Diplomatic Platform paves the way for smart education initiatives

In a statement to Al-Jarida, Assistant Foreign Minister for Institute Affairs, Ambassador Nasser Al-Subaih said, that the decree establishing the Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Institute 350/2006, was based on an important basic point, which is to raise capabilities of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ members, and train them so that they are qualified for diplomatic work, in an optimal manner to represent the State of Kuwait abroad and at home.

In addition, the decree stipulated that the institute must have a direct role in coordinating with various ministries and state institutions, in preparing training courses to raise the capabilities and develop skills of all state employees.

As a result, there is similarity between all members of the ministries in terms of the level of knowledge, awareness, training, good understanding, and keeping pace with scientific developments in everything that is related to the employee’s work performance in an optimal manner.

Keep up with Events

Nasser Al-Subaih added that the institute has been keeping up with events since its inception. Every month, there are seminars or lectures that review world events to shed light and give another dimension to the topics.

Moreover, the institute does not focus on who agrees or disagrees with the event or the topic of the lecture, because it relies in dealing objectively and neutrally, and do not take a position on it.

What happens at the Saud Al Nasser Institute as a cultural institution does not reflect the position of the state, but rather reflects the position of the speaker himself in that lecture or seminar on the events, stated Al-Subaih.

Therefore, based on this point, everyone deals with great ease, whether the lecturer, or the recipient.

Smart Education

Al-Subaih revealed that the institute, in cooperation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, is currently working towards establishing a smart education platform.

This will serve those who are not fortunate enough to be in Kuwait, due to their work or study abroad from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ members, who work in the Ministry’s missions in various countries of the world. So as to enable them through the platform, to receive information remotely, especially during their best time available.

In addition, the Saud Al-Nasser Institute, in coordination with the Civil Service Bureau, has succeeded in securing 23 missions and study leaves inside and outside Kuwait, including two seats in universities of excellence.

This had a great positive impact within the corridors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, because its members found in it, a real supporter to achieve their ambitions in this regard, and to obtain higher degrees in all scientific specializations.

Moreover, through coordination with the Bureau, this will be an ongoing approach, and there will be an added value for the group joining the missions and study leaves at their workplaces, through the Saud Al-Nasser Diplomatic Institute.

Al-Subaih shared that the technical bodies that have offices abroad through the embassies of the State of Kuwait, the institute will always formulate specialized programs for their diplomatic cadres.

Since this category works abroad for specific periods, the institute will offer them courses on the nature of the role assigned to them, their tasks, the method of dealing, warnings, duties, diplomatic law, and how to interact with it, in a way that adds to the credit of the State of Kuwait, and its distinguished position globally.

Appointment in the “Foreign Ministry”

Regarding this, Al-Subaih stressed that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ system for joining work, does not depend on the system in effect at the Civil Service Bureau.

As the process of joining the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is through a special announcement that specifies the specialization, required qualifications, and required number.

Furthermore, whoever applies for the test and passes it, joins a training course for a full academic year. During which the trainee will receive all the topics that are related to the nature of his future work in various sectors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whether locally or abroad.

This course is linked to an evaluation, and accordingly, passing the course’s study materials qualifies its holder to join the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Accordingly, the issue is linked to success and failure.

Therefore, he urged all trainees to make a great effort to pass this type of test and to emphasize that the issue of joining work in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is not guaranteed, and is subject to certain standards.

In addition, Al-Subaih added that this feeling enhances the motivation in the trainees’ souls and makes them the first to interact, deal with and provide the best possible level of professionalism, through their presence in the training courses and also their commitment in attendance and participation.

At this juncture, the diplomatic personality is built by the employee, after graduating from this course, remaining isolated from the administration to which he is assigned for a year, and having a sufficient level of professionalism and responsibility, also being able to deal with his future job after graduation.

Al-Subaih stated that the members from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regardless of their ranks and job descriptions, the institute is keen to communicate with them by offering them training courses that will suit the nature of their work, and often it is found out about their opinions on the courses they aspire to.

As some departments, by virtue of their specialization, have topics that they are familiar with, and they look at them with a deeper view. This serves the Saud Al-Nasser Institute in holding appropriate courses for members of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Foreign Minister’s Support

Al-Subaih explained that the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullah Al-Yahya, in his capacity as Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Institute, and the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, in his capacity as Vice President, supports the Institute in all aspects.

As their close connection with the Institute is especially since the specialized programs are not activated except after their approval by the Board of Directors, which is headed by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.

All these programs are not a matter of a sudden brainstorming, but rather an agreed-upon approach, as these programs are not rigid, but rather flexible and interactive with the environment.

Therefore, the institute always communicates with the relevant parties, and infers from them the programs that their employees need to enhance their performances, and maximize their role in work especially in serving The State of Kuwait, at various levels.