Scope:
.- Provide networking support with business leaders in the community allowing the college to develop strong industry partnerships and engagement with key industry decision makers.
- Provide trends and scenarios for the medium term development of industry sectors needs with respect to:
- Professional abilities or competencies.
- Market forces.
- Structural changes that affect human capital.
- The depiction of the trends of the industry needs are achieved for the above attributes and sectors through the development, and subsequent regular revision, of graduate attributes and Program-specific knowledge and skills (Program Educational Objectives), that fulfills industry requirements.
- Provide a platform that can support and enhance ACK student internship and mentoring programs, by facilitating access to industry members’ organizations.
- Facilitate sponsorship of academic and student activities
- Provide a platform for industry contribution to the development and review of ACK strategic vision, growth and development, and conducting research.
- Facilitate scholarships and funding applied research activities relevant to ACK mission and national strategy.
- Provide advice on general activities to support the realization of the College mission and strategic plan.
Membership:
Professor Isam Zabalawi
President
Mr. Sager Al Sharhan
Assistant to the President for Support Services
Prof. Hussein Abdullah
Vice President for Academic Affairs Acting & Dean - School of Business
Dr. Mohammed Abdul Niby
Dean - School of Engineering
Dr. Usameh Jamali
Board of Trustees Member
Dr. Hamad Al-Hasawi
Kuwait Banking Association
General Secretary
Mrs. Huda Al-Baqshi
Kuwait Industries Union
General Manager
Mr. Faisal Mansour Sarkhou
KAMCO INVEST
Chief Executive Officer
Mr. Al-Ajeel
Burgan Bank
Chairman
Mr. Ahmed Aqeel
Kuwait Business Town Real Estate Co. KSC
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Yaser Al-Kulaib
The Energy House Holding Company
Board of Trustees Member and Chairman of Audit Committee
Mr. Omran Hayat
Al-Mehan Holding Company
Managing Partner
Eng. Faisal Al-Atel
Kuwait Society of Engineers
Chairman
Achievements:
- Expanded internship placements. Further opportunities were arranged for ACK students to benefit from internship placements as well as field trips at the IAB members’ workplaces.
- International training and employment opportunities. It has now been agreed to provide opportunities for ACK students to undertake internships in IAB member organizations’ international branches and subsidiaries as well as possibilities for recruitment of ACK graduates in their international branches and subsidiaries.
- Guest speaker program. Industry and business experts contributed toward the learning process of ACK students by their support with the weekly guest speaker program to share their professional and career experiences with ACK students and faculty.
- Teaching and learning. Industry feedback regarding ACK interns and alumni in their industries was collected through the Industry Advisory Board committee and subcommittees. This input has been used toward the enhancement of teaching and learning.
- Curriculum. A special exercise was undertaken with industry representatives to receive their feedback concerning the attributes and skills required for entry level114 positions. This information was then used to review and strengthen ACK curriculum and associated learning outcomes for improved employability of ACK alumni.
- Research. In line with the ACK Research Strategy, further cooperation with industry was made to identify priority areas for research and availability of local facilities and resources for such purposes. Further, support from industry was forthcoming to enable ACK faculty members to expand research as well as potential sources of funding.
- Expanded internship placements. Further opportunities were arranged for ACK students to benefit from internship placements as well as field trips at IAB members’ workplaces.
- International training and employment opportunities. It has now been agreed to provide opportunities for ACK students to undertake internships in IAB member organizations’ international branches and subsidiaries as well as possibilities for recruitment of ACK graduates in their international branches and subsidiaries.
- Guest speaker program. Industry and business experts contributed toward the learning process of ACK students by their support with the weekly guest speaker program to share their professional and career experiences with ACK students and faculty.
- Teaching and learning. Industry feedback regarding ACK interns and alumni in their industries was collected through the Industry Advisory Board committee and subcommittees. This input has been used toward the enhancement of teaching and learning.
- Curriculum. A special exercise was undertaken with industry representatives to receive their feedback concerning the attributes and skills required for entry level positions. This information was then used to review and strengthen ACK curriculum and associated learning outcomes for improved employability of ACK alumni.
- Research. In line with the ACK Research Strategy, further cooperation with industry was made to identify priority areas for research and availability of local facilities and resources for such purposes. Further, support from industry was forthcoming to enable ACK faculty members to expand research as well as potential sources of funding.
- Initiation of Sub Industry Advisory Board at each School and department level.
As for the School of Business, the meeting was scheduled to be held during Spring 2019-2020; and got cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic.
1.1. Office of the President
1.1.1. ACK Industry Advisory Board
The Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) met twice during the Academic Year 2020/2021 and discussed the following:
- ACK’s Distance Learning Plan : The Bored commended ACK’s response to the
COVID-19 Pandemic and its commitment to the academic progress of the students by providing an alternative education delivery system that utilized existing and emerging technologies to enhance the students learning experience while maintaining the flexibility, convenience and quality of the content delivered. - E-Internship Initiative: The IAB encouraged the development of the E-Internship initiative and provided some directions to guarantee the quality of the implementation. The internship unit was able to secure 33 virtual internships with 20 filled positions in six companies, in which 14 students took a virtual internship and 6 students attended physically twice a week. In Spring 2021, the unit secured 25 internships – filled 10 positions in five companies.
- ACK’s Industrial Partnership Initiative. This is a joint initiative that ACK designed with Kuwait Industries Union (KIU) to establish a collaboration with local industries, in matters related to production, services, finance, etc. in order to achieve the following goals:
- Bring industry to ACK’s campus and classrooms.
- Enhance ACK’s Academic Programs.
- Internship opportunities for ACK students.
- Consultation
- Support the Research projects.
- Employment opportunities for ACK Alumni.
- Workshop and activities
- Donation and philanthropy Fellowships (Student Support)
- As a result of this initiative, several visits were conducted by representatives from School of Engineering (SOE) and School of Business(SOB) that led to positive outcomes such as:
-
- Gulf Bank assisted the School of Business during ACK’s first and subsequent online semesters by providing an online internship program for our students, while ACK provided training for Gulf Bank representatives and guidance on Training Needs Analysis (TNA) to HR employees via Microsoft Teams.
- Asnan Tower supported ACK School of Business students during the pandemic. The company placed 15 students within their branches.
- Great Portland which is a Real Estate Development company, dealing in investment properties abroad. It placed two interns during the Fall 2020 semester.
- ORP which is a young, dynamic company established in 2007 providing off-road and camping solutions, was able to host an intern in the Fall 2020 semester.
- Harvard Training Center Kuwait which is a company established by a group of young Kuwaiti Entrepreneurs, supported School of Business by placing 10 interns during the two semesters.
- Kuwait Flour Mills hosted an intern within their factory during the Fall 2020 semester.
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- Virtual guest speaker program. Industry and business experts were able to share their knowledge and expertise with ACK students and faculty members by participating in the virtual guest speaker program.
The ACK IAB members supported the establishment of specified Boards for the School of Engineering, School of Business and the School of Aviation.
Member Bio.
Professor Isam Zabalawi is the President of the Australian College of Kuwait (ACK). With a PhD in Electrical & Electronics Engineering from Leeds University, he is specialized in analog and digital signal processing and communication techniques.
His interests include the communication industry, information technology, technology transfer and higher education development and reform.
Professor Zabalawi is a well-published research scholar and prior to joining ACK in 2017, held senior positions including President of The Arab Academy for Banking & Financial Sciences, Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Jordan, Chancellor of the University of Sharjah (UAE), Chairman of the Higher Education Accreditation Council of Jordan, founding minister for establishing the German-Jordanian University and founding President of the International University for Science and Technology (IUST) in Syria 2005-2007.
He is a Fellow of Engineers Australia and awarded the Engineering Executive credentials. Additionally, he is a fellow of The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) - United Kingdom and he is a fellow with the European Federation of National Engineering Associations (FEANI). He served as a Higher Education Reform Expert (HERE’s) with the European Commission and Erasmus+ (Tempus) Office, Jordan.
Member Bio.
Mr. Sager Al Sharhan joined the Australian College of Kuwait as Assistant to the President for Support Services. He leads the activities related to Support Services Departments, which include Facilities, Health and Safety, Security, Marketing and PR and Corporate Training. This division contributes toward ACK’s mission through providing adequate, safe and reliable learning and working environment for college community.
Furthermore, Mr. Sager Al Sharhan is the Chairman and CEO for Al Mutatawera Services Holding Company, which was established on 22 November 2002; the Company identifies, creates, implements and supports opportunities in the fields of education, training, research and offset development. The Company holds investment in the following subsidiaries:
- Abdullah Abdul Mohsen Al-Sharhan Trading Group Company W.L.L. (AMAS).
- Australian College of Kuwait.
- Australian Academy.
- Al Mutatawera Gulf General Trading L.L.C. (MGGT).
- The ARBOR School in Dubai.
Board Member in:
- Industrial Advisory Board (IAB) Australian College of Kuwait.
- Al Dorra Petroleum Services
- Burgan Well Drilling Company (listed) Kuwait.
- Saudi Makamin KSA.
Member Bio.
Prof. Hussein Abdullah is the Vice President of Academic Affairs at ACK. He has over 25 years of industrial and academic experience, including higher education teaching, graduate supervision, research and innovation, curricula development, project management, planning, and policy development. He served as Director of the School of Engineering between 2010 and 2018 and as the Associate Director for Graduate Studies (2008-2009) in the School of Engineering at the University of Guelph, Canada.
Member Bio.
Dr. Mohammed Abdul-Niby is the Dean of School of Engineering and an Associate Professor in the Electrical Engineering Department. Dr. Abdul-Niby gained his PhD in Electrical Engineering / Microelectronics from University of Surrey, 1998, UK.
He is a Chartered Member in Engineers Australia (EA). He also used to be a member of Centre for Osmosis Research and Applications within the Fluids Research Centre, University of Surrey/Surry/UK.
Dr. Abdul-Niby’s goal is to deliver quality higher education and training, both theoretical and experimental in engineering through a learning environment that is respectful, supportive and safe, in which innovation and lifelong learning by students are fostered.
During the last 3 years, he has taught various courses in “Applied Integrated Circuit Systems”, “Industrial Electronic Circuits "and “Linear integrated Circuits”. Dr. Abdul-Niby has been awarded a Certificate IV in training and assessment from TasTAFE. He has been awarded a Certificate for participating in “Effective Lesson Design” training course. Moreover, Dr. Abdul-Niby has published 15 Scientific papers in very well-known international journals, 3 Articles, and 8 Conference papers.
When Dr. Abdul-Niby isn’t working, you’ll find him reading books, drawing artistic painting, and travelling.
Member Bio.
Dr Usameh Jamali was associated with Organization of Arab Petroleum Exporting Countries (OAPEC) for 36 years. Since December 2010, Dr. Jamali joined the Australian College of Kuwait as Advisor to the Chairman and as an Advisor to the President.
Dr. Jamali graduated from the American University of Beirut in 1957 where he earned a B.A. in Economics. He went on to earn an MBA from Columbia University, and a MALD & Ph.D. from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy.
His experience includes working for the Rafidain Bank in Baghdad, Beirut, London and J. Henry Schroeder Banking Corporation in NYC. He subsequently trained with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in preparation for joining the National Bank of Libya (1960 – 1964).
As an Academic, Dr. Jamali lectured in various fields of economics at Tufts and Northeastern Universities in Boston (1965 – 1974) as well as at the Australian College of Kuwait (2006), and at the American University of Kuwait (2010).
Dr. Jamali’s main field of interest remains Energy Economics.
Member Bio.
Dr. Hamad Al-Hasawi currently holds the position of Secretary General at Kuwait Banking Association, as well as the Editor-in-Chief of Al Masaref Magazine since 2011. Through his current position, Dr. Al-Hasawi represents local banks and interacts with all relevant government agencies, the National Assembly and private sector institutions regarding matters of common issues important to member banks, both inside and outside Kuwait.
Dr. Al-Hasawi also took over several positions, including Executive Vice President of Financial Services Department at Rasameel Structured Finance Company, Senior Adviser at the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Chief Operating Officer at Gulf Holding Company in the Kingdom of Bahrain, Senior Vice President at KIPCO Asset Management, and Vice President of Gulf Investment Corporation. Dr. Al-Hasawi performed the following tasks: project finance, financing institutions and companies, listing companies on the Kuwait Stock Exchange, managing portfolios, direct investments, evaluating companies, managing investment funds, transforming research projects into commercial institutions.
Dr. Al-Hasawi also worked as an Advisor to the Kuwait Ministry of Defense, Vice President of the Battelle Memorial Research Institute in the United States of America, and Associate Professor at each of the University of Dayton in the United States of America, the American University in Kuwait, the Australian College at Kuwait, Kuwait International Law School and Maastricht University in Kuwait. He lectured on a number of topics including Investment Analysis, Financial Management, Portfolio Management, and Islamic Banking Financial Transactions.
Dr. Al-Hasawi has published several articles and studies; he also presented many training programs, including creativity, innovation and strategic planning, leadership skills for new leaders, change management, crisis management and negotiation skills, modern financial management, management and development of small and medium enterprises.
Member Bio.
Huda Al-Baqshi earned her first bachelor degree from the College of Education in 1993.
She joined Kuwait Industries Union in 2012, where she held the position of Deputy General Manager and as of 2014, she is the General Manager.
In addition to her position as a G.M., she currently holds member of the Board of Directors at the Public Authority for Manpower, a member of the Industrial Advisory Council at the Australian College of Kuwait, and a member of the National Committee for Construction in the Public Authority for Industry.
Member Bio.
Mr. Faisal Mansour Sarkhou was appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Kamco Invest in 2014 and has led the company to become one of the key players in the regional financial services sector. He enjoys a wealth of experience in investment services namely investment banking and asset management.
He joined the Company in 2000 and has held several managerial positions including head of Corporate Finance and head of Financial Services & Investments, responsible for advising and executing mergers and acquisitions, underwritings, private placements, debt issuances, restructuring transactions, and private equity. Earlier in his career he was a member of the Corporate Finance Team at KPMG in Kuwait.
He sits on the board of several reputable companies, member of advisory boards and executive committees and a prominent speaker in various investment forums.
Faisal holds a BSc Economics degree with honors from the University of Birmingham, UK and an EMBA with distinction from HEC Paris, France.
Member Bio.
Mr. Majed AI-Ajeel has been Chairman of Burgan Bank since 2010 and has over 42 years of diversified experience in the banking, real estate, and investment sectors. Mr. AI-Ajeel joined the Burgan Bank Board of Directors in 1998. He is currently a board member at the Kuwait Banking Association, the Institute of Banking studies and FIM Bank in Malta. Prior to joining Burgan Bank, Mr. AI-Ajeel was the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer for United Projects Co. and a Managing Director of Kuwait Finance and Investment Company. He also served on the Board at International Leasing and Investment Co, KSC, Kuwait Real Estate Investment Consortium, and Kuwait & Middle East Financial Investment Co. KSCC. K.S.C. Mr. AL-Ajeel holds a Bachelor's degree in Science in Architecture since 1977 and a Master's Degree City and Regional Planning since 1978 from the Catholic University of America.
Mr. Majed Al Ajeel currently holds the following positions:
- Chairman
- Burgan Bank
- Board Member
- FIM Bank - Malta
- Kuwait Banking Association
- Institute of Banking Studies
- United Projects
- Member of the Industries Advisory Board
- The Australian College of Kuwait
Previous positions:
- Board Member:
- Kuwait and Middle East Financial Investment Company (1984 - 1986)
- Kuwait Real Estate Investment Consortium (1985 - 1992)
- International Leasing and Investment (1999 - 2003)
- Burgan Bank (1998 - 2004)
- Managing Director:
- Kuwait Finance and Investment Company (KFIC) (2002 - 2004)
- Chairman and CEO:
- United Projects Co. (2004 - 2010)
- Vice Chairman and CEO:
- United Projects Co. (2010 - 2012) Education
- Bachelors - Science in Architecture, 1977
- Masters - City and Regional Planning, 1978, Catholic University of America, USA
Member Bio.
Mr. Ahmad Al-Aqeel is the CEO in Kuwait Business Town Estate Co.
KBT is a listed Company in Kuwait Stock Exchange under ticker KBT in the real estate sector.
Mr. Al-Aqeel held various positions in Financing and Banking Sectors over the years.
He is also the Chairman of United Food Industries Group in Kuwait (UFIG) since April 2018.
Member Bio.
Dr. Yaser Al-Kulaib is an Assistant Professor at the College of Business Administration – Kuwait University. He holds a PhD in Business Administration-Finance from Old Dominion University. His current research interests include Corporate Finance, Cooperate Governance, Int’l Finance, Investment, and Islamic Finance, and Corporate Investment.
Member Bio.
Mr. Omran Habib Hayat Kuwaiti, born on 7/10/1967, has completed the Advanced Management Development Program in Real estate – Office of Executive Education, Harvard University, has a Master of Science Project Management & Finance from North-eastern University and a Bachelor of Science Architectural Engineering from University of Miami.
He is the founder and managing partner of AlMehan holding company Wll, a private equity firm investing in the real estate development value chain such as in AlMutawir regional real estate developers’ company and Dar SSH International Engineering Consultants.
Since 2006 he is leading NAPESCO as its Chairman.
Has also served for 9 years as Managing Director of United Real Estate Company –Kuwait-, a public listed company with focus on commercial / Retail / Hotel development in the region. United Real Estate Company has also international Real Estate exposure both in the United States and Europe and for three years as deputy managing director in National Real Estate Company.
He is a board member in Kuwait chamber of commerce and industry (K.C.C.I) and in Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (P.A.A.E.T). Mr. Omran Hayat is a board of trustee member in Loyac and industrial advisory board member at ACK (Australian College of Kuwait).
He is also a member of real estate academic initiative (R.E.A.I) at Harvard university.
He is a member of Kuwait Society of engineers.
Member Bio.
Mr. Faisal D. Alatel is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of KSE.
Established in November 1962, KSE is the first non-profit organization in Kuwait. With more than 42,000 members and over 400 professional volunteers, the society is the most influential organization in the region and has led the Arab Engineering Federation for three terms and the World Federation of Engineering Organizations.
Mr. Faisal is also a faculty member of the Public Authority of Applied Education and Training in Kuwait.
He has a master’s degree in engineering management from the University of Sunderland in the UK.
