Kuwait: Reaction of universities to segregation law not strong

Private universities in Kuwait have not reacted strongly to the decision by Minister of Education and Higher education Nuriya Al Subaih to implement gender segregation law in private universities, starting from Sunday.

The administrative departments at the universities were talking to the Arab Times Monday a day after the law came into effect. The student’s administration department at Gulf University (GUST) said the university is already adhering to the law.

"All the classes in the university are unisex, with different classrooms for boys and girls. GUST has always followed the gender segregation laws in Kuwait." The university is moving to a new bigger campus in Mishref shortly, where again the segregation law will be fully in place, the officer at the department added.

The general information department at American University of Kuwait (AUK) said "we are already gender segregated. However, we hold co-education classes depending on the number of sessions and the availability of faculty for certain subjects."

When asked if the decision to implement the segregation law in private universities will bring about any change in the university, the official said it would be decided by the university management after due deliberations. Australian University of Kuwait (ACK) is also mostly gender segregated, except for classes in some majors, opted by large number of students and requiring more teaching sessions, the students administration department said.

"It’s too early to comment about the changes that will be implemented in the university following the ministerial decision to implement the segregation law."

- Arab Times