Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) signs MoU with WHO Office in Kuwait

• Dr. Assad Hafeez: KISR is the ideal national partner for research and development collaboration.
• Dr. Faisal Al-Humaidan: Joint research efforts will focus on food and nutrition, combating diseases and epidemics, and addressing antimicrobial resistance.
By Shouq AlMulla
Special to The Times Kuwait
The Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the World Health Organization (WHO) Office in Kuwait yesterday to establish a framework for collaboration and advance joint research efforts. This partnership aims to drive research and innovation in science, technology, and health-related fields to enhance public health and social well-being.
The MoU was signed by Dr. Assad Hafeez, WHO Resident Representative to Kuwait, and Dr. Faisal Al-Humaidan, Acting Director-General of KISR, in the presence of experts and specialists from both organizations.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr. Assad Hafeez emphasized that WHO considers KISR a key national partner due to its expertise in research and development. “KISR is a leading institution in its field and plays a vital role in scientific research, innovation, and national development. Its extensive knowledge of Kuwait’s development challenges and opportunities makes it an ideal partner for specialized research projects,” he stated.
Dr. Hafeez also highlighted that WHO established its Kuwait office in 2021 to strengthen its presence in the country and collaborate with the Kuwaiti government, UN agencies, and national institutions to improve public health and well-being at both national and regional levels.
KISR’s Commitment to Global Health Initiatives
Dr. Faisal Al-Humaidan, Acting Director-General of KISR, expressed the institute’s pride in this partnership and underscored its commitment to leveraging its research expertise in support of WHO’s mission. He stated, “This MoU reflects KISR’s dedication to advancing health-related research and contributing to global health initiatives.”
He further emphasized that WHO is the world’s leading health organization, playing a critical role in setting global health standards and ensuring that high-quality healthcare reaches people everywhere. KISR aims to align its research efforts with WHO’s objectives to support sustainable development and promote the concept of ‘One Health’—an integrated approach that recognizes the interconnection between human, animal, and environmental health.
Key Areas of Collaboration
Dr. Al-Humaidan noted that while WHO’s office in Kuwait has partnerships with various governmental entities, this MoU represents a unique collaboration focused on research and development. Under this agreement, KISR’s research centers—especially the Environment and Life Sciences Research Center—will work closely with WHO on projects in the following areas:
- Food and Nutrition Research – including studies on obesity and chronic diseases related to diet.
- Epidemic Control – with a focus on zoonotic diseases (those transmitted between animals and humans).
- Antimicrobial Resistance Research – addressing the growing challenge of drug-resistant infections.
- Climate Change and Environmental Health – examining the impact of environmental factors on public health.
- Occupational Health – promoting workplace safety and well-being.
Future Initiatives and Capacity Building
Dr. Al-Humaidan stressed that part of this collaboration will involve implementing WHO’s evidence-based public health initiatives in Kuwait, leveraging their proven success in other countries. A structured evaluation mechanism will also be put in place to assess the effectiveness of these initiatives locally.
Additionally, the partnership will include training programs for researchers in scientific fields of mutual interest, further strengthening the country’s research capabilities.