KUWAIT: A Kuwaiti teacher and a high-school student have won top honors in the 2025 Hamdan bin Rashid Award for Distinguished Academic Performance, the Ministry of Education said Friday. Psychology teacher Huda Al-Mutairi from Awatif Al-Sabah Secondary School in Ahmadi won in the Distinguished Teacher category. Hessa Al-Kakak, a student at Fatima Al-Sarrawi Secondary School in Hawally, received the award for Distinguished Student. Both were officially notified after completing all stages of a rigorous evaluation process, including detailed file assessments and online interviews.
The Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Distinguished Academic Performance was created in 1998, followed in 1999 by the Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Award for Medical Sciences. Both were launched by the late Sheikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum to improve standards in education and healthcare and to support work in talent development and innovation. Over time, the awards expanded from a local program to one with regional and international partnerships. In 2018, the Hamdan Bin Rashid Foundation for Distinguished Academic Performance was formed, and in 2023 it was joined by the Hamdan Bin Rashid Foundation for Medical and Educational Sciences, which oversees related initiatives in both fields. Several Kuwaiti students, teachers and schools have won the award over the years.
Education Minister Jalal Al-Tabtabaei called both Kuwaiti winners to congratulate them on their hard work. He said their “honorable achievement reflects a bright and commendable image of Kuwaiti education in Gulf forums.” He added that their success was the result of “seriousness, dedication and continuous work.” Minister Al-Tabtabaei thanked the education ministry team that prepared and followed up on the winners’ nomination files, and praised Ministry Official Mohammed Al-Otaibi. He added that the award was achieved through “integrated efforts and a spirit of teamwork.” The ministry said it will continue to support national talent as part of its broader commitment to encouraging excellence in education. The two winners will be honored at a GCC-level ceremony in March. — Agencies
