KUWAIT: Minister of Education Jalal Al-Tabtabaei on Sunday issued a decision to form a neutral committee tasked with investigating observations and violations related to the printing and supply of school books for the academic year 2025/2026. The move reflects the ministry’s commitment to transparency and the integrity of contractual and financial procedures in educational procurement.
According to a ministry statement, the committee comprises members from the Fatwa and Legislation Department and legal experts from other bodies. Its mandate includes reviewing the legal procedures for 115 practices, each corresponding to the printing and supply of a specific school book. The committee will examine the awarding process to companies and printing presses that submitted bids, verify adherence to general and technical specifications, and ensure that work is completed within the stipulated deadlines.
The committee will also assess whether the winning printing presses met all conditions, review the reasons for excluding other bidders, and verify the legality of procedures. It may examine documents submitted by excluded companies directly or through delegated representatives. Any administrative or financial violations discovered will be investigated, with accountability determined according to responsibility. The committee may also address matters referred by the minister.
The ministry emphasized that the committee chairman and members are bound to maintain strict confidentiality regarding sessions, deliberations, minutes, and information accessed in the course of their work. The committee may consult experts and specialists, who will not have voting rights. Its term of work is set at one month from the date of the first meeting, with sessions held outside official working hours. Extensions may be granted upon justified request. Upon completion, the committee will submit a detailed report to the Minister of Education, including findings and recommendations for legal and administrative action.
New Acting Director
In another development, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr Nader Al-Jallal on Sunday appointed Dr Mona Al-Ahmad from the Faculty of Medicine at Kuwait University as Acting Director of Abdullah Al-Salem University. She succeeds Chairperson of the University’s Founding Board Dr Moudi Al-Humoud, effective immediately and until further notice. The Ministry noted that the term of the Founding Board has concluded after four years.
The appointment ensures continuity in academic and administrative development, fills leadership roles, and strengthens the university’s administrative structure in line with its strategic goals. Minister Al-Jallal extended his appreciation to the Founding Board for establishing the university’s institutional framework, laying its academic and administrative foundations, and advancing its educational and research missions in line with national higher education objectives.
Dr Mona Al-Ahmad brings extensive experience, having served as Dean of the College of Medicine, Assistant Dean for Academic and Student Affairs, and President of the Kuwait Allergy and Clinical Immunology Association. She has also held positions at the Nursing Institute, Ministry of Health’s Abdul Aziz Al-Rashed Center for Allergy Diseases, and as Head of the Examinations Committee in the Allergy and Immunology Training Program in Kuwait. Abdullah Al-Salem University is recognized as a vital institution in Kuwait’s higher education system, aiming to provide advanced academic programs that support national development and prepare graduates capable of innovation and competition. — KUNA
