University of Technology Bahrain (UTB) and French École Hexagone University signed a memorandum of understanding in line with UTB’s commitment to provide the labour market with highly qualified information technology professionals who are on a par with those from the top-tier universities worldwide.

With the offering of the Bachelor of Science in Information Technology programme major in Networking and Cybersecurity, Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence, and Applications Development at the beginning of the current academic year, the agreement will provide students with opportunities for academic collaborations in scientific and applied research, and student exchange in the field of information technology specifically in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence.

It is worth noting that French École Hexagone University attaches special importance to applied, vocational and technical training through its close relations with major information technology companies not only in France but worldwide, and this further inspires UTB to implement its comprehensive development plan for the budding vibrant identity of the university.

Both parties also discussed launching new academic programmes after obtaining required statutory approvals, especially the Higher Education Council. After all, the application of information technology systems is vast and is increasing day by day to fulfill the demands of technological innovations and digitalization of operations in all fields of work.

Also, during the meeting with the French École Hexagone University delegates, both parties discussed to offer joint academic programmes that focus on the actual practices in the local and global labour market, where students will obtain practical training in companies and institutions operating in the Kingdom of Bahrain, France and other countries that are closely associated with French École Hexagone University, and University of Technology Bahrain. 

Under the auspicious patronage of His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Higher Education Council, the inauguration of the Global Higher Education Exhibition (GHEDEX), first in Bahrain, took place at the Exhibition World Bahrain.

 

University of Technology Bahrain (UTB), led by Dr. Hasan Almulla, President, received the leadership development award from His Excellency Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Higher Education Council during the awards ceremony as part of the inauguration. The award is a recognition of UTB’s leadership development in various fields – offering relevant, unique and most affordable programme offerings; accelerating upgrade of campus facilities; implementing the most innovative educational approaches; and working together to build the leaders of tomorrow – all efforts towards excellence and quality in higher education in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

 

Added to the exhibition agenda were two-day conference and display of student enterprises that attracted a good number of visitors. Dr. Rania Nafea, UTB associate professor, was selected to be a panel speaker for the discussion of entrepreneurial ecosystem at schools, applied/vocational/technical education and universities. She commended the role of industries, business partners, economic sectors and the community in strengthening the entrepreneurial mindset among universities in Bahrain. Three alumni enterprises created by UTB budding inventors were accepted to be showcased – sterilization robot, smart bus system and telebot – all works are inspired by the future technology ecosystem driven by breakthroughs in frontier technologies and entrepreneurship opportunities.

 

It is worth noting that UTB rebranded to a university of technology in 2021, and it has been dedicating its collaborative efforts to enhancing the economic, social, and cultural prosperity of communities through high quality and excellent teaching and learning, research, dissemination of knowledge, fostering inclusiveness at a multicultural environment, and wise leadership management as evidenced by student successes, contributions and services to society, collaborations and innovation initiatives.

University of Technology Bahrain (UTB) hosted its international conference titled “Sustainable Innovations in Management in the Digital Transformation Era” (SIM DTE) in the InterContinental Regency Bahrain on May 2-3, 2023 bringing together keynote speakers from Poland, Canada, Turkey, Egypt and India. 

 

Dr. Hasan Almulla, President of UTB, welcomed the honorable excellencies, distinguished dignitaries, delegates and participants. He emphasized on two main objectives of the conference – promoting creative thinking in management and informatics and addressing business and technology problems that are faced by institutions and the industry scientifically through research, and panel discussions of experts to explore potential solutions. He thanked renowned organizations such as Bahrain Association of Banks (BAB) and Bahrain Small & Medium Enterprises (SMEs) Society for their collaborative support in the realization of the conference initiatives. In the same way, he commended GFH Financial Group, Batelco, and Khaleeji Commercial Bank (KHCB) for their initiative to be part of this conference and enthusiasm to join the deliberations to overcome sustainability challenges in the Kingdom of Bahrain and for their generous support and contribution to the success of SIMDTE 2023. 

 

Speaking on behalf of the College of Administrative and Financial Sciences (CAFS) of UTB as the Conference Chair, Dr. Rania Nafea affirmed that the college and the university are abreast of the trends through its continuous enhancement of academic programmes and the research efforts of its faculty in the areas of digital transformation and sustainability and that they are aware of the opportunities and challenges in artificial intelligence and digitalization pose for businesses and customers, hence spearheading its first international conference in Bahrain that combines both academics, subject matter experts and business executives for in-depth discussions and networking. 

 

As UTB aspires to be a hub of knowledge dissemination and multidisciplinary exchange in the country, the SIMDTE conference provided high-calibre academicians, participants and partner industries with innovative ideas towards further discovery and application of knowledge across different fields of excellence. 

 

UTB is immensely grateful for everyone’s collaborative efforts to make the conference happen. It looks forward to hosting more events as an avenue to connect with other individuals, groups, and networks to create and strengthen community partnerships and shared goals.  

University of Technology Bahrain (UTB), represented by its President, Dr. Hasan Almulla, and Bahrain Society of Engineers (BSE), represented by its President, Dr. Raeda Al-Alawi, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for collaborative research, conferences, workshops, competitions and exhibitions in relevant engineering expertise.

With its offering of Bachelor of Science in Environmental Engineering, Bachelor of Science in Mechatronics Engineering and Bachelor of Science in Informatics Engineering, UTB is of the view that engineers play a key role in the future of infrastructure and systems that support the security and sustainability of communities and the global economy.

Through this collaboration and quest for more vigorous collaborations with other distinctive engineering organisations locally, regionally and internationally, engineering graduates from UTB are at the forefront of innovation creating trendy and improved solutions to the challenges of the modern world.

Dr. Adnan Altamimi, Vice President for Administration and Finance of the University of Technology Bahrain (UTB), was recognised as one of the pioneers of engineering work for his prominent role and effective contributions in devoting modern engineering strategies that are consistent with the rapid development in the field – having been the representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain at the Gulf Engineering Forum in its 24^th edition this year, themed “Environmental Engineering and Sustainability” in the Doha, Qatar.

Organized by the Ministry of Municipality, the Gulf Engineering Union and the Qatar Society of Engineers, five dialogue sessions were held to discuss 24 working papers by a group of engineers from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries in the field of environmental engineering and sustainability. In parallel with the programme, a cultural retreat provided the participants the opportunity to commune with the most important modern facilities that were built based on the latest engineering methods that are consistent with the foundations of preserving the environment.

UTB takes pride of this recognition, which reinforces its vision and identity of sustaining a clean and sustainable environment.

In line with the offering of Bachelor of Science in Information Technology with highly relevant specialisations in cybersecurity and networking, artificial intelligence and data analytics, and applications development, University of Technology Bahrain (UTB) launched Cybersecurity Club (CSC), the first ever student cybersecurity club in Bahrain, hence welcoming student members from different universities in the country.

Dr. Hasan Almulla, UTB President, inspired the event through a striking link between the conventional data privacy and the contemporary cybersecurity of data and added the significant role of students in the advancement of technological solutions relevant to the future of industries. He reiterated that the launch of the cybersecurity club is not only limited to UTB students but also to all students nationwide.

Hamad Alnakal, the CSC Founder and President, stressed that club membership ensures members an access to a full suite of benefits and resources for their continuing education and development to keep ahead of the latest threats, and be adept at the best practices and industry trends. As an active Bachelor of Science in Computer Science student, cybersecurity researcher and founder of a cybersecurity training center, Hamad encourages his fellow students to never stop learning, make themselves expert in mitigating cyber risks and keep finding solutions to sustain a safe and secure cyber world.

University of Technology Bahrain (UTB) and Enma Training and Human Resources Development Institute signed a memorandum of understanding for collaborative projects in the fields of tech-specialised professional training.

Dr. Hasan Almulla, President of UTB, stated that the memorandum of understanding has been studied and verified for its feasibility and added value to university stakeholders including students, graduates, and industry partners through provision of international professional certificates foremost in the fields of artificial intelligence and big data analytics.

Dr. Mohammed Derbas, Managing Director of Enma Training and Human Resources Development Institute, explained that the Institute seeks to cooperate and provide support to UTB by linking and developing a professional scientific and professional cooperation relationship between the University and the world’s leading partners in the United States, covering the fields of AI, machine learning, data science, competency management, and strategy science, to serve achieving the UTB’s current and future objectives.

The MoU embodies the general framework that establishes and defines areas of cooperation between UTB and the Institute, which will provide quality services to a large segment of partners, including students currently enrolled in the University’s programmes, as well as alumni, public and private sector institutions and working professionals.

Additionally, the memorandum focuses on achieving a set of pivotal and important goals for providing accreditation to the University in the field of AI and machine learning from the Artificial Intelligence Board of America (ARTIBA) and data science from the Data Science Council of America (DASCA), granting UTB the right to offer international professional programmes that are globally classified among the top five professional qualifications in the world in the Kingdom of Bahrain. The accreditation grant also enables the establishment of an excellence centre at UTB in the fields of AI and machine learning, as well as data science – a milestone and a quantum leap in the University’s prosperous journey.

The pivotal objectives of the memorandum that include supporting the UTB’s approach to strengthen its bonds and interdependence with the business and industry community in the Kingdom of Bahrain are noteworthy, whereby it will present initiatives to develop the executive management and leadership responsible for managing AI, data science, human resources and strategic management by offering professional programmes that are presented by prestigious and globally-classified bodies for professional qualifications in the disciplines of strategy, and performance and competency measurement, which are offered in prominent global universities such as Harvard, Stanford, Yale, and Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Under the patronage of the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health His Excellency Lieutenant General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, and in the presence of Her Excellency Dr. Jaleela bint Al Sayed Jawad Hasan, Minister of Health, and Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Duaij Al Khalifa, Secretary General of the Higher Education Council, University of Technology Bahrain (UTB), headed by Dr. Hasan Almulla, received the award of being one of the healthy Universities in the Kingdom of Bahrain from Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, Regional Director of the World Health Organization Regional Office in the Eastern Mediterranean (WHO EMRO).

“By developing the WHO Healthy Universities programme, the leadership in the Kingdom of Bahrain continues to show commitment, not only in adding value across national settings, but also in advancing sustainable development across regional and global environments. Guided by the future-ready mindset of their students, academic institutions continuously seek innovative ways to empower multi-sectoral action and encourage community engagement, partnerships, and the participation of all stakeholders to improve the social determinants of health through shared action. Together, we hold the potential to influence sustainable opportunities to advance Health For All, By All”, said Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, Regional Director of WHO EMRO.

Following the assessment based on WHO global accreditation criteria, the recognition given to UTB is an attestation of its efforts towards advancing the WHO goal of people enjoying better health and well-being. The UTB community is grateful to the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, Higher Education Council, Supreme Council of Health, and World Health Organization for the recognition and for organising the awarding ceremony, which was attended by distinguished dignitaries.

UTB in collaboration with GFH Financial Group hosted the event at Harbour House.

University of Technology Bahrain (UTB) joins the Kingdom of Bahrain in celebrating the seventh edition of Bahrain Sports Day in the university premises, following the directives of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, on promoting wider awareness and participation in sports.

In support of the national and institutional interests of integrating sports in one’s lifestyle, students and employees of the university participated in the different activities such as health lecture, sports class, walkathon, and ball games among others, hence a translation of UTB’s sporty motivation – to never say never to sports for health and wellness.

Under the patronage of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, General Sports Authority Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President, this year’s national celebration is being held for three (3) days, with the kickoff today.

Dr. Hasan Almulla, President of University of Technology Bahrain, in the presence of Dr. Haitham Alqahtani, Vice President for Academic Affairs, met with the President of the French École Hexagone University President, Dr. Sébastien Dhérines, together with Mr. Vincent Peyrouse, Chief Technology Officer, to discuss prospect collaboration of offering specialised academic programmes in the fields of cyberdefense, artificial intelligence and advanced information systems.

In the event that the École Hexagon University programmes are offered at UTB, students will get the opportunity for hands-on training in the best cyberdefense and information technology companies in France and around the world. It is worth noting that the École Hexagone University cyberdefense programme was designed in collaboration with the best French providers of cybersecurity solutions, such as Stormshield (Airbus), Outscale (Dassault Systèmes) or HarfangLab.

UTB and École Hexagone University agree that cyberdefense skills guarantee human security, prosperity and freedom from ruthless risks and clashes in cyberspace, hence the necessity of innovative and secured digital systems among institutions, companies and industries.