GOK AND NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE PLAN

UNCLAS KUWAIT 000049 SIPDIS STATE FOR OES, NEA/ARP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: SENV ENRG EPET KU SUBJECT: GOK AND NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCE PLAN FIRST-EVER ARAB REGION FRONTIERS OF SCIENCE PROGRAM ¶1. (U) On January 20th, Econoff accompanied Kathrin Humphrey, an Associate Program Officer for the National Academies of Science, Engineering and Medicine on a meeting with Hayfaa Almudhaf, the Senior Advisor to the Director General of Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR),to discuss the first-ever Arab Region Frontiers of Science Program. Initiated in 1989, the Frontiers Program began in the United States but has since expanded to India, China, Germany, Jordan, Israel and the Palestinian Territories. The Frontiers Program has an interdisciplinary approach that challenges young leaders from the scientific and engineering world to forge partnerships. Humphrey, KISR and KFAS are planning the first event in a five-year program commitment for December 2010. Before issuing an official statement in the coming weeks, Almudhaf will approach the Arab Fund for financial support for the event, while Humphrey will continue to work on the logistics of the program in Washington DC, including the selection criterion and visa issues. ¶2. (U) Econoff, Almudhaf and Humphrey agreed to a conference call the first week in February to discuss the status of the Arab Region Frontiers of Science Program, and the specifics of Post's involvement in the program. ********************************************* ********* For more reporting from Embassy Kuwait, visit: visit Kuwait's Classified Website at: http://www.intelink.sgov.gov/wiki/Portal:Kuwa it ********************************************* ********* JONES