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Kuwait is a small, oil-rich country located in the Middle East on the northeast Arabian Peninsula with a population of approximately 4.3 million. It borders the Persian Gulf, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. The flat, sandy Arabian Desert covers most of Kuwait. The government system is a constitutional emirate; the chief of state is the emir or sheikh, and the head of government is the prime minister. Kuwait has a mixed economic system which includes a variety of private freedom, combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation. Kuwait is a member of the League of Arab States (Arab League) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Kuwait’s 2035 vision aims on transforming Kuwait into a financial and trade hub regionally and internationally, and becoming more attractive to investors. Kuwait’s national development plan is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) 2030.
See Visit Kuwait and Kuwait Vision 2035 “New Kuwait” for more information.
The United States and Kuwait have enjoyed a long history of friendship and cooperation, rooted in shared values, democratic traditions, and institutional relationships. The U.S. supports Kuwait’s sovereignty and security, as well as its multilateral diplomatic efforts to build greater cooperation among the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The U.S. is one of Kuwait’s largest suppliers of goods and services, and Kuwait is one of the largest markets for the U.S. in the Middle East. Kuwait and the U.S. belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Kuwait is a participant in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.
See U.S. Department of State for more information.
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions. Criminal activity is low. Nonetheless, reported incidents include petty theft, car break-ins, and harassment or sexual assault of women traveling alone.
See U.S. Department of State and OSAC for more information.
In the Gulf region, Kuwait was among the first countries to establish a higher education and research system. It comprises public and private higher education institutions and research institutes. The higher education system is regulated by the Ministry of Higher Education (MHE).
The country’s sole public university, Kuwait University, was established in 1966 and offers courses focused on scientific and educational specializations, social sciences and humanities. In 2018, there were 18 private universities in Kuwait offering a varied number of courses. Due to increasing demand for higher education, the Kuwaiti government granted permits for nine new private universities with foreign affiliations to be established over the coming years, including AIU.
Generally, an undergraduate degree encompasses general education, advanced and elective studies with degree specialization. The bachelor’s degree generally lasts for 4 years and requires completion of 120 semester credits.
Kuwait currently sends the third-largest number of students to U.S. universities and colleges from the Middle East/North Africa region, and in 2019-29, Kuwait represented the 19th-largest number of students from any foreign country, at 8,375. Very few U.S. students, however, study in Kuwait.
Kuwait is a small, oil-rich country located in the Middle East on the northeast Arabian Peninsula with a population of approximately 4.3 million. It borders the Persian Gulf, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. The flat, sandy Arabian Desert covers most of Kuwait. The government system is a constitutional emirate; the chief of state is the emir or sheikh, and the head of government is the prime minister. Kuwait has a mixed economic system which includes a variety of private freedom, combined with centralized economic planning and government regulation. Kuwait is a member of the League of Arab States (Arab League) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC).
Kuwait’s 2035 vision aims on transforming Kuwait into a financial and trade hub regionally and internationally, and becoming more attractive to investors. Kuwait’s national development plan is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) 2030.
See Visit Kuwait and Kuwait Vision 2035 “New Kuwait” for more information.
The United States and Kuwait have enjoyed a long history of friendship and cooperation, rooted in shared values, democratic traditions, and institutional relationships. The U.S. supports Kuwait’s sovereignty and security, as well as its multilateral diplomatic efforts to build greater cooperation among the Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The U.S. is one of Kuwait’s largest suppliers of goods and services, and Kuwait is one of the largest markets for the U.S. in the Middle East. Kuwait and the U.S. belong to a number of the same international organizations, including the United Nations, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, and World Trade Organization. Kuwait is a participant in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.
See U.S. Department of State for more information.
In the Gulf region, Kuwait was among the first countries to establish a higher education and research system. It comprises public and private higher education institutions and research institutes. The higher education system is regulated by the Ministry of Higher Education (MHE).
The country’s sole public university, Kuwait University, was established in 1966 and offers courses focused on scientific and educational specializations, social sciences and humanities. In 2018, there were 18 private universities in Kuwait offering a varied number of courses. Due to increasing demand for higher education, the Kuwaiti government granted permits for nine new private universities with foreign affiliations to be established over the coming years, including AIU.
Generally, an undergraduate degree encompasses general education, advanced and elective studies with degree specialization. The bachelor’s degree generally lasts for 4 years and requires completion of 120 semester credits.
Kuwait currently sends the third-largest number of students to U.S. universities and colleges from the Middle East/North Africa region, and in 2019-29, Kuwait represented the 19th-largest number of students from any foreign country, at 8,375. Very few U.S. students, however, study in Kuwait.
The current U.S. Department of State Travel Advisory assesses that travelers should exercise normal precautions. Criminal activity is low. Nonetheless, reported incidents include petty theft, car break-ins, and harassment or sexual assault of women traveling alone.
See U.S. Department of State and OSAC for more information.
Dive into a nuanced exploration of the global discourse surrounding higher education in the United States. Join us for a panel discussion with esteemed international educators as we embark on a journey through the lenses of culture and international perspective, examining how global audiences interpret and engage with the ‘anti-woke’ discourse within the context of U.S. higher education. This engaging panel discussion will delve into the intersections of culture, ideology, and education, and the complex landscape of how international audiences perceive the ‘anti-woke’ narrative that has emerged within U.S. academia.
Whether you’re a senior international officer, or simply curious about the diverse viewpoints shaping U.S. higher education, this podcast episode will provide an invaluable space for critical analysis and insightful conversations.
Fanta Aw is a distinguished leader in international education, renowned for her extensive contributions to global learning, cross-cultural understanding, and educational equity. With a deep commitment to fostering connections between diverse cultures and promoting educational excellence, she has significantly impacted the international education community.
Fanta Aw’s career has been characterized by her dedication to advancing global education initiatives, promoting diversity and inclusion, and nurturing partnerships that transcend borders. She has held influential roles in various organizations, advocating for the importance of international collaboration and learning experiences that empower individuals to navigate an increasingly interconnected world.
As a thought leader and visionary, Fanta Aw’s insights and expertise have shaped discussions on the future of international education, emphasizing the significance of equitable access, cultural exchange, and lifelong learning. Her work has not only elevated institutions but has also inspired countless individuals to embrace the transformative power of global education.
Date: September 14th, 2023
Time: 12 noon ET
An experienced global researcher and administrator, Mark Beirn brings a critical approach to risk management, factoring structural racism and identity-based violence into his rubric for supporting equitable global mobility.
Specialization Areas:
– Global Risk Management
– Education Abroad
– Diversity, Equity, Inclusion in International Education
– Health and Safety
– Curriculum Development
Stephen Appiah-Padi is an international educator with several years of teaching and administrative experience in both 4 and 2-year HEIs. An experienced global education practitioner-scholar, with a demonstrated history of success in the field.
Dr. Appiah-Padi has a Ph.D. from the University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada in Educational Policy & Administration with a specialization in International/Intercultural Education.
At Northwestern College, he provided oversight in the administration of education abroad and international student services. In Lansing, Michigan, he first oversaw diversity and intercultural education at Lansing Community College, and later created the Center for International and Intercultural Education (CIIE) which merged intercultural engagement and international education programs of the institution, and he became its first director. Additionally, Dr. Appiah-Padi taught a course, “Diversity in the American Workplace”, to undergraduate management students of the College. In his current position, he provides leadership and vision in advancing strategic internationalization initiatives, including international partnerships and study abroad programs at Bucknell University.
Dr Appiah-Padi has created and facilitated several workshops for faculty and staff development in higher education and in business organizations. He has presented at several national and international conferences. In NAFSA, among several volunteer leadership positions, he has served as Dean of the Fundamentals of Intercultural Communication Workshop, the Leadership Development Committee member, Chair of the Africa Special Interest Group, and a Fellow of the Global Fellowship Program for mentoring emerging leaders of internationalization in African HEIs. He currently serves as a member of the NAFSA Board of Directors.
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Dr. Rosa Almoguera has worked as an international educator for over twenty years. She was trained as a Hispanic Philologist at the Universidad Complutense, in Madrid, and did her M.A. at the University of Pennsylvania. Her Ph.D., from Universidad Complutense included a field study and edition of written balladry “Romancero”. During many years Rosa combined teaching and her role as a senior administrator at the Fundación Ortega-Marañón in Toledo, Spain. At the Foundation, Rosa directed and, in many cases created, programs for the University of Minnesota, Notre Dame, Princeton, Ohio State, Arcadia, and the University of Chicago. She has also been a visiting professor at the University of Minnesota, University of Portland, and Interamericana de Puerto Rico.
Beginning in 2016, Rosa works as an international education consultant for both public and private European and US higher education institutions. Rosa has been successful in developing new partnerships and programs, as well as helping improve already existing ones.
Rosa is a member of Forum and NAFSA and has presented with higher education professionals on innovative academic and research programming, STEM in study abroad and Nationalism in Europe. Rosa is currently completing the final Professional Certification from the Forum on Education Abroad.
