Kuwait Prize 2018 Invitation for Nominations Cash Prize KD 40,000

The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences invites Universities, Scientific and Research   Institutions and individuals (see items 3 and 4 below) to submit nominations of Kuwaiti and Arab scientists for the 2018 cycle of the Kuwait Prize.

 The four fields for 2018 cycle of the Prize are:

1.	Fundamental Sciences	Biological Sciences (including but not limited to; Cellular & Molecular biology, Developmental biology, Heredity and Epigenetics, Microbiology & Immunology).
2.	Applied Sciences	Clean and Sustainable Energy Technology (including but not limited to; Renewable sources, Hydrogen, Fuel cells, Energy storage devices, Biomass and lower carbon-footprints fossil fuel).
3.	Economics and Social Sciences	Economics (including but not limited to; Energy economics, Developmental economics, Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Econometrics …. etc.)
4.	Arts and Literature	Studies of Arabic Language and Literature (including but not limited to; Arabic grammar and Linguistics, classic and Modern literary studies).

KFAS awards an annual Prize cash sum of K.D 40,000 (Approx. $ 135,000) for each field.

Conditions and requirements: 

1. The nominee must be from an Arab nationality and have a proof of Arabic origin; either an Arabic birth certificate or a valid Arabic passport. A copy of the birth certificate or passport should be attached along with the submitted application.
2. The work submitted should be innovative, significant in the announced field, and published during the past twenty years. Submitted work includes papers published or accepted for publication in refereed Journals and books with ISSN number (authored, translated, edited, and chapters in books). MA or PhD theses and any publications extracted from them shall not be evaluated as part of the nominee’s scientific work. 
3. KFAS will consider nominations from universities, academic and research institutions, scientific centers, former laureates of the prizes and peers of the nominees. 
4. KFAS will accept self-nominations. To support self-nominations, nominees should provide a list of five references: four academics/ researchers and one scientific institution. KFAS will seek out support letters from three of these references. (two academics and the scientific institution) 
5. KFAS decisions concerning the prizes are final and objections are not accepted. 
6. Nominees must fill in the prize nomination form and send it along with the submitted work electronically. The nomination form is obtained from KFAS website (www.kfas.org). The nomination form for Fundamental Sciences and Applied Sciences Fields should be submitted in English version. 
7. The nomination form along with the comprehensive scientific achievements completed in the past twenty years should be sent in PDF format, through the cloud storage services sites such as (Google Drive–Dropbox–OneDrive) or via Prizes email: prize@kfas.org.kw  
8. Required documents must be sent no later than end of June 2018.

For more information and inquiries please, contact the Prizes Office on the following:

Tel: 96522270465  - Fax: 22270462 or E-Mail: prize@kfas.org.kw

Budding Young NASA Scientists

Review: Sheikh Abdullah Salem Cultural Centre Museum Complex

Garbage collected in a month. 

Starfish petting pool for the kids

A few exhibits were under maintenance

Mars rover

Labs and workshops

Book shop 

Gift shop

Embroidered cover from the Holy Kaaba

Silk embroidered with gold and silver thread palanquin for carrying the
Kaaba curtain. Circa 19th century

Ibn Battuta compiled an account of his 30 years of travelling in 1354

Cool, spacious walkways 

An interesting, fun morning spent at the impressive Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre. Very well priced, lots of free cool underground parking, covered walkways, spacious interiors filled with extraordinary pieces.

Opening Hours

OPENING HOURS

Sheikh Abdullah Al Salem Cultural Centre is open during the following days and hours:

Days	Museums	Outdoor Facilities
Sat	9:00 AM – 7:00 PM	9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sun	Closed	Closed
Mon	9:00 AM – 7:00 PM	9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Tue	9:00 AM – 7:00 PM	9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Wed	9:00 AM – 7:00 PM	9:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Thu	3:00 PM - 10:00 PM	3:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Fri	3:00 PM - 10:00 PM	3:00 PM - 11:00 PM

* Ticket sales will stop 1 hour prior to closing time.

* Museums’ doors will be closed 15 minutes prior to full closure.

ONE-DAY PASSES

Adults (18+):	3 KD
Junior | Student (Max 18):	2 KD
Under 2:	Free of Charge
Ambulant Disabled:	1.5 KD
Wheelchair Disabled:	1.5 KD + Free Helper
Chaperon:	2 KD

A One-Day pass is valid for a single entry into ASCC, and multiple entries into all Museums.

SPECIAL TICKETS

Type	Price	Special Need Price
Virus Attack	2 KD	1 KD + Free Helper
Planetarium	2 KD	1 KD + Free Helper
Maker Space	5 KD	5 KD

It seems as well as the above prices there is a half-price entrance for the over 60s - maybe that's what's meant by ambulant disabled.

The initial reaction on arrival is awe-inspiring. The architecture is impressive, there was friendly helpful staff at the entrance and directing in the expansive car park, quick efficient security checks and loads to see. 

You will need at least 3 hours to see all the museums, extra time if you book special shows or workshops. There is a small Starbucks coffee shop and a larger restaurant to sustain you. The museums are spacious, airy and beautifully laid out. Adults and children all seemed to be thoroughly enjoying themselves and we loved seeing the kids squeal with delight at the starfish petting pool. The kids all seemed very interested and engaged in all they saw. 

Congratulations to Kuwait for their world-class museums, a real treat for all.

10/10 even though there were a few exhibits under maintenance but it didn't really take away from the overall magnificence.

Website: www.ascckw.com

Autism Awareness Day at 360 Mall Fun for the Family

Review: Dermapen Micro-needling Treatment at Yiaco Medical Center

Yiaco Medical Centre quite often has special offers on beauty treatments sadly the Dermapen treatment was not included in the offers today. I booked a consultation with the very nice Dr. Inga (she came recommended by a friend and booking is necessary as she gets very busy) and she suggested a few things we could do. However, as I had a party on Thursday and a budget, I wanted something with minimum downtime and reasonably priced, so we settled on the Dermapen treatment. The Dermapen head has a dozen tiny needles that pierce the skin causing micro injuries encouraging the production of collagen and elastin the skin's innate ability to repair itself and create new skin.                   

Okay so this is not me, but I'm hoping for the same 

dramatic improvements.

I had waited 10 minutes in the waiting room for my appointment time. Not a issue. Had a 10 minute consultation with doctor, we decided on treatment and then I was off to clean my skin and have the nurse apply the numbing cream, there was a 30 minute wait for the cream to work and then the 15-20 minute treatment followed by a short massage with some serums. 

I wouldn't say it was painful just uncomfortable. My face is red now but apparently that will die down by tomorrow and by Thursday I should have a 'natural' healthy glow.

The waiting room. Could do with a coffee machine.

One of the treatment rooms. Spotlessly clean and very professional looking.

Some impressive looking machinery.

From what I've read Dermapen micro-needling is just as effective as ablative treatments such as Fraxel, IPL, Laser Resurfacing, and Chemical Peels but with less downtime (that's redness, peeling and general gunky-looking face).

The cost: Dermapen treatment KD 60, opening a file KD 15 and consultation KD 10.

If you are a retired Kuwaiti the file opening and consultation can be covered by your insurance.

Update: I love it, and got lots of positive comments so I look forward to doing a few more sessions for optimum effect. The redness went after one day, had some slight peeling on day three post-treatment but nothing horribly unsightly and by day four my skin looked plumper, fresher, clearer and less wrinkly. 

9/10 from me only because the nurse wanted to remove my makeup and put the numbing cream in the waiting room. But I insisted on a treatment room especially as I could see it was not being used. I loved Dr. Inga will definitely be going back in two weeks.

Look out for their latest promotions www.yiacomedicalcenter.com

Greetings

Weather Report - Dust

Stay home and Netflix.

Arab Youth Festival at Al Shaheed Park

Thursday, 5th April. Book tickets via www.alshaheedpark.com

Games and Media Expo 2018

Easter at the Crowne Plaza

Easter at the Hilton Resort

A Forest of Water Towers

Tyga Concert Tickets On Sale

A Wonderful Opportunity for a Young Creative Female - The Helen Lansdowne Resor Scholarship

The international Helen Lansdowne Resor (HLR) Scholarship supports and promotes talented female creative advertising students from around the world in honor of the industry’s first female copywriter, Helen Lansdowne Resor. The program will run through 2020. Each year, the HLR Scholarship seeks to award five female creative students scholarships up to $10,000. In addition, each recipient will receive a paid summer internship at a J. Walter Thompson office in her respective region, an in-house creative mentor and “first look” placement consideration upon graduation. To learn more about Helen Lansdowne Resor and to apply for the scholarship, click here: https://www.jwt.com/hlrscholarship/

Kuwait Motor Town Opens Today

Kuwait Motor Town features a Formula 1 race circuit and it has the largest track in the Middle East. This is a racing car man's (or woman's) dream come true. Somewhere the boys (or girls) with the fast toys can really put their foot down legally and without scaring the rest of us half to death. 

Scenes from today's opening ceremony

Kuwait Motor Town can be followed on Instagram: kuwait_motor_town for updates and future events.

Map

Forests Floating Pink Thursday - An Awesome Teen Event Tomorrow

This is going to be a fun teen event. Beach volleyball, ping-pong, BBQ, burgers, palm trees music, cornflake waffles and ice cream all outdoors with a view. Up on the roof of Life Center and Contemporary Art Platform. 

Map.

Instagram: Forestskw

LWDLIK - It is not easy to find fun stuff to do for your teens as they usually want to hang out with kids their own age and up until now group events have been hard to find or just unavailable in Kuwait. But slowly and surely more teen events are happening that are organised by youths for youths. My daughter and her friends have worked hard on organising a great fun vibe for her age group. I wish them the best of luck they have worked so hard.

Fun Filled Easter Brunch at Radisson Blu

Your Easter hunt ends here! Enjoy a perfect Friday afternoon with your family. Indulge in the succulent buffet while your kids have fun during our kid-friendly activities.

Chocolate fountain, egg hunt, face painting and much more.

For reservation call: 2567 3410

Price: 16.900 KD per person
Kids: 50% Discount

Relationship Wisdom

Material Culture in Arabia: Bedouin Women and the Art of Sadu Weaving by Laila Al-Hamad

click image to view gallery

As featured in Garland Mag

Sadu, the traditional form of weaving performed by Bedouin women throughout Arabia, was once the artistic language of Bedouin women, their own form of Bedouin poetry, the poetry of the yarn. Illiterate women who managed to create a practical and beautiful art form using only their imagination and the few resources at hand. In symphony with the other women of the tribe, Bedouin women dedicated their spare time to weaving long strips of wool on their basic looms; these were subsequently sewn together to create room dividers and other tent trappings.

To the rhythm of the camel’s steps, their adept fingers wove images of the surrounding environment, and their weavings invite us to a better understanding of their harsh world, a world of scarcity and survival. At the base a geometric art, their imagery illustrates the world of the desert, their goats and animals, neighbouring dangers such as snakes and scorpions, their few valuables such as earrings and combs, and of course that most precious of resources water often depicted as shrinking pools. They wove sand ripples, heaps of dates, and sometimes even radios and airplanes. These images represented their personal journey and are a gift to our understanding of this rich past.

Bedouin women were the architects of their own homes. Panel by panel, they wove the walls of their tents, beit e-shaar, the largest woven structure in the world. Years of experience and awareness of their surroundings taught them the importance of longitudinal tent forms, and how to position the tent away from the wind. For the tent’s outside walls, they used the black hair of their goats, a yarn that is coarse enough to keep the scorching sun out and fibrous enough to swell up when it rained. The women would put up the tent and nimbly take it apart when moving camp.

Their most beautiful and striking weavings were the highly decorative separators, qat’a, (قاطع) found inside the tent, which acted as space dividers between the men’s and women’s quarters. The bright colours and bold patterns in these weavings were to add contrast to the homogeneous desert environment. These are the most prized Sadu weavings, created by the most senior weavers. Around 12-15 meters in length, these dividers would extend beyond the tent walls for outsiders to see, and could enclose the tent in times of blowing winds. Their size, color and complexity reflected the wealth of the tribe and signalled to passers-by that they had come upon a place of rest.

Aware of scarcity, the women tapped into all resources around them. The sheep and goats they owned produced the yarn they wove, the fruits and spices they found in markets became the source of their dyes. Should anything tear, they would mend it. Should a panel tear beyond repair, they would leave it for the desert to swallow. Some of the finest sustainability gurus today commend the wonders of the Bedouin tent; its modular design, energy efficiency, portability, re-usability, and the use of all natural and biodegradable materials. Few of us ever stopped to think of the genius of Bedouin women and their contribution to this sustainable architecture.

In the past half-century, the countries lining the Arab side of the Gulf have undergone a fast-paced development that practically wiped out any link to this sustainable past, a past that was in many ways light years ahead. What once were crafts that had sustained a lifestyle of scarcity and survival became no more than cut up bits of cloth sold in local markets. The Gulf’s meteoric modernization wiped away vestiges of this sustainable and rich past, turning a culture of survival and reliance on little turned into a culture of consumption and dependence on a lot. Earlier crafts and material artefacts became obsolete. It took just a few decades to wipe out centuries of survival culture.

Although part of our visual landscape—Sadu patterns are found on teapots, walls, buildings, even tissue boxes—sadu weaving is no longer part of our material landscape. To many, Sadu weavings are little more than dusty old rugs and rags, part of another age and era. Few were aware of the richness of this craft. Although the lifestyle that gave Sadu weavings their purpose has disappeared and the number of Sadu weavers has dwindled to a handful, there is much to learn from this ancient craft, lessons not only about our culture but about how our past can help us forge a more sustainable and meaningful future.

The images are of Um Fayez, one of the last remaining Sadu weavers in Kuwait. Her hands have tribal tattoos from a time when tribal wasms were tattooed on women’s hands and foreheads. Photos Laila Al-Hamad

Author

A native of Kuwait, Laila Al-Hamad is a cultural entrepreneur and the founder of Zeri Crafts, a concept business inspired by Gulf heritage.  The company creates pieces that reflect Gulf tradition with a contemporary look and feel.  Prior to founding the company in 2010, she worked in social and economic development at the World Bank and in several non-governmental organizations.  Her interests lie in sustainable development, and in promoting cultural heritage as a means of attaining a more meaningful development path. She holds a Master’s degree from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies.