The Fifth Scientific Research Conference Launches Under the Theme
“Enhancing Academic Excellence Through Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation.”

Prof. Al-Jallal: This conference reflects the pivotal role of scientific research in strengthening the standing of our academic institutions at both the regional and international levels.
Prof. Al-Mailem: Scientific research is the cornerstone of the University’s journey and advancement.
Prof. Sultan: This annual event reflects Kuwait University’s commitment to strengthening its global presence in line with its strategic plans and future aspirations.

In affirmation of Kuwait University’s commitment to enhancing research collaboration and supporting innovation and knowledge production, the activities of the Fifth Scientific Research Conference, titled “Enhancing Academic Excellence through Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation”, were officially launched.

The conference was organized by the Research Sector at Kuwait University under the patronage and in the presence of His Excellency the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Prof. Nader Abdullah Al-Jallal, and was held from 9–10 February 2026 at the Conference Center, Sabah Al-Salem University City.

The conference received support from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), in addition to Kuwait Petroleum Corporation (KPC) as a Platinum Sponsor. This generous support transformed the conference from concept into reality, attracting decision-makers and researchers from academic and research institutions, alongside representatives from the governmental and private sectors and graduate students.

The conference aims to strengthen the role of scientific research and highlight its importance as a fundamental pillar in institutional development and decision-making. It also seeks to encourage researchers to adopt research topics with tangible scientific and societal impact, thereby enhancing the research ecosystem and its outputs.

On this occasion, His Excellency Prof. Nader Abdullah Al-Jallal, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, expressed his pleasure at sponsoring and attending the Fifth Scientific Research Conference, organized by the Research Sector at Kuwait University. He noted that the conference reflects the central role of scientific research in innovation and represents a cornerstone of the higher education system, serving as a bridge between research and practical application.

Prof. Al-Jallal reaffirmed the Ministry’s continued support for research efforts and its commitment to providing a stimulating environment for researchers by supporting initiatives that enhance the quality of academic outputs and align them with national development needs, emphasizing that investment in scientific research is a direct investment in the nation’s future.

He extended his sincere appreciation to the President of Kuwait University, Prof. Dina Musaed Al-Mailem, as well as the Assistant Vice President for Research, and Chair of the Conference Organizing Committee, Dr. Mabkhout Mohammed Al-Dosari, along with all organizers from the Research Sector, for Kuwait University’s leading role in promoting a culture of research and innovation and in preparing national cadres capable of contributing effectively to comprehensive development in line with Kuwait’s future vision.

For her part, Prof. Dina Musaed Al-Mailem, President of Kuwait University, affirmed that the Scientific Research Conference serves as fuel for creative minds and a primary driver of innovation and excellence. She noted that this annual gathering reinforces the Research Sector at Kuwait University as a hub where scholars and innovators from all disciplines meet, exchange ideas, and collaborate to address scientific, research, and societal challenges.

She explained that this year’s conference theme highlights the importance of building bridges between disciplines in pursuit of academic excellence by accelerating interdisciplinary research that fuels innovation and embeds a culture of creativity within the scientific community.

Prof. Al-Mailem expressed her pleasure in participating in the Fifth Scientific Research Conference hosted at Sabah Al-Salem University City and reaffirmed Kuwait University’s aspiration to achieve its strategic goals by enhancing its standing and ranking among leading global academic and scientific institutions.

She emphasized that the growth of interdisciplinary research requires a supportive and motivating research environment, which Kuwait University continuously strives to provide through advanced technological capabilities and diverse modern resources, enabling researchers to produce rigorous, original, and high-quality research.

She further noted that the efforts of the Research Sector embody this institutional direction through research grants, facilitation measures, and continuous support that empower researchers and strengthen Kuwait University’s role as an active center for knowledge production and innovation.

In turn, Prof. Abdullah Jawad Sultan, Vice President for Research at Kuwait University, stated that this year’s conference aligns with the approaches of leading universities by emphasizing interdisciplinary research and the integration of disciplines in addressing complex scientific and societal challenges. He explained that this approach contributes to innovative solutions, enhances research quality, and increases opportunities for publication in prestigious journals.

He added that innovation represents the vital link between scientific research and practical application by transforming research outputs into knowledge products and patents that support the national economy and enhance competitiveness. He affirmed that the Research Sector continues its efforts to develop research infrastructure, support researchers, and strengthen international partnerships to empower national competencies and elevate scientific output in service of society.

During the conference, awards were presented by His Excellency Prof. Nader Abdullah Al-Jallal, Prof. Dina Musaed Al-Mailem, Prof. Abdullah Jawad Sultan, and Dr. Mabkhout Mohammed Al-Dosari to the winners of the Scientific Poster Awards – Academic Year 2025/2026 as follows:

Winners from Scientific Colleges

Academic Staff Category

• First Place: Prof. Osama Ali Al-Omair – College of Engineering and Petroleum
• Second Place: Dr. Saleh Ahmed Al-Ali – College of Life Sciences
• Second Place (Joint): Prof. Nabeel Abdullatif Ahmed – Public Authority for Applied Education and Training
• Third Place: Prof. Nawaf Salem Al-Hajri – College of Life Sciences

Supporting Academic Staff Category

• First Place: Faten Khalil Abdullah – Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
• Second Place: Maryam Abdullah Al-Jumah – Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
• Third Place: Areej Mubarak Al-Banwan – Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research
• Third Place (Joint): Hanan Mahdi Al-Anezi – Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research

Graduate Students Category

• First Place: Hajar Saud Al-Ajmi – College of Pharmacy
• Second Place: Heba Hamed Dandoun – College of Science
• Third Place: Sara Ahmed Atallah – College of Pharmacy
• Third Place (Joint): Abdulwahab Khaled Al-Dosari – College of Science

Winners from Humanities Colleges

Academic Staff Category

• First Place: Dr. Abdullah Yousif Al-Houli – College of Business Administration
• Second Place: Dr. Sundus Yousif Al-Ajeel – College of Arts
• Second Place (Joint): Dr. Hussein Abbas Murad – College of Arts
• Third Place: Dr. Khaled Waleed Al-Sabah – College of Business Administration

Supporting Academic Staff Category

• First Place: Hessa Ahmed Al-Humaidan – College of Business Administration
• Second Place: Mahmoud Haider Arab – College of Business Administration
• Third Place: Mais Hamdo Al-Asaad – Public Authority for Applied Education and Training

Graduate Students Category

• First Place: Rawan Abdulaziz Al-Qahtani – College of Education
• Second Place: Asmaa Hussein Khalaf – College of Education
• Third Place: Mohammed Yasser Asadallah – College of Social Sciences

Researchers who obtained patents through the Patent and Intellectual Property Office affiliated with the Research Sector during the past year were also honored, as follows:

• Prof. Osama Al-Omair, Eng. Nyeso Azubuike, Eng. Ahmed Omar – Department of Petroleum Engineering, College of Engineering and Petroleum, for their invention entitled:
  “Core Sample Holder for Microwave Heating of a Core Sample”

   

• Prof. Saad Ali Makhseed and Prof. Mohammed Al-Kurdi – Department of Chemistry, College of Science
  “A Promising New Carbon Material for Energy Storage and Environmental Purification”

   

• Prof. Bader Al-Anzi – Department of Environmental Sciences, College of Life Sciences
  “Gas Recycling in a Confined Jet Reactor”

   

• Dr. Fatima Al-Saeedi – Department of Nuclear Medicine, College of Medicine
  “Radiopharmaceutical Preparations Including Encapsulated Glycyrrhizic Acid and Technetium-99m”

   

• Dr. Abdulrahman Mutib Al-Aezmi, Prof. Fouzi Mouffouk, Dr. Laila Jaragh-Alhadad – Department of Chemistry, College of Science; Dr. Abdulhamid Emwas, Mohammed Emirah, Tasneem Habib
  “Biomolecule Detection Method Using Diffusion Ordered Spectroscopy”

   

• Dr. Ahmed Al-Aenzi – Department of Radiological Sciences, College of Allied Health Sciences
  “Development of an Advanced Left Ventricular Imaging Phantom”

   

• Eng. Abdullah Al-Mikhyal – Department of Electrical Engineering, College of Engineering and Petroleum
  “An Integrated and Efficient Electronic Chip for Binary and Decimal Counting Functions”

   

• Dr. Nasser Al-Sayegh – Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research; Dr. Ammar Bahman – Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Petroleum
  “Modification of Deposition Mechanisms in Enhanced Carbon Nano-Oils”

   

• Dr. Nasser Al-Sayegh from the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Dr. Fatima Safar from the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, College of Science, and Dr. Sheikha Ibrahim from the Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Petroleum, for their inventions titled:

   

1. “A Fluid Distribution Unit and a Collection Unit for a Soil Sample Monitoring System.”
2. “A System and Methods for Monitoring Soil Samples.”

3. “A Sample Tube for a Soil Sample Monitoring System.”

    

On the sidelines of the conference, a Scientific Poster Exhibition was organized, featuring (430) scientific posters addressing various contemporary issues with scientific, social, and national dimensions. The posters were presented by Kuwait University faculty members, supporting academic staff, and graduate students. The exhibition also witnessed the participation of several local research institutions linked to Kuwait University through cooperation agreements, including: the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences, the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait Oil Company, the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, Saad Al-Abdullah Academy for Security Sciences, and Abdullah Al-Salem University.

The Fifth Scientific Research Conference also saw the participation of several entities from various sectors of the State, as well as specialized research units and general facilities laboratories, highlighting the available research capabilities and providing attendees with the opportunity to learn about laboratories equipped with the latest instruments and specialized technical expertise.

On the first day of the conference, the keynote address was delivered by Prof. Hilal Al-Ashwal, Advisor for Research, Development, and Innovation at Qatar Foundation, titled:
“Why Our Region Is Poised to Lead Scientific Research: A Vision Strengthened by Cooperation and Inspired by Qatar and Kuwait.”
In his address, he reviewed the importance of collaboration and partnerships in supporting the research and innovation ecosystem. The conference also featured a series of panel discussions serving the academic community and aimed at strengthening scientific capacity and broadening intellectual horizons, including:

First Panel Discussion: “Innovation in Interdisciplinary Research”
Session Chair: Dr. Sami Al-Nuaim, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals (via virtual participation).
Speakers:

• Prof. Hilal Al-Ashwal – Advisor for Research, Development, and Innovation, Qatar Foundation.
• Prof. Mohammed Sanad Abu Darwish – Director of the Department of Science and Scientific Research, Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO).

Second Panel Discussion: “Interdisciplinary Research and Sustainable Development in the State of Kuwait”
Session Chair: Prof. Adel Al-Woqayan – Director General, Arab Planning Institute.
Speakers:

• Eng. Ahmed Al-Janahi – Secretary-General, Supreme Council for Planning and Development.
• Prof. Ali Boumejdad – Chief Executive Officer, Research and Technology Sector, Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences.

Third Panel Discussion: “Innovation and Interdisciplinary Research in Patents: From Discovery to Commercialization”
Session Chair: Dr. Mohammed Al-Ansari – Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University.
Speakers:

• Mr. Joshua B. Goldberg – Associate Director, Nath Foundation (Goldberg & Meyer).
• Ms. Shaikha Al-Qanaei – Director, Innovation Center, Abdullah Al-Salem University.