The prestigious educational institutions of the UK play a leading role in spreading cultural and academic awareness, and the London Middle East Institute (LMEI) at the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) - University of London, is one such player, said Kuwaiti Ambassador to and head of accredited diplomats in the UK Khalid Al-Dwaisan. The diplomat was speaking at a ceremony held to honor LMEI contributions, addressing both administrators and academicians and students, at his residence in central London, Sunday night. As a consultative member of the institute, Al-Dwaisan expressed pride in the institution\'s efforts to \"build cultural and academic bridges with the Middle East region, as well as its provision of academic studies of great value to researchers and students of the many sub-specializations of Middle East studies.\" LMEI Advisory Council Chairman Lady Barbara Judge meanwhile noted the institute has particular interest at present in women rights and empowerment and in human rights in general. She noted the current changes in the Middle East region, what some dubbed the Arab Spring, and the ramifications for the region. Dr. Hassan Hakimian, LMEI Director, for his part said the institute is appreciative of the Kuwaiti support of its activities. He shed light on means to spread academic and cultural awareness and academic understanding of the Middle East including printing books and academic pamphlets and other publications on the nature and issues of the region. The institute is currently holding a conference on Middle East and Middle East studies issues. The embassy\'s ceremony was attended by a host of Arab and other diplomats and personalities, as well as members of the House of Commons, Lords, and media workers. The Kuwaiti figures attending included former Kuwaiti ambassador and UK-Kuwait Friendship Committee Member Abdullah Bisharah