As I take on my new responsibility as the Director General of KFAS, I am filled with much gratitude and humility. To be bestowed and entrusted with this honor by His Highness the Amir of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Crown Prince of the State of Kuwait, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may Allah bless and protect them, is an incredible and humbling opportunity for me, both professionally and personally. I would like to extend my sincerest appreciation and thanks to the honorable members of the KFAS Board of Directors. I pray to Allah that with their guidance and support, I am able to fulfil this task successfully, and deliver on the noble mission of the Foundation to foster the growth and prosperity of our beloved Kuwait.

Undoubtedly, this new responsibility will require the valiant efforts and dedication of the staff at KFAS and its subsidiaries, to continue to pursue the virtuous cause by which the Foundation was established 45 years ago, as well as to, wholeheartedly, pursue the legacy and vision of our wise leadership. It is our obligation to ensure that we continue to embrace the unique attributes of the Foundation and use them to strengthen and enhance our national innovation ecosystem, driving science and technology to not only foster our growth and prosperity as a country, but also to elevate our regional and global stature for the advancement of science, technology and innovation (STI).

We will continue the direction and efforts of our predecessors, capitalizing on the inspiration and foresight and of our founders, His Highness the late Amir Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may Allah rest his soul, and the leaders of the private sector companies, as stated in the Amiri Decree of 1976. The new management will also continue to implement on the aspirations and directives of His Highness the late Amir of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al- Sabah, may Allah rest his soul, and pursue endeavors to strengthen the advocacy and promotion of STI into every aspect of the Kuwaiti society, and, more importantly, as a pivotal driver of new and innovative solutions for challenges of national priority.

As a means to enhance the capabilities and talents of the society, the management will focus on capacity building in various disciplines and sectors through STI, in order to ensure that the population is equipped with the right skills to further their professional and personal development. The Foundation will also continue to provide support to the private sector, fostering research and development, business intelligence studies, and human intellectual capital, with an emphasis on small and medium enterprises, as a means to enhance their contribution to the advancement of innovation ecosystem and drive the realization of a knowledge based economy. We will continue to emphasize on building the capabilities and competencies of the Kuwaiti youth, who will be bestowed with the responsibility and trust to lead the country forward and further national development and sustainability.

We are strongly committed to achieving the Foundation's goals, mission and values, and will work diligently on building our strategy to further the role of the Foundation in achieving its mandate, as well as serving its noble cause and advancing its global position. We pray that the Almighty will help us in our path forward in contributing to the prosperity and growth of the State of Kuwait and to preserve its welfare, security and safety under the wise leadership of His Highness the Amir, Sheikh Nawaf Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, and His Highness the Crown Prince, Sheikh Mishal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, may Allah bless and protect them.

Dr. Khaled A. Al-Fadhel
Director General