PAAET commences accreditation process with US-based Council
PAAET commences accreditation process with US-based Council
Initiative aligns with the goals of 'New Kuwait 2035' vision
KUWAIT: The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET) has commenced academic accreditation procedures in partnership with the US-based Council on Occupational Education (COE), as part of its overarching strategy to enhance the quality of educational outputs and equip national cadres to meet evolving labor market demands.
Director General of PAAET, Dr Hassan Al-Fajjam, said in a press statement on Monday that the move comes in line with the directives of Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research Dr Nader Al-Jalal, who has called for elevating the standard of vocational education and achieving academic accreditation across all disciplines offered by PAAET's colleges and institutes, in alignment with international benchmarks and national development goals.
Dr Al-Fajjam noted that the COE is one of the leading international bodies specializing in accreditation within the field of vocational education and training. The council is known for its rigorous standards, aimed at ensuring institutional quality and the effectiveness of educational programs.
He revealed that several of PAAET's training institutes have already secured academic accreditation, describing this as a national milestone that underscores the Authority's commitment to excellence and its position as a regional leader in applied education. The initiative, he said, aligns with the goals of the 'New Kuwait 2035' vision, particularly in preparing a skilled professional workforce capable of adapting to rapid developments in the labor sector.
The Director General emphasized that accreditation from a reputable body such as COE reinforces the confidence of employers and stakeholders in the quality of PAAET's graduates, thereby enhancing their employment prospects and competitiveness in the job market. Dr Al-Fajjam extended his appreciation to Minister Al-Jalal for his ongoing support, affirming that this achievement reflects the fruitful collaboration between the Ministry and PAAET as part of a comprehensive reform agenda to revamp the path of applied education and training in the country. - KUNA
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Arab Times
16 hours ago
- Arab Times
Gov't updates list, adds new things to rationed food items
KUWAIT CITY, June 11: The Ministry of Commerce and Industry has issued the updated list of rationed goods and subsidized prices for 2025, reports Al-Anba daily. The daily obtained a copy of the list that includes 110 items — an increase of six items compared to 2024, after the addition of 11 new products and the removal of five. Among the newly added items are nine milk varieties, including three types of goat milk for infants, now available at a subsidized price of KD1.600. The list also consists of five infant formula products, with four priced at 850 fils and one at 920 fils. In response to dietary needs, a lactose-free long-life milk was introduced at a reduced price of 126 fils per carton. Breakfast products also witnessed additions, as two cornflakes varieties were added this year- regular cornflakes at 775 fils and All-Bran at 915 fils. In contrast, the 2024 list witnessed the removal of three infant formula products, which were previously subsidized at prices ranging between KD2.175 and KD2.810; while frozen minced lamb and beef -- once sold at a reduced price of 450 fils per kilogram -- were excluded from the 2025 list. These adjustments refl the ministry's ongoing efforts to tailor the ration system to evolving consumer needs and ensure that the essential goods remain accessible at affordable prices.
Kuwait Times
17 hours ago
- Kuwait Times
Qantas Airways shutters Singapore-based Jetstar Asia on rising costs
SINGAPORE: Australia's Qantas Airways will close its Singapore-based budget airline Jetstar Asia, the group said on Wednesday, blaming rising supplier costs, high airport fees and strong regional competition. The shutdown of the 20-year-old airline next month will result in the loss of up to 500 jobs, a Qantas spokesperson said, and Jetstar Asia's fleet of 13 Airbus A320 planes will be redeployed to Australia and New Zealand. Airlines across Asia, including budget rivals like Singapore Airlines', Malaysia-headquartered AirAsia and Vietnam's VietJet Aviation, have restored and grown their capacity post-pandemic, intensifying competition between carriers and driving airfares down. Jetstar Asia, which operated 16 intra-Asia routes from Singapore's Changi Airport, has faced growing challenges in recent years and has been unable to deliver returns comparable to stronger-performing core markets within the Qantas group, the company said. The airline has seen 'really high cost increases' at its Singapore base, including double-digit rises in fuel, airport fees, ground handling and security charges, Jetstar Group CEO Stephanie Tully told reporters. Jetstar Asia, which Tully said reported profits in only six of its 20 years of operation, is expected to post an underlying loss of A$35 million ($22.76 million) before interest and tax in the financial year ending June 30. The airline said Jetstar Asia's closure would release up to A$500 million to be recycled into its core businesses based largely on the value of the 13 planes, including the ability to replace costly leased aircraft that Australia's Jetstar Airways is using domestically. Jetstar Asia will gradually reduce its schedule before closing on July 31, and customers on cancelled flights will be offered full refunds and moved onto other airlines where possible. Qantas said it would take a one-off financial hit of about A$175 million from Jetstar Asia's closure over two financial years. Qantas shares were trading about 1 percent lower. The group said on Wednesday it continues to see strong demand across its domestic and international businesses. Cost woes Tully said Jetstar Asia's cost base was hit particularly hard in the last 18 months to two years. Changi, the world's fourth-busiest airport by international passengers, is steadily raising charges from this year through 2030 to fund investments and higher operating costs. The airport in March 2023 moved Jetstar Asia's operations from Terminal 1 to Terminal 4, the only terminal not connected by train to the other terminals, despite the airline's objections. 'We think it has had an impact on the business,' Tully said. Changi said in a statement it was disappointed by Jetstar Asia's decision to exit Singapore but respected its commercial considerations. Jetstar Asia accounted for around 3 percent of the airport's passenger traffic last year. Changi said it would work with other airlines to fill capacity gaps, including on four routes that no other carrier currently operates. Australia, New Zealand focus International operations at Qantas' other budget carriers, Jetstar Airways and Japan-based Jetstar Japan, will not be affected, the airline said. Six of Jetstar Asia's 13 narrow-body aircraft will replace leased aircraft at Jetstar's Australian operations, while four will replace ageing planes Qantas uses to serve the mining industry. Two planes will be deployed to Jetstar in Australia and one in New Zealand to grow capacity and potentially launch new routes, the airline said, in a move that will create more than 100 local jobs. Employees losing jobs in Singapore will get redundancy benefits and support to find jobs within the Qantas group or other airlines. Singapore's biggest trade union, the National Trades Union Congress, said it was aware of the Jetstar Asia closure ahead of the announcement and was working with Singapore Airlines, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Changi Airport to find new employment opportunities for the airline's employees. Singapore Airlines said it had set up channels for Jetstar staff to expedite applications for employment within the airline group. - Reuters
Arab Times
18 hours ago
- Arab Times
Kuwait proud of ties with Africa: FM Al-Yahya
KUWAIT CITY, June 11: 'The relationship of Kuwait with countries in the African continent is deep and historic,' says Foreign Affairs Minister Abdullah Al- Yahya. Al-Yahya made the statement when he attended the annual Africa Day celebration, which was held at the invitation of ambassadors and heads of African diplomatic missions in the country. After expressing his sincere greetings on the occasion, Al-Yahya affirmed that Kuwait is keen on strengthening cooperation with the African countries. He said 'Kuwait takes pride in its distinguished cooperation with African countries, particularly through the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development's infrastructure and vital development projects across the continent since its establishment in 1961. The private and government sectors, as well as the fund, continue to support our friends in the African continent.' Asked if there is a plan to expand diplomatic representation in the African continent, he disclosed 'we are studying all these matters. We may close some locations and open others.' Meanwhile, Ambassador of the Union of the Comoros to Kuwait Dr. Al-Arif Sayed Hassan delivered a speech on the occasion; stating 'it is a great honor for me to welcome you to this celebration, which is being organized as part of the Africa Day activities in the beautiful city of Kuwait, a source of hospitality and generosity, and a center of humanity.' Addressing Al-Yahya, Hassan stated 'you have always expressed your interest and care for the accredited diplomatic corps, and your presence among us today is a powerful testimony to your love and appreciation for Africa and its peoples.' He added 'Kuwait is writing its name in letters of gold on the brow of the African continent, which is working hard to consolidate and strengthen the relationship of Kuwait with African countries. This celebration of Africa Day in Kuwait is a good opportunity to strengthen these relations, which are characterized by sincere brotherhood and constructive cooperation between the two sides. This is manifested through the signing of bilateral agreements, exchange of visits and diplomatic missions, implementation of educational and cultural programs, support for development and humanitarian projects, exchange of expertise and competencies, and other aspects of bilateral cooperation. This is in addition to fruitful cooperation in the regional and international arenas in various fields; especially political, economic and cultural. All of this is thanks to the joint efforts of leaders, governments and peoples.' He also explained that 'in light of this dynamism, our countries need to rely on strong partners with successful experiences in the fields of development. From this perspective, we highly appreciate and value the efforts of Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development in its cooperation with 51 African countries and its remarkable initiatives to support the African economy through partnership with the African Development Bank. In conclusion, he said 'I take this opportunity to celebrate Africa Day; with the theme, 'African-Kuwaiti Cooperation within the Framework of Promoting Kuwaiti Investment in Africa for a Strategic Partnership', and to call on businesspersons and investors in Kuwait to support this development dynamic and explore the opportunities and guarantees available in the continent and its companies to serve mutual interests and reinforce profitable partnerships.' It is worth mentioning that an art exhibition was inaugurated on the sidelines of the Africa Day celebration, showcasing the creativity of African artists, in addition to folkloric musical performances by several African folk bands.
