SDG17: Partnership For The Goals

Global Goal 17 is about "partnerships for the goals." One of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals established by the United Nations in 2015, the official wording is: "Strengthen the means of implementation and revitalize the global partnership for sustainable development". The Goal has 17 targets to be achieved by 2030, broken down into five categories: finance, technology, capacity building, trade and systemic issues. Progress towards targets will be measured by 25 indicators.
SDG 17 refers to the need for cross sector and cross country collaboration in pursuit of all the goals by the year 2030. It is a call for countries to align policies. SDG 17 is a vision for improved and more equitable trade, as well as coordinated investment initiatives to promote sustainable development across borders. It is about strengthening and streamlining cooperation between nation-states, both developed and developing, using the SDGs as a shared framework and a shared vision for defining that collaborative way forward. It seeks to promote international trade, and help developing countries increase their exports to ensure a universal rules-based and equitable trading system that is fair, open and beneficial to all.

With US$5 trillion to $7 trillion in annual investment required to achieve the SDGs, total official development assistance reached US$147.2 billion in 2017. This, although steady, is below the set target. In 2016, six countries met the international target to keep official development assistance at or above 0.7 percent of gross national income. In 2017, international remittances amounted US$613 billion, with 76 percent invested in developing countries. The bond market for sustainable business is also growing. In 2018 global green bonds reached US$155.5billion, up to 78 percent from 2017.
Humanitarian crises brought on by conflict or natural disasters have continued to demand more financial resources and aid. Even so, many countries also require official development assistance to encourage growth and trade. The global progress map for SDG 17 shows that significant and major challenges remain in the majority of the world. Many regions of strong economic status perform very poorly, like the United States and much of Europe.[

Dr. Fatima Al-Hashem Speaks at 9th GCES Symposium

Assistant Professor of English at GUST, Dr. Fatimah Al Hashem, spoke at the 9th Gulf Comparative Education Society (GCES) as keynote speaker. The 2021 edition of the GCES symposium was titled "Rethinking Educational Reform in the GCC: Reflecting on the Past to Inform the Future", with the theme of education reform and change due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

On the second day of the three-day event which took place from March 21 to March 23, Dr. Al Hashem gave her talk, titled The Need for a National Teacher Framework in Kuwait: A Situation Analysis of a Hidden Project, with the focus on the restructuring of the education system as a whole in Kuwait. She focused on Kuwait's need for improvement in quality of education, and that a change was the main challenge of the government who have the authority to push for this reform. When comparing to other states, she noted that most positive changes, were a result of setting national standards and measuring teachers' mastery of the content, as well as developing teaching methods in the classroom.

Dr. Al Hashem said "It is an honor being a key note speaker for the 9th Gulf Comparative Education Society Symposium and speaking on critical issues regarding Kuwait. Being here is an opportunity for myself and GUST to showcase the importance of progressive education reform that we can bring to the gulf."
Dr. Al Hashem is an assistant professor at the Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST, and chair for the Center of Teaching, Learning, and Research (CTLR) at GUST. CTLR has established working relationships with Kuwait Foundation for Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) which is a non-government organization, and UNESCO, offering seminars on education reform and development. The Center has also worked with many schools in offering seminars on how to implement STEM approach to teaching, and helping students improve in math and sciences.
The symposium serves many details for SDG3: Good health and well-being and SDG4: Quality Education.

Professional Advancement & Continuing Education center

Healthcare Management & Quality Certificate (HMQ)
GUST have collaboration with Gates Group which is one of the primer institutions delivering health care management courses. The HMQ program is a professional interactive universal program qualifying practitioners in Healthcare Management & Quality Improvement since 2010. HMQ program facilitates the practitioner's interaction with experts having rich hands-on experience to gain knowledge and skills in 15 need-to-know multi-disciplinary domains for accreditation compliance.

HMQ is the practitioner's gate to bridge theory and practice of mainstream methodologies and tools in human-centered sustainable Organizational Development & Integrated Quality Improvement. The program is open for enrollment to all interested candidates. The enrolment and the education resources are not free of charge.

GUST Welcomes H.E. Minister of Oil, Electricity & Water Dr. Khalid Al-Fadhel

GUST was honored to welcome Kuwait's Minister of Oil and Minister of Electricity & Water, H.E. Dr. Khalid Al-Fadhel on campus last week to talk to Dr. Mohammed Alnughaimish's Leadership (MGMT 361) class. The Minister spoke to students, staff and faculty about his experience and how leadership and character aided in his appointments as Former Deputy Minister of Commerce and his current position.

   

In attendance was GUST President, Professor Walid Bouhamra, who was also the H.E. Minister's Professor at Kuwait University while he was completing his degree in Chemical Engineering. Also, in attendance was BOT Advisor, Dr. Jasem Abdulsalam, Vice President for Professional Development and Community Services, Dr. Ahmad Al-Darbas, Director of the Graduate Studies and Research Office, Professor Bassam Alameddine, as well as faculty members and students. The talk was moderated by Dr. Mohammed Alnughaimish', GUST Adjust Professor.

H.E. the Minister left the audience inspired with his stories and his character, and even gave a majority of the session open for their questions. GUST is continuously seeking high caliber speakers to inspire students to give their all and excel both academically and personally.

AGYA's Online Annual Conference in Kuwait: Coming Together by Keeping a Distance

The Arab-German Young Academy of Sciences and Humanities (AGYA) held its Autumn Annual Conference from 8-12 November 2020 in cooperation with the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) and the Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST). This online conference attracted more than 50 AGYA members and 40 alumni from 18 countries: Algeria, Egypt, Germany, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen.

PACE at GUST Collaborates with KIF

Professional Advancement & Continuing Education Center (PACE) at GUST launched a program with the Kuwait Insurance Federation (KIF), titled "Integrated Insurance Training Program". With the goal of enhancing insurance awareness in Kuwait. The program was targeted towards fresh graduates who are keen in joining the insurance industry, or newly hired employees of insurance companies.

The Training Program consisted of 14 training courses with 21 professionals trained on Insurance Risk Management and Re-Insurance. The training program was provided by experts working in the industry to ensure trainees get the most up to date and relevant experience. The training program covers a wide range of subjects that have become increasingly important to the insurance industry, such as. re-insurance, claims management, motor and medical insurance, marine insurance, fire insurance, and some areas of interest. The "Integrated Insurance Training Program" is a part of PACE's mission to bring the best courses for continuing education, training, and professional development for the GUST community but also in Kuwait.

Acting VP for Professional Development and Community Services, Dr. Ahmad Al-Darbas said "The collaboration with KIF helps promote PACE at GUST and its goal to bring the best training programs for leading professionals in Kuwait. It brings a more diversified range of opportunities to GUSTs community. We hope this can be the foundation of a great relationship with KIF in the years to come. I would also like to thanks KIF Chairman, Mr. Khaled Soud Al-Hassan, and Secretary General at KIF, Mr. Adel Al-Romieh."

This is a fitting addition to the standard courses PACE offers such as, prepatroy exams for the CFA, CPA, CMA, and GMAT, but also offer other courses such as Healthcare Management, Project Management, and a General English Program.

GUST Launches the Center for Teaching, Learning, and Research in Collaboration with KFAS and QRTA

Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) announced today the launch of the Center for Teaching and Learning Research (CTLR), in collaboration with the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS). The launch kicked off a series of math, science and technology workshops with the Queen Rania Teacher Academy, Jordan.

GUST join the Team for Educational Strategies at the Council of Ministers

Dr. Fatimah Al Hashem, Assistant Professor in the English Department and Chairwoman of the Center for Teaching Learning and Research has been selected by the General Secretariat at the Council of Ministers to join the Team for Educational Strategies.

GUST Meets with PUC Over New Majors

A delegation from Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) visited The General Secretariat of Private Universities Council (PUC) where they met the Acting Secretary-General of the Council, Eng. Omar Ali Al-Kandari. The Delegation included the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Mr. Nawaf Arhamah Arhamah, the Vice President for Academic Affairs, Professor Bassam Alameddine, the President of the Students' Association, Mr. Talal Al-Sager, and the Chairman of the Committee for Newcomers in the Association, Mr. Basil Al-Hamoud.

GUST collaborates with London School of Economics & Political Science

Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) is collaborating with the London School of Economics & Political Science (LSE) on several ongoing projects among them the DiSTO Project and the creation of the DiSTO-Kuwait Chapter with a group of GUST professors, as well as a research collaboration with GUST professor, Dr. Rania Al-Nakib to explore how democratic citizenship is shaped by education in Kuwait.

GSC Invites LSE Professors to present findings on solutions to Kuwait's "Development Trap"

Gulf University for Science and Technology's (GUST) Global Studies Center (GSC) invited Dr. Neil Lee and Professor Simona Iammarino from the Department of Geography and Environment at the London School of Economics (LSE) to give a talk about a research project conducted with the Kuwaiti Institute for Scientific Research (KISR). The project focuses on a crucial problem faced by the Kuwaiti economy as it seeks to diversify: how can the Kuwaiti government support private sector R&D investments?

GUST's Global Studies Center Enters the Virtual Arena

Gulf University for Science and Technology's (GUST) Global Studies Center (GSC) hosted a virtual discussion as part of its newly launched "GSC Talks Series" on Instagram Live. The first episode's topic was, "The Lessons of the 2020 Election for the U.S. Electoral Process". Although previous GSC talks were lectures in auditoriums, the new arrangement is in the form of an online discussion, hosted by GSC Chair, Dr Albaraa Al-Tourah and a guest. The guest for the opening episode is Dr David Rovinsky, Deputy Political Counselor at the US Embassy in Kuwait.

The UNESCO has appointed GUST Faculty and Chairwoman as an international Consultant

The UNESCO has appointed Dr. Fatimah Al Hashem, Assistant Professor in the English Department and Chairwoman of CTLR, as an international consultant in order to prepare a diagnostic study on the educational reality in Kuwait during "Covid-19" pandemic.

Education for SDGs specific courses on sustainability

Have dedicated courses (full degrees, or electives) that address sustainability and the SDGs.

Courses Related To SDGs
CAS = Collage of Arts and Sciences, CBA = Collage of Business Administration

SDG	Collage	Course
SDG 17 - Partnership For The Goals	CAS	EDU 457 Secondary School Student Teaching 12.00 Prerequisite: EDU 451 & 452 & 453 & 454 & 455 Provides students with clinical teaching experience in secondary school classrooms under university and school supervision.
SDG 17 - Partnership For The Goals	CAS	ENGL 499 Practicum in Linguistics/Translation 3.00 Prerequisite: ENGL 414 Provides students with opportunities to explore career interests while applying knowledge and skills learned in the classroom in a work settings. Helps students gain a clearer sense of what they still need to learn or how their skills can be improved and provides an opportunity to build professional networks.
SDG 17 - Partnership For The Goals	CAS	MCM 455 Internship 3.00 Prerequisite: Junior Standing & UMCOM Professional attachment to an onsite professional media organization. Requires students to officially document work and hours performed.
SDG 17 - Partnership For The Goals	CAS	CSC 399 Internship in Computer Science 3.00 Prerequisite: Junior Standing Internship in computer science provides students with an opportunity to integrate theory and practice in a work setting. The course helps students to grow professionally and intellectually. It also sharpens their communication and teamwork skills. Enrolled students are required to complete a minimum of 150 working hours at approved organizations. Link for the Course descriptions: https://www.gust.edu.kw/content/college_arts_and_sciences_courses
SDG 17 - Partnership For The Goals	CBA	MGMT 488 Ethics & Corporate Social Responsibility 3.00 Topics: ethics and social responsibility in all aspects of business. This course exposes students to the importance of ethics and social responsibility in all aspects of business. It intends to demonstrate the breadth of responsibility of the individual manager, organization, and corporation in making "ethical" decisions. It gives not only understanding of main theoretical concepts, but also developing skills of identification, analysis and permission of ethical dilemmas on a workplace and managing ethics in organizations. Additionally, this course will include consideration of the enlarged spectrum of corporate stakeholders; corporate social responsibilities, citizenship and reputation; business-government relationships and political environmental management; sustainable development; environmental management and accountability; social investing and corporate philanthropy; community and employee relationships; and public affairs and media management. Students will also spend a great deal of time in class discussion ideas, participating in exercises, and practicing the skills necessary to perform well in this class and beyond.
SDG 17 - Partnership For The Goals	CBA	New Course MGMT 484 Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility Topics: will address all goals as part of the curriculum This course exposes students to the importance of ethics and social responsibility in all aspects of business. It intends to demonstrate the breadth of responsibility of the individual manager, organization, and corporation in making "ethical" decisions. Additionally, this course will include consideration of the enlarged spectrum of corporate stakeholders; corporate social responsibilities, citizenship and reputation; business-government relationships and political environmental management; sustainable development; environmental management and accountability; social investing and corporate philanthropy; community and employee relationships; and public affairs and media management