GLF: Making a BIG Difference in GUST Logistics Learning Community in Kuwait

In a sector characterized by paradigm shifts, every government in a GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) state is keen to promote and invest in innovative educational programs that synchronize with trade development strategies and economic plans now largely fueled by increasing price of oil per barrel..

With a foresight of Gulf University of Science & Technology (www.gust.edu.kw/glf) in Kuwait it enabled the development process in a specialized professional career filling the demand for intelligent logisticians and responsible leadership along with its institutional partner: University of Missouri, St Louis (UMSL www.umsl.edu/depts/cts) which was always geared to commerce, trade and economic policies of the region.

One of the areas of bilateral linkages with UMSL is the video conference in March 2008 of the recent scholarly work of Dr Daniel Rust, Associate Director of UMSL CTS on Flying Across America: Perspectives of Passengers that will interest many airlines in GCC states, the learning community in Kuwait and other stakeholders.

However, the academic freedom has been safeguarded among teachers in institutions of high learning everywhere. It facilitated the ultimate development of professional careers now articulated by GUST Logistics Forum (GLF) where free expression has been ensured. All the statements from special interest groups (SIG) involved, “assert that professors do their jobs best with full freedom of thought and expression, and with job security.” It implies that colleges should be run with shared governance in which professors have a meaningful say in the way institutions are run.

“Times have changed,” said Arthur Hochner, a Temple University professor, “Universities are very different places. They are not ivory tower any more.” Industry demands professionals and university supplies program specific training. Kofi Annan, the former United Nations secretary general, defined academic freedom this way: “the freedom to conduct research, teach, speak, and publish, subject to the norms and standards of scholarly inquiry, without interference or penalty, wherever the search for truth and understanding may lead.” GUST allays all concerns to ensure and fulfill these needs of the learning community in Kuwait.

Educational institutions evolve current capabilities, implement new ones and gain students & stakeholders’ acceptance for changes. 86 percent of enterprises see innovation as critical to success, but only 26 percent of enterprises believe that their current innovation level is sufficient to achieve their strategy (Gartner 2004). Because of the simple format of knowledge events developed by GLF, it had alleviated fears of an esoteric discipline in Logistics. The cloud had passed away.

Fajer Al Mutawa was one such Kuwaiti student in GUST who has optimized her learning potential to set sights as the first Ph.D, in Lancaster University Management School in UK. All the motivation to study and training for free speech was provided during the GLF events. She says, “GLF has nurtured me, it was my first step in the real world. Being part of the committee has tremendously enhanced my experience in business challenges through simulated settings. Today, I have taken all I learned to apply in my Master Degree studies. I must say, a truly rewarding and innovative initiative."

Yet another student to follow and excel as a model for others in the university is Shaikha Al Hashem who imbibed the spirit of professionalism during the SCATA celebration of achievers in the logistics and supply chain management industry. She remarks,” The GUST Logistics Forum has acted as an inspiration both in my education and my life. It's a program designed to train students to face 21st challenges and build up their creativity and skills to become young business leaders. GLF has a great impact on the future of its members and students from diverse business fields.”

In GLF, we overcame a lot of challenges but relied on experience, wisdom and professional skills.

There were moments of high and low while GLF navigated across the Arab culture and environment of a new institution. Reaching a milestone but not resting on our oars - a song breaks out in our heart and to thank for the divine inspirations that the Kuwait learning community have made it together in a demanding professional world.
And now to a positive quote from Grenville Kleiser (American Author 1868- 1953)
“To live at this time is an inestimable privilege, and a sacred
obligation devolves upon you to make right use of your opportunities.”


GLF activity share in 2006 shows a beginning of professionalism in specialized education at GUST in Kuwait. It is expected that there will be a faster growth of 15% in the GLF research and conferences attended for the new academic year – thanks to the support of GUST management and its strategic partnership with UMSL.