Public Lectures and Community Educational Events

Twelfth Career Day at Ahlia University, 2024 Source E05

INSTITUTIONAL RESPONSE

A programmed public-event system with responsive ad hoc delivery

Yes. Ahlia University hosts public lectures and community educational events through an established institutional programme, complemented by ad hoc activities that respond to current educational, social, technological, health and professional needs. In the 2024 evidence year, this provision included on-campus knowledge talks, a major career-learning event, a community health exhibition, an open online lecture, inclusive-education forums and recurring research conferences. Public access is evidenced through published invitations, external-participant records, cross-sector attendance and Ahlia University's standing route for citizens and residents of Bahrain to propose community events and use University premises for approved community-based activities.

evidence E02 • E03 • E04 • E05 • E06 • E07 • E08 • E10 • E12

Community Engagement

Minister of Labor Inaugurates Career Day at Ahlia University

Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour, inaugurated the 12th Career Day at Ahlia University, accompanied by the Founding President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Professor Abdulla Al-Hawaj, and the President of the University, Professor Mansoor Alaali. The University welcomed and received students and graduates from various institutes and universities, with the participation of more than 70 ministries, institutions, and companies.

On this occasion, Professor Abdulla Al-Hawaj, emphasized that the presence and participation of Mr. Jameel bin Mohammed Ali Humaidan, Minister of Labour, in the inauguration of Career Day underscores the government’s commitment, under the leadership of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to support all governmental and private efforts aimed at providing the youth with suitable education, training, and employment opportunities.

Professor Al-Hawaj praised the efforts of the Ministry of Labour in empowering Bahraini youth, enhancing their skills, and providing them with dignified job opportunities that match their abilities and capabilities. He stated that the 12th edition of Career Day reflected the University’s commitment to linking its students and graduates with the labour market and its evolving needs.

Mr. Hussein Mohammed Habib, Director of Professional Relations at Ahlia University, confirmed that Career Day attracts many students and graduates, emphasizing that the University strives to introduce new elements to this event each year. Mr. Habib pointed out that the number of participating ministries, institutions, and companies this year has exceeded 70, including public and private sector entities, such as government institutions, banking institutions, telecommunications companies, hospitality services, representatives from the retail sector, oil and industrial companies, and several vocational training institutions.

The Deanship of Student Affairs, through its Professional Relations Directorate, regularly organizes workshops and training courses focusing on professional aspects to equip the University’s students and graduates from various specializations with the necessary skills to enter the labour market.

Ahlia University Hosts “Sugar-Free” Exhibition to Promote Healthy Nutrition and Diabetes Awareness

As part of its commitment to public health and community awareness, Ahlia University inaugurated the “Sugar-Free” Exhibition in celebration of World Diabetes Day. The event was organized by the College of business and Finance in collaboration with the Center for Entrepreneurship. It was inaugurated by Professor Abdulla Al Hawaj, Founding President and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, alongside the University’s President, Professor Mansoor Alali.

Professor Al Hawaj emphasized that raising nutritional awareness is key to preventing chronic illnesses like diabetes, which has become a global health challenge. He stated, “Through this initiative, we aim to highlight the importance of proper nutrition as an effective method for preventing diabetes and other chronic diseases. Our goal is to educate our students, empowering them to raise awareness within their families and the broader community, ultimately promoting healthier lifestyle choices.”

A Showcase of Healthy Bahraini Entrepreneurship

Held in the university’s second-floor food hall, the exhibition featured a wide variety of locally produced healthy food items. These ranged from sugar-free pastries and desserts to wholesome meals, salads, granola, and nutritious snacks. The event also showcased innovative culinary offerings from small and home-based Bahraini businesses, underscoring Ahlia University’s dedication to supporting local entrepreneurs and providing the community with affordable, healthy food alternatives.

University’s Vision for Better Health

Professor Mansoor Alali explained that the exhibition aligns with Ahlia University’s strategic vision to enhance public health within its community. He noted, “Healthy nutrition is an essential component of quality living, and initiatives like this contribute significantly to raising awareness about adopting healthier lifestyles.”

Innovative Products and Strong Community Engagement

Professor Allam Hamdan, Dean of the College of Business and Finance, highlighted the event’s dual purpose: showcasing products and spreading awareness about the importance of healthy dietary choices. He commended the creativity of the participating entrepreneurs, whose innovative products reflect Bahrain’s entrepreneurial spirit.

The “Sugar-Free” Exhibition not only raised awareness about the benefits of healthy eating but also supported sustainable development goals related to health and small business development. It is part of a broader series of events organized by Ahlia University to foster a healthier, more informed community while reinforcing Bahrain’s role as a leader in social and entrepreneurial innovation.

Direct public access to University premises

Ahlia University's Community Engagement framework is a standing institutional mechanism rather than a collection of isolated events. The University states that community engagement is embedded in its mission and strategic and operational planning, and that a cross-University Community Engagement Committee coordinates implementation. The same public page invites students, staff, citizens and residents of Bahrain to propose community projects or events and states that Ahlia University premises may be booked free of charge for approved community-based events. This creates a direct public route into the University's educational spaces.

evidence E02

Public lectures and community education delivered in 2024

Ahlia University published and delivered a diversified 2024 calendar. The events below provide dated evidence of public educational activity across knowledge exchange, employability, health, technology, inclusion, sustainability, research and economic development. The three campus-based examples are identified first; University-hosted external and online events extend access to wider national and international audiences.

evidence E04 • E05 • E06 • E07 • E08 • E09 • E10 • E11 • E12 • E13

On-campus learning open beyond normal classes

Book Talk Programme. On 16 October 2024, the Library Directorate hosted an interactive Book Talk at Ahlia University Theatre Hall. The programme presented faculty work and current research, followed by public discussion, questions and a book signing. The open invitation and contact route made the event visible and accessible beyond a closed classroom session.

Twelfth Career Day. On 11 July 2024, Ahlia University welcomed students and graduates from different institutes and universities to meet more than 70 ministries, public and private institutions, companies and vocational-training providers. The Minister of Labour inaugurated the event, and the published record identifies education, training and employment opportunity as central outcomes.

Sugar-Free Exhibition. On 17 November 2024, the University opened a community health and entrepreneurship exhibition in its second-floor food hall. The event taught diabetes-prevention and healthy-nutrition messages while showcasing affordable healthy products from small and home-based Bahraini businesses.

evidence E04 • E05 • E06

PROGRAMMED PROVISION

Recurring public event series

The programmed classification is evidenced by recurrence. Ahlia University does not rely on a single annual event: it maintains a portfolio of named series delivered by the Library Directorate, Deanship of Student Affairs, Professional Relations Directorate, colleges, research leadership and community-engagement structures. Edition numbers and repeated dates demonstrate continuity across years.

Original public evidence E04 • E05 • E08 • E10 • E12 • E14 • E19 • E22 • E23 • E24

Book Talk as a recurring public lecture format

The 2024 and 2025 Book Talk pages use the same named programme, campus theatre venue and educational structure: a scholar presents a published work, engages participants in discussion, answers questions and joins a book signing. The repeated programme offers a clear example of scheduled community knowledge exchange embedded in the University's annual activity.

evidence E04 • E14

Career, research and innovation as recurring community education

The twelfth Career Day demonstrates long-term programmed provision at the education–employment interface. The recurring Equal Opportunities Conference and ICGER series provide structured public access to international scholarship and policy dialogue. Ahlia's biannual engineering exhibition and established Research Forum add further recurring routes through which academic work is presented to professional and community audiences.

Original public evidence E05 • E08 • E09 • E10 • E11 • E19 • E22 • E23 • E24

PUBLIC LECTURES AND SEMINARS

Knowledge exchange on contemporary public issues

Artificial intelligence and public security

The Directorate of Student Counseling and Advising published an open invitation to a lecture on Applications of Artificial Intelligence in the Security Field, delivered on Microsoft Teams on 28 July 2024 in collaboration with the General Directorate of Traffic at Bahrain's Ministry of Interior. The session explained machine learning, prediction, crime prevention and proactive public-safety applications. Its digital format extended access beyond the physical campus and connected University teaching with national public-service expertise.

Original public evidence E07

Research, books and public discussion

The Book Talk programme translates academic authorship into an accessible public-learning format. Participants receive a presentation of recent research and published work, followed by moderated questions and direct discussion. Ahlia's Research Forum provides a complementary format through oral presentations, poster displays, book exhibitions and feedback from professional attendees.

Original public evidence E04 • E14 • E23 • E24

Conference-based public education

The seventh Equal Opportunities Conference offered public and professional learning on digital innovation, organisational sustainability, education, communication, governance and gender equality. Its programme included speakers from public bodies, universities and research institutions. ICGER 2024 connected academics, industry participants, regulators and international experts around artificial intelligence, business innovation and economic diversification. Both events were publicly promoted through original Ahlia event pages and detailed programme information.

Original public evidence E08 • E09 • E10 • E11

Public invitation to the seventh Equal Opportunities Conference, 2024 Source E08

COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL EVENTS

Health, inclusion, employability and entrepreneurship

Inclusive education for schools, universities and communities

Ahlia University's Second Forum on Integrating Students with Special Needs in Higher Education Institutions was publicly announced for 25 September 2024. The invitation addressed integration strategies, the readiness of educational facilities, preparation of teachers and staff, and successful projects across schools, universities and community settings. The event record confirms participation by parliamentary leadership, academics, specialists and other people interested in inclusive education, with presentations and panel discussions on equal access and participation.

evidence E12 • E13

Health literacy and community enterprise

The Sugar-Free Exhibition converted the University campus into a public health-learning environment. Nutrition and diabetes-prevention education was combined with a platform for Bahraini small and home-based enterprises to present healthy foods. The event thereby served families, consumers and entrepreneurs while supporting healthier lifestyle choices and community economic participation.

evidence E06

Career learning and labour-market connection

Career Day brought external learners into Ahlia University and connected them with government, business, finance, telecommunications, hospitality, retail, energy, industry and vocational-training organisations. The University's Professional Relations Directorate also reports regular workshops and training courses that prepare learners for the labour market, placing the annual public event within a wider professional-development programme.

Original public evidence E05

Community entrepreneurship and national heritage

Ahlia University's earlier Bahraini Productive Families Exhibition provides additional evidence of the community-event model on campus. Organised with the Ministry of Social Development, it publicly invited attendance, provided space to approximately 15 local families and combined enterprise education with the preservation of Bahraini heritage and crafts. This format is consistent with the health-and-entrepreneurship model seen again in 2024.

Original public evidence E21 • E06

PUBLIC REACH

Audiences beyond Ahlia University

Ahlia University's public events engage a broad set of external communities. Access is demonstrated not only by open wording on event pages, but also by documented participation from people and organisations beyond the University's own students and staff.

evidence E02 • E04 • E05 • E06 • E07 • E08 • E09 • E10 • E12 • E13

Multiple access formats

• Campus access: Ahlia Theatre Hall, the University food hall and other University spaces host talks, exhibitions and career-learning events.

• Online access: Microsoft Teams was used for the 2024 public lecture on artificial intelligence in security.

• Hybrid and conference access: large-scale conferences combine physical participation with international and, in later editions, hybrid participation.

• Community-led access: citizens and residents may submit community-event proposals and request University premises through the public Community Engagement form.

evidence E02 • E04 • E05 • E06 • E07 • E10 • E15

Access conditions

Ahlia University publishes open invitations or participation routes for the events cited in this report. The Community Engagement page explicitly states that approved community-based use of University premises is free of charge. Where an event page does not publish an admission fee or a no-fee statement, this report records the public invitation without inferring a price condition. Conference registration or submission conditions, where applicable, remain those stated on the relevant event or conference website.

evidence E02 • E04 • E07 • E08 • E10 • E12 • E20

INSTITUTIONAL DELIVERY

Governance, partnerships and educational purpose

Coordinated community engagement

Ahlia University's Community Engagement Policy states that engagement is connected from mission and strategy through operational plans. A Community Engagement Committee brings together senior leadership, the Entrepreneurship Centre, student activities, professional relations, human resources and faculty representatives to plan, coordinate and implement activities and projects. This structure supports continuity, cross-University ownership and alignment with public needs.

evidence E02

Cross-sector delivery

Public educational events are strengthened by collaboration with government, civil society, business and international universities. In 2024, partners and participants included Bahrain's Ministry of Labour, the General Directorate of Traffic at the Ministry of Interior, parliamentary leadership, public and private employers, vocational-training institutions, Brunel University London, the University of Business and Technology in Saudi Arabia and specialists in inclusive education. These relationships place Ahlia's public events within Bahrain's wider education, skills and community-development ecosystem.

evidence E05 • E07 • E08 • E09 • E10 • E12 • E13

Educational content and outcomes

• Knowledge and culture: academic books, current research, discussion and question-and-answer sessions.

• Employability: labour-market information, direct employer contact, training opportunities and vocational pathways.

• Public health: nutrition, diabetes prevention, healthy products and practical emergency-response skills.

• Inclusion: educational access for students with disabilities, facility readiness and preparation of teaching staff.

• Technology and economic development: artificial intelligence, security, innovation, entrepreneurship and diversification.

• Sustainability and equality: research and policy dialogue aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals.

evidence E04 • E05 • E06 • E07 • E08 • E09 • E10 • E12 • E13 • E17

CONTINUITY

Public-event provision continues beyond 2024

Ahlia University continued and expanded its public educational event portfolio after the reporting year. The later records below are presented as continuity evidence: they demonstrate that the 2024 programme was part of an enduring institutional practice rather than a one-year campaign.

evidence E14 • E15 • E16 • E17 • E18 • E19 • E20

Explicit external-attendee access

The 2026 Ahlia Entrepreneurship and Innovation Forum provides especially clear continuity evidence: its public registration form distinguishes Ahlia students from external attendees, and the programme offers panels, practical workshops and open networking for alumni, founders and anyone interested in startups, innovation and growth. The ninth Equal Opportunities Conference and the international AI conference further confirm the continued recurrence and breadth of Ahlia-hosted public dialogue.

evidence E18 • E19 • E20

FORMAL RESPONSE

Submission statement

Conclusion

Ahlia University provides sustained public access to learning beyond formal degree programmes. Its community-event model combines campus spaces, online delivery, recurring conferences and forums, professional and government partnerships, and community-led use of University premises. The 2024 evidence demonstrates active delivery across knowledge, employment, health, inclusion, technology, entrepreneurship and sustainability; the 2025–2026 records confirm that these activities continue and expand.

Original public evidence E02 • E03 • E04 • E05 • E06 • E07 • E08 • E09 • E10 • E12 • E13 • E14 • E15 • E18 • E19 • E20

EVIDENCE REGISTER

Original public sources

Every link below opens the original THE methodology, Ahlia University institutional page, event page, programme or conference site. Previous-year reports and Ahlia indicator-summary pages are not used as evidence sources.