Kuwait - Education and TrainingKuwait - Education and Training
Overview
Kuwait spends heavily to improve its educational system. The government has spent USD $1.14 billion on facilities, including USD $882 million to rebuild old schools as well as create new facilities. Approxamtely 15,500 students are currently studying in the United States. As of 2018, Kuwaiti students seeking to obtain a scholarship to study in the United States are required to obtain a score of 5 in IELTS ( an equivalent of TOEFL) to be accepted in the program which may impact the number of new students awarded Government of Kuwait scholarships. The Ministry of Higher Education hopes to increase the number of scholarships available to its students to address the volume of high school graduates seeking higher education abroad. There is a move afoot to emphasize certain disciplines, including dentistry, nursing, and pharmacy, due to urgent demand for workers in these sectors, as well as science, technology and engineering. U.S. universities targeting Kuwaiti students should approach the Cultural Office of the Embassy of the State of Kuwait in Washington, DC, and request inclusion on its list of pre-approved universities. Universities must meet the specific criteria of the Kuwaiti Embassy’s Cultural Office in order to be included on this list. To confirm if your university is already on the list, visit the SIS Kuwait Culture D.C. website. According to the latest Human Development Index, which measures life expectancy, education, and income per capita indicators that are then used to rank countries into four tiers of human development, Kuwait is in the highest human development tier. With literacy rates above 93%, Kuwait ranks among the highest in the Arab world.
In total, there are approximately 1,250 public and private elementary and secondary schools in Kuwait. The Ministry of Education (MOE) has begun to revamp its entire curriculum, starting at the primary school level. The project is to be phased in over a period of five years and will cover all subjects, from social sciences to mathematics and science. Industry experts expect the demand for training programs in a variety of fields will increase due to Kuwait’s multi-billion dollar national development plan. On the Information & Communication Technology (ICT) side, the MOE strives to incorporate the latest technology to empower public schools to raise the level of ICT literacy. For example, the MOE worked with Hewlett-Packard (HP) to improve students’ learning skills. In 2015, HP provided all the public high school levels with tablets. Of the 30 international schools, eight are American and the rest follow Canadian, British, French, or Indian curricula, with English-language programs.
There are nine universities in Kuwait. Kuwait University, the only public university, graduates 4,000 students each year. Students earn degrees from a variety of programs. On May 4, 2004, the government issued a decree establishing a new Kuwait University City in the Shedadiya area, with a campus including various colleges, scientific centers, and other facilities, allowing an increase in the university’s student body. The project is under construction. The other universities are private: the American University of Kuwait, American University of the Middle East, The Arab Open University, Australian College of Kuwait, Kuwait International Law School, Kuwait Maastricht Business School, Algonquin College, Kuwait Technical College, Box Hill College, and Gulf University of Science and Technology.
There is also high demand for vocational and non-degree training. The Ministry of Defense contracts with a foreign language institute to offer English language instruction to its personnel. The Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) delivers various training programs for the private and government sectors. The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training provides programs for graduates seeking employment at government ministries, departments, and agencies.
According to industry sources, the government has created a USD 5.6 billion education market that is strong, steady, and offers many opportunities for U.S universities and suppliers of products and services. The United States leads the pack with a 20% market share, followed by Japan, the United Kingdom, and several Asian countries. U.S. products are highly respected by the MOE, but companies seeking business here have to be competitive, flexible, and well-connected to compete for government projects.
In total, there are approximately 1,250 public and private elementary and secondary schools in Kuwait. The Ministry of Education (MOE) has begun to revamp its entire curriculum, starting at the primary school level. The project is to be phased in over a period of five years and will cover all subjects, from social sciences to mathematics and science. Industry experts expect the demand for training programs in a variety of fields will increase due to Kuwait’s multi-billion dollar national development plan. On the Information & Communication Technology (ICT) side, the MOE strives to incorporate the latest technology to empower public schools to raise the level of ICT literacy. For example, the MOE worked with Hewlett-Packard (HP) to improve students’ learning skills. In 2015, HP provided all the public high school levels with tablets. Of the 30 international schools, eight are American and the rest follow Canadian, British, French, or Indian curricula, with English-language programs.
There are nine universities in Kuwait. Kuwait University, the only public university, graduates 4,000 students each year. Students earn degrees from a variety of programs. On May 4, 2004, the government issued a decree establishing a new Kuwait University City in the Shedadiya area, with a campus including various colleges, scientific centers, and other facilities, allowing an increase in the university’s student body. The project is under construction. The other universities are private: the American University of Kuwait, American University of the Middle East, The Arab Open University, Australian College of Kuwait, Kuwait International Law School, Kuwait Maastricht Business School, Algonquin College, Kuwait Technical College, Box Hill College, and Gulf University of Science and Technology.
There is also high demand for vocational and non-degree training. The Ministry of Defense contracts with a foreign language institute to offer English language instruction to its personnel. The Kuwait Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) delivers various training programs for the private and government sectors. The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training provides programs for graduates seeking employment at government ministries, departments, and agencies.
According to industry sources, the government has created a USD 5.6 billion education market that is strong, steady, and offers many opportunities for U.S universities and suppliers of products and services. The United States leads the pack with a 20% market share, followed by Japan, the United Kingdom, and several Asian countries. U.S. products are highly respected by the MOE, but companies seeking business here have to be competitive, flexible, and well-connected to compete for government projects.
Best Prospect Services
ESL and TOEFL
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Certified Programs: executive training, management training, IT training, security training, and ongoing professional development.
Undergraduate, pharmacy, engineering, dentistry, and graduate business degree.
Exam review courses for U.S. medical board exams.
Opportunities
The U.S. Embassy in Kuwait places significant emphasis on the promotion of American education and training institutions. The Embassy regularly promotes various education fairs, including the American Education Expo, EduCare Expo, America-Mideast Educational and Training Services, Inc. (AMIDEAST), ISN Expo, and Linden Tours. The Embassy also provides advice and counseling to students on applying to accredited U.S. education institutions.
Another effective way to promote your university to Kuwaiti high schools is via the U.S. Commercial Service Gold Key Service. We can arrange 1-2 days of appointments with high school counselors and principals. Universities that have utilized this service in the past have found it to be very effective in establishing business relationships with local international and bilingual schools.
Another effective way to promote your university to Kuwaiti high schools is via the U.S. Commercial Service Gold Key Service. We can arrange 1-2 days of appointments with high school counselors and principals. Universities that have utilized this service in the past have found it to be very effective in establishing business relationships with local international and bilingual schools.
Web Resources
For additional information on the education and training sector, please contact Commercial Specialist Rasha Al-Muhtaseb at Rasha.al-muhtaseb@trade.gov.
Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.