UTB shortlisted for THE Awards Arab World 2026 for UNESCO-supported digital inclusion research
The University of Technology Bahrain (UTB) has been shortlisted in the Research Project of the Year: Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences category at the Times Higher Education (THE) Awards Arab World 2026 for its UNESCO-supported research project, “Digital Empowerment for Older Adults in Bahrain: Bridging the Grey Digital Divide”.
The project is being conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development in Bahrain and international partners and has been featured in UNESCO’s global publication on digital inclusion and lifelong learning.
The study explores how older adults can be equipped with practical digital skills to access online government services, healthcare platforms, communication tools and other everyday digital services with greater confidence and independence.
Key Milestones
The project’s journey towards international recognition has been marked by several significant milestones, demonstrating its growing impact on digital inclusion, lifelong learning and community engagement.
Project Consultation and Data Gathering
The UTB research team, led by Dr Anthonia Bamidele, met with officials from Bahrain’s Ministry of Social Development to gather key data and discuss community priorities. They refined the research proposal to ensure alignment with national development objectives.
Strengthening Collaboration with UNESCO
UTB hosted Dr Anasse Bouhlal, Higher Education and TVET Regional Program Specialist from the UNESCO Regional Office for the Gulf States and Yemen, after UTB’s active participation in the UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning’s international research initiative on lifelong learning.
Shortlisted for THE Awards Arab World 2026
The research project was UTB shortlisted for THE Awards Arab World 2026 in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences category. It recognizes its innovative contribution to addressing an important societal challenge.
Sharing the Project with UTB Community
Following the shortlist announcement, project findings and progress updates were shared with the UTB community and external stakeholders during the UTB Projects Expo. This highlighted the significance of the achievement and fostered broader awareness, engagement and collaboration. UTB shortlisted for THE Awards.
Expanding Impact Through Partnerships
The project is anticipated to enter a second phase through collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development, UNESCO, Qatar University and the University of Hong Kong. This phase will focus on broader stakeholder engagement, community outreach programs for older adults and the development of policy recommendations to strengthen digital inclusion across Bahrain and the wider region.
The shortlisting reflects UTB’s commitment to conducting impactful research that addresses real-world societal challenges while contributing to national and international development priorities. Through strategic partnerships, community engagement and research excellence, UTB continues to generate knowledge that creates meaningful social impact and advances inclusive digital transformation in Bahrain and beyond.
The winners of the THE Awards Arab World 2026 will be announced during the THE Arab Universities Summit in Morocco later this year.
