Biography:

Professor Khalid Al-Begain is the Founding President of Kuwait College of Science and Technology. He served as President of the European Council on Modeling and Simulation (ECMS) (2006-2018) and as President of the Federation of European Simulation Societies (EuroSim) (2010-2013). His academic career spans over many countries including Hungary, Jordan, Italy, Germany, and UK. He acted as consultant to many international technology companies including Lucent Technologies, Siemens, Malaysian Telekom and General Dynamics. He is Fellow of the British Computer Society and Fellow of the German Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. He registered two granted patents, authored/edited 26 books and over 200 peer-reviewed journal and conference papers. He supervised 28 successful PhD projects. He was the Co-founder and Chair of over 35 International summits and conferences including the European Simulation Congress in 2013 and the first National Welsh Industrial Cybersecurity Summit in Newport, UK, in 2014, which was jointly organised by Airbus Defense and Security, the Welsh Government, and the UK NCSC. He also founded the Centre of Excellence in Mobile Applications and Technologies in Wales, UK. He secured over 20 million GBP in research and consultancy funding. He received numerous recognitions, including the John von Newman Computer Award (1986) and the Inspire Wales in Science and Technology Award (2013). In 2006, he received a Royal Recognition from Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II for his contributions to the British scientific community. In 2023, he received the “Order of Jerusalem” for his contribution to charitable work in education.

Biography:

Mohamed Jemni is Professor of Computer Science and Educational Technologies at the University of Tunis and Director of ICT at the Arab League Educational, Cultural and Scientific Organization (ALECSO). He previously served as Director-General of the Computing Center El Khawarizmi, the national Internet provider for higher education in Tunisia (2008–2013). A Senior Member of IEEE and co-editor of the Springer Lecture Notes in Educational Technology, he leads major ALECSO initiatives on Artificial Intelligence, Smart Learning, OER, cloud computing, and the Unified Arab System for Blockchain-based Certificate Authentication. Prof. Jemni holds two patents and has authored over 350 publications. He has produced studies for international bodies such as UNESCO and ITU. His work has earned numerous distinctions, including the UNESCO Prize (2008), the WSA-Mobile Award (2010), the Google Student Award (2012), the ITU ICT Innovation Award (2013), and the Mohammed bin Rashid Arabic Language Award (2017).

Biography:

Rouda AlAmir Ali is the programme Officer at the ITU Regional Office for the Arab States, which focuses on promoting the equitable and sustainable development of ICT networks and services for the Arab countries. She is the focal point of Digital Infrastructure and Digital Inclusion programmes and all its related activities in the region including the ICT accessibility, Youth empowerment, ICTs for Women’s empowerment, and ITU Child Online Protection Initiatives. She is also carrying out studies and projects in the area of ICT Development in the region. Prior to joining ITU, she worked for the UN-ESCWA as an ICT Officer and drafted the publication on Internet Governance: Challenges & Opportunities in the Arab region. She holds a Bachelor in Electronical engineering from Damascus University and Master Business Administration degrees in Global management and Digital transformation from ESLSCA University. Rouda has more than 25 years of experience in Communications and Information Technology

Abstract:

​​​ITU works to increase access to information and communication technologies (ICTs) for persons with disabilities: by raising awareness of their right to access telecommunications/ICTs; mainstreaming accessibility in the development of international telecommunications/ICT standards; and providing education and training on key accessibility issues. The intervention will focus on the initiative and programme that ITU lead in the ICT Accessibility.

Biography:

Christopher M. Lee, Ph.D., is an international accessibility expert and the author of three books, including "Faking It: A Look into the Mind of a Creative Learner," published by Boynton Cook Heinemann. He is a sought-after public speaker on disabilities, ICTs, and assistive technologies. Christopher founded and directed North America's largest higher education accommodation service and research center, impacting thousands of universities. He has been the principal investigator on several research grants, including the First in the World Obama Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education. Currently, Christopher serves as the President of G3ict. He is also a passionate advocate for cognitive disabilities, having acted as Executive Director of the Georgia Learning Disability Adult Association for eight years and participated on multiple boards in the field.

Abstract:

G3ict advances global digital accessibility and inclusive transformation in alignment with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD). Through advocacy, advisory support, education, and global networking, G3ict empowers governments, organizations, and professionals to implement accessible ICT policies, products, and services. Its initiatives—such as the DARE Index, accessibility maturity models, and professional certifications—equip stakeholders with practical tools to measure progress, build capacity, and foster innovation for an inclusive digital world.

Biography:

Dr. Mohammed Faisal Naji is an Associate Professor in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and the director of the Center of AI & Robotics (CAIR) at Kuwait College of Science and Technology. He earned his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees from King Saud University in 2012 and 2016, respectively. Prior to his current role, Mohammed served as an Assistant and then Associate Professor at the College of Applied Computer Sciences, King Saud University, where he also supervised the Innovation and Entrepreneurship Unit. His expertise in AI and robotics led him to contribute as a consultant at the Artificial Intelligence Center of Advanced Studies (Thakaa) and the Center of Smart Robotics Research (SC2R) at King Saud University. Dr. Mohammed has been actively involved in over 13 funded scientific projects, producing more than 80 research articles, authoring two books, and securing three patents. His contributions to applied sciences have earned him multiple awards, including the prestigious President of the Republic of Yemen Youth Award for the Applied Sciences Branch in 2013. With a deep passion for AI, robotics, and innovation, Dr. Mohammed continues to drive advancements in these fields, fostering technological growth and impactful research in Kuwait and beyond

Biography:

He is a Full Professor of Mechatronic Systems at Université d’Évry–Paris-Saclay (UEPS). From 2011 to 2019, he served as Associate Professor in Humanoid Robotics at UVSQ, where he held an Industrial Excellence Chair in Hydraulic Domestication with BIA Company. Previously, he was a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Technical University of Munich (TUM), supported by the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation. He obtained his Ph.D. in Robotics from UVSQ in 2009, receiving the Best Ph.D. Thesis Award in Robotics from the French CNRS (2010) and in Mechatronics for UVSQ’s 20th anniversary. He leads the Mechatronics Research Group and co-coordinates the iCode and H-CoDe Institutes at Paris-Saclay. He was the team leader for MBZIRC 2017, has published 51 international patents, and has secured over €4 million in research funding in the last five years. He has supervised 18 Ph.D. theses and numerous master’s dissertations.

Biography:

Motoaki Komiya, MBA, MNA, and OT is the Managing Director of Cyberdyne Care Robotics GmbH in Bochum, Germany, a subsidiary of Cyberdyne Inc. (Japan). With a medical background and extensive experience in healthcare robotics, he leads the European operations focused on introducing and integrating the HAL® (Hybrid Assistive Limb) system into clinical treatment and long-term care. He promotes the use of interactive biofeedback therapy for patients with neurological or musculoskeletal impairments, fostering collaboration between hospitals, researchers, and industry partners across Europe. Under his leadership, Cyberdyne Care Robotics has advanced the clinical adoption of robotic rehabilitation technologies that enhance neuroplasticity and functional recovery. Representing Cyberdyne at international innovation and life-sciences forums, he plays a central role in bridging Japanese technological innovation and European medical practice, contributing to the global development of assistive robotics and next-generation treatment.

Biography:

Dr. Mashael Thenayan Alyaqout is the Founder and Owner of Mayco First Co., a pioneering company in Kuwait specializing in the management of advanced medical and rehabilitation centers. Since 2019, she has led the introduction of world-leading Japanese rehabilitation robots, officially registered with the FDA, EU, Japan, and Kuwait. Through Mayco First Co., she has played a central role in bringing cutting-edge robotic therapy solutions to the rehabilitation sector and enhancing patient care in Kuwait. With over 33 years of high-level experience in major national projects, project management, and strategic planning at the Ministry of Public Works and the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, Dr. Mashael brings exceptional expertise in engineering leadership, complex project delivery, arbitration, and contract management. Her unique blend of technical, managerial, and arbitration skills strengthens her role as a leader in advancing innovative healthcare technologies.

Biography:

An Assistant Professor in the Physical Therapy Department at Kuwait University with over 18 years of clinical experience. She specializes in musculoskeletal and geriatric rehabilitation and holds a subspecialty in cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). She earned her PhD in Physical Therapy from the University of Sheffield and an MSc from Sheffield Hallam University, UK. She leads multiple research projects, including randomized controlled trials and machine learning applications, with publications in leading Q1 journals. Dr. Alenezi has presented at major international conferences such as the World Physiotherapy Congress and the European Conference on Aging & Gerontology, and has delivered workshops on psychologically informed physiotherapy for clinicians locally and internationally. Currently, she chairs the Research and AI & E-learning Committees in her department and actively contributes to professional and cultural associations worldwide. In 2025, she received Kuwait University’s Distinguished Teaching Award for her innovative, evidence-based teaching and integration of technology in education.