Kuwait University, represented by the Center for Educational Development at the College of Education, participated in the Educational Forum on the Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities in Education, organized by the Arab Center for Educational Research for the Gulf States (ACERGS) with the support of Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) on September 20–21.

The forum was attended by Director of the Arab Center for Educational Research for the Gulf States, Dr. Mohammed Al-Shuraika; Acting Dean of the College of Education at Kuwait University Prof. Suad Al-Furaih; Assistant Undersecretary for Educational Affairs at the Ministry of Education Hamad Al-Hamad; and Sheikha Sheikha Al-Abdullah Al-Khalifa Al-Sabah, Honorary President of the Kuwait Disabled Sports Club, along with a distinguished group of academics, researchers, experts, specialists, and students.

Prof. Al-Furaih stated that the College of Education’s participation in the forum reflects the importance of scientific and community partnerships in supporting inclusive education. She emphasized that preparing teachers capable of addressing the diverse needs of learners is one of the fundamental pillars of developing the educational process and promoting equal opportunities among students.

For his part, Dr. Al-Shuraika emphasized the importance of bringing together local, Gulf, Arab, and international expertise on a single platform to exchange experiences and successful practices and to support the development of educational policies and practices that promote inclusion and equity for students with disabilities.

Director of the Center for Educational Development at Kuwait University’s College of Education Dr. Omaymah Al-Suwaihel stated that the Center’s participation comes as part of its efforts to support educational and community initiatives aimed at developing the educational environment and promoting the principles of inclusive education. She stressed the importance of continued cooperation among academic, research, and community institutions in this field.

Forum Coordinator from Kuwait University’s College of Education Dr. Nadia Al-Riahi stated that the forum contributed to raising students’ awareness of the importance of including students with disabilities in education and reinforcing the values of acceptance, participation, and social responsibility. She noted that students’ participation in clubs, the exhibition, and accompanying activities provided them with an opportunity to connect their academic learning with practical experience and community service.

Through its scientific sessions, lectures, and workshops, the forum addressed a range of topics related to inclusive education, assistive technologies, modern teaching methods, teacher preparation, and the development of educational services provided to students with disabilities. The forum brought together academics and specialists from Kuwait, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, several Arab countries, as well as international universities and academic institutions.

Students from Kuwait University’s College of Education participated in the exhibition and accompanying activities through several student clubs and the "Waey" Volunteer Team, presenting initiatives and awareness activities focused on the concepts of inclusion, diversity, and acceptance of differences.

The forum concluded by emphasizing the importance of continuing cooperation among educational, research, and community institutions and benefiting from its outcomes in developing future initiatives and programs that promote a culture of inclusion, empower students with disabilities, and provide an educational environment founded on equity and equal opportunities.