KUWAIT CITY, Jan 14: Foreign Minister and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development (KFAED), Abdullah Al-Yahya, praised the achievements of the training and qualification program for newly graduated Kuwaiti engineers and architects, who have become ambassadors of excellence and creativity.

Al-Yahya delivered his remarks during a ceremony hosted by the Kuwait Development Bank (KDB) on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the launch of this specialized program, titled "20 Years... 1000 Engineers." The event celebrated the milestone of over 1,000 young Kuwaiti engineers—both male and female—graduating from the program.

In his speech, Al-Yahya described the program as a "beacon in empowering young national talent" over the past two decades. He emphasized that the Kuwait Development Bank has played a key role in activating this program, which has trained more than 1,000 engineers across 40 batches. He highlighted the importance of such programs in contributing to human development, enhancing the efficiency of the Kuwaiti workforce, and motivating them to excel.

Al-Yahya also praised the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, which has been operating for over 63 years, for its accumulation of technical and administrative expertise. He called on the Fund and other state institutions to activate additional training programs focused on emerging fields like e-commerce, artificial intelligence, and the digital economy, recognizing these areas as vital to the future of human and civilizational development.

Waleed Al-Bahar, the Acting Director General of the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, also spoke at the event, emphasizing that the training program is a cornerstone of the Fund’s vision to empower Kuwaiti youth and prepare them to become future leaders who contribute to national development. He noted that over 1,000 graduates from the program have made significant contributions to the national economy across various sectors over the past two decades.

Al-Bahar explained that the program is not only about preparing engineers for the job market but also focuses on providing expertise to help improve local community institutions. The program includes field training in major international companies, with senior trainers and specialists both inside and outside Kuwait.

The program is structured in three stages: the first stage lasts three months, focusing on training within the Kuwait Fund for Development through specialist-led courses and practical applications; the second stage, lasting six months, involves training in international companies to gain experience; and the final stage, also lasting three months, provides local training through companies and factories in Kuwait. The goal of the program is to prepare engineers for successful careers in the private sector.

The training and qualification program for newly graduated engineers and architects was launched by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development in 2004, aimed at upgrading national human resources and addressing the needs of Kuwait's labor market. The program covers a wide range of engineering specializations and equips Kuwaiti graduates with the necessary skills to succeed in the private sector.