SDG16: PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 16, "Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions," highlights the importance of promoting peaceful and inclusive societies, ensuring access to justice for all, and building effective, accountable, and transparent institutions. In Kuwait, a nation known for its stability and strong governance, and at GUST there is a commitment to upholding the principles of peace, justice, and institutional strength.
Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions in Kuwait:
Kuwait has implemented several initiatives to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions:
1. Rule of Law: Kuwait has established a robust legal framework to uphold the rule of law, ensuring justice and accountability.
2. Social Cohesion: The government fosters social cohesion through policies that promote inclusivity, diversity, and respect for human rights.
3. Good Governance: Kuwait emphasizes good governance and transparency in its public institutions, enhancing accountability and public trust.
4. Conflict Resolution: The country plays an active role in regional and international diplomacy, contributing to peaceful conflict resolution efforts.
GUST's Contribution:
GUST actively contributes to promoting peace, justice, and strong institutions through various initiatives:
1. Human Rights and Social Justice: The university integrates human rights and social justice principles into its curriculum, fostering an understanding of these crucial concepts among students.
2. Civic Engagement: GUST encourages civic engagement and social responsibility among its students, promoting active participation in civil society and advocacy for justice.
3. Research and Advocacy: The university conducts research on legal and governance issues, contributing to informed policy discussions and advocating for strong institutions and justice.
Kuwait's commitment to SDG 16 is evident in its efforts to promote peace, justice, and strong institutions, both domestically and internationally. GUST complements these efforts by educating future leaders, conducting research, and fostering a culture of civic engagement and advocacy. Together, Kuwait and institutions like GUST work towards a more peaceful, just, and accountable society, aligning with the principles of SDG 16 and contributing to the well-being of their communities and the world.
GUST Student and Faculty Elected Representation
GUST promotes transparent and participatory governance by ensuring that key university bodies include elected representatives from across the campus community. The University’s Faculty Senate Committee serves as a central platform where elected faculty members participate in institutional decision-making, academic policy review, and governance discussions, ensuring that faculty voices are formally included in shaping the future of the University.
In addition, GUST upholds student representation through its fully elected Student Association (SA). Each academic year, undergraduate students vote to select their representatives, who advocate on behalf of the student body, address concerns, and collaborate with university leadership on academic, social, and administrative matters. The SA also organizes large-scale student events, campaigns, and engagement initiatives that strengthen campus life and ensure students have an active role in shaping university culture.
Through these mechanisms, GUST ensures that students, faculty, and staff have meaningful channels for participation, aligning directly with SDG 16.2.1 and reinforcing principles of inclusive, accountable, and transparent governance.
GUST Student Union and Clubs
GUST recognizes and supports a vibrant system of student-led organizations that operate independently. The cornerstone of this structure is the Student Association, which serves as the primary student governance body and provides support services, advocacy, and social engagement opportunities for all students. The SA participates in university dialogue, provides input, represents student interests, and contributes to a healthy, democratic campus environment.
Beyond the SA, GUST fosters a diverse ecosystem of student clubs, that are supervised by the Office of Student Life (OSL). Each club is initiated and led by students with shared academic, cultural, or personal interests. These include clubs focused on technology, art, sustainability, media, culture, business, entrepreneurship, gaming, literature, and more. Through workshops, competitions, awareness campaigns, and conferences, these clubs organize various activities and events for students, enriching their experience and cultivating leadership, teamwork, and civic responsibility.
By recognizing these independent student entities and enabling their contributions to governance input, student support, and social activities, GUST meets the expectations of SDG 16.2.2 and strengthens a culture of active student participation and inclusive community building.
GUST Student Clubs:
|
# |
Student Club |
President |
Vice President |
| 1 | Accounting Club | Mohamad Al Hassawi | Atyab Al Obaid |
| 2 | MGMT Club | Ghareeb Bin Ghareeb | Saad Al Mutairi |
| 3 | PR Club | Rashed Al Ajmi | Nasser Al Khashti |
| 4 | Marketing Club | Duaij Al Daboos | Hawraa Alsaleh |
| 5 | Art Club | Abdluaziz Al Asfoor | Fawaiz Al Doob |
| 6 | Music Club | Marwan Al Enezi | Donya Hasawi |
| 8 | Engineering Club | Yousef AlMarafie | Talal Al Muzayan |
| 9 | IFC Club | Hamad Al shaya | Muneera Al Waleed |
| 10 | Pop Culture Club | Rawan Saeed | Ayat Al Raqum |
| 11 | Economics | Ali Al Ateeqi | Sabah Al Sabah |
| 12 | Debate Club | Bader Al Refai | — |
| 13 | Sports & Wellness Club | Abdullah Al Awadhi | Humoud Al Sanousi |
| 14 | Literary Club | Jassim Burashid | Haneen El Zorba |
| 15 | Sustainability Club | Heba Bhati | Bashayer Qattan |
| 16 | Media Club | Rawyah Mahmoud | Hamad Alhemaidi |
| 17 | Technology Club | Aisha Ihsan Matar | Dalal H M A AlAdel |
Engaging with Local and International Stakeholders
GUST maintains structured procedures for identifying and engaging with external stakeholders at the local, national, regional, and international levels. Through formal Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs), the University collaborates with leading institutions across Europe, North America, Asia, and the Middle East, enabling student exchanges, joint research, dual-degree pathways, academic conferences, and faculty development programs. These written agreements reflect GUST’s established process for selecting strategic partners, assessing collaboration opportunities, and sustaining long-term academic relationships.
Recent partnerships demonstrate this approach in action. In 2024, GUST signed an MoU with the University of Ottawa, expanding opportunities for both institutions through student exchange programs, joint academic initiatives, and knowledge-sharing activities. This collaboration has already resulted in successful summer study-abroad trips for undergraduate and MBA students, with continued cooperation planned for future semesters.
Similarly, GUST signed another MoU with Dar Al Shifa Hospital in 2024, strengthening engagement with a key local healthcare provider. This agreement supports student internship programs, practical training placements, collaborative research, and future joint academic activities. These initiatives help bridge the gap between academic study and real-world experience, while also strengthening university–community partnerships.
Locally, GUST actively engages with community stakeholders by regularly inviting local businesses, entrepreneurs, and social enterprises to campus. These partners are given space to set up booths, interact with students, promote their products, and participate in university-organized events. This ongoing engagement allows GUST to support local economic development while exposing students to real-world industry insights, innovative start-ups, and community-based initiatives.
Together, these practices demonstrate that GUST follows consistent policies and procedures to identify, evaluate, and collaborate with stakeholders beyond the University, fulfilling the requirements of SDG 16.2.3.
PUC Accreditation and Stakeholder Participation
GUST is accredited by the Private Universities Council (PUC), the government authority responsible for regulating and evaluating higher education in Kuwait. This serves as a formal mechanism through which external stakeholders participate in the University’s governance and quality assurance processes. The accreditation was recently renewed again in 2025. The PUC’s review requires the University to undergo periodic evaluation, submit documentation, host audit visits, and comply with national standards related to academic quality, governance, student services, and institutional performance.
Through this external oversight, local government representatives and civil bodies actively influence and contribute to GUST’s ongoing development, ensuring transparency, accountability, and alignment with national educational priorities. This continuous engagement provides a structured channel for stakeholder input into decision-making at the institutional level, directly supporting SDG 16.2.4 by embedding meaningful participation from local authorities and community stakeholders in the University’s governance framework.
Engaging Local Experts in Institutional Dialogue
As part of its commitment to meaningful stakeholder engagement, GUST hosted the History of Education Seminar on 23 November 2025, featuring renowned Kuwaiti astronomical scientist Hasan Saadon. By bringing influential local figures and subject-matter experts onto campus, the University creates structured opportunities for community voices to participate in academic conversations and institutional development. Events like this allow faculty, students, and respected members of Kuwaiti civil society to exchange perspectives, discuss national educational priorities, and contribute ideas that help shape GUST’s academic environment. This aligns with SDG 16.2.4, as it demonstrates GUST’s ongoing effort to involve local stakeholders in dialogue that informs and enhances the University’s direction, culture, and decision-making processes.
University Policy Against Corruption and Bribery
Gulf University for Science and Technology upholds a strict zero-tolerance policy toward corruption and bribery, as outlined in its official Code of Conduct. The University’s Bribery Policy clearly states that employees may neither offer nor accept any bribes, regardless of the amount, and requires that any attempt or request related to bribery be immediately reported to management. This transparent framework ensures ethical behavior across departments and protects the integrity of institutional decision-making.
In addition, GUST’s Commitment Statement affirms the University’s dedication to integrity, human rights, and responsible governance. It explicitly opposes corruption and aligns with Kuwait Labor Law by guaranteeing fair treatment, safe working conditions, and the prevention of forced labor, child labor, and other unethical practices. By publicly publishing and enforcing these principles, GUST directly fulfills SDG 16.2.5, demonstrating its commitment to strong governance and ethical institutional culture.
Academic Freedom and Research Excellence at GUST
GUST fosters a strong culture of academic freedom, ensuring that both senior and junior faculty members have the autonomy to pursue research in their chosen fields and to teach openly within their areas of expertise. This commitment is reflected in the University’s performance in the Times Higher Education (THE) Arab University Rankings 2026, where GUST achieved the highest scores in Kuwait for both Research Environment and Research Quality. These results highlight the University’s ongoing support for independent inquiry, interdisciplinary exploration, and scholarly innovation across all colleges.
Faculty at GUST are encouraged to engage in research spanning a wide range of disciplines—from engineering and computer science to business, humanities, and environmental studies—without restrictions on topics or methodologies. This freedom reinforces a dynamic academic environment where new ideas, critical thinking, and open discussion are valued. Likewise, in the classroom, instructors maintain the flexibility to design courses, integrate emerging research, and adopt teaching approaches that best support student learning. Through these principles and practices, GUST demonstrates its strong commitment to SDG 16.2.6, promoting academic freedom at every level of the institution.
GUST Participation in Government-Focused Research
GUST actively engages in policy-relevant and government-linked research through collaborations with national institutions, including Kuwait University, the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET), and other public research bodies. These partnerships enable faculty members to contribute scientific evidence and advanced technical expertise to topics central to national priorities such as public health, biodiversity, environmental sustainability, and advanced materials.
Through co-authored research with government departments and public universities, GUST helps inform decision-making, support national development agendas, and strengthen Kuwait’s scientific contribution to regional and international policy discussions. The studies below represent a small sample of the University’s research collaborations aligned with SDG 16.3.3.
Below are few GUST research collaborations with Government Institutions:
|
Research Title |
Year / Journal |
GUST Faculty |
Government Partner(s) |
Relevance to SDG 16.3.3 |
Read Paper |
| Synthesis, Characterization and Cytotoxicity of New Dichlorothiophene-Based Nicotinonitrile Derivatives | 2025 – Journal of Molecular Structure | Dr. Carlito Ponseca | Kuwait University – Faculty of Medicine | Supports national biomedical and chemical research informing public health strategy. | Read |
| Statistical and Machine-Learning Assessment of Factors Influencing Diabetes Awareness in Kuwait | 2025 – BMC Medical Informatics & Decision Making | Dr. Khalida Al-Kenane | Kuwait University – College of Medicine PAAET (Public Authority for Applied Education & Training) | Provides evidence for national health education & chronic disease policy. | Read |
| Impact of Electron Cyclotron Wave Resonance Plasma on Defect Reduction in ZnO Thin Films | 2025 – Scientific Reports | Dr. Carlito Ponseca Dr. Ali Shuaib (Collaborator) | Kuwait University – Faculty of Medicine Czech Academy of Sciences Osaka University | Contributes scientific evidence for national tech & materials policy. | Read |
GUST Board of Trustees Elects a New Chairman
Mr. Nawaf Arhamah has been elected Chairman of Board of Trustees of Gulf University for Science and Technology’s as of 1st December 2020. Mr. Arhamah has forged an impressive professional journey, which has passed through the telecommunications, investment banking, and education sectors. His accomplishments showcase a sharp business acumen and a talent for spotting new opportunities for growth and development.
Mr. Arhamah earned his Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Engineering from Kuwait University, and MBA from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He ascends to the chairmanship of GUST’s BOT after a number of years on its board of trustees, during which time the university has achieved a number of notable accomplishments, not least of which include the global ranking of the university for the first time in its history.
GUST Chairman, Mr Nawaf Arhamah, said, “I look forward to leading GUST in its journey of further development. Our goal is to continue strengthening GUST’s contribution to society through offering new academic programs, expanding research efforts and improving the quality of education.”
Currently, Mr Arhamah sits on a number of boards, including that of Educational Group Holding Company as Chairman, EYAS for Higher and Technical Education as Vice Chairman and CEO, as well as that of Afaq Educational Services Company as Chairman.
GUST’s Global Studies Center Enters the Virtual Arena
Gulf University for Science and Technology’s 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 discussion touched upon a number of important points, what the U.S. Constitution says about elections, and how its weaknesses, magnified through state policy, have led to the problems that were seen in the conduct of the 2020 United States elections. The discussion also shed light on the differences in electoral laws among the American states, the calls to reform or eliminate the Electoral College, and how the system contributes to political polarization. At the end of the discussion, a short Q&A session followed.
Global Studies Center
Chair, Dr Albaraa Al-Tourah, said "This talk is an extension of a
long-lasting relationship with the Cultural Affairs Department at the US
Embassy in Kuwait. It has shed a light on some insightful information about the
recent US election in particular and the US election system in general."
Dr David Rovinsky,
Deputy Political Counselor at the US Embassy in Kuwait, said, “In theory, the
electoral system of the United States is a work of art. Unlike practically every other modern
democracy, there is no national electoral authority. National elections are a collection of local
elections carried out under state laws.
The system worked well for over two centuries, generating stable and
democratically legitimate government.
However, the system has been trembling for two decades, and many
Americans want to rethink significant parts of the electoral process.”
The GSC, launched jointly with the National University of Singapore in 2015, is a leading research center on global studies, and a vehicle for engaging both internal and external communities through stimulating events and lectures on global issues. The center aims to conduct cutting-edge research on cross-national political, economic, social, cultural, and environmental issues of critical importance, and share research output and information regionally and globally. It also seeks to foster public understanding of global issues with local significance.
With this, GUST continues to build on its mission in becoming a knowledge-hub that benefits and engages students, academics, and the wider Kuwait community as a whole.
