Participate in the Humanities & Social Sciences short story Check out our new section competition! BEYOND A GUST ID Send Arabic stories to arkadans@ TIMES gust.edu.kw , English stories to Page 4 [email protected] Deadline December 16, 2010 Gulf University for Science & Technology Issue 8, Year 1 - November 2010 Monthly Campus Newspaper

Choco Week at GUST

By: Fawzia Al Buloushi Choco du Choco’s whose GUST communicates with Washington on President chocolate serving samples ince October 31st, delighted many students. Obama’s Foreign Policy the GUST Student GUST students took time By: Laila Marafie Students asked Prof. Shambaugh different questions regarding AssociationS dressed up from their busy class President Obama’s foreign policy priorities, especially the GUST campus with schedules, staff from their UST held a digital video conference November 8, within the and the latest developments on the decorative chocolate figures hectic administrative drills 2010 with Georgetown University Professor, George same. The lecture also covered other relation issues that the and signage to create the and faculty from the go-go- Shambaugh,G entitled “Barack Obama: American Foreign students deemed as important, which included President ambience for Choco Week. go pace of their teaching Policy towards the Middle East.” Obama’s economic policy and agenda, in addition to its Tables were set in the center schedules to visit each table, The conference between GUST and the Associate Professor successes and challenges all of which ultimately affect the of campus where different to taste the vast variety of International Affairs and Government, Prof. Shambaugh Middle East, if not directly affect it. chocolate brands exhibited of scrumptious chocolate was organized by the A. M. Al-Refai Library and the Students found the lecture very resourceful and interesting their aroma-filled goods. products - an array from Humanities and Social Sciences Department in coordination as they asked Prof. Shambaugh his opinion on the issue of One of the brands, Flavors, wrapped chocolates to fruit with the U.S Embassy, . foreign policy while delving into the field of international served colorful cupcakes flavored chocolate. Choco The events’ attendees were faculty, staff and students, politics. The overall atmosphere was vibrant and animated, in various sizes, toppings Week brought joy and primarily those who were interested in international business where students took center-stage throughout the lecture and and of course, flavors! excitement (not to mention, and politics. The audience interacted with Prof. Shambaugh voiced their opinions and questions to Prof. Shambaugh Also, Fondue offered calories) to GUST students using GUST’s state-of-the-art digital video conferencing regarding the effectiveness and success of President Obama’s mini chocolate sweets; in between classes. Friends technology. various policies. which they were also kind exchanged bites, discovered enough to distribute to new places that they can the students seated in the call “my favorite store,” GUST and TIES showcase the work of Director Farouq Abdul-Aziz in While “Maurice and the west and north cafeterias. and bought different items Pharaoh” investigates the Sweet ’n‘ Cup sold cups they enjoyed to share with “From Microcosm to Macrocosm” and theory of his research on the of mouth-watering molten their friends and family “Maurice and the Pharaoh” compatibility factor between chocolate. Additionally, who didn’t get to savor the science and religion, “From there was the delicious same experience. By: Noof Bouresli while Mr. Abdul-Aziz Al- Microcosm to Macrocosm” Duaij, General Manager of probes more in-depth to UST and TIES TIES Center, explained that his approach, labeled the Center premiered two the center’s main aim is to “Bucaille Approach” of Nuqat Design Conference documentaryG films: “From understand the difference examining religion in the Microcosm to Macrocosm” between the East and the light of modern Science. - In depth coverage! and “Maurice and the West. The documentaries are a Pharaoh” by Director Farouq The Ambassador of Bosnia, mixture of research, scientific Page 8 Abdul-Aziz both which His Excellency Mr. Jasin facts, mathematical laws, tell the story of French Ravasde, inaugurated physical proofs and verses writer and scholar Maurice the event and took the from the Holy Qur’an. At the Bucaille and his experience opportunity to give a quick end, Dr. Bucaille discovered debating the similarities of biography of Bucaille. that modern science and science and religion. He himself had taken a the Qur’an are intertwined TIES is a center for learning great interest in Bucaille’s which is a realization that has the Arabic and Islamic theories and spent two years come as a surprise to many. culture and GUST is an producing this film in Egypt But, through answering all educational institution – so where he learned more about scientific questions revealed The aim of the documentaries the openness of displaying the Pharaohs and specifically in the 20th Century with was to answer one and a thinking documentary was Moses. information from the Holy simple question asked by an natural to both organizations. The 3-hour features showcase Qur’an and quotes from American scientist: “What Anwar Al-Sabah, Head of the details of Maurice Prophet Muhammad’s in the particularly impressed you the Student Life Office at Bucaille’s fascination with 7th Century, he has laid all when you first read the GUST welcomed the guests the Holy Qur’an. people’s doubts to rest. Qur’an?” NEWS 2 Issue 8 November 2010 TIMES

A musical evening with Pianist GUST Expression Society recognizes the importance of Bartek Rybak communication Today, Dr. Rybak is the professor of piano in UST welcomed Polish Pianist Bartek the Music Department of the College of Basic Rybak in its grand hall on the evening Education in Kuwait. “When he first came ofG November 9 for an impressive musical to Kuwait,” said Dr. David Miller, Assistant performance. Professor in the GUST Social Sciences & Dr. Rybak was born in Lowicz, Poland, Humanities Department, “Dr. Rybak’s talent in 1976 and is a graduate of the Chopin and gift on the piano were quickly evident, so Academy of Music in Warsaw. His musical we jumped at the opportunity to host him.” career has landed him several awards across This is also, in part, due to the growing . He has given many concerts as a activity the music club in the university is TIMES soloist and chamber musician in Poland enjoying; it was an exceptional occasion for – and not to mention Holland, France, the students to benefit from hearing a live Gulf University for Science & Technology Switzerland, Germany, England, Belgium, performance of this importance. By: Noof Bouresli given in order to clear up Monthly Campus Newspaper Kuwait and Egypt as well. the subject. ovember 2nd marked The Expression Society the end of a 3-day President, GUST student Chief Editor communicationN course Mubarak Al-Qallaf said: Dr. Masoud Asad organized by GUST’s «Our lives and careers Expression Society are dependent on how we entitled: “Communication see ourselves and how we Executive Editor Techniques” led by Dr. deal with the others. This Mejahid Abdeen Sameera Abdulwahab, seminar is all about how advisor in the Ministry of to get to know yourself Education. and to improve your Editorial Secretary The course was aimed at self confidence and give Laila Marafie helping students learn how everyone their rights.» to deal with others and What made the course their behaviors; to discover more interesting and Editorial Board their personality type and successful, was the Noor Yacoub recognize the best ways students’ enthusiasm to deal with other types of through it all. They Othman Al-Othman personalities. were extremely active; Ali Al-Fadhli Throughout the 3-day they asked questions, course which took place answered questions and Hassan Al-Fadhli in one of the advanced overall showed a genuine Mohammed Abas classrooms available at excitement to learn more the university, different about this delicate issue of Salma Abdulaziz psychological examples communication. Fawzia Al- Buloushi were given to allow the The main goal of this GUST supports Breast Cancer Awareness Month audiences understand how course was to encourage Noof Bourseli differently one needs to students to understand the Jaber Al-Kinany deal with people based temperament of others and n October 31st, 2010 on their age, gender, how to interact – or not to GUST hosted a seminar profession and mood. It interact – with them. The Photography forO its students and faculty also included a mixture of GUST Expressions Society Ibrahim Al-Mutawa to inaugurate Breast Cancer psychological cases and distributed certificates Awareness Month workshops. neurotic explanations. Very of completion to all the Reem Tarakji The seminar was led by Dr. specific examples were participants. Hanaa Al-Khawari. Correspondence Dr. Al-Khawari is the Chairperson of the Tel.: 25307000 Department of Clinical Dr. Zaid Al-Shammari acknowledged in Ext.: 7155 Radiology at the Kuwait Cancer Control Center and is The International Journal of Learning E-mail also an Associate Professor in the Faculty of Medicine Dr. Zaid Al-Shammari, Coordinator of Education in the [email protected] at Kuwait University. Her College of Arts & Sciences at GUST, was listed as an lecture consisted of various Associate Editor of the current volume of The International different segments all Journal of Learning. The opinions addressing different parts of Established in 1992, The International Journal of Learning Breast Cancer Awareness. is a peer-reviewed academic journal covering all aspects expressed The segments included the of education. As part of the process of publishing the represent those of different symptoms and International Journal of Learning, all papers are sent for treatments of breast cancer, peer review prior to publication. Dr. Al-Shammari was the writers and not the age risks involved with requested to give his assessment, comments and guidance the disease, self exams and to a paper on: Reflections on Three Types of Teaching and of GUST Times how and when to administer Learning in a Model-Based, Blended Online Course. His them as well as the official review of the paper was an essential part of its publication exams and the best times to and considered invaluable to the authors of the paper. have them done. SPECIAL EVENT SPECIAL TIMES November 2010 Issue 8 3 An evening of laughter with “Just like Us”

Audience reacts after a joke By: Laila Marafie

UST hosted a comedy show, unlike any other on November 10, 2010, in its grand auditorium organized by Element Eight Event Marketing. The show was called “Just likeG Us.” After a welcoming speech by Anwar Al-Sabah, Head of the Student Life Office at GUST, where she welcomed the stars of the show and noted that it was “customary for GUST to host such celebrated events to enrich the lives and experiences of our students outside the classroom.” The start of a very funny evening Anwar Al-Sabah welcoming the audience The show was presented by world renowned comedian Ahmed Ahmed as part of a Middle Eastern tour to promote his movie “Just Like us,” which premiered at the Doha Tribeca Film Festival in Qatar. The comedians of You can tell the show was enjoyed immensely the show Ahmed Ahmed, Angelo Tsarouchas and Eric Griffin, were joined by a couple of chosen young talents from Egypt – Sherif Azzam – and Qatar - Mohammed Kamal – both of whom gave outstanding performances, entertaining an entire audience of different nationalities, who enjoyed the show immensely. The show also featured an exclusive video by Shitsawii, a rising Kuwaiti talent who posts videos on Youtube depicting his views of the Kuwaiti society – in a funny way, naturally. Canadian comedian Angelo Tsarouchas, who’s originally Greek, promoted his DVD “It’s All Greek to Me”, a one man show that attracted a lot of attention and success. The spectacular show Comedian Ahmed Ahmed generated a lot of laughs from the audience, as the comedians poked fun at their own life experiences, families and even themselves. “The Kuwaiti audience are very clever and get my American and Canadian inside jokes,” said Angelo Tsarouchas. As a side note he added, “The food in Kuwait is awesome!” Ahmed Ahmed, who performed in Kuwait a couple of times before, said “Kuwaitis are not only Mina & Nada hospitable and wonderful, but they are also open minded towards American standup comedy.” The audience included many of GUST’s eager students and professors along with many visitors from outside the university, who all got to meet and mingle with the comedians after the show for a small photo-opp. Comedian Angelo Tsarouchas Up and coming comedian Sherif Azzam Comedian Eric Griffin TECHNOLOGY CORNER TALK 4 Issue 8 November 2010 TIMES Numbers BeyondInterviews by: Fawzia Al- Buloushi a GUST ID By : m2s2 Team Abdulwahab S M Al- Amnah R M Al-Qallaf fun Turkait 4

1. What have u Rules...Rules....Rules...... We have rules 1. What have u accomplished that everywhere and No one Likes to follow accomplished that makes u makes u most proud? most proud? - I finished some Rules!! Sometimes Good Rules Lessen the - Getting a B+ in calculus, photography courses Work you have to do. Followed on this page a really hard course that the that helped me in are some rules that will help you Divide Your university offers. Many of developing my my friends barely passed skills in my number Numbers without a Calculator. it. So, surly I’m proud of one hobby which is myself being able to pass it photography; and with a B+. by doing the things i Divisibility by 2 Rule 2. If you could change love with high skills, Any even number can be divided by2. Even one thing in your life what makes me proud of would it be? myself. numbers are multiples of 2. A number is even - I would not have started 2. If you could if ends in 0,2,4,6, or 8. smoking at a very young age. Now, it has become an change one thing in your life what would it be? addiction and almost impossible to quit. - Only God Knows what’s good for me, so i will 3. Describe yourself in 3 words. change nothing. Divisibility by 3 Rule - Funny - optimistic - grateful 3. Describe yourself in 3 words. Rule: If the sum of its digits can be divided 4. If you could give the world one piece of advice, what - Friendly , Kind and down-to-earth. would it be? 4. If you could give the world one piece of by 3 the number is divisible by 3. - I would advise the world from elderly to youngsters to advice, what would it be? live their life to the fullest. They should take risks not - Believe in your self and you’ll achieve your Divisibility by 4 Rule fearing what might happen because, life is simply an dreams. experience. As they say “life is too short to waste”. 5. What do you value most in other people? Rule: A number is divisible by 4 if the 5. What do you value most in other people? - Honesty number’s last two digits are divisible by 4. - Their personality. When you talk to some people for 6. If you could choose one personality trait to the first time, you enjoy every moment of their company. pass it on to your children, what would it be? A person’s personality creates his/her position between - A forgiving nature Divisibility by 5 Rule people in my opinion. 7. What are 5 most important things you would 6. If you could choose one personality trait to pass it on to include in your things to- do list? Rule: A number is divisible by 5 if the its your children, what would it be? - Keeping my grades up, getting my masters last digit is a 0 or 5. - Kindness - as many of my friends and family pointed and PHD, keep practicing photography until I out. become a well known photographer, establish my 7. What are 5 most important things you would include in own business, keep myself happy. Divisibility by 6 Rule your things to- do list? 8. What do like to do in your spare time? Rule: A number is divisible by 6 if it is - Finishing university, going chalet, sky diving, traveling - I like to practice my hobby - photography and outing with friends 9. Do u miss your childhood? Why? divisible by 2 and 3. 8. What do like to do in your spare time? - Yes, life was so much easier back then - I like to spend my spare time around my friends in the 10. If you get an opportunity to live anywhere in Diwanya. the world, which part of the world would it be? Divisibility by 8 Rule 9. Do u miss your childhood? Why? - I’d still choose Kuwait Rule A number is divisible by 8 if the last - No not really, because I think about the future not the 11. If you needed evacuate your house past. However, they were good memories. immediately, what is the one thing you would three digits can be divided by 8. 10. If you get an opportunity to live anywhere in the grab on your way out? world, which part of the world would it be? - My camera Divisibility by 9 Rule - The United States 12. What is the one cause that you feel most 11. If you needed evacuate your house immediately, what passionate about? Rule A number is divisible by 9 if the sum of is the one thing you would grab on your way out? - World peace the digits is divisible by 9. - Of course, my phone 13. What is the one thing that makes you laugh 12. What is the one cause that you feel most passionate the hardest? about? - When something happens randomly Divisibility by 11 Rule - Having a safe environment 13. What is the one thing that makes you laugh the Rule A number passes the test for 11 if the hardest? difference of the sums of alternating digits is - Playing pranks on friends and their reaction after they divisible by 11 find out. TIMES November 2010 Issue 8 5 SPORTS

Athletics Department bolsters Sports Activities Run n’ Shoot! 3×3 By: Jaber Al-Kinany

ince the beginning of November, the GUST Athletics Department reactivated all sport activities in the university. Basketball Tournament They’ve managed to set new rules and schedules for facility usage making them now ready to be used by all students throughoutS the weekdays. On Friday, Two days a week, Mondays and Wednesdays, have been officially declared for the usage of the female student community November 05, between the hours of 8am and 9pm. The remainder of the week is free for the male student community usage. 2010 GUST The Athletics Department has also provided a new, fixed schedule showing each training time and where coaches would be and the U.S. available while open sessions are offered during the day. The schedule has been posted on the university website and can Embassy’s Public also be found, along with the new rules, at the entrance of each sports facility. Affairs Section If you’re interested in making a reservation for any of the facilities, that can now be done through the website or by visiting organized a full the Sports Coordinator’s office. day, 14-team, “Run n’ Shoot! 3×3 Basketball Tournament” held at the GUST modern gymnasium. The Run n’ Shoot! Tournament is part of the U.S. Embassy’s sports U.S. Ambassador Deborah Jones diplomacy outreach initiatives to engage with Kuwaitis and foster cultural interactions through sports between the U.S. Mission and Kuwaitis and the GUST Athletics Departments’ aim to encourage develop its sports programs and partnerships. Embassy officers and staff enjoyed playing and watching the friendly games with GUST students and guests, and 10 reasons why you should use Bodyweight engaged in lively discussions about fans’ expectations for the tournament’s results, and exchanged ideas about similar future cultural engagements between Kuwaitis and American diplomats and residents in Kuwait. Strength Training U.S. Ambassador, Ms. Deborah Jones, Dr. Robert Cook, Sourced from: Agility Nervous System (CNS) and 7 - Bodyweight training is the Vice President of Academic Affairs at GUST and Dr. and Speech Trainer Alex doesn’t tax a lot of your safe for athletes of any age Masoud Asad the Director of Public Affairs, were all Maroko finite resources. So, your and any level present to congratulate and award the top 3 teams. bodyweight workouts leave 8 - Because you don’t need GUST and the U.S. Embassy congratulate The Ballers team 1 - You don’t need any you feeling energized and any equipment and anyone on their victory! The team was awarded a first place trophy equipment for bodyweight focused instead of tired and of any age can get a great and a gift from GUST of KD150. training. No gym fatigued. bodyweight workout, it’s membership, barbells, 5 - Almost all bodyweight a great incentive to get dumbbells, etc. As long as exercises have a joint- the family together for a you have a body, you’re mobility component to workout. The workouts are going to get a great workout them, so while you’re fast-paced and challenging, 2 - You can do bodyweight strengthening and burning no one has to wait for training anywhere you want body-fat, you’re also someone else to finish and 3 - There’s something about increasing your body’s it’s a great opportunity to bodyweight training that flexibility and mobility bond over a fun, healthy always makes you feel 6 - Olympic Gymnasts activity. GOOD during and after the use almost all bodyweight 9 - Secret Special Agents workouts exercises and have some and Elite Military Units all 4 - Bodyweight training of the most sought-after use bodyweight training is easier on your Central physiques in the world in their workouts, mainly

because it is a really functional way of training and it matches a lot of the dangers and obstacles they face in their assignments and because their travel schedules are so hectic, they usually don’t have access to all the equipment they might need 10 - All of the most fit celebrities are using bodyweight training today 1st place team claiming their prize TECHNOLOGY 6 Issue 8 November 2010 TIMES

GUST hosts Technological Playstation Move and Microsoft Kinect, the next big step in gaming Innovations Conference Sony, Nintendo and Playstation Eye camera for What Kinect is all about Microsoft are the most it to operate, because the is that you don’t hold a On November 6th, GUST recognized names in the it will do all the tracking controller in your hands welcomed the Technological gaming market. Nintendo work. A micro-USB port but become the controller Innovations Conference first introduced the Wii is included for charging, yourself! Kinect is a organized by the Tamilnadu in 2006, using the Wii and synchronization motion-sensing platform Engineers Forum (TEF) with Remote as a point device with PS3 systems. The that tracks the player’s the aim of sharing the latest with motion sensing difference between this physical movement and developments in innovation capabilities to deliver a new remote and the Wii remote translate it into gameplay. and technology in industrial class of gaming instead of is that it can detect exact Three cameras are placed solutions, technological a regular controller. Sony 3D orientation which on Kinect. The middle developments and operational and Microsoft thought means that the player can camera captures motion, experiences. that motion sensing is the play more precisely. The and the other two are depth The event was inaugurated future of gaming, so they second remote is basically a sensors. This combination by His Excellency Mr. Ajai Indian Ambassador Ajai Malhothra and Dr. Robert Cook introduced new gaming navigation controller, where will result in accurate, Malhothra, the Ambassador of to Kuwait and was attended by prominent figures in experiences as well: you’ll find a joystick and smooth gameplay. There the industrial sector companies in Kuwait including Dr. Adel Al-Abassi, Manager (R&T) the directional pad. Both are also microphones on at Kuwait Oil Company. His Excellency the Ambassador stated in his opening speech that Sony Playstation remotes work wirelessly via the Kinect to capture voice technology is “mainly affected by the demands of the marketplace,” and congratulated both Move: Bluetooth. The Playstation commands. That means no TEF and GUST for successfully holding such an event which will help in “exchanging Generally, Playstation Move will open a wide tables or furniture should be technology and information into different avenues to eventually benefit Kuwait.” Move is a motion controller range of possibilities for in range of play, which is a Dr. Robert Cook, Vice President of Academic Affairs at GUST welcomed the audience and augmented reality gaming, hard thing to do sometimes. exhibitors and noted GUST’s as it is more accurate than Overall, everything enthusiasm about hosting the Wii. There are a number done with Kinect, from such events to highlight its of games that are already gaming to navigating the high interest in this field compatible with Move; menu, is done in either which will also be proven many are sports, first- ways: gestures or voice in the opening of a new person shooters, and family commands. There’s an College of Architecture and games. option for making video Engineering at GUST, which calls via the Internet from is a program that is in the Microsoft Kinect: one Xbox 360 to another, process of initiation. using Kinect. Mr. K. Jeyakumar, the Microsoft wanted to enter The Playstation Move General Secretary of TEF that has sensors to detect the motion sensing gaming and Microsoft Kinect has later spoke of the organization motion from the player, and war too, but differently already showed up in the and its contribution to translate it into gameplay. this time, introducing Kuwaiti market, so visit any the technological development in Kuwait. TEF is recognized as one of the highly There are two controllers; Kinect. Microsoft chose retail stores that offer the active organizations in Kuwait and is made of some of the most prominent engineering the primary remote comes a smart motto for this: two fancy gadgets and give professionals including owners, managers and highly experienced engineers within the with an LED ball for “you are the controller.” them a try! community. TEF collaborates with many corporations in the country to promote the the camera to track the advancement and development of technology within the workplace. remote’s motion. The user A representative of KOC, Ahmad Al-Jassim, Team Leader (R&T) Surface Team, spoke can choose whatever of the importance of technology not only as an invention but also as a process and how color as long as it can be the development of a technological process at KOC has helped to maintain more efficient distinguished from the procedures and results. surroundings, so the camera Following the inauguration ceremony, there was can easily detect it. The a seminar and exhibition held which consisted Playstation Move requires a of different companies speaking about their innovations and processes and exhibiting the same. The companies included both local and international organizations: JNW Cleaning Solutions GmbH (Germany), Pepperl & Fuchs (ME) FZE (Bahrain), Magnetrol (Belgium), Tectron Electronic Appliances (Kuwait), Cape East Middle East (Kuwait), MAN Diesel & Turbo Schweiz AG (Switzerland), EagleBurgmann Middle East FZE (), The Sniffers nV (Beligum), 3D Corrosion (Belgium), Gulf Energy Company (Kuwait), Cholamandalam MS Risk Services (India), MEKE Marine (Turkey), Fisher Valves – Emerson Process Management (Dubai), Raith Engineering and Manufacturing Company (Kuwait), Al-Arfaj Engineering Kuwait & RAYS (Kuwait), Yogokawa Middle East (Bahrain), Honeywell (Kuwait), BASF Construction Chemicals (UAE), Rockwell Automation (USA), China Oil HBP Science and Technology (China), National Petroleum Services Company KSC (Kuwait), Gulf Spic (Kuwait). People were free to sit in on the seminars or browse the exhibitions according to their interests. ????? TIMES November 2010 Issue 8 7 ENTERTAINMENT

A Little Book Review Who doesn’t know Quentin Tarantino?

uentin Jerome Autobiography of Mark Twain Tarantino is an AmericanQ film director, screenwriter, producer, he creator cinematographer and of Tom actor. His name doesn’t Sawyer,T ring a bell? I’m sure his films will! They include Huckleberry Reservoir Dogs (1992), Finn and some Pulp Fiction (1994), Kill of the most Bill (2003–2004) and his frequently most recent film Inglorious misquoted Basterds (2009), which debuted at number 1 in catchphrases the U.S. Box Office and in the English went on to be his highest language left grossing film both in the behind 5,000 U.S. and abroad. His films have earned him a variety unedited pages of Academy Award, Golden of memoirs Globe, BAFTA and Palme when he died in 1910, together with d`Or awards and he has handwritten notes saying that he did not been nominated for Emmy want them to hit bookshops for at least a and Grammy awards. In 2007, Total Film named century. him the 12th-greatest That milestone has now been reached, and director of all time. in November the University of California, Tarantino`s different Berkeley, where the manuscript is in a style of direction and film vault, will release the first volume of Mark making has earned him much acknowledgment Twain›s autobiography. The eventual worldwide. According trilogy will run to half a million words and to Tarantino, a recurring shed new light on the renowned American hallmark in all his movies novelist. is that there is a different Why Didn’t I Think of That? sense of humor which gets the audience to laugh at things that aren`t funny. Another point which came about was that one of his favorite shots in a movie Sudoku! is when the camera points upwards at the actors, which can be seen in the below portrayal from some his well-known movies. Tarantino has been quoted as saying, “When people ask me if I went to film school I tell them, ‹no, I went to films.”

Quote of the month SPECIAL COVERAGE SPECIAL 8 Issue 8 November 2010 TIMES

GUST Hosts Nuqat Conference of World Renowned Designers GUST hosted the Nuqat Visual Pollution Conference from October 24, 2010 to October 28, 2010 in its grand hall. The purpose of this conference is to educate people on the concept of visual pollution and how with a combination of several graphic design and architecture disciplines we can move the Arab world one level up. The conference started with two days of intensive students exclusive workshops where students, including 10 GUST students from different fields, learned about different techniques and theories of graphic design by accomplished graphic designers and creative minds. The Nuqat team believes that “there is no such thing as bad elements in design, there are only bad compositions.” The official opening of the conference where GUST students, faculty and staff attended as well, took place on October 26th, where students from different institutions, professionals from different industries and professors all came together in a creative swirl of exhibition stands that made you stop, stare and wonder. Each piece was unique in its composition and its mindset – each piece gave you a different feeling and let your mind wander to a different place and the beauty of it was that it can mean whatever you want it to mean. Mr. Wakim Zeidan, Head of the Nuqat team, welcomed the audience and gave a special thanks to GUST for hosting their event in their esteemed institution which with its grand, open architecture complimented the exhibition and helped it stand out. Dr. Robert Cook shared the same sentiment about the Nuqat Conference, “it’s exciting to see so many creative minds in one place, here at GUST, and the Nuqat Foundation is the one to thank for bringing you all here.” GUST welcomed the conference which was held for three days because it is a great learning opportunity for its students and professors alike. The conference would vary between young, fresh minds and older, wiser ones, each with their own walk of life and their own experiences to share and their diverse disciplines to shed light on. Kuwait University professor and Chief Architect Fareed Abdal kicked off the conference with his lecture stressing on the importance of art in one’s life. “Art is a non-tangible asset – non-tangible yes, but it is an asset that can bring many positive things to one’s life. Everything else is a tangible liability.”

Young, hip Wafaa Obeidat from Bahrain, just at 24 has started one of the fastest growing digital illustration magazines in the world – Sketchbook. With her background in fashion working with recognized fashion designer Liza Bruce and her “obsession” with blogging, Sketchbook wasn’t a far stretch for Wafaa, she says: “creative minds should not be restricted in method or design.”

Another young creative graphic designer Tala Saleh, originally from Saudi Arabia, attained her BFA in Graphic Design from the American University of . Tala published “Marking Beirut” – a book that she hopes will take the reader on a different journey of Beirut, one that they didn’t think they’d see and that it would be just as invigorating as her introduction to Beirut was.

Zahed Sultan – one of the most unique minds in Kuwait – is known for his risk taking ability in starting new ventures in the professional creative fields. He started El Boutique Creative Group which is an a advertising and branding agency that works primarily on building brands. And with a new twist on the creative industry, he started the en.V initiative a magazine focused on shedding light on eminent environmental issues.

The Nuqat Conference is being solidifed year by year as an event to be present at and will be recognized as an aura that people should take advantage of with its knowledge, expereince and creativity.