NGO AND BUSINESS
COLLABORATION FOR THE SDGs

Student volunteering programmes · research programmes · development of educational resources

Assessment question

Does the University as a body collaborate with NGOs and/or businesses to tackle the SDGs through student volunteering programmes, research programmes, and the development of educational resources?

Evidence interpretation

• “As a body” is evidenced by university policy, formal MoUs, university-organised events, institutional research platforms and central units such as Student Services & Activities and Professional Relations.

• “NGOs and/or businesses” includes charities and civil-society organisations, professional societies, technology and industrial companies, a newspaper business, and commercial academic publishers.

• “Tackle the SDGs” is demonstrated by explicit sustainable-development framing and by activities addressing health, education, decent work, innovation, inclusion, responsible consumption and partnership.

Evidence: [E01] · [E02] · [E04] · [E08] · [E09]

Community engagement is embedded in institutional purpose

Ahlia University describes community engagement as a core value and a driver of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. Its published Community Engagement framework connects the University’s mission to measurable value for society, partnerships with local communities and public bodies, global citizenship, and action on public-interest issues. [E01]

Governance active during the 2024 evidence year

The published direction for community engagement covers 2021–2025. A Community Engagement Committee coordinates planning and implementation across the University. Its membership includes leaders from Student Services & Activities, Professional Relations, the Ahlia Centre for Entrepreneurship, Human Resources and academic faculties. This structure links all three assessed routes within one institutional mechanism. [E01]

Evidence: [E01]

Evidence: [E02] · [E03] · [E04] · [E05] · [E06] · [E07] · [E08] · [E09] · [E10]

Professor Al-Hawaj Confirms the Collaboration with Tech and Industrial Companies

Ahlia University Harnesses Huawei Technologies to Enhance Its Digital Infrastructure

Professor Abdulla Al-Hawaj, the Founding President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, along with Professor Mansoor Alaali, President of Ahlia University, welcomed several officials from Huawei Bahrain, led by Mr. Eric Lee, the Managing Director of Huawei Bahrain.

During the meeting, Mr. Lee presented a smart screen which is a highly advanced technological tool that supports digital development, serving as a productive asset for smart offices with smart writing packages that provide High Definition (HD) video conferencing and wireless sharing, also it fits into any environment, effortlessly transforming meeting rooms, executive offices, and open areas into smart spaces.

This initiative aligns with Ahlia University’s dedication to integrating information technology into its academic and research domains, while providing state-of-the-art electronic solutions and systems to enhance the effectiveness, quality, and academic achievements of its students, professors, faculty members, and researchers alike.

The meeting facilitated fruitful discussions between leaderships from Ahlia University and Huawei Bahrain, exploring opportunities for collaboration and partnership. These endeavours are expected to have a positive impact on the educational process, offering more training and employment prospects for graduates from Ahlia University, particularly those from the College of Engineering and Information Technology.

Professor Abdullah Al-Hawaj praised Huawei Bahrain for its initiatives and steps, highlighting the company’s strong sense of academic and social responsibility. He emphasised the University’s keenness to establish a mutually beneficial relationship with Huawei Bahrain, as well as other leading companies and institutions in the information technology field, to remain at the forefront of scientific and technological advancements, empowering its students accordingly.

Mr. Eric Li, the Managing Director of Huawei Bahrain, praised the University’s efforts in providing students the necessary training in the field of information and communication technology, stressing Huawei’s commitment to providing all its advanced capabilities and expertise to support the education sector in Bahrain, and contribute to achieving Bahrain’s Vision 2030.

Expressing his gratitude, Professor Mansoor Alaali, thanked Huawei Bahrain for its commitment to supporting education. He emphasised the significant impact of this collaboration on enhancing the University’s interactive e-learning strategies, including the students’ participation in competitions regularly organised by the company and providing students with cutting-edge technical skills through specialised training programmes.

Ahlia Students Showcase Extraordinary Digital Wallets in Intense Competition

Through a remarkable display of creativity, Ahlia IT and Engineering students won the challenging competition during a workshop organised by the College of Information Technology at Ahlia University in conjunction with IEEE Bahrain Computer Society Chapter. Students were asked to reimagine the “Wallet” with new creative concepts. The first-place was secured for the team comprised of Mohammed Al-Qaq, Salman Bader, Hussein Ali, and Souad Al-Jar, while the second-place honours went to Razan Abdulaziz and Sabeeka Amjad.

Dr. Wasan Shaker Awad, the Dean of the College of Information Technology, emphasised the significance of providing students with essential knowledge and skills while nurturing their creativity and encouraging them to think outside the box. Dr. Awad urged students to capitalize on this opportunity, benefiting from the educational and training aspects to shape their professional future and contribute to society’s advancement.

During the workshop, Dr. Resala Al-Adraj, IEEE Computer Society Chapter Chair, explained the transformative impact of digital technology on businesses and society. Students explored strategies for attracting customers, developing innovative projects and services, optimizing revenue generation and costs, fostering collaborations and partnerships, and identifying new opportunities, risks, and competitive advantages.

Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo Company and Ahlia University Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Enhance Cooperation

Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo Company and Ahlia University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation between the two entities. The signing ceremony took place during the visit of a delegation from Ahlia University to Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo’s headquarters. The delegation was led by Prof. Abdullah Al-Hawaj, the Founding President and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Mansoor Alaali, the President of Ahlia University, and Mr. Hussain Habib, the Director of Professional Relations.

The Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo team, including Mr. Mike Brightmore, the CEO of the company, and directors from various departments, welcomed the University delegation.

“This partnership with Ahlia University represents an important step in our ongoing commitment towards developing and enriching our team and their families,” said Mr. Mike Brightmore. He added:. “Through this agreement, we not only invest in their educational future, but also strengthen the bridge between the academic sector and the business community, ensuring a strong foundation for growth and mutual success.”

Professor Abdullah Al-Hawaj, the Founding President of Ahlia University, emphasised the importance of such joint cooperation between the educational sector and the labor market, stating that it will enable students to acquire the necessary skills for the workplace.

Inspiring Change: Ahlia University a Beacon of Special Needs Integration in HEIs Alaali Advocates for Sharing Successful Practices in Universities

Professor Mansoor Alaali, President of Ahlia University, emphasized the need for greater focus on research and academic attention to issues faced by individuals with determination. He highlighted the importance of evaluating the integration in universities and sharing successful practices to improve the educational landscape.

During a forum on the integration of students with determination into higher education institutions, held under the patronage of Mr. Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam, Chairman of the House of Representatives, several recommendations were made. Key suggestions included increasing governmental and community support for institutions that assist individuals with determination, establishing supportive legislative frameworks, and creating specialized training programs tailored for these individuals, particularly in suitable fields such as administration, organization, reception, support roles, and public relations.

The forum also called for improving transportation and traffic systems in line with international standards for individuals with determination. It aimed to empower these individuals with tools like artificial intelligence, increase community initiatives, and develop clear strategies for training educators to effectively support students with disabilities, ensuring ongoing communication between academic institutions and organizations.

A presentation by Ms. Lulwa Ali Al-Rumaihi, Member of Parliament, highlighted the legislative and oversight efforts of the Parliament to protect the rights of individuals with determination. She underscored the Parliament’s role in enhancing these rights across various sectors, including health services, youth and sports, training, and employment.

Discussions revealed significant challenges faced by students with determination in universities, such as accessibility to buildings and facilities, social integration difficulties, limited access to assistive technologies, and financial constraints. Addressing these issues requires effective strategies for integration and comprehensive academic and financial support.

Ms. Shatha Al-Qasimi, HR Supervisor at the National Bank of Bahrain and a graduate of Ahlia University, shared the bank’s successful experience in integrating individuals with determination into its workforce in partnership with the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society. This initiative began with a specially prepared training room and followed a two-phase approach: obtaining necessary approvals and then moving to practical employment and on-the-job training. This effort led to notable success, with the number of employees with Down Syndrome at the bank increasing from three in 2018 to five in 2019.

Dr. Fatima Al-Dhaen, Assistant Professor at Ahlia University, discussed the role of artificial intelligence in helping students with determination pursue higher education. She emphasized how tools like “ChatGPT” can assist these individuals in reading by converting text to audio, simplifying complex language, and aiding in writing and grammar. Such technologies can also make difficult subjects more understandable by breaking them down into simpler terms or providing summaries.

Call For Papers: ICGER 2024 Artificial Intelligence For Business Innovation And Economic Diversification

While Industry 4.0 witnessed the beginnings of Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT) and big data, the new digital revolution will take a societal approach to digitalization. Therefore, it is essential to prepare for the upcoming revolution starting today. With the ongoing advancement in technology, from AI to the metaverse, the phenomenon of the digital divide has become more prominent, particularly post-pandemic. Thus, hindering and limiting equal opportunities among countries and societies for economic diversification, business innovation and sustainable development. The digital divide refers to the disparities and inequalities among societies in Information and Communications Technology access, usage, and impacts.

Sustainable technologies such as AI and big data o!ers us new ideas and methods to understand society and undertake the epic mission of economic diversification, business innovation and sustainable development with a new impetus. Nevertheless, digital inequalities restrict compliance and effective implementation of the SDGs in several countries around the world. Thus, it is particularly necessary to improve access to technologies, data, and the exchange of information between di!erent organizations and countries. This is only possible by democratizing digital resources, information, data and in particular scientific knowledge.

The International Conference on Global Economic Revolutions: The Era of the Digital Economy (ICGER) is an international forum for the exchange of ideas and information on the economic changes and developments in the era of the digitalization. ICGER aims to provide a premier platform for discussing a variety of views on a wide range of novel and important topics in the digital era. ICGER brings together contributors from a variety of perspectives, disciplines, and communities seeking the advancement of knowledge regarding the digital economy.

The purpose of the ICGER 2024 conference is to bring together leading researchers, academics, scientists, research scholars and industry professionals to exchange their ideas, present their research, and offer solutions to important issues such as economic diversification, digital inequalities, business innovation for sustainability and the circular economy. This conference further aims to provide an interdisciplinary platform to discuss the most recent innovations, trends, and approaches which will support economic diversification strategies and address concerns faced by businesses in the era of the digital economy.

This year’s hybrid conference will be organized by Ahlia University, the Kingdom of Bahrain. ICGER 2024 “Artificial Intelligence for Business Innovation and Economic Diversification” will be held on 1-3 October 2024

How the route tackles the SDGs

The programme examples on this page pre-date the 2024 core year and are retained as documented implementation history. The institutional framework itself covered 2024.

Bahrain Red Crescent Society life-saving workshop — 10 October 2025

Ahlia University and the Bahrain Red Crescent Society jointly hosted the student workshop “With Your Hands, Lives Saved”. Health experts, Red Crescent trainers and students took part in an interactive session with practical cardiopulmonary-resuscitation demonstrations. The University described the activity as part of a broader effort to develop a safe, resilient and proactive learning environment and to strengthen students’ life skills and community readiness. [E13]

Evidence boundary: this 2025 activity is used only as continuity after the 2024 core evidence year. It is not counted as a 2024 event.

Evidence: [E11] · [E12] · [E13]

Ahlia University and Bahrain Red Crescent Hold Life-Saving Workshop

As part of its commitment to raising awareness and equipping students with essential emergency response skill, Ahlia University partnered with the Bahrain Red Crescent Society to host a life-saving workshop titled “With your hands, Lives saved,” coinciding with World Cardiopulmonary Resus-citation (CPR) Day. The interactive session brought together health experts, Red Crescent trainers, and students, reinforcing Ahlia’s commitment to fostering a socially responsible and safety-conscious academic community.

Dr. Faisal Al Showaikh, Dean of Student Affairs, said the collaboration reflected Ahlia’s mission to build a more aware and compassionate generation. “We are not simply conducting a training session, we are drawing a roadmap for a more humane and responsible society,” he said.

For his part, Prof. Mohamed Elissawi, Dean of the College of Medical and Health Sciences, stated that workshop is a “living proof of Ahlia’s commitment to preparing a generation capable of making a difference when a human life is at stake.”

Fatima Abdullah, Head of the First Aid Committee at Bahrain Red Crescent Society, highlighted the value of youth participation. “We strive to ignite the flame of knowledge in the hearts of young people. This partnership sets an exemplary model for purposeful institutional collaboration.” She said.

The workshop featured practical CPR demonstrations led by Fatheya Al-Tublani, Head of the Disaster Management Team at the Bahrain Red Crescent, and volunteers Afaf Abdulla and Salman Isa. Participants engaged in intensive, hands-on training, transitioning from theoretical instruction to real-world application.

“It’s not your academic degree that defines your ability to save a life, but your human courage and social responsibility. Every second counts, each moment could make you a hero in someone’s life.” Trainers stated.

This initiative forms part of Ahlia University’s broader effort to build a safe, resilient, and proactive learning environment while strengthening partnerships with national institutions to enhance students’ life skills and community readiness.

Selected papers were invited to publication pathways with Springer, Emerald, Routledge/Taylor & Francis, Inderscience and Elsevier. These publishing businesses extended the programme from conference exchange to international research dissemination.

The 2024 volume provides a dated core-year output. Volume 4, Issue 1 includes research on economic growth, corporate philanthropy, higher-education governance, forensic-accounting practitioners and entrepreneurship.

Evidence: [E08] · [E09] · [E10]

Journal of Business and Socio-economic Development

The forum included a National Bank of Bahrain presentation on its collaboration with the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society, including a prepared training room and on-the-job training. Ahlia faculty also presented AI tools for learners with disabilities. This shows the University functioning as a research-and-practice convenor across business, civil society and higher education.

Evidence: [E05] · [E06] · [E07] · [E08] · [E09] · [E10]

Inspiring Change: Ahlia University a Beacon of Special Needs Integration in HEIs Alaali Advocates for Sharing Successful Practices in Universities

Professor Mansoor Alaali, President of Ahlia University, emphasized the need for greater focus on research and academic attention to issues faced by individuals with determination. He highlighted the importance of evaluating the integration in universities and sharing successful practices to improve the educational landscape.

During a forum on the integration of students with determination into higher education institutions, held under the patronage of Mr. Ahmed bin Salman Al-Musallam, Chairman of the House of Representatives, several recommendations were made. Key suggestions included increasing governmental and community support for institutions that assist individuals with determination, establishing supportive legislative frameworks, and creating specialized training programs tailored for these individuals, particularly in suitable fields such as administration, organization, reception, support roles, and public relations.

The forum also called for improving transportation and traffic systems in line with international standards for individuals with determination. It aimed to empower these individuals with tools like artificial intelligence, increase community initiatives, and develop clear strategies for training educators to effectively support students with disabilities, ensuring ongoing communication between academic institutions and organizations.

A presentation by Ms. Lulwa Ali Al-Rumaihi, Member of Parliament, highlighted the legislative and oversight efforts of the Parliament to protect the rights of individuals with determination. She underscored the Parliament’s role in enhancing these rights across various sectors, including health services, youth and sports, training, and employment.

Discussions revealed significant challenges faced by students with determination in universities, such as accessibility to buildings and facilities, social integration difficulties, limited access to assistive technologies, and financial constraints. Addressing these issues requires effective strategies for integration and comprehensive academic and financial support.

Ms. Shatha Al-Qasimi, HR Supervisor at the National Bank of Bahrain and a graduate of Ahlia University, shared the bank’s successful experience in integrating individuals with determination into its workforce in partnership with the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society. This initiative began with a specially prepared training room and followed a two-phase approach: obtaining necessary approvals and then moving to practical employment and on-the-job training. This effort led to notable success, with the number of employees with Down Syndrome at the bank increasing from three in 2018 to five in 2019.

Dr. Fatima Al-Dhaen, Assistant Professor at Ahlia University, discussed the role of artificial intelligence in helping students with determination pursue higher education. She emphasized how tools like “ChatGPT” can assist these individuals in reading by converting text to audio, simplifying complex language, and aiding in writing and grammar. Such technologies can also make difficult subjects more understandable by breaking them down into simpler terms or providing summaries.

Ahlia Students Showcase Extraordinary Digital Wallets in Intense Competition

Through a remarkable display of creativity, Ahlia IT and Engineering students won the challenging competition during a workshop organised by the College of Information Technology at Ahlia University in conjunction with IEEE Bahrain Computer Society Chapter. Students were asked to reimagine the “Wallet” with new creative concepts. The first-place was secured for the team comprised of Mohammed Al-Qaq, Salman Bader, Hussein Ali, and Souad Al-Jar, while the second-place honours went to Razan Abdulaziz and Sabeeka Amjad.

Dr. Wasan Shaker Awad, the Dean of the College of Information Technology, emphasised the significance of providing students with essential knowledge and skills while nurturing their creativity and encouraging them to think outside the box. Dr. Awad urged students to capitalize on this opportunity, benefiting from the educational and training aspects to shape their professional future and contribute to society’s advancement.

During the workshop, Dr. Resala Al-Adraj, IEEE Computer Society Chapter Chair, explained the transformative impact of digital technology on businesses and society. Students explored strategies for attracting customers, developing innovative projects and services, optimizing revenue generation and costs, fostering collaborations and partnerships, and identifying new opportunities, risks, and competitive advantages.

A connected institutional model

Student activity supplies participation and community reach. Research programmes produce and test knowledge. Educational-resource collaborations convert knowledge and external expertise into tools, workshops, publications and transferable skills. Together, the three routes form a repeatable partnership model rather than isolated sponsorship.

Evidence: [E01] · [E02] · [E03] · [E04] · [E05] · [E08] · [E09] · [E11] · [E12] · [E13]

Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo Company and Ahlia University signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance cooperation between the two entities. The signing ceremony took place during the visit of a delegation from Ahlia University to Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo’s headquarters. The delegation was led by Prof. Abdullah Al-Hawaj, the Founding President and the Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Prof. Mansoor Alaali, the President of Ahlia University, and Mr. Hussain Habib, the Director of Professional Relations.

The Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo team, including Mr. Mike Brightmore, the CEO of the company, and directors from various departments, welcomed the University delegation.

“This partnership with Ahlia University represents an important step in our ongoing commitment towards developing and enriching our team and their families,” said Mr. Mike Brightmore. He added:. “Through this agreement, we not only invest in their educational future, but also strengthen the bridge between the academic sector and the business community, ensuring a strong foundation for growth and mutual success.”

Professor Abdullah Al-Hawaj, the Founding President of Ahlia University, emphasised the importance of such joint cooperation between the educational sector and the labor market, stating that it will enable students to acquire the necessary skills for the workplace.

Ahlia University Signs an MoU with the Bahraini Association for Parents of the Disabled

The President of Ahlia University, Professor Mansour Al-Aali, noted that disabled people receive special care and attention the academic and administrative bodies of the university. They also receive partial scholarships of 50% of the tuition fees, which is what made Ahlia university the most attractive among universities to this segment of society.

prof. Al-Aali praised the campaign launched by the Bahraini Association for Parents of the Disabled, which included collecting and recycling of plastics to benefit from its revenue in providing special chairs for the disabled.

For his part, the President of the Bahraini Association for Parents and Friends of the Disabled affirmed his pride in the prestigious status of Ahlia University and the role played by the university in supporting and assisting the disabled and their families, noting the successes achieved by the university in graduating dozens of students with disabilities in the past years, expressing the association’s desire for more cooperation with the university.

Ahlia University signed a memorandum of understanding with the Bahraini Association for Parents and Friends of the Disabled, with the aim of achieving fruitful cooperation between them on the basis of mutual benefit and common interests, in accordance with the laws and regulations in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

Ahlia University was represented by the President of the University, Professor Mansour Al-Aali, and the Bahraini Society for Parents and Friends of the Disabled was represented by the Chairman of the Board of Directors, Mr. Jassim Muhammad Siyadi.

This agreement comes within the framework of both parties’ desire to activate the role of cooperation between them, and bilateral cooperation in the field of supporting students with disabilities, that is through exchanging invitations to participate and attend events held by the two parties, and the university provided support for the activities of the Bahraini Association for Parents of the Disabled and their friends by collecting plastic materials in all University facilities and presenting them to the association for recycling in order to contribute to the purchase of the largest possible number of wheelchairs for specific cases of people with disabilities, in addition to organizing joint activities aimed at enhancing the opportunities of enabling students with disabilities from completing their university education.

Evidence-year discipline

Basis for confirmation

Institutional character of the evidence

The collaborations are authorised and delivered through formal university structures: institutional plans, a standing committee, signed MoUs, academic colleges, the Deanship of Student Affairs, Student Services & Activities, Professional Relations, research conferences and University-owned publication platforms. The evidence therefore represents Ahlia University as a body, not only individual participation.

Evidence register follows. All hyperlinks lead to original institutional or publisher sources; prior SDG indicator/report pages are excluded.