The Center for Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies at Kuwait University organized a scientific awareness seminar titled “International Day of Women and Girls in Science from a Social Sciences Perspective” on Wednesday, 11 February 2026, at Sabah Al-Salem University City, with the aim of highlighting Kuwaiti female role models in the fields of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) from a social sciences perspective.

The seminar was held in the presence of the Acting Director of the Center for Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies, Prof. Yaqoub Yousef Al-Kandari, along with several researchers and faculty members from various colleges.

The session was moderated by Dr. Wafaa Adnan Al-Aradi, Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science, College of Social Sciences, Kuwait University, who noted that the seminar was organized in conjunction with the International Day of Women and Girls in Science. She emphasized that the initiative began as an individual idea, later developed through institutional support, and continued through effective academic partnerships.

The seminar featured Dr. Mariam Ibrahim Al-Kheder, Clinical Assistant Professor, Department of Preventive Sciences and Growth & Development Sciences, Pediatric and Special Care Dentistry Specialist, College of Dentistry, Kuwait University, and Dr. Israa Yousef Al-Sarraf, Assistant Professor, Department of Prosthetic Sciences, Specialist in Prosthodontics and Dental Implants, College of Dentistry, Kuwait University. During their presentations, they discussed the transition into dentistry not only as a scientific specialization but also as a comprehensive human experience integrating professional, humanitarian, volunteer, and family dimensions.

Their presentations addressed several key themes. The first focused on women’s experiences in STEM and the medical sector, presenting professional pathways of physicians and dentists while highlighting the social and human dimensions of medical practice. The second theme examined institutional support mechanisms, reviewing the role of local and international organizations in funding and supporting research initiatives, including the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) and International Association for Dental Research – Kuwait University Chapter (IADR-KU), through a visual presentation delivered during the seminar.

In the third theme, the speakers discussed institutional, financial, and social challenges facing professionals in STEM fields and explored ways to address them at both institutional and societal levels. The fourth theme focused on the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), analyzing the relationship between women’s roles in medical sciences and sustainable development while linking medical practices to developmental policies and public governance.

The fifth theme highlighted volunteer work and the humanitarian dimension, presenting the experiences of volunteer physicians and dentists in cooperation with the Kuwait Dental Students Society (KDSS) through volunteer initiatives implemented between 2024 and 2026.

The seminar concluded with a sixth theme addressing the importance of discussing work–life balance challenges and the role of professional networking in supporting academic and professional development. At the conclusion of the event, the Center for Gulf and Arabian Peninsula Studies honored all participants in recognition of their valuable contributions to the success of the seminar.