SDG 3: GOOD HEALTH AND WELLBEING

Ahlia University firmly recognizes that the health and wellbeing of its community are fundamental pillars for achieving academic excellence, sustainable development, and social prosperity. In alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 3 — Ensure healthy lives and promote wellbeing for all at all ages — the university has integrated health promotion, mental wellness, and preventive care as essential components of its institutional strategy. The university’s commitment extends beyond compliance with health and safety regulations; it seeks to foster a holistic environment that supports both physical and psychological wellbeing among students, faculty, and staff. Through its on-campus health clinic, continuous awareness campaigns, mental health counselling services, and partnerships with national health authorities, Ahlia University ensures accessible, inclusive, and high-quality health services for all members of its community. Moreover, AU actively promotes a culture of wellness through education, research, and community engagement. Health-related topics are embedded across various programs, encouraging students to develop a lifelong awareness of healthy lifestyles, social responsibility, and sustainability. By cultivating an environment where wellbeing is valued as a shared responsibility, Ahlia University contributes not only to SDG 3 but also to the broader vision of building a resilient and healthy society within the Kingdom of Bahrain and beyond.

3.3.2 Does your university as a body deliver outreach programmes and projects in the local community (which can include student volunteering programmes) to improve or promote health & wellbeing including hygiene, nutrition, family planning, sports, exercise, aging well, and other health and wellbeing related topics?

Ahlia University Community Engagement Plan (2021-2025)

https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/knowledge-exchange/

This plan, like the one before it, is underpinned by AU’s vision: the university strives to make a positive contribution to the development of the Bahraini community and the wider Gulf region through its three core functions - Teaching and Learning, Research, and Community Engagement. AU’s Community Engagement Plan 2021–2025 continues and strengthens its Community EMPOWER Plan 2016–2020. A review and revision were deemed necessary as AU's new strategic plan came into effect in 2021. The Plan draws from national and international strategies to maintain high-quality academic standards in Community Engagement and Social Responsibility.

Community Engagement Plan Aims

• Enforce social responsibility and serve the local and regional community.
• Encourage and enhance participative community-based research supporting social and economic development.
• Strengthen the university's community relationships through cooperation and planned extension programs and services.
• Provide budding entrepreneurs with skills, knowledge, and mentoring support to translate ideas into viable businesses.

Initiative 1

• Support and encourage students in a culture of engagement, entrepreneurship, and innovation, and prepare them through mentoring and partnerships to become leaders in their chosen professions.
• Create a culture of awareness about the importance of entrepreneurship for economic growth at the university and the wider community.
• Provide experiential learning, conduct meaningful entrepreneurial research, and connect students with mentors and resources for successful startups.
• Offer entrepreneurship-related courses to educate, coach, and encourage young entrepreneurs.
• Link academic life with the business world through training, incubation, research, and consultation.
• Partner with local and regional industries, including SMEs, to support budding entrepreneurs.
• Conduct events, seminars, lectures, and conferences to promote entrepreneurship institution-wide.

University & Community

https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/cms4/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Annual-Report_2018-19_061220.pdf

Ahlia University strives for excellence in all aspects of its community engagement activities. In 2018/19, AU created a Community Engagement Unit to enhance management, monitoring, and reporting, maximizing the impact across all stakeholders. Collaboration among colleges, deanships, and directorates supports the implementation of the plan, aiming to contribute to the community's development and prosperity. Community Engagement at AU involves students, faculty, staff, alumni, and organizations exchanging information, resources, and referrals for service and learning opportunities. Community engagement is a core university function, integral to the Strategic Plan and Community Empowerment Plan, focusing on both internal and external communities.

• Offering programs that meet the needs of students and employers in Bahrain.
• Supporting good causes and promoting volunteering, civic duty, and global citizenship.
• Making high-quality education accessible through scholarships, grants, and tuition remission schemes.
• Focusing research on societal needs and challenges.

In 2018/19, AU organized and participated in 90 community engagement activities, averaging over two activities per week during the academic year.

Social Responsibility

We promote active participation in social change through volunteerism, leadership, and civic action involving faculty, staff, and students. AU commits to contributing to societal growth by supporting worthy causes, advancing welfare through research, and preparing professionals for leadership in their fields and communities.

Sustainability in Connectivity

AU’s students, faculty, and staff are deeply connected with their communities. Community engagement activities reflect AU's decentralized structure. The Deanship of Student Affairs supports campus life and student engagement initiatives. Collaboration among colleges, departments, and the student council connects students to resources that broaden their perspectives on ethical and social issues. One of AU’s core values essential to achieving its vision is Social Responsibility. The university promotes participation in social change, leadership, and civic action, supporting research that advances human welfare, and preparing students for professional and community leadership roles.

Community EMPOWER Plan

AU’s Community EMPOWER Plan 2016 - 2020 responds to Bahrain's social and economic challenges. The plan emphasizes Entrepreneurship, Mentoring, Partnerships, Outreach, Widening Access, Lifelong Learning, and Expertise Sharing through Research. AU fosters positive, mutually beneficial relationships with businesses, industries, governments, and civic organizations to create fulfilling and prosperous opportunities for all involved.

Reproductive and Sexual Health Clinic at AU

Ahlia University operates a dedicated clinic for sexual and reproductive health services, tailored especially for female students and employees (including pregnant individuals). Monthly appointments are overseen by qualified healthcare professionals, reflecting the institution’s commitment to holistic health services within the campus community.

The ‘A’ Activity Credit

Ahlia University appreciates the value of co-curricular activities in developing a range of skills and attributes that plays an important role in molding student’s personality and building confidence and self-esteem. Undergraduate students participating in co-curricular activities are awarded an ’A’ credit to encourage them in participation beyond the classroom. The ‘A’ activity credit is a one credit hour with ’A’ grade awarded to students in reference to their participation in a wide variety of activities outside of the regular classroom.

The ’A’ activity credit is awarded to students in reference to a wide variety of extracurricular activities that include but not limited to:

• Demonstrating an active role in university student clubs, scientific student associations and student council.
• Participation in university sport activities and competitions.
• Organizing/participating in university events.
• Attending workshops, seminars and conferences approved by the college or Deanship of student affairs.
• Volunteer work and Community Engagement
• Involvement in cultural activities.
• Peer tutoring sessions.

Ahlia University Designated as a WHO Health-Promoting University

In April 2023, Ahlia University was officially designated by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of Bahrain’s pioneering Health-Promoting Universities, under the patronage of His Excellency Lieutenant-General Dr. Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdullah Al-Khalifa, President of the Supreme Council of Health. The ceremony was held in the presence of H.E. Dr. Jaleela bint AlSayed Jawad Hasan, Minister of Health in Bahrain; H.E. Dr. Shaikha Rana bint Isa bin Duaij Al-Khalifa, Secretary-General of the Higher Education Council; and Dr. Ahmed Al-Mandhari, WHO Regional Director for the Eastern Mediterranean.

Ahlia University’s designation followed a comprehensive WHO assessment and field visit, in which international experts evaluated institutional practices based on global standards to determine eligibility for Health-Promoting University status. Alongside Ahlia University, the institutions recognized included Arabian Gulf University, Kingdom University, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Medical University of Bahrain, and the University of Technology Bahrain. This distinction reflects Ahlia University’s deep commitment to fostering a health-conducive academic environment that promotes the physical, mental, and social well-being of its students, faculty, and staff. The recognition also highlights Ahlia University’s ongoing efforts to support sustainable development through health awareness, prevention initiatives, and multisectoral collaboration. The WHO Health-Promoting Universities Programme is based on the Healthy Cities framework and adopts a settings-based approach to health promotion, recognizing universities as vital contributors to sustainable development. Through this initiative, Ahlia University joins the global network of Healthy Universities, reinforcing its strategic mission to advance health, well-being, and sustainable development at the local, regional, and global levels.

Events

Diabetes Awareness

https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/events/diabetes-awareness/

In collaboration with Bahrain Health City, the Director of Student Services & Activities is organizing the “Diabetes Awareness”, on Sunday 19th of November 2023 from 11:00 am till 02:00 pm at the Food Court. The program will include the following activities:

• Free medical tests (weight, blood sugar, BMI)
• Consultation with a dental specialist.
• Consultation with a nutritionist.
• Consultation with Audiologist and speech pathologist.

Stay Healthy

https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/events/stay-healthy/

The Student Services and Activities Department, in collaboration with Bahrain Medical City, is organizing a comprehensive health education day for the staff and students of Ahlia University on Tuesday, July 11, 2023, at 10:00 AM in the mezzanine. This event aims to promote health awareness and provide valuable medical services to enhance the well-being of the university community. During this event, doctors and specialists from Bahrain Medical City will be present on campus. They will offer medical consultations and examinations to students and staff. The program will include the following activities:

• Free medical tests (weight, blood sugar, BMI)
• Consultation with a dental specialist.
• Consultation with a nutritionist.

Think Pink

In collaboration with Al-Kindi Hospital, the Director of Student Services & Activities, it was organized the ’Think Pink’ Breast Cancer Awareness Campaign at the theater hall. The aim of this event was to support the effort in raising breast cancer awareness, education, and care. The program was included in the following activities:

• Awareness Lecture.
• Free medical tests (weight, blood sugar, BMI)
• Consultation with a nutritionist

TOGETHER S.A.F.E” CAMPAIGN

The event was an opportunity for the team to promote their campaign outside of the university and to convey their message of love, peace and social tolerance to the whole community.

Marathon (Sport Event)

As part of its continuous efforts to promote physical activity, healthy lifestyles, and community engagement, Ahlia University organized the Ahlia University Community Marathon, a large-scale sporting event open to students, faculty, staff, alumni, and members of the wider Bahraini community. The marathon aimed to raise awareness about the importance of regular exercise, cardiovascular health, and mental well-being, while strengthening the bond between the University and society. Participants of all ages were encouraged to take part, reflecting Ahlia University’s inclusive approach to health promotion and social participation. In addition to the race, the event included health education booths, fitness demonstrations, and first-aid stations managed by university volunteers and local health professionals, emphasizing preventive care and wellness. The marathon fostered a sense of unity, motivation, and collective responsibility toward adopting healthier habits.

Understanding the Role of Charities in Bahrain

Students from the Mass Communications & PR programme attended a conference at the Sofitel and met HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al-Khalifa, His Majesty the King’s representative for Charity Works & Youth Affairs and Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth & Sports. Students learnt the importance of volunteering and charitable giving. Social responsibility is of great importance to Ahlia University and teaching our students how to become involved is a critical part of the student experience.

Al-Ahliyya University Visit to Al-Fateh Secondary School for Boys

As part of its ongoing commitment to community outreach and youth well-being, Ahlia University conducted an educational visit to Al-Fateh Secondary School for Boys. The initiative aimed to promote health awareness, mental well-being, and healthy lifestyle practices among high school students. During the visit, Ahlia University faculty members and student volunteers engaged with students through interactive discussions and presentations on topics such as stress management, balanced nutrition, physical activity, and emotional resilience. The event also highlighted the importance of continuing education and self-development as essential factors contributing to personal and social well-being.

Al-Ahlia University Visit to Shaikh Abdullah Bin Isa Al Khalifa Industrial High School for Boys

As part of its commitment to community health outreach and youth well-being, Ahlia University conducted an outreach visit to Shaikh Abdullah Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Industrial High School for Boys in Isa Town. The objective of the visit was to bring preventive health services, engage students in physical and recreational activities, and promote healthy lifestyle habits among young men in the local community. During the session, Ahlia University health-service teams provided free basic health checks including height/weight screening, body-mass-index calculation, and health advice on nutrition and physical fitness. In parallel, students participated in fun and gamified physical-activity challenges - such as short team sports, relay races and interactive wellness workshops - designed to foster interest in regular exercise, healthy competition and peer engagement.

“Al-Ahlia” expresses its readiness to volunteer in the national campaign to combat Corona

Professor Al-Hawaj, Chairman of the University’s Board of Trustees, announced eligibility for his application to volunteer to work in the national campaign against the Corona virus, expressing confidence that a large number of teachers and employees, the students and graduates of Ahlia University were also quick to do so, and that the university encourages all its members to do so, of course, as affiliation. This country and loyalty to its wise leadership are two main pillars of the foundations of education and character building, whether in the private university or in our various universities and other national institutions. He added: We are proud that a large number of our professors and employees hurriedly demanded that we progress to volunteer to work in the national campaign to combat the Corona virus, it is a duty compelled by our belonging to this dear homeland and our loyalty to its leadership. The university with all its professors, staff, and students are available to serve this dear country in this exceptional circumstance during what the whole world is going through.

“Al-Ahlia” students visit “Dar yoko” inmates

As part of its commitment to community engagement and social responsibility, Ahlia University students provided financial and moral support to the Yoko Parents’ Care Home. This initiative forms part of the University’s broader social responsibility and outreach programmes, which aim to strengthen community ties and improve the well-being of vulnerable groups. The Student Activities Department organized a series of charitable and purposeful events, with proceeds directed to support the staff and residents of the Care Home. These events were designed not only to provide financial assistance, but also to foster empathy, compassion, and social awareness among Ahlia students, reinforcing the University’s mission to nurture active and responsible citizens.