The Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD) in Kuwait has provided funding for five training scholarships for students from Arab countries for the 10th cohort enrolled in the Professional Diploma Programme of the United Nations University in Integrated Water Resources Management, which is delivered by the Regional Centre of the United Nations-Water Learning Centre (UN-WLC) for the Arab Region at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU).  

On this occasion, His Excellency Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of AGU, commended the interest and support of Mr Bader Mohammed Al Saad, Director General and Chairman of the AFESD in Kuwait, for the students pursuing the Professional Diploma Programme in Integrated Water Resources Management. He expressed gratitude for this generous assistance and highly valued the Fund’s pioneering role in building Arab capacities in the field of water, alongside its support for economic and social development projects in the Arab world to foster Arab integration and strengthen cooperation among member states.  

Dr Al Fuhaid stated: “This Fund is providing assistance for the second time to the programme, which reflects the esteemed Fund’s confidence in the Arabian Gulf University, a sentiment we greatly appreciate and uphold.”

For his part, Prof. Waleed Zubari, Dean of the College of Education, Administrative and Technical Sciences, Professor of Water Resources Management, and Coordinator of the Professional Diploma Programme, noted that this generous scholarship from AFESD is specifically aimed at students from less affluent Arab countries, regardless of gender. He highlighted that the scholarship will cover the registration fees for five selected participants, based on criteria such as field of study, age, gender and others, for a duration of one year. Furthermore, it will also cover the costs of three visits to the university’s headquarters in the Kingdom of Bahrain, including travel and accommodation, at the programme's commencement, midpoint and conclusion.

Prof. Zubari added, “The training programme has been carefully designed in a 'dual system' format to accommodate the professional commitments of specialists and practitioners working in water institutions throughout the Arab region, who may not be able to fully dedicate themselves to their studies. The programme combines formal in-person attendance for short periods with distance learning. The teaching methodology relies on self-directed study, the completion of assignments, and interaction with faculty members through online platforms. Participants will also present an applied project and undertake a final examination, upon completion of which a certificate will be awarded by the United Nations University in Canada.”  

He also noted that the centre, since its establishment in 2008, has graduated 9 cohorts from the academic years 2008/2009 to 2023/2024, totalling 122 graduates. The centre receives ongoing support from the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), UNESCO, and the Gulf Water Sciences and Technology Association (WASTA).