5.3.1 Track Women’s Application Rate, Acceptance/Entry Rate
5.3.2 Policy for Women’s Applications, Acceptance/Entry
5.3.3 Women’s Access Schemes
5.3.4 Women's Applications in Underrepresented Subjects
Women's Applications in Underrepresented Subjects
GUST actively encourages the application and participation of women across all academic and administrative domains on campus. The university promotes women’s inclusion not only through its internal policies and outreach activities but also by collaborating with other universities, community organizations, government entities, and NGOs. These partnerships support regional and national initiatives that empower women, enhance access to education, and strengthen gender equality within higher education and the wider community.
Empowering Women in Artificial Intelligence: GUST’s Huawei ICT Academy Initiative
Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) continues to demonstrate its strong commitment to empowering women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) through targeted professional development initiatives. As part of its collaboration with Huawei, GUST launched a capacity-building program under the Huawei ICT Academy that provides access to internationally recognized certifications in advanced technologies.
Through this initiative, Ms. Fatme Ghaddar, a staff member at GUST, successfully completed both the Train-the-Trainer and HCIA–AI (Huawei Certified ICT Associate in Artificial Intelligence) certifications in 2023 and 2024. This achievement positioned her as the only certified Huawei AI instructor in Kuwait, qualified to deliver official Huawei AI courses through the university’s Huawei Lab.
This milestone reflects GUST’s strategic efforts to enhance gender inclusion in highly specialized and emerging technology domains. By equipping female educators with globally accredited qualifications, GUST is not only fostering excellence in AI education but also serving as a national model for advancing women’s participation and leadership in innovation, digital transformation, and sustainable development. The initiative directly supports SDG 5 – Gender Equality and SDG 4 – Quality Education, reinforcing the university’s mission to provide equitable access to training, mentorship, and research opportunities for women in underrepresented fields.
Women’s Access and Empowerment in Athletics
At GUST, equal opportunity extends beyond academics to all aspects of university life, including sports and physical development. The university ensures that both male and female students have equal access to athletic programs, training, and facilities.
All athletes, regardless of gender, train under the same coaching staff to guarantee equal access to expertise and professional guidance. Participation rates are closely monitored through end-of-season surveys to track progress and identify areas for improvement in encouraging more female involvement in athletics.
Female athletes receive dedicated weekly training sessions to enhance their skills (SDG 5.3.3), and scouts from national teams are regularly invited to identify talented players who may advance to professional levels. Exceptional female athletes who demonstrate both athletic talent and strong academic performance are also eligible for scholarship opportunities.
To further promote inclusivity and growth, the university continues to introduce women’s teams in national athletic tournaments and expand the number of competitions available. Female graduates are also granted continued access to university athletic facilities, reinforcing GUST’s commitment to supporting women’s health, empowerment, and success beyond their academic years.
Role of Women in Tech Seminar
On March 10, 2025, the Computer Science Department at Gulf University for Science and Technology (GUST) hosted an engaging public seminar titled “Role of Women in Tech”. Organized in celebration of International Women’s Day, the event welcomed community members and offered an inclusive space to learn about the expanding influence of women in technology and their contributions to innovation.
The seminar featured three distinguished speakers who shared insights from diverse professional perspectives:
• Dr. Hana Alostad (Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research) – highlighting the computer science and research front
• Dr. Rita W. El-Haddad (American University of Kuwait) – focusing on the psychology and human-centered aspects of technology
• Ms. Abeer AlFarhan (Huawei) – presenting the corporate and industry leadership perspective
Their discussions inspired students and attendees to reflect on gender equity, AI advancement, and the future of tech education, which aligns strongly with the goals of lifelong learning and empowerment. The event was concluded with a recognition ceremony honoring the speakers for their contributions.
Women Empowerment and Equality Seminar Series
As part of GUST’s ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and empowering women, the university hosted the Women Empowerment and Equality Seminar Series, featuring inspiring talks by accomplished women from various professional sectors. The sessions explored key themes such as leadership impact on building inclusive workplaces, the roles and responsibilities of different types of managers, and the importance of self-awareness and self-belief in professional growth.
Through these discussions, students and staff gained valuable insights into fostering equitable environments, developing leadership confidence, and driving positive change within their organizations.
Women Leading Engineering & Tech Seminar
On 10 November 2025, GUST hosted the Women Leading Engineering and Tech seminar, a collaborative event organized by the College of Engineering and Architecture alongside Zain Kuwait’s Women in Tech (WiT) Initiative. The seminar highlighted the essential role women play in shaping the future of engineering, digital innovation, and emerging technologies. By showcasing successful female leaders and offering students the opportunity to engage with national role models, the event encouraged more young women to consider careers in fields where they remain historically underrepresented.
Through its partnership with Zain’s WiT Initiative, a recognized national program committed to empowering women in the tech sector, this seminar directly aligns with SDG 5.3.4, which calls for outreach efforts and collaborative campaigns to increase women’s participation in STEM disciplines. By creating awareness, inspiration, and pathways for female students, GUST continues to support a more inclusive future for engineering and technology in Kuwait.
CTLR Collaborates with Microsoft on DigiGirlz Program
GUST’s Center for Teaching, Learning, and Research, collaborated with the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), Microsoft, and the Kuwait Ministry of Education, to host over 15 girls’ high schools on campus for the Microsoft DigiGirlz Program. The program is a digital skills program, aiming to inspire young women to pursue a career in technology.
The event was attended by senior officials including GUST President, Professor Walid Bouhamra, Microsoft General Manager, Charles Nahas, and Dr. Salam Al-Ablani, KFAS Scientific Culture Director.
The event welcomed a panel comprised of leading women in technology, including: Haya Al-Mana, Zain Kuwait’s Sustainability Manager, Noora Al-Askar, Founder of MyNutriBox App, and Arwa Al-Jaser, Founder of Mukkancom IT solutions company. The women all spoke about their journey in the field from how they started to how they succeeded. Students were then able to ask them questions about different aspects of z their experience.
The program then gave students the opportunity to learn about careers in technology, connect with Microsoft employees, and participate in hands-on computer and technology workshops.
