RESEARCH DIRECTORATEDIRECTORATE AnnualANNUAL Research REPORT Report 20182016 www.kfas.org Private Non-Profit Organization Established in 1976 Financial contributions mainly from Kuwaiti Shareholding Companies (KSC) are used to promote and enhance an effective Science, Technology and Innovation system in Kuwait Chairman His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah Board Members: • Dr. Yousef Hamad Al-Ibrahim • Prof. Faiza M. Al-Kharafi • Mr. Mustafa Jasem Al-Shamali • Mr. Hani Abdulaziz Hussain • Dr. Salah Abdul Latif Al-Ateeqi • Mr. Osama M. Al Nisf • Mr. Khalid Khider Al-Mashaan Director General Adnan A. Shihab-Eldin Dr. Mohammad Al-Ramadhan Director Staff • Dr. Ameenah Farhan • Shafiqa Al-Awadi • Dr. Essam Al-Sayed Omar • Johaina Al-Hamdan • Khaled Al-Awadhi • Anwar Bin Amer • Manal Al-Ebraheem • Dina Al-Nakib • Fajer Al-Turki • Noura Al-Zaidan • Yousef Aleneze • Sumaya Al-Kandari • Batoul Dhawi • Mohammed Shaker • Shaima Al-Shukaili • Sawsan Sayed • Mirvettee Samara • Sunita V. D'Souza • Nadia Masri • Hadia M. Saker • Sheikh Zahid Ali Table of Contents THE DIRECTOR GENERAL’S MESSAGE 10 RESEARCH DIRECTORATE (RD) 12 1. STATISTICAL PROFILE 14 Annual Statistical Indicators (2018) 15 Key Performance Indicators (2018) 17 Comparative Indicators (2014-2018) 18 Cumulative Indicators (1978-2018) 19 2 .Funding Scientific Research 20 Research Project Submission (Proposal) 20 Research Project Evaluation and Funding Mechanisms 20 Research Project Execution 20 3. Documentation & Dissemination of Scientific Information 20 PEER-REVIEWER INSTITUTIONS 22 Scientific Programs Research Grant Program 24 Capacity Building Program 157 Flagship Projects Program 177 Collaborative Research Unit 187 INDEX: LIST OF PROJECTS 193 10 RESEARCH DIRECTORATE | The Director General’s Message The Director General’s Message The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement The Foundation has been keen to contribute to the of Sciences (KFAS), which is a unique national establishment of an industrial environment that foundation with exceptional nature, was established supports the local economy, in addition to supporting as a corporate entity by an Amiri Decree bestowed projects related to the development of services, with a special identity according to the instrument healthcare and other issues. To this end, the grants of its inception in 1976. KFAS enjoys continuous provided by KFAS helped in driving research and patronage and support from the Chairman of its development in the public and private sectors in Board of Directors, His Highness the Amir of Kuwait, order to develop improved applications and products, Sheikh / Sabah Al-Ahmed Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. activate technological innovations and benefit from its The Foundation’s objective is to promote science, positive results in various economic and industrial areas technology and innovation (STI) system in every and sectors. KFAS equally contributed to supporting aspect of the Kuwaiti society in order to contribute to research projects that focus on addressing the most the sustained development of the State of Kuwait. This serious difficult and chronic noninfectious diseases is achieved by incentivizing scientific and research in the State of Kuwait such as cancer, cardiovascular institutions to explore their horizons of science and and blood vessel diseases. This year, KFAS gave knowledge and the ways the State can benefit from considerable attention to funding of stem cell research their capabilities. In addition, KFAS contributes to seeking to discover new diagnostic and forecasting the development of the private sector’s ability to protocols that might have positive results in the field innovate and benefit from modern technology in of medical sciences. In addition, KFAS was attentive to order to develop its services and institutions. the funding of research work related to the renewable energy resources and their applications in Kuwait with KFAS aspires to be the incubator of pioneering ideas a view to expand its applications in line with the vision and initiatives in cooperation with the future leaders of His Highness the Amir to meet %15 of the demand of scientists, researchers, academicians, the Kuwaiti for energy in Kuwait through renewable energy by the shareholding companies and relevant entities in the year 2030. This year, the Foundation gave considerable public and private sectors and civil society institutions attention to the question of food security by funding so that Kuwait can become a strong foothold in the research related to the hereditary characteristics of science and research community at the regional local plants, improved agricultural practices, dairy, and global levels. whence the role of the Research poultry and means of improving their productivity. Directorate which strives to achieve one of the most important objectives of the Foundation’s strategy that is This continuous support provided by KFAS, based on promoting a culture of scientific research and represented by the Research Directorate to the supporting research and technological development. Kuwaiti research community enabled the publishing of 38 scientific papers, 16 of which were published The Research Directorate seeks to incentivize in prestigious global scientific journals, in addition to collaboration between national research institutions filing three patents and authoring of one book. Since and similar institutions in the advanced countries with its inception, the Research Directorate participated in in order to raise the standard and activate the role of funding 1228 research projects with a total value of KD scientific research so that appropriate solutions to 53 million, of which 84 new projects were financed in the key contemporary issues confronting the State of 2018 with a total amount of KD 2.8 million. Kuwait can be found, and to create new opportunities for research and development in promising technological In 2018, KFAS, represented by the Research Directorate applications. By implementing this strategy, KFAS aims continued contributing to supporting scientific at ensuring that its participation in supporting research workshops and conferences that aims to direct work in Kuwait complements the support provided individuals and institutions toward strengthening the by the State to the research activities allocated within building of scientific and research capabilities, the the budget of each state institutions and corporations exchange of knowledge, and identifying scientific like the Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Kuwait developments in the relevant fields. University and the Ministry of Heath, provided that KFAS support, including research grants awarded to private The achievements made this year reflect KFAS’ universities, is directed to research that addresses the commitment to play its vital role and continue to make national priorities of development goals of the country steady efforts focusing on providing positive support and contributes to finding appropriate solutions. to the development of sciences, technology, innovation and scientific education in the State of Kuwait. These Over recent years, the work undertaken by the achievements could not be realized without the vital role Research Directorate gathered a tremendous played by the Kuwaiti shareholding companies which momentum through partnerships forged with national made every possible effort to continue to support and scientific institutions and prominent global scientific finance all the activities and programs of the Kuwait institutions and organizations. In 2018, KFAS supported Foundation for the Advancement of Science very carefully selected research projects, particularly those that address the challenges faced by the State Dr. Adnan A. Shihab-Eldin of Kuwait in energy, water, health and environment. Director General 11 12 RESEARCH DIRECTORATE | Research Directorate (RD) Research Directorate The Research Directorate has steadily continued its efforts to support Introduction research projects and build the capacity of scientific researchers by providing financial support for outstanding research projects and training opportunities for outstanding Kuwaiti graduates. The Directorate has also sought to enhance collaboration and partnerships amongst national research institutions as well as with the most prestigious international academic institutions and universities around the world for the purpose of facilitating collaboration with local researchers and scientists and enhancing the quality of scientific research in Kuwait, as well as activating its role in attaining appropriate solutions to the most important challenges confronting the country. In this context, the Research Department has continued its efforts this year through its programs (Research Grants Program, Research Capacity Building Program, Flagship Program and the Collaborative Research Unit) to provide funding for carefully selected research proposals in various areas of research, submitted by academic and professional institutions in the State of Kuwait. This year, KFAS, represented by the Research Directorate, has provided 84 research grants with a total value of KD 2.8 million, while the number of research projects underway has reached 124 with a total value of KD 9 million. The Capacity Building program provided financial support for 288 applicants for scientific missions to attend international conferences and seminars, which gave the opportunity for researchers and scientists from Kuwait to present their research findings