KUWAIT: Kuwaiti women have made remarkable strides, breaking traditional barriers and securing prominent positions across diverse fields, particularly in medicine, space science, and technology. This progress has been fueled by the strong support and attention from the nation’s political leadership. These accomplishments underscore the vital role Kuwaiti women play in advancing medicine and space science. Their success goes beyond personal achievements, as they actively contribute to global scientific and technological advancements through their involvement in international conferences. The successes of Kuwaiti women reflect the importance of their role in achieving societal progress, in alignment with Kuwait Vision 2035, after proving their capabilities and competence as active partners in the country’s development across various sectors.
Kuwait News Agency (KUNA) recently interviewed two trailblazing Kuwaiti women, Dr Asma Alkandari and Lama Al-Oraiman, who have made significant strides in the fields of medicine, space science, and technology, both regionally and internationally. Their success stories serve as powerful inspirations for women striving to achieve their ambitions.
One of the most notable achievements was that of Dr Asma Alkandari, a consultant in internal medicine, gastroenterology, and liver diseases at Jahra Hospital. Dr Alkandari was selected as the representative of the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy (ASGE) for the Middle East. She also participated in the global annual conference for endoscopy and gastroenterology, recently held in Milan, Italy. During this prestigious event, she performed two live endoscopic procedures that were broadcast to thousands of specialists around the world, offering valuable educational content and insight into the field.
Dr Alkandari expressed her pride and honor at being chosen to represent the ASGE in the Middle East, highlighting that her selection underscores the scientific and cultural competence of Kuwaiti women. Reflecting on the challenges in her field, she acknowledged a common barrier faced by female doctors—some patients’ reluctance to be treated by women, often due to the misconception that male doctors are more skilled or experienced.
Regarding her participation in the Milan conference, Dr Alkandari emphasized the importance of such engagements in advancing her career. She noted that the live broadcast of the procedures attracted a large number of viewers worldwide, underscoring the global demand for expertise in minimally invasive techniques, which are increasingly preferred due to their precision and speed. She also praised the Kuwaiti government’s support for the healthcare sector, noting that Kuwait has the infrastructure and medical expertise to build patient trust.
In the realm of space science and technology, Lama Al-Oraiman, a Kuwaiti engineer, was appointed Vice Chair of Middle East and Central Asia Subcommittee (MECA-SC) by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF). This recognition highlights her significant contributions to the development of space science and technology. Additionally, she won the IAF’s Emerging Space Leaders Award, further cementing her status as a leader in her field.
Oraiman expressed her excitement about her appointment as Vice Chair of the IAF’s Middle East and Central Asia Subcommittee. She sees this role as an opportunity to inspire both young men and women to pursue careers in space science and technology. Oraiman highlighted the vital role of the Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS) in supporting researchers, innovators, and trailblazers in science and technology.
Oraiman also pointed out the significant attention space science, technology, and innovation have received from His Highness the Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. She emphasized His Highness’s commitment to fostering a thriving scientific and technological culture in Kuwait. This was further demonstrated by the recent launch of the Kuwait National Space Research Center in September, which was inaugurated under the patronage of His Highness the Amir. The center aims to create a cutting-edge scientific environment, contributing to the nation’s growth, particularly in space science.
Reflecting on receiving the Emerging Space Leaders Award, Oraiman expressed pride in the recognition and stressed the importance of increasing female representation at international space and technology conferences. She also shared her aspirations to stay at the forefront of advancements in space science and technology, bringing the latest innovations to Kuwait and empowering the next generation of talent in the field. — KUNA