SDG 1: End Poverty in all its Forms
AUM and SDG 1
The American University of the Middle East (AUM) is actively contributing to the Sustainable Development Goal 1 (SDG 1) that calls for an end to poverty in all its forms everywhere. AUM policy on addressing poverty covers the university various initiatives and programs that aim to alleviate poverty and promote social-economic well-being, addressing the root causes of deprivation, the long-term solutions and any immediate needs for poverty reduction.
In Kuwait, despite the prosperous economy, there are still pockets of vulnerability and socio-economic disparities. AUM acknowledges the importance of addressing these issues to create a more equitable society. The university has taken several steps to contribute to SDG 1:
Community Development: AUM encourages its students to engage with local communities through humanitarian acts, volunteering and outreach programs. By collaborating with local NGOs and participating in community development projects, students gain a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by marginalized groups and contribute directly to poverty reduction efforts.
Economic Empowerment: AUM provides financial assistance to individuals in need (e.g. economic losses due to disasters), and supports educational, innovation and research activities promoting poverty reduction through grants and capacity-building programs.
Entrepreneurship and Employability: AUM promotes entrepreneurship and skill development for local start-up assistance through its curriculum and extracurricular activities. By equipping students with relevant skills and encouraging innovation, the university supports access to quality education at all levels, the creation of sustainable livelihoods and job opportunities aligned with market demands to improve employability, which is essential to poverty reduction.
Scholarships and Financial Aid: AUM provides scholarships and financial aid opportunities to students from diverse backgrounds. By ensuring that education is accessible to all, regardless of their financial circumstances, the university empowers individuals to break the cycle of poverty and contribute meaningfully to society.
Education for Sustainable Development: AUM integrates the principles of sustainable development across its curriculum. By educating students about the interconnection of economic, social, and environmental factors, the university prepares future leaders who can address the root causes of poverty, improve access to basic services and drive positive change.
Healthcare Access and Social Protection: AUM ensures that its community members have access to affordable and accessible healthcare. The university ensures food security programs and awareness campaigns on campus and beyond.
Research and Advocacy: The university engages in research that addresses issues related to poverty, inequality, and social welfare in Kuwait and the world. Through academic studies, conferences, and public discourse, AUM contributes to raising awareness about the importance of tackling poverty and promoting evidence-based policies.
Partnerships and Collaborations: AUM collaborates with government agencies, non-profit organizations, and businesses in Kuwait to develop comprehensive strategies for poverty reduction. By pooling resources and expertise, these partnerships amplify the impact of initiatives aimed at improving the quality of life for vulnerable populations.
Monitoring and Evaluation: AUM conducts regular assessments to measure the effectiveness of poverty reduction related initiatives.
In summary, AUM recognizes that achieving SDG 1 requires a multifaceted approach that involves education, empowerment, advocacy, and collaboration. By leveraging its resources and influence, the university is contributing to the national efforts aimed at eradicating poverty and building a more just and inclusive society in Kuwait.
SDG1 in Kuwait
Kuwait has had a pioneering experience in the field of welfare and social protection. Social solidarity was already embedded in the 1960 Constitution, which was premised on the principle of wellbeing for all. The social welfare system has for long, focused on achieving a qualitative leap in all aspects of social and human life, with a particular focus on all those in need, within a framework of social justice and social cohesion.
The government efforts have been deployed among others, in the fields of childhood and youth, the elderly, women, the family, people with special needs and people with disabilities.
The aim has been to achieve not only a higher wellbeing of the population but also to make them productive and fulfilled, socially and economically. Worth noting at this juncture that the Ministry of Social Affairs has adopted a universal insurance system for individuals providing social development and care, which is a core priority of the Ministry. The system is linked electronically with state agencies that are responsible for poverty eradication.
Reference: Kuwait The Second Voluntary National Review Report 2023
Volunteering Initiatives and Humanitarian Acts by the University and Students
Students Volunteering During AUM Ramadan Initiative to Offer 15,000 Iftar Meals, a Social Impact Initiative to Support Densely Populated Areas
During the Holy month of Ramadan, AUM collaborated organized the largest Iftar in the Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh area, distributing 15,000 meals. Nearly 250 students and volunteers participated to make this happen, along with the "Amir Al-Insaniyah" team.
This initiative was held on 5 April 2024, following extensive preparations that focused on covering the most densely populated areas. Coordination was done with relevant parties to manage entry, distribution of meals, and organization of the competitions and prizes.
One Million Kuwaiti Dinars Donation
In February 2023, the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the American University of the Middle East (AUM), Mr. Fahad Al-Othman, announced about the university's donation of one million Kuwaiti dinars to support the relief efforts, seeking a subsidy and support for those affected by the devastating earthquake that struck Türkiye and Syria, and caused losses
Great lives and property in both countries.
At the end of Ramadan 2022, AUM students celebrated with the preparation of giving boxes for children filled with love. These boxes were donated to charities.
ودّعنا آخر يوم دوام في رمضان 🌙 مع AUM Giving Market 🎁 طلبتنا قاموا بتجهيز صناديق للأطفال مليئة بالحب ❤️ لنقوم بالتبرع بها لاحقًا للمراكز الخيرية
AUM students highlighted their positive, helpful, and pro-social attitudes as well as their engagement and participation for a humanitarian cause. They used 5,160 shirts to build the flag on a 1,570.554 square meters of the football field at AUM campus and donated it to charitable organizations. This initiative broke the Guinness World Record for the largest shirt mosaic (Kuwait flag).
Becoming a Hub for Entrepreneurship locally and regionally
Certificate Program in Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship in collaboration with UC Berkeley AMENA Center for Entrepreneurship and Development
In the scope of the collaboration between AUM and the University of California - Berkeley (UCB), AUM offers a certification program in Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship. The program is delivered by expert professors from UCB.
It aims at equipping students with advanced knowledge in the areas of AI and entrepreneurship through strong foundation theories and a hands-on experience. Upon completion of the program, students work in teams to develop a project based on application of AI to industrial and social problems and also develop a business model. Teams with viable product ideas, could be selected to pursue into an acceleration program, by UC Berkeley, to develop their product and present their projects to potential investors.
During the academic year 2022-2023, 60 students have enrolled in the Artificial Intelligence and Entrepreneurship Certification program. Upon completion of the program requirements, the first cohort of students were awarded two certificates, one in AI and another in entrepreneurship from UCB during a ceremony held jointly by AUM and UCB representatives on 25 May 2023.
For the third consecutive year, AUM Startup Challenge was organized reflecting the university’s efforts to further expose students to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and challenge them to think of these goals in the context of business opportunities. The AUM Startup Challenge is the first phase of the Babson Global Student Challenge and results in three winning teams competing in the semi-finals and finals along with other participating universities from more than 16 countries from all over the world. AUM’s annual organization of the AUM Startup Challenge and its engagement in Babson’s Global Student Challenge comes as part of the university’s efforts to expose students further to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and challenge them to think of these goals in the context of business opportunities.
The AUM Startup Challenge 2023 was concluded on 16 February 2023 by organizing an exhibition where 170+ students working on their business idea for months displayed their projects. They defended their project and explained how it helps advance one or more of the SDGs. An award ceremony was also held, attended by faculty, staff, and students, and special guest Mr. Jamie Kendrioski, Director of the Babson Collaborative for Entrepreneurship Education, who joined virtually.
A jury comprising of subject matter experts from AUM faculty voted for the top three teams based on specific rubrics. All attendees also had the chance to vote for the best three teams. The three winning teams were awarded 5,000 KWD, 3,000 KWD, and 1,500 KWD and their ideas are highlighted hereunder:
Glassee’s - First Place: The concept of this project centered around aiding individuals with visual impairments using smart glasses and a cane.
I-Shoof - Second Place: The project consists of developing an extension to the braille typewriter to make it similar to an automatic braille typewriter but at a lower cost.
LaYengat - Third Place: This project focused on food waste management through an application that helps redistributing excess food while giving accessibility to lower income individuals.
Participation in Babson Global Student Challenge 2023: AUM team won 2nd place globally
Following AUM Startup challenge, the 3 winning teams participated in Babson Global student challenge 2023. On 19 April 2023, the top 10 projects were revealed, including three outstanding teams from AUM. The Babson Global Challenge Finals, held virtually on 25 May 2023, brought together 2,163 students from 22 universities across 17 countries. Among these finalists, Glassee's team, previously successful in the AUM Startup Challenge, achieved second place globally. This remarkable accomplishment is a significant milestone, with Glassee’s being the only team from the region to reach the top three in the competition. The Glassee’s which comprised of Aliah Ibrahim, Farah Alfajji, Yaqoub Almejadi, Afaf Almuraifea, Deem Alotaibi, Fahad Alenezi, demonstrated a great exhibition of their idea which was viewed as having a considerable impact on the society by the jury.
Global Symposium for Entrepreneurship Educators (SEE) - MENA Region Edition in collaboration with Babson College
AUM hosted the Global Symposium for Entrepreneurship Educators (SEE) - MENA Region Edition in collaboration with Babson College, from 29 to 31 January 2023. Participants from the region and Kuwait connected to learn about the latest trends in entrepreneurship education.
Kuwait Top Entrepreneurs 2023 Forum by Forbes Middle East and Qabas in collaboration with AUM
On 16 March 2023, the Kuwait Top Entrepreneurs 2023 Forum by Forbes Middle East and Qabas in collaboration with AUM was held at the Cultural Center. This forum followed the recognition of the top entrepreneurs at a gala ceremony on March 15, 2023. The forum convened interdisciplinary visionaries and stakeholders to discuss challenges faced by businesses and key disruptive trends that will shape 2023.
AUM Innovation Fair 2023
AUM Innovation Fair 2023 held on 18 May 2023, was set to be a flagship event that promotes innovation and creativity through the showcase of over 100 student-led projects across a variety of disciplines.
This innovation fair was organized to foster a spirit of innovation, entrepreneurship and research among students, providing them with a valuable opportunity to present their projects to a wider audience, including peers, faculty, and external guests.
Promoting Employability
AUM Holds Annual Career Fair in its Ninth Edition
In May 2023, AUM held its ninth annual Career Fair that connects students and alumni with top employers through a wide range of networking opportunities, such as booths exhibition, on-spot interviews, workshops and seminars by local and international experts.
The main objective behind this annual fair is to connect AUM students and alumni with top employers for professional development and career opportunities.
Over 3000 students and Alumni and 45 leading companies participated in AUM Career Fair 2023.
The American University of the Middle East organized AUM Corporate Award 2023 ceremony, in its second edition, to celebrate its strategic partnership with leading companies from private and public sectors, and to honor successful cadres in Kuwait.
The ceremony was held at AUM Cultural Center on May 24, 2023 where an outstanding selection of leaders and leading local, regional and international companies from private and public sectors in Kuwait were honored in gratitude for believing in youth and for believing in AUM graduates who became an integral part of their workforce. The ceremony was also attended by executives and experts from firms operating in Kuwait.
AUM “Career Day” Initiative
Tawteen Career Center at the American University of the Middle East (AUM) launched the “Career Day” initiative as part of the Center’s efforts to empower AUM students and graduates by providing them with internships and job opportunities that best match their career goals.
The Career Day initiative comprises a series of events whereby AUM connects graduates and alumni with top local and international employers from the private and public sectors. During each of these events, a designated company is chosen to hold on-the-spot job interviews and various other professional development activities.
Programmes for Services Access
The American University of the Middle East is dedicated to enhancing access to basic services for all through various programs and initiatives. Below are few examples:
Providing Health Awareness and Support: The full details of health awareness and support is provided in SDG 3.
Educational Philosophy that Promotes Innovation and Digital Literacy: Providing and hosting community literacy programs focused on digital and innovation skills.
Enhancing Access to Infrastructure: Raising awareness on sustainable energy solutions (e.g. solar power), water pollution prevention, etc.
Promoting Financial Literacy: Offering workshops on financial literacy and supporting entrepreneurial programs for individuals seeking to start small businesses to improve their economic standing.
Student projects on SDG1. No Poverty
Bakealize: Sustainable green bakery supporting a better living (participated in AUM Startup challenge 2023)
Research on SDG1. No Poverty
Book series
Journal articles