KUWAIT CITY, Jan 27: Undersecretary of the Ministry of Higher Education, Dr. Bader Al-Basiri, affirmed that there are currently no obstacles to obtaining student visas, reports Al- Seyassah daily. During an informational meeting organized by the ministry as part of the “Guide Me” campaign, which was attended by senior ministry officials, Dr. Al-Basiri revealed that cancellations are very limited and occur only under specific circumstances determined by host countries, adding that embassies are open and cooperation with them continues. During the meeting, the importance of involving families in students’ academic decision-making was emphasized.
Dr. Al-Basiri explained that the ministry is actively following up with students whose visas were canceled, in line with scholarship regulations, to ensure they have access to educational opportunities both inside and outside Kuwait. Parents must be involved in supporting their children during the academic path selection process. Sound decision-making must be based on knowledge, awareness, and an understanding of the requirements for studying abroad. The informational meeting was part of the closing program of the annual national scholarship campaign, “Guide Me,” which included field visits to secondary schools to raise awareness among students and their parents about available academic options and different educational pathways. Dr. Al-Basiri conveyed the greetings of the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, explaining that the minister’s directives emphasized the importance of strengthening the partnership with parents, viewing them as a fundamental element in supporting students psychologically and academically, and preparing them for the next stage of their studies. He indicated that the meeting provided an open forum for direct dialogue, during which parents’ inquiries were addressed and the conditions and criteria for scholarships abroad were clarified. Dr. Al-Basiri confirmed that the “Guide Me” campaign will continue through the official accounts of the Ministry of Higher Education from April to continue providing academic guidance and answering questions from students and parents.
In this regard, Mishari Al-Shammari, Supervisor of the Guidance and Counseling Department at the Ministry of Higher Education, explained that the ministry’s annual scholarship plan includes two main programs. The first is the original scholarship program, which covers announced study places available for competitive selection in specific countries and fields of study, based on admission criteria, student preferences, and the number of available places in each specialization. The second program is the Distinguished Scholarship Program, which focuses on sending students to study at elite educational institutions and programs.
These institutions and programs are listed among those approved by the National Bureau for Academic Accreditation and Quality Assurance of Education. These two programs form the cornerstone of the Ministry of Higher Education’s annual scholarship plan. The scholarship plan is subject to competitive criteria, including GPA, student preferences, and the number of available places, in addition to the required national standardized tests for medical and engineering specializations, with the IELTS accepted as an alternative to the language test. The meeting was attended by the Assistant Undersecretary of the Ministry of Education Hamad Al-Hamad, and the Media Advisor to the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, and Head of the “Guide Me” Campaign Team Wissal Al-Zamil.
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