Ahlia University, in collaboration with Brunel University London, has organised the 17th Doctoral Conference over two days at the Wyndham Grand Hotel in Manama, bringing together academics, experts and researchers from Bahrain and abroad. The conference aims to provide a platform for doctoral researchers to present and discuss their work in an environment that promotes critical thinking and academic exchange.
In his opening remarks, Professor Abdulla Al-Hawaj, Founding President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, said the conference represents a high-level academic platform that enables doctoral candidates to showcase their research and engage in meaningful discussions. He emphasised that investing in high-quality research is a key pillar in strengthening modern universities and enhancing their regional and international competitiveness.
Professor Mansoor Alaali, President of Ahlia University, said the annual conference reflects the university’s commitment to supporting applied research and linking postgraduate studies with current economic, social and technological challenges. He added that the diversity of research topics highlights researchers’ awareness of evolving demands and demonstrates the ability of joint doctoral programmes to keep pace with global developments in higher education.
Professor Monomita Nandy of Brunel University London expressed her appreciation for the continued academic collaboration, noting that the conference serves as more than a research presentation platform, offering an intellectual space to exchange advanced methodologies, improve research quality and prepare scholars to address global challenges.
Dr. Ammar Al-Hawaj, Executive Director of Communications and International Relations at Ahlia University, said the conference reflects a strong model of sustainable international academic partnerships. He noted that this year’s agenda focused on key themes including leadership and strategy, artificial intelligence and governance, innovation, digital transformation, information systems and healthcare management.
Dr. Al-Hawaj added that these areas reflect the evolving nature of research and align with global trends in AI, sustainability and digital governance, reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a regional hub for research and higher education, while supporting its vision of building a knowledge-based economy.
