The Scientific Club's General Assembly approves Talal Jasim Al-Kharafi as president for a new term

Nada Abu Nasser

In a calm atmosphere, the General Assembly of the Scientific Club held its ordinary meeting. The session witnessed the approval of the administrative and financial reports for the fiscal year ending in 2025, along with the ratification of the Board of Directors for a new term, as the number of candidates equaled the number of announced seats. The meeting was overseen by a delegation from the Ministry of Social Affairs.

The meeting also saw the announcement that the list of proposals submitted by members was empty, leading the attendees to the agenda item concerning the election of the Board of Directors. Before announcing the results, Secretary General Ali Kazim Al-Jumma, on behalf of the Board of Directors, expressed gratitude to former board member Asrar Al-Ansari for her efforts during the previous term. He congratulated her on her transition to work at the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) office in Riyadh, wishing her success and prosperity.

The new Board of Directors, consisting of nine members, was ratified. They are: Talal Jassim Al-Kharafi (Chairman), Sheikha Sheikha Al-Jahram Al-Sabah (Vice Chairman), Ali Kazim Al-Jumma (Secretary General), Abdulrahman Al-Fadala (Treasurer), and members Yousif Al-Hamad, Eng. Aus Al-Nasef, Faisal Al-Bashir, Abdullah Al-Faraj, and Abdullah Al-Anjari, who was ratified as a board member in place of Al-Ansari. The General Assembly also authorized the Board of Directors to appoint an auditor for the club for the upcoming fiscal year.

Talal Jassim Al-Kharafi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Scientific Club, expressed his sincere welcome and appreciation to the members of the General Assembly for their attendance and participation in the meeting. In his address, he emphasized that the members' presence and continuous engagement serve as the primary motivation for the Board of Directors to continue its work and develop the club's services and facilities. He also praised the spirit of cooperation among the club's members and their ongoing support for all future initiatives and activities.

Al-Kharafi announced that the file regarding the development of the specialized sector within the club is nearing resolution. He clarified that the delay in implementation was beyond the club's control and was linked to procedures for renewing state property contracts, municipal updates, and the issuance of building permits to renovate some of its older facilities.

Al-Kharafi also highlighted recent digital and organizational achievements at the Scientific Club, including the launch of the club's website to keep pace with the growing volume of activities. He noted the completion of three platforms for the Youth and Science Sector, the Development Sector, and the Competitive Programs Sector, particularly the International Invention Exhibition in the Middle East, which the club organizes annually, alongside the Specialized Sector with its eight branches. He commended the efforts of Sajja Al-Fadala, Head of the Youth and Science Sector, and Abdulmohsen Al-Qahatani, Director of the Specialized Sector, along with their teams, for their work in compiling the club's archive and making its services available on a single platform.

For his part, Secretary General Ali Kazim Al-Jumma expressed his deep gratitude and appreciation to the members of the ordinary General Assembly of the club following the meeting and the elections, which resulted in his re-ratification as Secretary General for a new term.

Al-Jumma affirmed that this valuable trust from the General Assembly members reflects the magnitude of the responsibility placed on their shoulders to continue the club's development journey and maintain its approach to spreading science and knowledge, and providing a nurturing environment for discovering and developing the capabilities and creativity of children and youth in the fields of innovation and scientific research.

Treasurer Abdulrahman Saleh Al-Fadala announced that the club achieved a financial surplus of 9,000 dinars during the past fiscal year 2025. He indicated that this positive development reflects the club's success in overcoming the financial deficit of the previous year, thanks to increased activity revenues and cost control.

Newly appointed Board of Directors member Abdullah Al-Anjari expressed his pride and honor in gaining the trust of the General Assembly members and the Board of Directors following his ratification. He stated that joining the leadership of this prestigious scientific institution represents a great honor and a national responsibility, aiming to serve society and enhance environmental sustainability in the State of Kuwait. Regarding his vision for the upcoming phase, the new board member emphasized that his main priority is to elevate environmental projects and transform them into comprehensive national-level initiatives in coordination with relevant authorities. He noted that his focus will be on expanding coral cultivation and protecting marine and terrestrial life in the country.

From his side, Muhammad Al-Shatti, Head of the Accounting Department for Civil Societies at the Ministry of Social Affairs, affirmed that the Scientific Club is a model that brings honor to the State of Kuwait in local and international forums. He cited its effective efforts in attracting and nurturing innovators, the latest of which was the organization of the International Invention Exhibition in the Middle East, which saw participation from inventors and innovators representing more than 40 countries worldwide.

Al-Shatti, in a press statement on the sidelines of his participation in monitoring and coordinating the ordinary General Assembly of the Scientific Club, stated that the Ministry of Social Affairs has achieved a qualitative leap since 2021 by converting all financial and administrative transactions to an integrated electronic system. This has contributed to simplifying procedures and accelerating the approval of projects and financial transfers for public benefit associations across various specialties.