Forum in Kyoto Inspires Young Kuwaiti Scientists

Hundreds of scientists, policymakers, business leaders, and other changemakers from around the world gathered in Kyoto, Japan, in October 2022. The occasion was the Science and Technology in Society (STS) Forum, an annual event that aims to develop innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing problems using science and technology.

كان من بين الحاضرين وفد ضم أربعة من العلماء الكويتيين الشباب الذين نسقت Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences رحلتهم للمشاركة في المنتدى. عن المشاركة في المنتدى، قال ضاري الحويل، أحد الشباب الأربعة الذين هم في مقتبل حياتهم المهنية “كانت فرصة رائعة لتمثيل العلماء الشباب في الكويت والاطلاع على أحدث الأبحاث وأكثرها أهمية… لم يكن ذلك ممكناً لولا الدعم الذي وفرته مؤسسة الكويت للتقدم العلمي”.

Alhuwail was accompanied by Sulaiman Marafie, Fahad Zaman, and Naser Burahmah. The group has expertise in various fields and was selected based on their leadership skills, past achievements, and future research potential.

One of the most exciting features of the annual STS Forum is an informal networking event where young leaders meet Nobel Laureates. At the event, Burahmah spoke to David Gross, one of three physicists to win the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2004. For Burahmah, also a Nuclear Engineer, it was a life-changing conversation. “I was most interested in listening to his stories and the difficulties he overcame to get to the Nobel,” said Burahmah. “That, for me, was the highlight of the conference.”

The Kuwaiti delegation also attended presentations from top researchers on topics ranging from sustainable development to big data, followed by discussion sessions that allowed for in-depth questions and further networking. Burahmah said his favorite session was about energy technologies, hosted as part of the forum’s commitment to responding to the climate crisis.

Meanwhile, Alhuwail found inspiration at a session on science communication. The discussion reaffirmed his belief that solving the world’s problems requires more than scientific solutions; the public also needs to understand and trust those solutions. “That’s where science communication comes into the picture,” he said.

After the conference, the attendees had time to explore Kyoto and meet local researchers. Visiting Japan was a bucket list item for Burahmah, who said he also learned from the cultural exchange during the trip. Burahmah and Alhuwail are now collaborating together on a citizen science project after meeting in Kyoto.

Altogether, Burahmah said, “seeing other perspectives, exchanging ideas, and gaining knowledge” made the experience unforgettable.

By Marianne Dhenin