Ahlia University SDG 17 Partnerships and Initiatives (2020–2025)

Introduction

Ahlia University (Kingdom of Bahrain) is deeply committed to Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnerships for the Goals , recognizing that cross-sector collaboration is vital to achieving sustainable development. Over the past five years, Ahlia has actively forged partnerships at national and international levels, engaged with local communities, collaborated in research, and participated in global networks – all to strengthen the “means of implementation” of the SDGs. This report details Ahlia University’s SDG17-aligned initiatives from 2020 to 2025, highlighting key partnerships (academic, governmental, private sector, NGO), community engagement programs, research collaborations and co-authored outputs, data-sharing and reporting frameworks , policy development and capacity-building efforts, multi-stakeholder events, and global SDG networks participation . The evidence is drawn from the university’s activities and outcomes in this period, with specific examples, dates, and institutional outcomes documented.

Strategic Partnerships and Collaboration Initiatives

Ahlia University’s strategy for SDG17 focuses on building robust partnerships that enhance education quality, research, and community impact ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . These partnerships span national collaborations within Bahrain – involving government agencies, industry, and civil society – as well as international alliances with universities and organizations abroad. Through such partnerships, Ahlia leverages diverse expertise and resources to drive innovation and social development ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . Below, we outline the university’s major partnership initiatives:

National Partnerships (Government, Industry and NGOs)

• Public Sector and Policy Institutions: In 2023, Ahlia University signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD) to promote political awareness and civic education among students ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . This MoU formalized cooperation on training programs, research, and activities to “spread national awareness in society” and enhance students’ understanding of democratic principles ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . Notably, the MoU commits Ahlia to provide academic experts for BIPD events, while BIPD will train Ahlia’s students in areas like youth political participation and rights, aligning with national reforms ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . Such collaboration exemplifies Ahlia’s role in capacity-building for policy and governance , reinforcing SDG targets on effective institutions.
• Government Bodies and Economic Agencies: Ahlia actively collaborates with Bahraini government initiatives focused on economic development. For example, the university has engaged with the Bahrain Society for the Development of Small and Medium Enterprises – a body led by Member of Parliament Ahmed Sabah Al-Salloum – to support entrepreneurship and youth innovation ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . In a recent meeting, MP Al-Salloum received an Ahlia delegation to discuss ongoing cooperation, including the Economic Decision Makers Program and the Arab Business Accelerators and Incubators Conference , which jointly promote startups and economic growth in Bahrain ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . Ahlia’s founding president, Prof. Abdullah Al-Hawaj, praised this public–university partnership, emphasizing continuous collaboration between the association and university to boost the national economy ahlia.edu.bh . By partnering with public agencies and representatives, Ahlia aligns its programs with Bahrain’s Vision 2030 and national development priorities, such as fostering innovation and SME growth.
• Local NGOs and Community Organizations: The University also works with civil society groups on social and environmental causes. Ahlia’s strategy explicitly includes “partnering with local communities and public bodies to pursue national priorities and goals of shared importance” ahlia.edu.bh. For instance, Ahlia has cooperated with the Bahraini Association for Parents of the Disabled (per an MoU referenced on the university site) and other NGOs to support inclusive education and equal opportunity (supporting SDG10 and SDG17) ahlia.edu.bh . These collaborations enable community outreach programs – such as volunteer initiatives, charitable drives, and awareness campaigns – that empower disadvantaged groups and address local needs . Ahlia’s Community Engagement Policy affirms the university’s role as “an advocate and prominent voice on key issues of public concern” and its commitment to give back to society since its founding ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . In practice, this has meant supporting NGO-led projects (e.g. environmental clean-ups and educational workshops) and providing Ahlia’s students and staff opportunities to serve as volunteers and experts in community initiatives (contributing to Bahrain’s “no one left behind” ethos).
• Private Sector and Industry Partnerships: In line with SDG17’s call for inclusive partnerships, Ahlia has engaged private sector partners to enhance academic and employment outcomes. The university maintains links with major Bahraini companies for internship programs, joint training, and sponsorship of student projects ahlia.edu.bh . For example, Ahlia renewed a cooperation agreement with Ebrahim K. Kanoo Company (a leading automotive firm in Bahrain) in 2022, focusing on internships and skill development for students (as reported in local press). Such public-private partnerships (PPPs) contribute expertise and funding that complement academic resources, supporting students’ career readiness while advancing national workforce development goals. Additionally, Ahlia’s Centre for Entrepreneurship works closely with industry mentors and incubators to support student start-ups and innovation – an effort acknowledged by Bahraini leaders as crucial for sustainable economic growth ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh .

International Academic and Research Partnerships

• Formal Institutional Agreements: Ahlia University has established academic cooperation agreements with universities across the globe . Notably, Ahlia runs dual and joint programs with top universities: for example, the university offers Doctoral programs in Management and Information Technology in partnership with Brunel University London (UK) , and a Master’s in Engineering Management in partnership with George Washington University (USA) ahlia.edu.bh. These long-term partnerships (initiated in the mid-2010s and continuing through the 2020–2025 period) enable curriculum sharing, joint supervision of research, and student exchange. Faculty and PhD scholars from Brunel are integrated into Ahlia’s research ecosystem – as highlighted by a workshop in 2023 where Brunel’s delegate Dr. Talal Al-Dabi urged faculty to leverage the support available through Ahlia’s partners like Brunel for research initiatives ahlia.edu.bh . The outcome of this partnership is evident in the graduation of jointly supervised PhD students and numerous co-authored research publications , reflecting an exchange of knowledge that benefits both Bahrain and the UK. Similarly, the George Washington University collaboration enriches Ahlia’s engineering management program with international content and provides students global exposure.
• Regional University Collaborations: In October 2024, Ahlia University took a significant step to expand regional collaboration by signing a Letter of Intent with Northern Technical University (NTU) in Iraq ahlia.edu.bh. The agreement, reached on October 3, 2024 between NTU’s President (Prof. Dr. Alyaa Al-Attar) and Ahlia’s leadership, outlines a comprehensive academic partnership ahlia.edu.bh. Key components include: joint educational programs, mutual faculty and student exchanges, and collaborative research projects in areas such as technology, applied sciences, and artificial intelligence ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . The LOI also plans shared development of new bachelor’s and master’s programs and joint workshops/training for staff ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . This initiative marks a strategic Gulf–Iraqi academic linkage and is expected to strengthen scientific and educational cooperation between the two countries ahlia.edu.bh . By 2025, Ahlia and NTU are working toward full implementation of this partnership, which will broaden Ahlia’s research network and contribute to SDG17 by facilitating South-South cooperation and knowledge transfer in the region.
• Global Network Memberships: Ahlia University is an active member of international higher-education networks that promote partnership and technology transfer. For instance, Ahlia joined the World Technology Universities Network (WTUN) , through which it collaborates with universities worldwide on innovation and sustainable development initiatives wtu-n.net wtu-n.net . Ahlia’s President, Prof. Mansoor Alaali, serves on the WTUN Operational Board, underlining the university’s leadership role in this global network wtu-n.net . WTUN membership has facilitated “meet our members” networking sessions and project collaborations; Ahlia shares its progress on the UN SDGs with WTUN, highlighting how it works alongside the Bahraini government to advance all 17 Goals wtu-n.net . Additionally, Ahlia is listed as a participant in the UN Sustainable Development Solutions Network (SDSN) – MENA and the World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD) university initiative bahrainuniversities.org , connecting with a global forum of universities committed to Agenda 2030. These affiliations enable knowledge exchange and partnership opportunities on an international scale, reinforcing Ahlia’s capacity to contribute to global SDG efforts.
• European and Other Academic Partners: Beyond the UK and regional partners, Ahlia has cultivated links with institutions in Europe and beyond. The university has formal cooperation with leading French institutions – EPITECH (Paris Graduate School of Digital Innovation) , EPITA (School of Engineering & Computer Science) , and IÉSEG School of Management – focusing on student exchange and summer programs wtu-n.net . Through Ahlia’s International Summer School Programmes, students have attended courses at EPITECH in France (e.g. a Robotics Summer School) and other foreign universities, gaining intercultural and technical skills ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . In Summer 2023, for example, Ahlia sponsored five of its master’s students to join an International Master’s Summer School on Circular Economy and Sustainability hosted by the University of Bradford (UK) ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . The students’ travel was the only cost to them – the program and accommodation were offered free through this partnership, demonstrating Ahlia’s commitment to providing global learning experiences ahlia.edu.bh . Such international academic partnerships not only enhance the quality of education at Ahlia but also produce joint research and publications . Many Ahlia faculty are engaged in co-authored research with colleagues from partner universities, contributing to SDG-aligned scholarship in areas like sustainable finance, digital transformation, and education quality. (For instance, recent collaborative research topics at Ahlia include “Sustainable Finance, Digitalization and the Role of Technology” and “Centering Gender in the Era of Digital and Green Transition” wtu-n.net, which often involve international co-authors.) These worldwide partnerships exemplify SDG17 by mobilizing global knowledge for local impact .

Community Engagement Programs and Local Initiatives

Community engagement is at the heart of Ahlia University’s mission, and it is tightly linked to SDG17 as it fosters partnerships with local stakeholders. Ahlia’s Community Engagement Plan (2021–2025) emphasizes working closely with community partners and public bodies to address societal needs ahlia.edu.bh . Over the past five years, the university has launched numerous programs and joint initiatives that engage the local community, from entrepreneurship and education to health and environmental awareness. These initiatives serve the dual purpose of enriching student learning and contributing to Bahrain’s sustainable development at the grassroots level.

Figure: April 24, 2025 – Ahlia University’s “Fanar” Entrepreneurship Exhibition showcased student innovations and strengthened academia-community ties. The event was opened by a Member of Parliament and brought together students, entrepreneurs, professionals, and government representatives to support youth enterprise in line with national economic goals ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh .

One flagship initiative was the “Fanar” Entrepreneurship Exhibition held on April 24, 2025. Ahlia University’s Centre for Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with its Media and PR department, organized this student-centered fair to showcase innovative business ideas developed by students ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . The exhibition was a well-attended public event inaugurated by H.E. MP Ahmed Al-Saloom , a member of Bahrain’s Parliament, demonstrating high-level support and multi-stakeholder involvement ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . It attracted academics, students, startup entrepreneurs, and industry professionals interested in economic development ahlia.edu.bh . The student projects on display highlighted innovation and sustainability, aligning with Bahrain’s knowledge-economy agenda and Vision 2030 goals of digital economic growth ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . In his opening speech, MP Al-Saloom praised Ahlia for “integrating innovation and entrepreneurship into its academic programs” and called the exhibition a “promising platform” for discovering talent and fostering a culture of enterprise ahlia.edu.bh . He also encouraged students to leverage national youth initiatives like the government’s “Furas” training and employment program, underlining how such events connect university efforts with wider national programs to enhance youth skills and employment ahlia.edu.bh. The Fanar Exhibition’s outcome was twofold: it gave students a chance to present their start-up ideas to influential public and private figures (some projects attracted interest for further development), and it strengthened the partnership between Ahlia University and national economic stakeholders in supporting young entrepreneurs ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . The success of this 2025 exhibition has cemented it as an annual fixture, reinforcing community engagement and illustrating SDG17 in action at the local level.

Another key area of community partnership is educational outreach and equal opportunity initiatives . Ahlia University is deeply involved in programs that promote inclusion and lifelong learning in the community. For example, Ahlia’s faculty and students participate in workshops for school teachers and youths, some in cooperation with Bahrain’s Ministry of Education, to improve teaching quality and to encourage STEM education (supporting SDG4 and SDG17). The university’s long-running Model United Nations (MUN) program (mentioned on the student portal) also engages high school and university students in dialogues about global issues, effectively partnering with schools and NGOs to raise awareness of the UN SDGs among youth. Furthermore, Ahlia’s Equal Opportunity Committee works with the Supreme Council for Women (SCW) and other national bodies to promote gender equality in higher education and the workplace. In 2021, Ahlia co-hosted the Fifth Equal Opportunities Conference under the patronage of H.E. Fawzia bint Abdulla Zainal (Speaker of the Council of Representatives) ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . This conference, themed “Partnership, Fairness & Competitiveness” , explicitly focused on women’s empowerment and was aligned with Bahrain’s national policy framework on gender inclusion ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . It was organized jointly with Brunel University (UK) and highlighted issues critical to community development – advocating for full and equal participation of women in the economy as a driver for sustainable growth ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . The event’s impact was significant: it not only facilitated knowledge exchange between global and local experts (with research papers and discussions on women in leadership, microfinance, and policy reforms), but it also reinforced multi-stakeholder commitment (government, academia, civil society) to implementing the conference recommendations in Bahrain. This example underlines how Ahlia’s community engagement programs often dovetail with national development strategies and bring together diverse partners to drive social change.

Ahlia University’s Volunteer and Social Programs further exemplify community partnership. Students and staff regularly join hands with local NGOs for charitable activities – from blood donation drives to environmental clean-ups. Although disrupted by the pandemic in 2020, these activities resumed by 2021–2022 with appropriate safety measures. The university’s ethos of community service is captured in its motto of “sharing is giving,” and it channels this through organized volunteer opportunities. For instance, Ahlia has partnered with CleanUp Bahrain (a non-profit environmental group) to involve students in national cleanup campaigns and recycling awareness, contributing to SDG11 (sustainable cities) and SDG17 (civil society partnerships). Additionally, the university’s Community Engagement Committee (established as part of its strategic plan) coordinates such projects and ensures that they result in tangible, measurable outcomes for society ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . Through all these community engagement endeavors, Ahlia University not only enriches the educational experience of its students but also fulfills its social responsibility – building bridges between the campus and the community to advance sustainable development at the local level.

Research Collaborations, Co-Authored Publications and Funding Partnerships

Advancing SDG17 also involves generating and sharing knowledge through collaborative research. Ahlia University has prioritized research that contributes to the SDGs and encouraged its faculty to engage in partnerships for greater impact sdgs.un.org sdgs.un.org . The period 2020–2025 has seen Ahlia strengthen research collaborations with both domestic and international partners, leading to co-authored publications, joint conferences, and even shared funding of projects. These efforts not only enhance Ahlia’s research profile but also contribute solutions to sustainable development challenges.

Collaborative Research Projects: Many of Ahlia’s partnerships outlined earlier have a strong research component. The MoU with Northern Technical University (Iraq) in 2024, for example, explicitly includes “joint scientific research” in fields like technology and artificial intelligence ahlia.edu.bh . This means faculty from Ahlia and NTU will co-design research studies, share data, and publish findings together – an initiative expected to yield its first joint publications by 2025–2026 in areas such as smart city technology and applied AI. Likewise, Ahlia’s partnership with Brunel University has already resulted in substantial research collaboration: PhD students enrolled under the Brunel-Ahlia program regularly produce dissertations and journal papers co-supervised (and co-authored) by professors from both institutions ahlia.edu.bh . As a result, dozens of publications on topics ranging from business innovation to e-health systems have emerged in recent years, featuring Ahlia and Brunel as joint affiliations. This significantly contributes to international research output for Bahrain. In fact, Ahlia’s research strategy set a goal to “increase the number of publications in specific [sustainability] areas” by 2025 sdgs.un.org , and partnering with international scholars has been key to achieving this. According to Ahlia’s Sustainable Development Plan, progress is measured partly by the growth in research related to sustainable growth and social responsibility sdgs.un.org sdgs.un.org – and indeed, the university has observed an uptick in SDG-focused research papers since 2021.

Co-Authored Publications and Conferences: A tangible outcome of research partnerships is the proliferation of co-authored publications involving Ahlia University. Many Ahlia faculty members collaborate with colleagues abroad, evidenced by co-publications in high-impact journals and international conference proceedings. For example, at the 8th Equal Opportunities Conference (Feb 2025) hosted by Ahlia, scholars from Bahrain, the UK, and other countries presented papers on responsible innovation and Society 5.0, with Springer Nature publishing the conference proceedings indexed by Scopus ahliaeo.com . Selected papers from this conference are being expanded for journal special issues (Q1 and Q2 ranked journals), which means Ahlia-affiliated authors will appear alongside global peers in top publications ahliaeo.com . Similarly, Ahlia has co-organized the International Conference on Global Economic Revolutions (ICGER 2024) on AI and economic diversification (1–3 October 2024) with partners, leading to joint publications. The World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD) 22nd International Conference (2024) , which Ahlia helped host (see next section), also produced a set of research papers and policy briefs contributed by multi-institution teams. These examples highlight that Ahlia’s collaborative approach yields scholarly outputs that inform policy and practice well beyond the university.

It’s worth noting that Ahlia’s interdisciplinary research centers facilitate many of these collaborations. The Ahlia Research Centre and the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Research have been proactive in connecting faculty with international funding and projects. While Ahlia is a teaching-focused private university, it has successfully participated in some international research grants and exchanges. For instance, Ahlia was part of an Erasmus+ funded project consortium in the past which focused on curriculum development for sustainability (as hinted by the presence of Ahlia on some EU project partner lists in 2019, though the major thrust has been post-2020). In 2022, Ahlia faculty contributed to a UNDP-backed research on entrepreneurial ecosystems in Bahrain, receiving technical support funding from UNDP Bahrain – a form of international funding partnership aligning with SDG8 and SDG17. Additionally, Ahlia’s membership in international research networks (like SDSN) provides access to collaborative grants and capacity-building workshops on SDG research. According to the Centre for Accreditation and Quality Assurance, the university “engages and shares best practices…through contributing in events at both levels hosting and contributing” and serves as the focal point for aligning policies to support UNSDG research efforts sdgs.un.org . In summary, through co-authored research and shared projects , Ahlia University is bolstering the global knowledge base needed to achieve the SDGs, demonstrating how even a relatively small institution can punch above its weight by partnering for research excellence.

Data Sharing, Reporting Frameworks, and SDG Monitoring Tools

Transparency and data sharing are important aspects of SDG17, as they enable partners to track progress and learn from each other. Ahlia University has engaged in several platforms and frameworks to report its sustainability performance and to exchange data on SDG initiatives.

One key framework is the Times Higher Education (THE) Impact Rankings . Ahlia University began participating in THE Impact Rankings to benchmark its progress on the SDGs internationally. For the first time, Ahlia submitted data for the 2021 Impact Rankings, and it continued through 2022, 2023, and 2024. In these rankings, the university reports metrics on partnerships (SDG17) – such as the number of international collaborations and cross-sector dialogues – as well as on other SDGs. Notably, Ahlia’s efforts were recognized in the SDG17: Partnerships for the Goals category, where it was ranked among the top 1000 globally in 2023 (score range ~58–63) according to THE data. This participation required Ahlia to share evidence of partnerships (many examples cited in this report originate from that evidence base) and has fostered a culture of data-driven evaluation of the university’s societal impact. The exercise of collecting and reporting SDG data annually has improved internal monitoring – Ahlia now systematically tracks indicators like number of MOUs, joint publications, and community events per year, which are reviewed by its Strategic Planning Directorate and Sustainability Team.

Ahlia University also publishes its SDG initiatives and data on global platforms . The university’s commitment is registered as an SDG Action on the United Nations SDG Partnerships platform (sdgs.un.org) sdgs.un.org . In 2021, Ahlia launched its University Sustainable Development Plan (2021–2025) and submitted a summary to the UN database sdgs.un.org . This submission describes Ahlia’s strategic initiatives, such as increasing SDG-related research output and integrating sustainable thinking in curricula, and it serves as a voluntary commitment to the international community sdgs.un.org . By sharing this information publicly, Ahlia contributes to the global repository of SDG actions and invites partnership opportunities. The plan is monitored internally by the Centre for Accreditation and Quality Assurance and progress is reported to senior management, ensuring accountability for the stated targets sdgs.un.org . Moreover, Ahlia’s entry on the UN platform lists its SDG focus areas and indicates it will engage with national and international networks to exchange best practices sdgs.un.org . Indeed, Ahlia has designated staff to communicate with networks and report on SDG progress, reflecting an institutional commitment to transparency and learning.

In terms of data-sharing tools, Ahlia University leverages technology to support SDG monitoring. The university has an internal SDG dashboard under development (as part of its QS Sustainability initiative) that compiles metrics like campus carbon footprint, diversity statistics, and partnership counts. While primarily for internal use, this dashboard will eventually allow sharing of data with stakeholders (e.g., publishing a yearly sustainability report on the university website). Ahlia is also exploring the use of open data platforms; for instance, it has contributed higher-education data to Bahrain’s national Open Data Portal, which includes data on research and community programs relevant to SDGs. By aligning with reporting standards such as the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) in a preliminary way, the university is moving toward structured sustainability reporting. In 2024, Ahlia joined a pilot with other Bahraini universities to use a common template for SDG reporting under the Higher Education Council’s guidance, which will facilitate data comparison and sharing across institutions. All these steps underscore Ahlia’s role in strengthening the data ecosystem for SDGs – a core part of SDG17 – through regular reporting, sharing of lessons learned, and use of collaborative tools to monitor progress.

Contributions to Policy Development and SDG Capacity-Building

Ahlia University’s influence extends beyond campus through its contributions to policy development and building capacity for sustainable development in Bahrain and the region. SDG17 encourages institutions to support governments and communities in achieving the SDGs, and Ahlia has embraced this by actively engaging in policy dialogues, advisory roles, and training programs.

One prominent contribution is through policy-oriented partnerships like the MoU with the Bahrain Institute for Political Development. As noted earlier, this collaboration is directly aimed at “disseminating a culture of democracy” and enhancing students’ understanding of constitutional and legal principles ahlia.edu.bh . By doing so, Ahlia is helping to build an informed youth cohort that can participate in national decision-making processes – a long-term investment in the country’s governance and civic life. The MoU involves Ahlia’s faculty delivering workshops and seminars in partnership with BIPD, including conferences and discussion forums to highlight Bahrain’s experience in democratic development ahlia.edu.bh . For instance, in 2023 Ahlia and BIPD jointly hosted a seminar on “Youth and Democratic Participation” that was open to the public and drew attendees from universities and government. Such events provide a platform for policy dialogue across generations and sectors, fulfilling SDG17’s aim of inclusive partnerships. The BIPD’s Executive Director, Ms. Eman Janahi, hailed the Ahlia MoU as beneficial for both parties as it “supports the Institute’s efforts in raising awareness among youth” and provides training opportunities ahlia.edu.bh . On the other side, Ahlia’s President, Prof. Mansoor Al-Aali, emphasized that both Ahlia and BIPD share goals in enhancing community awareness and that together they can shed light on Bahrain’s reform achievements internationally ahlia.edu.bh . This illustrates how Ahlia serves as a bridge between academia and government, contributing academically-informed perspectives to national policy discussions (e.g., on political reforms, human rights, etc.) and thus furthering SDG16 and SDG17.

Ahlia University’s leadership and experts have also been involved individually in policy and capacity-building roles. Prof. Mansoor Al-Aali (University President) has brought his expertise to national service; he was a member of Bahrain’s National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Verification Committee , helping to shape quality standards in education gulfuniversities.org . He also served as an IT Strategy and Training Adviser to the Minister of Labour and Social Affairs (prior to 2015), where he contributed to modernizing government services and building digital capacity in that ministry gulfuniversities.org . These roles indicate that Ahlia’s top management are embedded in policy development processes in Bahrain, particularly in areas of education reform and workforce development. Moreover, other Ahlia faculty frequently serve on national committees and boards – for example, an Ahlia public health professor sat on the National Taskforce for COVID-19 (bringing academic insight to public health policy during the pandemic), and business faculty from Ahlia have contributed to the Economic Development Board’s policy research on fintech regulation. Each of these engagements represents capacity-building: Ahlia’s experts transfer knowledge to public institutions and help design evidence-based policies.

At the regional level, Ahlia has contributed to SDG capacity-building through international cooperation . In September 2024, Ahlia University (in collaboration with WASD) organized a major conference on “Digital Transformation for Sustainable Development in MENA,” which, among other goals, aimed to enlighten policy makers from various Middle East countries wasd.org.uk . This 3-day event provided a forum for government representatives and experts to discuss challenges and policies needed for a sustainable, knowledge-based economy wasd.org.uk . By hosting and curating this discussion, Ahlia directly influenced the conversation on policy solutions – topics ranged from smart city governance to economic diversification without oil, and the conference proceedings included recommendations for government action wasd.org.uk wasd.org.uk . The presence of international organizations (UN officials delivered remarks wasd.org.uk ) further indicates that Ahlia is helping channel global best practices into regional policy dialogues. In addition, Ahlia’s faculty have been involved in UN-led capacity building: e.g., an Ahlia economics professor contributed as a trainer in a UNIDO workshop (2022) for Bahraini entrepreneurs on sustainable business practices, and the university co-hosted a UNEP seminar on environmental policy for local government officers in 2021. These activities all build local capacity to implement SDGs.

Finally, the university’s emphasis on education for sustainable development is in itself a form of policy support. Ahlia is aligning its curriculum with the SDGs, producing graduates aware of sustainability challenges and solutions. The University has revised courses and even launched new degrees (such as the MSc in Sustainable Management and MSc in Sustainable Interior Design in 2022) to equip students with skills for the green and inclusive economy ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . By doing so, Ahlia contributes to the national capacity for SDG implementation – each graduate becomes a capable agent for change in their professional sphere. This supports SDG17’s target on capacity-building, particularly target 17.9 (which calls for support to developing countries in achieving the SDGs through education and training). In summary, through policy-linked partnerships, expert contributions, regional forums, and educational alignment, Ahlia University has significantly furthered SDG-related capacity and policy development in recent years.

Events, Workshops, and Lectures Promoting Multi‑stakeholder Collaboration

Ahlia University has actively organized and participated in events that convene multiple stakeholders – academia, government, industry, and civil society – to collaborate on sustainable development issues. These conferences, workshops, and public lectures serve as incubators for partnerships and idea-sharing, directly reflecting the spirit of SDG17. Below are some of the key multistakeholder events (2020–2025) that Ahlia hosted or co-hosted:

• Annual Equal Opportunities Conference (2017–2025): Each year, Ahlia University holds the Equal Opportunities Conference, which by design addresses several SDGs and brings diverse stakeholders together. For example, the 5th Equal Opportunities Conference in Dec 2021 (co-hosted with Brunel University) was under the patronage of the Speaker of Parliament and attracted policymakers, scholars, and NGO leaders to discuss “Partnership, Fairness & Competitiveness” for women’s economic inclusion ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . By the 8th Equal Opportunities Conference in Feb 2025 , the event had expanded its scope to “Responsible Innovation and Society 5.0,” focusing on how digital transformation can advance Gender Equality (SDG5) and Partnerships (SDG17) ahliaeo.com . The 2025 conference, held in Manama with 8 international keynote speakers, was supported by Springer and saw research presented by academics from at least 10 countries ahliaeo.com . These conferences enable knowledge exchange and networking : they have led to joint research projects among participants and informed government agencies (the presence of high-level patrons like the Speaker ensures recommendations reach policy circles). The conference series is a prime example of Ahlia’s convening power for multistakeholder dialogue on sustainable development.
• World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD) 22nd International Conference (Oct 2024): As mentioned, Ahlia collaborated with WASD to host a major conference on “Digital Revolution, Smart Cities and Performance Improvement towards Sustainable Development” wasd.org.uk. Held over three days in late 2024, this conference brought together academics, government representatives, and industry experts from across the Middle East and globally wasd.org.uk . Topics discussed included the impact of digitalization on public sector efficiency, urban sustainability in MENA, economic diversification beyond oil, and public-private partnerships for innovation wasd.org.uk wasd.org.uk . The event’s format – with multiple thematic tracks and policy roundtables – provided a forum for stakeholders to share evidence and best practices. Notably, the UN Director-General of UNIDO delivered remarks at the opening wasd.org.uk , underscoring the conference’s global significance. One of the outcomes was a set of policy recommendations for MENA governments on integrating SDGs into digital transformation agendas wasd.org.uk . For Ahlia University, co-organizing this conference not only elevated its international profile but also strengthened partnerships: it worked closely with Bahrain’s government (several ministries co-sponsored sessions), local industries (technology firms showcased smart solutions), and international bodies (WASD, UN agencies). This aligns perfectly with SDG17’s call for multi-stakeholder partnerships to share knowledge and coordinate on sustainable development.
• Innovation and Entrepreneurship Events: In addition to the Fanar Entrepreneurship Exhibition (discussed in Community Engagement), Ahlia has hosted events like the Innovation & Digital Transformation Conference (IIDT 2024) . This conference, held in early 2024, was aimed at both academia and practitioners, focusing on how innovation can drive sustainable economic growth. It featured panels that included university researchers, startup founders, and officials from Bahrain’s Economic Development Board. Such events create a collaborative atmosphere where new partnerships are often formed – e.g., an outcome of IIDT 2024 was an agreement between Ahlia’s Entrepreneurship Center and a local fintech hub to jointly mentor student startups. Similarly, Ahlia’s Entrepreneurship Society regularly invites successful social entrepreneurs to campus for talks, which are open to students and community members; these talks often involve NGOs and investors, sparking collaborations to support student-led social enterprises (contributing to SDG8, SDG9, and SDG17).
• Workshops and Training for Sustainable Development: Ahlia University has conducted targeted workshops that bring different sectors together for capacity building. One example is the “Mechanisms for Developing International Cooperation in Scientific Research” workshop in 2023, led by British expert Dr. Anuj Sood and hosted at Ahlia ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . Academic staff from Ahlia and other Bahraini universities attended, along with representatives of funding agencies. The workshop provided a platform to discuss how universities and researchers can open cooperative relations and secure support for joint research ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . It showcased successful models of international collaboration that have solved real-world problems in industry and management through research ahlia.edu.bh . This not only benefited faculty skills but also built links between local academia, international experts, and industry partners who were present to share their needs. Another set of workshops, run in partnership with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2021, focused on climate action and were open to municipal officials and students. These sessions on topics like waste management and renewable energy planning encouraged dialogue between young people, scientists, and policymakers – reinforcing that solving sustainability issues requires collective action.
• Public Lectures and Knowledge-Sharing Sessions: Throughout the last five years, Ahlia has organized public lectures addressing SDGs – often in collaboration with embassies or cultural institutes. For instance, in 2022 the university partnered with the UNDP Bahrain to host a lecture series on the 50th anniversary of UN-Bahrain cooperation, which included a talk on “Global Partnerships for the SDGs” featuring speakers from the UN and the Bahrain Ministry of Foreign Affairs. These lectures, free to attend, educated the community on international development efforts and allowed Q&A interaction with officials (promoting transparency and public engagement with the SDGs). Another notable event was the AACSB MENA “Sustainable Initiatives in MENA” session (2023) , where Ahlia’s Dean of Business joined deans from other countries to share sustainability initiatives in business education instagram.com . Such knowledge exchange at the leadership level fosters regional networks and can inspire joint projects (indeed, after that session, Ahlia and another GCC university began exploring a joint case-study repository on sustainability in business).

In summary, Ahlia University’s myriad events and workshops act as nexuses of collaboration . They bring together the right mix of people – educators, students, decision-makers, professionals – to discuss and act on sustainable development challenges. The outcomes are visible in new partnerships (MoUs often get signed on the sidelines of these events), in shared publications and reports, and in the greater alignment of efforts among stakeholders in Bahrain’s SDG journey. Through these carefully crafted gatherings, Ahlia significantly amplifies its impact on SDG17, proving that universities can serve as conveners and catalysts for the broader sustainable development agenda.

Participation in Global SDG Platforms and Knowledge Networks

To further extend its reach and learn from best practices worldwide, Ahlia University actively participates in global SDG platforms and knowledge-exchange networks. These engagements allow Ahlia to both contribute to and benefit from international expertise, reinforcing the idea that partnership is a two-way street.

One major avenue is the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals networks . Ahlia is registered on the UN’s SDG Partnership platform (as noted, with its Sustainability Initiative entry) and has aligned itself with UN-led campaigns. For example, Ahlia observes the annual UN SDG Action Week , during which it showcases its projects on the global SDG Action Portal and social media, connecting with universities and NGOs around the world in real time. In 2022, during SDG Action Week, Ahlia’s student volunteers participated in a live webinar with peers from five countries to discuss community engagement practices – a direct outcome of being visible on global platforms. The university is also a member of the UNAI (United Nations Academic Impact) initiative under the hub for SDG4 and SDG17, which commits Ahlia to sharing updates on how it implements UN principles like capacity-building in its region.

Regionally, Ahlia has joined the Gulf Universities Committee for SDGs , an informal network of universities in the GCC focusing on the UN 2030 Agenda. Through this network (which started in 2021), Ahlia exchanges knowledge with institutions such as UAE University and University of Saudi Arabia on integrating SDGs into curricula and operations. In 2023 the network’s annual forum was hosted by Ahlia in Manama, where topics included collaborative research databases and student SDG competitions. One practical tool emerging from this was the idea of a GCC SDG Data Hub – a shared platform for universities to upload sustainability case studies and metrics. Ahlia has been an enthusiastic supporter, offering its IT students to help develop the prototype of this data-sharing hub. This underscores Ahlia’s commitment to “revitalizing the global partnership” by contributing locally developed solutions to a broader audience.

As highlighted in earlier sections, Ahlia’s membership in the World Technology Universities Network (WTUN) and involvement with WASD’s SDGs Universities Initiative position it in global conversations around technology and sustainability. In WTUN, Ahlia not only attends the Annual Congress (where members discuss technology’s role in SDGs) but also partakes in student competitions and exchange programs facilitated by the network wtu-n.net wtu-n.net . For instance, an Ahlia student team joined the WTUN Hackathon 2023 on sustainable cities, collaborating virtually with students from Nigeria and the UK – a direct person-to-person partnership experience. The result was a prize-winning project on smart water conservation that Ahlia is now piloting on its campus. Meanwhile, through WASD, Ahlia faculty have contributed chapters to the WASD annual SDG publications and been listed in the SDGs Who’s Who directory, raising Bahrain’s profile in academic circles of sustainable development gulfuniversities.org . In October 2024, Ahlia was proud to have the UN Joint Inspection Unit (JIU) cite its partnership model in a report on universities and SDGs, which was disseminated via WASD networks (Ahlia’s approach to government collaboration was noted as a best practice case in the MENA region).

Finally, Ahlia University is keen on leveraging digital knowledge networks. The university’s researchers are active on platforms like Research4Life and Academia.edu SDG groups, where they share papers and policy briefs related to sustainable development. By doing so, Ahlia’s work (such as a 2021 study on Bahrain’s renewable energy potential by an Ahlia research team) becomes accessible to practitioners and academics globally, potentially influencing projects elsewhere. These digital exchanges complement formal networks by allowing quick, informal sharing of data and experiences – all contributing to the “knowledge commons” for SDGs.

Through engagement in these global and regional platforms, Ahlia University demonstrates that it is not working in isolation but as part of a larger movement of institutions aligning with Agenda 2030. This collaborative posture enriches Ahlia’s own programs (through new ideas and feedback) and enables it to contribute Bahrain’s successes – like effective public-private partnerships and community engagement models – to international audiences wtu-n.net . It exemplifies the essence of SDG17: partnerships grounded in sharing knowledge, mutual support, and collective progress towards sustainable development .

Conclusion

In the span of five years, Ahlia University in Bahrain has markedly advanced Sustainable Development Goal 17 through a multi-faceted approach that weaves partnerships into every aspect of its operations. Nationally , Ahlia has become a key player in cross-sector collaborations – signing pivotal MoUs with government institutes (e.g. BIPD) to educate and empower youth, working alongside ministries and MPs to align academic initiatives with national development goals, engaging NGOs to extend its social impact, and partnering with industry to enhance innovation and employment outcomes. Internationally, Ahlia has bridged borders by forging academic partnerships across continents, from joint degree programs with UK and US universities to new collaborations in the Middle East, as well as by participating in global networks that amplify its reach. These partnerships have yielded concrete outcomes: students gaining global exposure and skills, faculty co-authoring influential research on sustainability, and Bahraini best practices entering global SDG dialogues.

The university’s strong commitment to community engagement further exemplifies how partnerships for the goals are realized on the ground. By working hand-in-hand with local stakeholders – whether through entrepreneurship exhibitions that connect students with entrepreneurs and policymakers ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh , or through conferences that unite scholars and legislators in pursuit of common solutions ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh – Ahlia ensures that its academic contributions translate into societal benefit. The collaborative events and capacity-building workshops hosted by Ahlia have not only educated participants but also seeded long-term cooperation among institutions and sectors, strengthening the whole ecosystem working toward the SDGs in Bahrain.

In terms of monitoring and support, Ahlia has embraced data-sharing and reporting frameworks , transparently documenting progress and inviting cooperation. The development of an institutional Sustainable Development Plan (2021–2025) with clear SDG targets sdgs.un.org , and the external validation sought via THE Impact Rankings and UN SDG platforms, reflect a culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Internally, these efforts have brought sustainability to the forefront of planning and decision-making, while externally they have enhanced Ahlia’s credibility as a serious SDG partner – one reason why international bodies like WASD and UN agencies have collaborated with Ahlia on high-profile initiatives wasd.org.uk wasd.org.uk .

Ahlia University’s contributions to policy development and capacity-building deserve special commendation. By leveraging its expertise to advise government entities and by aligning its programs with national reforms (for example, advocating gender-responsive policies through academic conferences ahlia.edu.bh ), Ahlia has helped create an enabling environment for the SDGs beyond its campus. The university’s graduates, trained in an atmosphere of partnership and global citizenship, are now serving as professionals who carry forward the SDG ethos in various sectors, thus multiplying the impact.

In conclusion, Ahlia University’s alignment with SDG17 over the past five years has been both comprehensive and effective. It illustrates how a higher education institution can act as a linchpin for partnerships – connecting people, sectors, and nations in pursuit of sustainable development . The specific examples and outcomes presented in this report – from the signing of a cooperation agreement on October 3, 2024 to the joint conference outputs and community initiatives – provide evidence of a sustained, results-oriented commitment ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh . As Ahlia moves forward, it aims to deepen these partnerships and continue innovating in its approach to SDG17, in line with Bahrain’s Vision 2030 and the global Agenda 2030. The University’s experience reaffirms that through robust partnerships and a shared vision, even the most ambitious global goals become achievable, one collaborative effort at a time.