Leading The Way Forward

1. AUBH: Please tell us more about AUBH and what inspired you to set up a University in Bahrain?

The American University of Bahrain (AUBH) is the first private, American-style university to be established in the Kingdom of Bahrain, offering a world-class curriculum with the highest educational standards for aspiring local and regional students.

The University is initially offering programs within the Colleges of Business and Management, Engineering, and Architecture & Design. AUBH combines dynamic instruction, quality faculty, state-of-the-art premises, and socially-active campus life to cultivate a future generation of well-rounded, competent professionals. We are focused on learning outcomes and employability.

We are also looking to shape students who can drive positive change and help catalyze socio-economic progress in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The mission of AUBH is aligned with the

Kingdom’s plan for upscaling the country’s academic quality (Vision 2030), enhancing innovative and entrepreneurial spirit, and advancing Bahrain’s status as an educational role model for the GCC region.

2. Innovation: What innovation is AUBH introducing to Bahrain? You have mentioned that there will be a carefully planned roll-out from traditional to leading-edge studies. Can you tell us more about this?

AUBH is based on the American model of higher education that delivers a holistic experience. Our STEM (Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics)-based model empowers students with the skillset to succeed in a global marketplace.

It provides them with the foundation to get ahead at school and beyond by focusing on an array of “employability-skills”. Examples of such skills are being able to work collaboratively in teams, critical thinking, creativity, and digital literacy. This is not part of the formal curriculum per se, but rather a skill that we teach throughout a student’s time on campus.

The University incorporates innovation in its programs and design to enhance the learning and developmental experience for each student. Its programs are tailored to the demands of the future workforce and seek to enrich the student experience via access to essential tools, resources, guidance, and exposure.

This combination is designed to inspire inquisitive minds and push their boundaries so that they can be competitive here in Bahrain and in the GCC. AUBH’s purpose-built, state-of-the-art campus is also unique and has been designed to foster interaction and collaboration among students, faculty and the community. The student-centric design is planned to inspire creativity and innovation and create an environment that encourages students to grow. The campus features an innovative and ergonomic design in its academic and social spaces.

The modern furnishings and style support a range of learning methods from quiet private study to engaged collaborative exchange. The key to the conceptualization of the campus is an emphasis on energy efficiency and making it environmentally friendly.

Lastly, we are committed to ensuring the students are in the most engaging and collaborative environment. This includes interactions with me.

We are planning exciting activities which will further foster a positive and inclusive environment. What matters is that we lead by example and show that we’re all actively participating in this journey together as one team.

3. Challenges: What are the challenges of setting up an American University in Bahrain and how are you working to overcome these challenges?

There are always challenges in setting up a new venture, no matter what business you are in. Yet, our experience with AUBH has gone smoother than anticipated. We have embraced the support of the regulators and government agencies which are eager to uplift the country’s educational standards and achieve academic progress by establishing a high-caliber American-style institution such as AUBH.

4. Vision: Can you tell us your vision for AUBH in the first 5 years?

The vision for AUBH is to become the first-choice university for Bahraini and regional students who seek an international education of the highest standards.

AUBH follows the American model of higher education and our degree programs and advanced teaching methods echo those prevalent in the best universities globally.

AUBH combines dynamic instruction, training, and experience to develop the “soft” and “hard” skills necessary for students to thrive in a competitive global workforce, supported by best-in-class educators hand-picked from the US, UK, and other countries around the world.

The faculty have been cultivated for their subject matter expertise, student focus, and passion for research. Our aim is to also establish AUBH as a model of academic excellence in the Gulf region and showcase Bahrain’s efforts to improve education throughout the Kingdom.

We are also keen to engage with the private and public sectors, academic institutions here and from across the region, incubators, accelerators, to introduce joint programs and short courses on topics of interest to the students and the wider community.

5. Tips: What advice can you give to Bahraini students in terms of how they can move forward, innovate and thrive in today’s world?

My advice to students is to seek an education at high-caliber institutions that provide a holistic educational experience.

It is important that students are embedded with both the academic knowledge and technical skills to help mold them for the workforce. Moreover, they should be empowered with vital soft skills to excel in the world as confident, innovative, motivated and socially-aware individuals. This is what will make students competitive and what will help them stand out from the crowd.