Dr. Ghanima Al-Faleh, a faculty member in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at the College of Life Sciences, organized an awareness lecture titled "Introduction to the Special Olympics Kuwait and Its Programs" on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at the Roman Theater in the College of Life Sciences.
This event comes as part of the College of Life Sciences' ongoing commitment to raising social awareness and highlighting efforts to support individuals with intellectual disabilities. It aligns with the college's continuous efforts to enhance community responsibility and support positive humanitarian initiatives.
The lecture was presented by several specialists and officials from Special Olympics Kuwait, including Ms. Rehab Boresli, National Director of Special Olympics Kuwait; Ms. Dalal Bouhamdi, Health Program Manager; Captain Bilal Al-Hammami, Sports Program Manager; and Ms. Linda Jaber, Program and Initiatives Manager.
The lecture began with Ms. Rehab Boresli providing an introduction to Special Olympics, explaining its focus on individuals with intellectual disabilities and touching on the history and origins of the organization. Captain Bilal Al-Hammami emphasized that there is no specific age group for individuals with intellectual disabilities to participate in the Olympics, while Ms. Dalal Bouhamdi discussed the volunteer efforts in Kuwait for these groups.
Dr. Ahmed Jaafar, a specialist in the care of children with complex, chronic conditions and palliative care, also delivered a talk about his field of expertise and the reasons behind his choice of specialization. He expressed his happiness in being part of this small yet effective and unique community.
Notably, the lecture witnessed significant interaction from both students and guests, as attention was drawn to the noble objectives of Special Olympics, along with its various programs in health, sports, and community engagement, all aimed at promoting the inclusion of individuals with intellectual disabilities in society. The talk also introduced the leading athletes with intellectual disabilities in Kuwait and invited them to the stage.
At the end of the event, Dr. Hanady AbdulSalam, Acting Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Research, and Graduate Studies, and Dr. Ghanima Al-Faleh, a faculty member in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition, honored the guests and participants.