This research study investigated a new conceptual design for a modular structural configuration incorporating storage for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) within the base of the platform structure. The structure, referred to as a modified gravity base concrete structure (MGBCS), was envisioned specifically to be constructed at a suitable site off the coast of Kuwait. Coastal offshore bathometric information, environmental data and existing data on onshore facilities were examined in the site selection portion of the study. A finite element model of the MGBCS was developed using an industry standard finite element code that allows preliminary sizes of structural models to meet appropriate design codes. A variety of parametric and design load scenarios were investigated. This research tackles some preliminary issues that are adequate for an initial evaluation of the proposed design concept. The proposed design concept needs a lot more scrutiny in order to be sufficiently developed as a concept where it can be confirmed as a truly viable concept and investment. It was confirmed that quartering sea conditions, waves approaching at a 45 degree angle, are the most critical scenarios for the terminal based on maximum values and ranges of shears and moments. In addition, there are several interesting issues in this concept that should be further looked at for this design to be further developed. The limitations of our study must be mitigated in future designs if the proposed design concept is to be carried to the implementation stage.

This research study investigated a new conceptual design for a modular structural configuration incorporating storage for Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) within the base of the platform structure. The structure, referred to as a modified gravity base concrete structure (MGBCS), was envisioned specifically to be constructed at a suitable site off the coast of Kuwait. Coastal offshore bathometric information, environmental data and existing data on onshore facilities were examined in the site selection portion of the study. A finite element model of the MGBCS was developed using an industry standard finite element code that allows preliminary sizes of structural models to meet appropriate design codes. A variety of parametric and design load scenarios were investigated. This research tackles some preliminary issues that are adequate for an initial evaluation of the proposed design concept. The proposed design concept needs a lot more scrutiny in order to be sufficiently developed as a concept where it can be confirmed as a truly viable concept and investment. It was confirmed that quartering sea conditions, waves approaching at a 45 degree angle, are the most critical scenarios for the terminal based on maximum values and ranges of shears and moments. In addition, there are several interesting issues in this concept that should be further looked at for this design to be further developed. The limitations of our study must be mitigated in future designs if the proposed design concept is to be carried to the implementation stage.

Online journalism has brought new features of journalism practices for local journalists and forced the expansion of their freedom. The Internet as a whole became the tool for freedom of expression for many suppressed countries, and online journalism became an alternative for press freedom in cyberspace. The diffusion of information enabled more opportunities for freedom of expression and speech prosperity, leading to a higher level of freedom in local press. This research project aims to examine the effect of online journalism on the freedom of the local press in the state of Kuwait. Since mid 1990s, when the Internet was introduced in Kuwait, a new phenomenon of press freedom started to rise. After many decades of relying heavily on local newspapers and controlled radio and TV, many Kuwaitis switched to the Internet to obtain information, news and political analysis. The political dispute of power after the death of Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Jabber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah on 15 of January 2006, followed by the public demand to change the electoral constituencies voting system of the National Assembly, and the dissolving of the National Assembly in May 2006 forced many Kuwaitis to go online to get the latest news and analysis regarding the two issues. Kuwaiti online journalism became the source for instant updated information during the disputes. Many local writers praised their work on local press. Mohammad Abdul Qader Al-Jasim, a columnist and former editor in chief for Alwatan local newspaper, in his online Web site ‘Meezan’, provided non-censored detailed analysis of these situations without any restrictions or fear of government interference which was considered as a taboo “red line” no one was permitted to cross. The researcher used three different tools (survey, online content analysis, and interviews) to determine the effect of online journalism on journalist’s practices and the freedom of the press in Kuwait, focusing on the most popular Kuwaiti personal writers’ sites, weblogs and forums. The results show that online journalism affected journalist’s practices but did not replace the traditional practices. The Internet became a source and communication platform for many local journalists. At the same time, online journalism became one of the tools that helped increase the level of freedom in the local press. The language of online journalism took a different direction from the local press with more freedom to write, discuss, and share ideas online with less fear of government retribution. What was considered a taboo “red line” in the local press became an acceptable “green line” online. Local press officials recognized this effect on the local freedom, but disagree on the factors that really caused the freedom of the local press to increase.

This study focused on the development of a proposal for a secondary alternative program that would be effective in the state of Kuwait. A professional preparation program that would function in support of the alternative school was also included. The investigator attempted to find the answers to the following questions: What are some of the major features of selected secondary school alternative programs in southeastern Arizona? How could these features be utilized in developing an alternative program for the secondary schools of Kuwait? What type of staff preparation program would be appropriate to effectuate the proposed alternative program? A review of the major elements of Kuwaiti history and culture was presented. Additionally, a summary of the development of the educational institutions in Kuwait was included, with special attention to current methods and practices. A review of the related literature indicated that the alternative school movement has become widespread in the United States as a means of providing youngsters with educational experiences different from those found in traditional schools. The recent increase in the number of alternative schools seems to be based on the assumption that differences among students require diversity in learning experiences. A theoretical framework was formulated from the literature to guide the collection of further data. It consisted of the following categories: (1)philosophy; (2)structure; and (3)function. Under each of these categories, several sub-categories were discussed. The study was conducted by the investigator as a participant observer in local alternative programs in a southwestern metropolitan area. The alternative programs under investigation participated in the study on a voluntary basis and included Cougar Alternative High School, Jefferson Alternative High School, Jackson High Alternative School, and Oak High School. The first three schools listed above serve a population of individuals who could not attend regular secondary schools. The fourth program is a conventional high school that includes an alternative program as part of its function. An interview schedule consisting of various questions regarding philosophy, structure, and function was developed and completed by selected staff at the schools under investigation. The resulting data was recorded and analyzed according to the three framework categories. A proposal for a secondary alternative program appropriate to the country of Kuwait was formulated, and a staff preparation program was included. A major element in the structure of the proposed program was the development of a cross-cultural team consisting of United States and Kuwait members and a representative from Kuwait University. The cross-cultural team would focus on the training of Kuwaiti educators for the proposed secondary alternative school. The investigator would function as coordinator for the training program and director of the proposed alternative program.

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This study is concerned with the structure, development and working of the monetary sector in the State of Kuwait. Initially, the characteristics of the Kuwaiti economy are examined in order to put the monetary sector into perspective. It is shown that the Kuwaiti economy possesses the general characteristics of less developed economies together with some distinguishing properties. It is argued that since there exists no one-to-one relationship between government revenue and expenditure, the money supply, in the short run, tends to be insulated from the effect of the external balance. - The working of Kuwait's monetary sector is studied through the balance sheets of the Central Bank and commercial banks, and that leads on to an analysis of the money supply process. The definition of money is discussed, and it is argued on the basis of empirical evidence that the broad money supply is the most appropriate for the purpose of monetary control. Causality testing reveals a unidirectional effect from money to income, and the estimation of velocity equations indicates that financing economic development by monetary injections is inflationary in the short run. A multiplier reduced-form model reveals the viability of short-run monetary control in Kuwait, but it is argued that monetary policy has been ineffective in this respect. It is also postulated that the combination of interest and exchange rate policies gives rise to the recurring problem of capital outflows. A structural econometric model of the monetary sector shows that the equilibrium stock of money is determined by supply and demand factors, and that the control of banks' reserves can (in part) accomplish the objective of monetary control. The model also reveals that both monetary and fiscal actions affect real output and prices, but the former tend to be more powerful. It is recommended on the basis of this study that the Central Bank should be given greater autonomy in formulating and executing monetary policy, and that its research capabilities need to be improved. Urgent attention must be paid to developing financial markets and upgrading tools of monetary policy. Finally, It Is argued that the Ministry of Finance should take part in the control of money and credit by manipulating its deposits and, perhaps, adopting a simple constant change rule in government expenditure.

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