In the presence of H.E. Dr. Diana Abdulkarim Aljahrami, Secretary General of Higher Education Council, the University of Technology Bahrain (UTB) concluded the second edition of the International Conference on Smart Innovations in Management, Digital Transformation, and Emerging Technologies (SIMDTE 2025) on 14-15 October at the InterContinental Bahrain.

The opening ceremony was graced by distinguished dignitaries senior executives from Bahrain’s leading industries, and research enthusiasts from across the globe.

In her opening speech, Dr. Diana Abdulkarim AlJahrami highlighted the Kingdom’s focus on applied research and practical solutions – efforts that support Bahrain’s national mission of empowering its citizens to be at the forefront of global excellence. She emphasised that achieving this goal requires collaboration as the key. She further stated that innovation is not an option – it is a necessity for resilience, sustainability, and growth. Expressing gratitude to the Kingdom’s wise leadership for their unwavering commitment to advancing the education sector, she commended UTB for pioneering the SIMDTE platform, which fosters dialogue and collaboration towards digital transformation across finance, technology, and business sectors.

Dr Hasan Almulla, President of UTB, expressed his appreciation to Dr. Diana Abdulkarim Al Jahrami, the Higher Education Council, and the Ministry of Education for their steadfast support of higher education in the Kingdom. In his speech, he noted that SIMDTE is not merely an academic gathering but a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, dialogue, and cross-sector partnerships.

“UTB is committed to contributing to Bahrain’s emergence as a hub for digital transformation and sustainable development by nurturing responsible future leaders capable of advancing the nation’s progress,” he remarked.

The two-day conference convened global leaders, policymakers, corporate executives, and academics to address key developments in digital finance, artificial intelligence, sustainability, e-commerce, and innovation.

Mr Abdulwahed Al Janahi, CEO of Benefit, underscored Bahrain’s pioneering role in financial technology, “Bahrain is leading the digital finance agenda regionally, and SIMDTE has proven to be a crucial bridge for collaboration between financial institutions, regulators, and innovators. The insights shared here will help transform vision into tangible results.”

Mr Bader Sater, CEO of FinTech Bay, reflected on the value of collaborative ecosystems, “SIMDTE highlighted the importance of environments where financial technologies, corporates, and regulators work hand in hand. This approach ensures innovation is accelerated, sustainable, and impactful.”

In addition to keynote sessions, the conference featured industry spotlights from Huawei and telecom sectors, international expert talks, and research paper presentations on topics including AI’s transformation of business operations, sustainability in SMEs, trends in e-commerce supply chains, and entrepreneurship innovation.

Attendees commended UTB for its leadership in establishing a platform that reinforces Bahrain’s role as a regional hub for digital transformation, fintech, and sustainable practices.

The success of SIMDTE 2025 reflects UTB’s ongoing commitment to excellence, innovation, and international collaboration. By aligning its initiatives with Bahrain Vision 2030, the university continues to advance education, research, and industry partnerships that contribute to the Kingdom’s aspirations for a sustainable and competitive economy.

UTB extends its sincere appreciation to all attendees, paper presenters, panelists, keynote speakers, and sponsors for their invaluable contributions. The university looks forward to hosting more global platforms that inspire progress, foster innovation, and strengthen Bahrain’s position as a regional hub for knowledge and technology, while reinforcing UTB’s role as a leading private university in Bahrain offering industry-relevant programmes in business, engineering, and technology.

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