KUWAIT: Minister of Education Jalal Al-Tabtabaei on Sunday received the winners of the 2025 Hamdan bin Rashid Award for Distinguished Educational Performance at the GCC level, teacher Huda Awadh Al-Mutairi (Outstanding Teacher category) and student Hessa Barak Al-Kakak (Outstanding Student category). The ministry said in a statement that members of the local judging committee, senior education officials, and the award’s general coordinator in Kuwait attended the meeting.
Minister Al-Tabtabaei expressed pride in the achievement, describing it as a reflection of the strength of Kuwait’s educational system and its capacity to excel regionally. He noted that the success of teachers and students represents a model of creativity, dedication, and academic excellence. The minister congratulated the winners and their families, while also praising the educators and administrators who nurtured their talents and contributed to Kuwait’s strong performance in GCC educational competitions. He further commended the local judging committee and the award coordinator for their professional efforts in highlighting national talents.
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Award coordinator Mohammed Al-Otaibi said the minister’s reception of the outstanding achievers serves as an encouragement for them to continue striving for excellence. He added that the judging committee carefully reviewed all submissions in line with the award’s criteria. Student Hessa Al-Kakak expressed her gratitude to the minister for his support, dedicating her achievement to Kuwait. She highlighted that her participation focused on three main areas: academic excellence, community contributions, and future plans. Established in 1998, the Hamdan bin Rashid Award for Distinguished Educational Performance aims to promote educational quality, nurture talent, and foster innovation across the GCC.
Strengthening Gulf education
Dr Mohammed Al-Shuraika, Director of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States (ABEGS), affirmed that expanding the scope of education and scientific research as well as improving learning environments remain among the Bureau’s top strategic priorities. Speaking to Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) on Sunday following discussions with Dr Mubarak Al-Dharwa, Dean of the College of Basic Education, Al-Shuraika said the meeting comes within the framework of enhancing research cooperation and academic partnerships across the region.
He explained that the talks focused on mechanisms to support scientific publishing, foster knowledge exchange among regional and international educational institutions, and launch joint research projects. Discussions also highlighted professional development programs targeting academic and educational personnel. Al-Shuraika noted that the two sides reviewed the detailed provisions of a draft framework agreement and cooperation protocol aimed at strengthening research collaboration, boosting expertise exchange, and advancing scientific initiatives that contribute to the development of the Gulf education sector.
He added that the center showcased its latest scientific publications and research outputs, including specialized studies, analytical reports, and knowledge resources that provide decision-makers and researchers across the GCC with accurate data to inform educational policy. The Arab Center for Educational Research for the Gulf States, headquartered in Kuwait, operates under ABEGS as a regional institution dedicated to conducting in-depth educational research and producing specialized scientific knowledge to support policy development and improve educational outcomes in the GCC. — KUNA
