Under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Prof. Nader Abdullah Al-Jallal, and the President of Kuwait University, Prof. Dina Musaed Al-Mailem, and attended by a distinguished group of academic and research leaders, the Fifth Scientific Research Conference, titled “Enhancing Academic Excellence Through Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation,” concluded its second day on Tuesday, 10 February 2026.

The Assistant Vice President for External Research Collaboration and Consultation and Chairman of the Conference Organizing Committee, Dr. Makhbout Mohammed Al-Dosari, affirmed that the launch of the second day’s activities built upon the distinguished scientific momentum witnessed on the first day, which featured in-depth discussions reflecting the position of scientific research as a fundamental pillar of strategic planning and an effective tool for advancing academic rankings.

Dr. Al-Dosari explained that the conference addressed several key issues, foremost among them innovation in interdisciplinary research and its role in shaping strategic and developmental plans, its impact on university and institutional rankings, digital transformation and its importance in supporting interdisciplinary research and national development, indexing scientific journals in global databases, and the marketing of patents. He noted that these themes were explored through specialized panel discussions over two days, with the participation of prominent researchers and specialists from various official entities and national sectors to exchange perspectives. He emphasized that challenges represent genuine opportunities for innovation and asserted that national research competencies are capable of delivering scientific solutions.

He added that Kuwait University, represented by the Research Sector, continues to mobilize all its research capabilities to support researchers by providing an integrated infrastructure that includes specialized laboratories and research units equipped with the latest technologies, in addition to qualified scientific and technical personnel.

Dr. Al-Dosari further noted that the second day’s program featured several specialized panel discussions highlighting interdisciplinary research, digital transformation, governance, and their impact on national development and global university rankings, with the participation of distinguished academics and experts from within Kuwait University as follows:

• Panel Discussion One: “Interdisciplinary Research and Knowledge Integration”
  Chaired by Prof. Mohammed Al-Sahli, College of Social Sciences, Kuwait University

  With participation of: Prof. Amal Al-Ajmi, College of Education, Kuwait University, and Dr. Maryam Al-Kandari, College of Science, Kuwait University.

• Panel Discussion Two: “Digital Transformation and Its Role in Enhancing Interdisciplinary Research and National Development”
  Chaired by Dr. Reem Al-Baghli, College of Engineering and Petroleum, Kuwait University. 
• Speaker: Dr. Khaled Al-Zamel, Chairman of the Board of Directors, Communication, and Information Technology Regulatory Authority (CITRA).

• Panel Discussion Three: “Interdisciplinary Research and Its Impact on Global University Rankings”
  Chaired by Dr. Dalal Al-Taweel, Assistant Vice President for Planning and Institutional Development, Kuwait University.

  Speakers: Dr. Shadi Hijazi, Consultant QS Rankings; and Dr. Dima Rashaid Al-Jamali, Dean of the Adnan Kassar School of Business, Lebanese American University.

• Panel Discussion Four: “Policies and Governance in Supporting Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation”
  Chaired by Prof. Saad Makhseed, College of Science, Kuwait University. 

  Speakers: Dr. Ali Shuaib, College of Medicine, Kuwait University; and Prof. Intisar Al-Hitlani, Acting Vice Dean for Academic Affairs and Research, College of Science, Kuwait University.

• Panel Discussion Five: “Indexing Scientific Journals in International Databases”
  Chaired by Dr. Mohammed Al-Marzouq, Assistant Vice President for Information Technology, Kuwait University. 

  Speakers: Prof. Hisham El-Touny, Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Engineering Research, Kuwait University; and Prof. Shafiqah Al-Awadhi, Editor-in-Chief of the Kuwait Journal of Science, Kuwait University.

After two days of scientific discussions and specialized sessions bringing together researchers and officials, the conference concluded with a set of recommendations aimed at strengthening the role of scientific research in enhancing the academic ranking of research and educational institutions, and reinforcing research collaboration among institutions to develop scientific solutions to national challenges that can be translated into policies, legislation, and strategic plans.

On the sidelines of the conference, the winners of the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation Award for Interdisciplinary Innovation for Sustainable Development were honored:

• Dr. Ahmad Rashed Al-Saber, Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences.
• Student Ali Abdulwahab, College of Engineering and Petroleum, Kuwait University.
• Dr. Mohammed Al-Abdullah, College of Engineering and Petroleum, Kuwait University.

In conclusion, the Research Sector at Kuwait University extended its sincere appreciation to all supporting entities, foremost among them the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) and the Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC), for their continued support of the scientific research journey. It also commended the efforts of the organizing committees that contributed to the success of this scientific event, reaffirming the importance of continued joint efforts to advance scientific research.