Prize, introduced in 1979, is dedicated for Arab and Kuwaiti scientists valued at 30 000 KD each 2. Other prizes are also available to encourage research productivity and publications of Arabic Language Books including The Scientific Production Prize, introduced in 1988, which is dedicated for Kuwaiti scientists valued at 10 000 KD each KFAS Centers

KFAS has established four specialised centers in Kuwait to contribute to the efforts in the area of advancing sustainable development in the State of Kuwait:

1. The Scientific Center: The center was established in 2000 and features magnificent architectural visual cues that reflect Islamic art culture. It is fully dedicated to attract youngsters and to entice them to become more curious and inquisitive about science. It is an educational facility that contains interesting features such as an aquarium and an IMAX theatre. Fun expedites the learning process and the Scientific Center is testament to this axiom. http://www.tsck.org.kw/

2. Dasman Diabetes Institute (DDI): The Institute was established in 2006 to promote awareness of diabetes, preventative measures, as well as conduct relevant research. KFAS recognizes that diabetes has become a serious health issue in Kuwait and the DDI is part of the potential solution. DDI works with internationally renowned medical research centers and universities to promote awareness and enrich the knowledge base about this health issue in Kuwait. http://www.dasmaninstitute.org/

3. Sabah AL Ahmad Center for Giftedness and Creativity(SACGC): The Center was established in 2010 to support the gifted and talented youth of the country. SABCGC plays a prominent role in identifying gifted youth in government schools. Its elaborate test and evaluation diagnostic program is administered in collaboration with John Hopkins University and Purdue University as well as the Ministry of Education in Kuwait. The Centers is proud to be instrumental in establishing two Special segregated classrooms for boys and girls in two different public schools, and endeavours to repeat this successful result in some private school-as well. http://www.kuwaitcreativity.org/

4. Advancement of Science Publishing and Distribution Company ( ALTAQADOM ALELMI Co.): KFAS has founded a publishing enterprise under the name of ‘ ALTAQADOM ALELMI Publishing and Distribution Company’ to facilitate the dissemination of scientific output. In collaboration with ‘Scientific American’, the company publishes ‘Majallat Al Oloom’ (the Arabic translation of the monthly Scientific America)), “Majallat Al-Oloom was published in 1986 and has been distributed throughout the Arab world ever since. http://www.kfas.org/oloom-magazine.html