ACI-KC’s Award of Achievement for the year 2023 was given to an individual whose life has been greatly moulded by her parental influences. Her grandfather was a long-time member of the Municipal Council and her father, Mr. Abdullah Al Fares, served Kuwait for many years as Undersecretary of Ministry of Interior, and later as Governor of Hawalli.

Her late mother, Ms Fouzia Al-Sulaiman, a Masters Degree holder, devoted her life to education as a school Principal. Our awardee, proudly and lovingly attributes her education, career, accomplishments and being what she is today, to her mother’s loving mentoring, guidance and encouragement.

In recognizing her integrity, commitment, sincerity, professionalism, humility and achievements, the Chapter proudly presented its Award of Achievement to Dr. Rana Al Fares. She was cited for her “Dedication and commitment to academic and professional development, and contribution towards enhancing the built environment in Kuwait”. Dr. Rana Al Fares’s distinguished career encompasses and is characterised by academic and educational excellence; research and publications; directorships; environmental concerns; advisory consultations; and various national level assignments as a member of Kuwait’s executive government.

Childhood and Education

Dr. Rana was born in the mid-1970s. Her kindergarten and primary schooling were at schools in Nuzha and Mansouriya, and high school was finished at Al-Asma Bint Al Harith School in Surra. Throughout this period, her mother’s life moulding influence came into play, as she wanted to ensure that her daughters grew up as independent well-groomed individuals. In fact, every summer during the long school holidays from Grade 4 onwards, they were sent to boarding schools in England. The positive impact this had on Dr. Rana at that tender age is certainly reflected in her career path.

University education started at Kuwait University’s Khaldiya Campus, where in 1996 she obtained her B.SC. Degree from College of Engineering and Petroleum. After a short stint as a Project Engineer in the Special Projects Administration of Ministry of Public Works, it was time for post-graduate studies in USA. This was at the prestigious University of Southern California, also known as USC, in Los Angeles.

Her Masters of Science degree in 1999 was followed by her doctorate at the same university in Geographic Information Systems (GIS). The latter reflects her keen concern for the environment. Time leading up to her Doctorate in 2004 was interspersed with teaching assignments both at Kuwait University and University of Southern California.

Career

Her career is an interesting chronology of important and progressively more responsible moves, with her impressive portfolio encompassing: academia; consultations; directorships; critical research papers; as well as awards and vital political appointments.

Starting at Kuwait University, her 8 years as an Assistant Professor transitioned to becoming Associate Professor in 2012, a position she still holds. Over this period, however, she was extremely busy within and outside her academic pursuits. Given Dr. Rana’s exemplary work ethic, it was no surprise that in 2008 she was appointed as Assistant Vice President of Kuwait University Planning.

Just a year later, however, through a special decree and Audit Bureau approval, she became the Director of Kuwait University Construction Programme, more commonly known as KUCP. This came with the vital responsibility for overseeing Kuwait University’s multi-billion dinar development venture, the new Sabah Al Salem University City in Shadadiya. This high profile management responsibility was a challenging change from a purely academic environment. It called for some very fast learning.

Execution of the major infrastructure works of the campus was in its inception, and construction of the College of Engineering and Petroleum commenced under her tenure as KUCP Director.

Dr. Rana attributes considerable personal development and professional growth to the 5 years as KUCP Director. It involved extensive interaction with various state agencies and prominent personalities, and all this occurred with extensive media coverage throughout. The ensuring public exposure and a reputation for dedication, hard work and integrity brought her to national prominence and further important appointments.

National Prominence

In 2014, she was appointed Assistant Undersecretary of Governmental Performance Follow-up Agency, and within two years was promoted to Deputy Head of this Agency. A year later, Dr. Rana became the first female Vice Chairman of Central Authority for Public Tenders (CAPT).

The next step was even more significant. In 2019 she was summoned to meet His Highness, Sheikh Sabah Al Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah, the Prime Minister at that time. With no indication for the purpose of this meeting, her anxiety was understandable, and she sought her father’s advice. Knowing his Highness’s reputation for kindness, honesty and sincerity, his advice to her was to not refuse to undertake whatever she was asked to do.

His Highness asked her to become the Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Housing Welfare, and despite not having any political aspirations, she accepted this important responsibility. Shortly thereafter, in the next cabinet reshuffle, she was made Minister of Public Works and State Minister for Municipal Affairs, the first female to be appointed to this position.

Further changes in her ministerial portfolios followed and each of these appointments was particularly significant. First came the change to Minister of Public Works and Minister of State for Communications and Information Technology Affairs, and shortly thereafter to Minister of State for both, Municipal Affairs as well as Communications and Information Technology Affairs, the portfolios she held till March 2022.

Sahel App

Early in 2021, His Highness Sheikh Sabah Khaled Al Hamad Al Sabah entrusted her with the responsibility to develop, enhance and launch the Sahel App. He gave her 6 months to develop a more inclusive digital medium compared to Kuwait Mobile ID App that was in use at the time.

With the help of some amazingly talented people, her dedicated guidance and cooperation with Public Authority for Civil Aviation, she delivered. This is for her, quite understandably, an achievement that she is very proud of. It is well known what the Sahel App is capable of. With over 2.5 million current users, and more than 73 million completed transactions, this powerful App’s impacts are obvious. The facts listed here emphasise the significant efficiency, cost and environmental benefits achieved through Sahel’s digitization efforts.

• Total Services : 411.
• Current Users : Over 2.5 million.
• Completed Transactions : Over 73 million
• Car Trips Saved : Over 36 million
• Impacted traffic congestion
• Lowered transportation related emissions
• Savings in trip costs
• Optimized government resources