Education for Sustainable Development Goals at Ahlia University (Bahrain) – Community Outreach (2020–2025)

Commitment to SDG Education Beyond Campus

Ahlia University (AU) embeds social responsibility and sustainability in its core mission, viewing community education as integral to the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) ahlia.edu.bh. In 2021, AU launched a Sustainable Development Plan (2021–2025) aligning with national and global SDG strategies sdgs.un.org. This plan emphasizes outreach and lifelong learning, ensuring that SDG-related knowledge and values “spill over” from the campus into society ahlia.edu.bh. AU actively partners with local communities and public bodies on shared national priorities, positioning itself as “an advocate and prominent voice on key issues of public concern” in Bahrain ahlia.edu.bh. Over the past five years, Ahlia has translated these commitments into numerous public events, partnerships, and campaigns that educate and empower the wider community on sustainability, equality, innovation, and more.

Our Commitment to Community Engagement

At Ahlia University, we are deeply devoted and committed to community engagement. Community engagement is encapsulated in our core values. It is also a core component and driver of the United National Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) which Ahlia University is fully committed to pursuing.

Since its foundation in 2001, Ahlia University has been genuinely committed to giving back to the society from which it originated and promoting values that we, as an organisation, deeply believe in:

·         Creating an environment that supports equal opportunities for all members of society.

·         Enabling the spill-over of the values we create at our university into society, resulting in tangible and measurable outcomes.

·         Fostering awareness and a mindset of “sharing is giving” among all our members.

·         Partnering with local communities and public bodies to pursue national priorities and goals of shared importance to Bahrain and its people.

·         Serving as an advocate and prominent voice on key issues of public concern.

·         Committed to promoting global citizenship and recognising our role in addressing issues aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

 

Public SDG-Focused Events and Workshops Open to All

Ahlia University hosts free workshops, seminars, and forums that invite the general public to learn about SDG-related topics. These events, often organized on campus or virtually, provide practical skills and raise awareness:

• Health & Well-Being Training:

In November 2023, AU’s College of Business & Finance and Safety Section held a “Basic First Aid Training” workshop (open to public registrants) to teach life-saving skills like CPR and emergency response ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh. Likewise, community health talks are regularly offered – for example, Breast Cancer Awareness sessions (Oct 2025) invited women from the community for expert lectures and screenings (in line with SDG3: Good Health and Well-Being).

Basic First Aid Training

ahlia.edu.bh

The College of Business and Finance in cooperation with The Security and Safety Section Cordially Invite you to attend a workshop titled ’Basic First Aid Training’. This event is scheduled for Monday, 27th November, from 12:00 PM to 1:30 PM and will take place in the Theatre Hall at the Ahlia University.

Why to Attend?

·         Life-saving skills: Acquire essential techniques like CPR, enabling you to respond effectively in critical situations.

·         Immediate response capability: Learn to assess and act swiftly in emergencies, bridging the gap until professional help arrives.

·         Enhanced safety awareness: Understand and minimize risks, promoting a safer environment for yourself and others.

·         Empowerment and confidence: Gain the knowledge to handle emergencies with confidence, fostering a proactive approach to safety.

Instructor:

Mr. Mohamed Ali, American Safety & Health Institute.

Note: Seats are limited, for registration Kindly contact Ms. Bibi Almahdi via 17298986 or [email protected].

 

Awareness about cyber security

ahlia.edu.bh

The Professional Development Unit invite you to attend professional development workshop on ’Awareness about cyber security’. To be able to introduce cyber security concept, threats and countermeasures to protect different types of assets on personal level. on Wednesday, November 1, 2023, at 12:00 PM in Class 9.

 

Workshop Outline:

’         Definition of cyber security

’         Fundamentals of cyber security

’         Cybercrime statistics

’         Cyber security threats and attacks

’         Cyber security Countermeasures

’         Golden tips to protect your assets

Speaker:

Dr. Ammar Al Dallal

Chairperson of Telecommunications Engineering Department, College of Engineering.

 

• Safety and Technology Awareness:

The Professional Development Unit ran a public seminar on cybersecurity awareness in 2023, introducing basic cyber threat concepts and “golden tips to protect your assets” for personal digital safety ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh. This free session, led by AU faculty, helped community members build digital literacy (supporting SDG4 and SDG9 by fostering safe technology use). AU also partnered with industry experts for sessions like “Awareness about Cyber Security” and invited an IKEA HR manager to speak on “The Role of HRM in Building Workplace Culture” (July 2023) – open evening talks connecting professional practice with sustainable work environments ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh.

Anti-Bullying Hackathon

ahlia.edu.bh

Join us for a good cause and prepare an artwork:

(Animation Video, Film, Computer Game, or any other multimedia system ’) to support ANTI BULLYING Awareness.

OPEN to all IT College Students & Alumni

Individual/Group (1-4)

Evaluation Criteria:

’         Relevance to Topic

’         Originality

’         Design

’         Creativity

’         Organization of Content

’         Language Mechanics

Submit entries to: [email protected]

Deadline of registration: 30th October 2022

Deadline of artwork submission: 20th November 2022

• Social Issues and Inclusion:

Students and faculty have organized creative events to address social SDG topics. In late 2022, AU’s IT College hosted an Anti-Bullying Hackathon, inviting all IT students and alumni to develop multimedia projects (videos, games, etc.) that promote anti-bullying awareness ahlia.edu.bh. Such initiatives engage young people in tackling inequalities and fostering peace (SDG4 and SDG16). The College of Arts & Science similarly opened a workshop on news writing skills (Nov 2022) to help participants (students and the public) improve journalistic storytelling – empowering them to voice community issues effectively ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh.

• Environmental and Sustainability Education:

Ahlia’s student-led Sustainability Club plays a pivotal role in outreach. This club regularly organizes campaigns, workshops, and events to educate the university community “and beyond” on pressing environmental issues ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh. Through advocacy booths, recycling drives, and “green” seminars, students raise public awareness on topics like waste reduction, energy conservation, and climate action. For example, a recent campus-wide recycling campaign led by students collected an “astounding two tons of plastic” for reuse – an effort that had “a lasting impact on our community” and directly benefited a local disability charity ahlia.edu.bh. By opening these sustainability initiatives to volunteers and visitors, Ahlia cultivates broader community participation in environmental stewardship (advancing SDG12 and SDG13).

• Research and Innovation Forums:

Ahlia also invites the public and professionals to its academic forums when topics intersect community development. The Annual Research Forum 2022, themed “Sustainable Innovation”, showcased research projects addressing real-world problems ahlia.edu.bh. Similarly, the ongoing Equal Opportunities Conference (co-hosted with Brunel University and others) tackles gender equality and empowerment in business/technology. In 2023 and 2024 this international conference drew 170+ researchers from 27 countries – including policymakers like Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Women – to discuss women’s empowerment and equal opportunity solutions ahlia.edu.bh. By hosting these high-profile conferences in Bahrain, Ahlia creates a public platform for SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 9 (Innovation) dialogues accessible to academics, students, and interested citizens.

Nine Annual Research Forum

ahlia.edu.bh

Ahlia University has the pleasure to invite you to the ’Nine Annual Research Forum’ on 4th of December ’ 6th of December 2022 from 10:30 AM to 4:00 PM in the Theatre Hall.

Under the patronage of Prof. Abdulla Y. AlHawaj, founding president Chairman of the board of trustees and Prof. Mansoor Alaali, president, the Deanship of Graduate Studies and Research cordially invites you to attend its Ninth Annual research forum to be held on the 4th of December ’ 6th of December 2022.

The Ninth Annual Research Forum for this year will be held under the theme ’Multidisciplinary Research Forum for Sustainable Innovation’. Research activities will be a showcase of recent research, books, posters, and creative projects.

Ahlia University Research Forum

The Research Forum features oral presentations, poster displays and book exhibition representing faculty, scholars and graduate students from diverse disciplines. The Research Forum is an opportunity to showcase the recent research, books and creative projects and to receive valuable feedback from professional attendees.

 

Partnerships with Schools, NGOs, and Community Groups

Collaborating with schools, NGOs, and community organizations is central to Ahlia’s SDG outreach strategy. The university proactively works with civil society and government agencies to extend educational opportunities beyond its student body:

• Engagement with Civil Society:

In 2022, Ahlia’s Deanship of Student Affairs convened the 11th Consultative Meeting with Civil Society Institutions – a gathering of NGO leaders, charity representatives, and Ahlia’s leadership aimed at strengthening educational partnerships ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh. At this forum (held at a public venue in Manama), Ahlia’s Founding President stressed “the strategic importance of providing education for everyone, in line with the United Nations SDGs and Bahrain Vision 2030,” and honored NGOs for partnering in community service ahlia.edu.bh. Many NGO heads in attendance called for expanding these partnerships to “enhance educational and training opportunities for community members, especially the youth” ahlia.edu.bh. This ongoing dialogue has led to joint programs where Ahlia supports NGO-led training in literacy, health, and skills development, recognizing civil society groups as “key partners in success” for community education ahlia.edu.bh.

• Supporting Local Entrepreneurs and Heritage:

Ahlia’s Community Engagement Unit works with government agencies to educate and empower underrepresented groups. For example, in March 2023 the unit collaborated with Bahrain’s Ministry of Social Development to host the Bahraini Productive Families Exhibition ahlia.edu.bh. This day-long public exhibition on campus featured 15 local family businesses showcasing traditional crafts, food products, clothing and more. The event’s goal was to “promote and encourage an entrepreneurial culture in our community,” motivating individuals to invest in home businesses and contribute to economic and social development ahlia.edu.bh. By providing a free marketplace and training platform for these families, Ahlia helped “support productive families” and “preserve the nation’s heritage and handicrafts”, strengthening cultural identity alongside decent work opportunities ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh (SDG8 Decent Work & SDG11 Sustainable Communities). Such community exhibitions are open to the public, allowing citizens to learn about local sustainable enterprises and directly support them.

The 11th Consultative Meeting with Civil Society Institutions

ahlia.edu.bh

Success Stories Have Been Achieved Through Cooperation with Civil Society Institutions

The Deanship of Students Affairs organized the 11th consultative meeting, conducted at Awal Ballroom at Gulf Hotel, and attended by several representatives and the leaderships, academic faculties and members of Ahlia University, as well as chairpersons of civil, charity, professional, social societies.

Prof. Abdulla Al-Hawaj, the Founding President of Ahlia University, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, stressed on the strategic importance of providing education for everyone, in line with the United Nations sustainable development goals and Bahrain vision 2030, noting the role of civil society institutions in supporting the universities and educational institutions to achieve their goals.

The meeting included honoring the civil society institutions due to its role in community service and its positive cooperation with Ahlia University. Prof. Al-Hawaj said that the civil society institutions are the key partners in success, stressing that Ahlia University provided support to these institutions, especially in education and research fields.

Many Chairpersons of civil societies called for more partnerships and collaborations with Ahlia University in order to enhance the educational and training opportunities for community members especially the youths.

 

• Outreach to Schools and Youth:

Ahlia University actively participates in national education fairs and youth programs to spread SDG knowledge. AU representatives regularly attend the annual Universities Exhibition (e.g. at Bahrain’s Alumni Club) to engage high school students and parents ahlia.edu.bh. They showcase Ahlia’s academic programs (many aligned with job-market needs and SDGs) and emphasize scholarship opportunities for disadvantaged students – reinforcing the message of quality, inclusive education for all. Within the university, students are encouraged to take part in volunteer teaching and mentorship. For instance, Ahlia’s Model United Nations club involves students in mentoring peers from local schools on global issues, and the Sustainability Club extends its eco-initiatives to local youth groups through tree-planting drives and beach clean-ups (fostering SDG17 partnerships). By opening its campus facilities free of charge for community events – “book Ahlia’s premises for your community-based event – free!” – the university invites NGOs, schools, and social groups to host workshops and competitions on site ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh. This policy has enabled charity fundraisers, robotics competitions, and environmental seminars for schoolchildren at Ahlia, integrating the campus with the wider community.

Bahraini Productive Families Exhibition

ahlia.edu.bh

Ahlia University’s Community Engagement Unit in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Development Marking Community Partnership and National Belonging Day Cordially invite you to attend the Bahraini Productive Families Exhibition on Monday, 20th March 2023 at 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM at Ahlia University ’ First Floor.

The exhibition will feature around 15 local families who will be showcasing their unique products, including abayas, traditional dresses, spices, crafts, homemade pickles, Ramadan products, wooden items, and much more. The exhibition serves as a platform for these families to display their hard work and achievements to the public.

The purpose of the exhibition is to promote and encourage an entrepreneurial culture in our community, motivating individuals to invest in their homes, and contribute to the economic and social development of their communities. The event will also provide an opportunity for you to support productive families and help consolidate and preserve the nation’s heritage and handicrafts to strengthen its cultural identity.

We hope that you will join us in this initiative and support our local families. Your attendance and support can make a significant difference in the lives of these families and their businesses.

Objective:

’         Encouraging an entrepreneurial culture.

’         Motivating the community to establish home investments.

’         Supporting productive families to contribute to economic and social development in their communities.

’         Providing space for families to display their products.

’         Consolidating and preserving the nation’s heritage and handicrafts to strengthen its cultural identity.

 

• Capacity-Building with Development Agencies:

On a regional level, Ahlia partners with organizations like the World Association for Sustainable Development (WASD) to deliver community training. In collaboration with AU, WASD has been running “regular training workshops on the key factors that are influencing human development and capacity building in the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Gulf Region” sdgswhoswho.org. Examples include executive leadership programs for public/private sector professionals and seminars on global entrepreneurship sdgswhoswho.org. These short courses – often hosted at Ahlia or online – are open to Bahraini officials, business owners, and NGO workers, equipping them with skills to drive sustainable economic growth. Ahlia’s contribution (venues, experts, outreach) in such programs underscores its role in lifelong learning beyond its enrolled students, benefitting the broader Arab community.

Educational Outreach Campaigns (Digital and Offline)

Ahlia University leverages both digital platforms and on-the-ground campaigns to spread awareness of the SDGs among the general populace:

• Virtual Competitions and Workshops:

During the COVID-19 period and beyond, AU shifted outreach online. In early 2022, Ahlia launched the First Virtual English Speech Competition, open to all undergraduate students in Bahrain (not just Ahlia students) arabuniversities.org arabuniversities.org. Participants submitted 5-minute English speeches on a given SDG-related topic (“Should society embrace advances in AI?” – touching on education and innovation). The top three winners were “felicitated and sponsored to participate in a prestigious international competition” by the Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific arabuniversities.org arabuniversities.org. This initiative improved youths’ communication skills (SDG4) and cultural exchange, entirely through a digital format that broadened reach to students from other institutions. Similarly, Ahlia has advertised free online workshops via social media – for example, a LinkedIn announcement invited the public to a “PhD Proposal Writing Workshop” (with Brunel University) for aspiring researchers ahlia.edu.bh. By removing cost and location barriers, these virtual programs make advanced skills training accessible to the wider community.

Ahlia University Virtual English Speech Competition

Ahlia University is conducting the first ever Virtual English Speech competition. The first, second and third prize winners will be felicitated and sponsored to participate in a prestigious international competition organized by Association of Universities of Asia and the Pacific (AUAP).

Competition Structure

Round 1

Submission of a video of an English speech of 5 min duration on the topic found under the submission guidelines by February 20 using the link below.

Round 2

A topic will be randomly selected by the Judges. Student will be given 5 minutes to prepare the speech. The second round will be conducted on the 27th of February 2022 on MS Teams Live.

Video Submission Guidelines

·         Topic: Should society embrace the advances in Artificial Intelligence?

·         Participants: Bachelors students only

·         Duration of speech: 5 mins

·         Mode and Deadline: Students can record the speech and submit a video on or before 20th February 2022 at 5:00 pm.

·         Video should be in landscape orientation.

·         Video must be in MP4 Format – Must be playable in all media players.

 

• Social Media Awareness Campaigns:

AU’s Media and PR team, along with student clubs, run ongoing campaigns on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to promote SDG messages. “Together We Are Safe”, a student-led initiative from Ahlia, is one notable campaign advocating tolerance, peace, and rejection of extremism in society sdgswhoswho.org. Conceived as a marketing class project, it spread positive social media messaging about acceptance regardless of religion, nationality, or gender – embodying SDG16 (Peace, Justice & Strong Institutions). The campaign’s slogan and videos (created by students under faculty supervision) gained traction online, encouraging Bahraini youth to embrace diversity and “build a culture filled with love, peace and togetherness” sdgswhoswho.org. Ahlia also joins global observances via online content – e.g. posting student-made infographics on World Environment Day (SDG13) and hosting live Instagram Q&As with professors on topics like renewable energy or gender equality. These digital outreach efforts amplify SDG awareness beyond campus followers, engaging the broader Arabic-speaking online community in dialogue and learning.

• Community Awareness Days:

On campus, public awareness days draw visitors for hands-on learning. For example, “Healthy Education Day” (March 2025) was a community fair where Ahlia’s health sciences students set up stations on nutrition, exercise, and mental health – offering free consultations and pamphlets to attendees. During Ramadan 2025, AU hosted a “Healthy Nutrition in Ramadan” workshop open to the public, blending cultural practices with SDG3 health education. Even cultural literacy is promoted: the “Book Talk Programme” (Oct 2025) welcomed local book lovers for discussions on literature addressing social and environmental themes. These events, often advertised in local media and AU’s networks, serve as informal education hubs where the public can gain knowledge and resources aligned with the SDGs in an engaging, accessible format.

Programs Empowering Sustainability, Equality, and Innovation

Beyond one-off events, Ahlia University has implemented sustained programs to build capacity in sustainability, equal opportunity, and innovation for the broader community and the Arab world:

• Hackathons and Innovation Centers:

In 2022, Ahlia’s newly established Ahlia Invention Centre (AIC) launched the “We Invent” Hackathon – Bahrain’s first invention-focused hackathon open to all innovators in the country ahlia.edu.bh. Co-organized with local tech incubator Brinc and telecom partner Batelco, this 3-day competition invited participants from outside the university (teams were required to include at least one AU student, encouraging knowledge exchange) ahlia.edu.bh. The hackathon’s aims were to “discover and enhance the talents and abilities of Bahraini innovators”, motivate them to enter software development, and “develop ... technical skills to create smart solutions” for real-world problems ahlia.edu.bh. By the final ceremony (Mar 17, 2022), several prototype solutions were developed by youth teams, and winners received support to further incubate their ideas. This program (and subsequent AIC hackathons) contributes to SDG8 and SDG9 by cultivating entrepreneurship, tech skills, and startup ecosystems in the local community.

• Entrepreneurship Education for Youth:

AU works closely with Bahrain’s labour fund Tamkeen on initiatives like the Mashroo3i (My Project) Youth Business Competition. In late 2021, Ahlia hosted preparatory workshops for university and high-school students as part of Mashroo3i, “introducing students to project planning methods” and innovation challenges ahlia.edu.bh. The university’s Entrepreneurship Center provided mentors to guide participants in developing business plans addressing societal needs. Such collaborations equip the next generation with skills in sustainable business and innovation (SDG4 and SDG8). On campus, Ahlia holds annual Entrepreneurship Exhibitions – e.g. the April 2025 “Fanar” Exhibition under the patronage of AU’s President – where students’ startup ideas and products are showcased to the public ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh. Community members are invited to these exhibitions to celebrate and support student innovators, often leading to internships or seed funding from local entrepreneurs. This nurtures an innovation culture beyond the university, directly benefitting the community’s development.

Mashroui Competition

https://www.linkedin.com/school/ahlia-university/posts/

Mashroui workshop was held at the university, organized by the Entrepreneurship Center and sponsored by Tamkeen, to introduce students to project planning methods and enter the Mashroui competition.

 

’ ’’

 

• Advancing Gender Equality and Inclusion:

Ahlia’s long-running Equal Opportunity Annual Conference (2017–2025) is part of a broader program to promote women’s advancement in the Arab region. In February 2025, Ahlia hosted the 8th edition of this conference in Manama, bringing together scholars, professionals, and the public to discuss women’s leadership, economic inclusion, and workplace equality. The conference, supported by Bahrain’s Supreme Council for Women, not only shares research but also offers public lectures and training sessions on topics like women in STEM and rights awareness ahlia.edu.bh. Alongside, Ahlia has internal policies (e.g. non-discrimination and disability inclusion policies) and community workshops that champion SDG5 and SDG10. For example, the university organizes sign language courses and inclusive education seminars open to teachers and families, under its aim of “equal opportunities for all members of society” ahlia.edu.bh. These programs build local capacity to support persons with disabilities and ensure no one is left behind in quality education.

• Regional and Global Knowledge Sharing:

Ahlia actively sends its students and faculty to participate in international SDG events, then channels that knowledge back into the community. In 2022, a delegation of Ahlia MBA students joined the International Summer School at University of Bradford (UK), where they “discussed leadership, entrepreneurship, and sustainability in business and the circular economy” with peers worldwide ahlia.edu.bh. One Ahlia student won the “Change Maker” award for sustainability innovation at this forum ahlia.edu.bh. Upon return, those students conducted a public seminar in Bahrain to share insights on sustainable business and urban development they learned abroad ahlia.edu.bh. Similarly, Ahlia’s athletes and volunteers take part in international events (like the 2023 International University Sports Festival in Russia), highlighting Bahrain’s commitment to cultural and knowledge exchange ahlia.edu.bh ahlia.edu.bh. By encouraging global exposure and then organizing local knowledge-sharing sessions, Ahlia helps bring cutting-edge ideas in sustainability and development to the Bahraini community (supporting SDG17 partnerships and SDG11 knowledge cities).

Ahlia Students Participate in the International Scientific Events in UK

ahlia.edu.bh

The Founding President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Ahlia University, Professor Abdulla Al-Hawaj, praisied the visit of a delegation of the MBA students to the United Kingdom to participate in the international summer scientific events held recently by the British University of Bradford. Prof.

Prof. Al-Hawaj claimed that the university is keen to provide all financial and moral support to its students to participate in this event and many other scientific and cultural events that enhance their capabilities and abilities in line with the strategies of the Higher Education Council, its general secretariat, and Ahlia University plans.

A delegation of MBA students from Ahlia University’s participated in the event to discuss and solve challenges related to leadership, entrepreneurship, and sustainability in the field of business, and the circular economy. The event attracted many international business students nominated from several universities, CEOs, specialist speakers, researchers, and academics, while Ahlia University was represented by 4 MBA students: Mahmood Mohammed Mansour Ali, Sara Ebrahim Ali Mohsen, Ibtisam Mohammed Jaffar Salman, and Fawzia Yousif Abdulla Zainal.

The student, Mahmood Mansour, won the ’IMSS2022 Change Maker’ award within the international summer scientific events, while the rest of the students from the delegation received praise and appreciation for their effectiveness and positivity throughout the school’s activities, which lasted for 4 days.

The scientific events included introducing the students to the summer agenda, planned events, and group exercises. They also included introductory tours of Bradford City, discussing infrastructure development plans, opportunities, and facing challenges for the sustainability and enhancement of the circular economy. The students expressed their enjoyment of this experience, thanking the college and the department of International Relations and Student Exchange at the Ahlia University for what was provided to them in this field.

 

In summary, Ahlia University (Bahrain) has emerged as a hub for SDG education not just for its students, but for the entire community. Through open workshops on health, safety, and environmental stewardship, collaborations with NGOs and government to empower entrepreneurs and youths, creative awareness campaigns, and skill-building programs in innovation and equality, Ahlia is “actively serving [the] local and regional communities” and “fostering awareness” of the SDGs as a shared responsibility ahlia.edu.bh. These efforts over 2020–2025 demonstrate Ahlia’s holistic approach to lifelong learning and community engagement – turning the campus into a launching pad for sustainable development education across Bahraini society and the Arab world.