2001
Ahlia University is established as the first private university in Bahrain
Ahlia is born as the first private university in the Kingdom of Bahrain: The brainchild of Professor Abdulla Al Hawaj and one of the first fruits of the National Charter
2002
Recruitment commences with a visit by Dr. Hassan Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce
Recruitment activity commences following a visit by H.E. Dr. Hassan Fakhro, the Minister of Industry and Commerce
2003
The first cohort of students is matriculated
The first cohort of students is matriculated
2004
Recruitment commences with a visit by Dr. Hassan Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce
Recruitment activity commences following a visit by H.E. Dr. Hassan Fakhro, the Minister of Industry and Commerce
2005
The first student council elections are held
The first student council elections are held.
Ahlia University Milestones
Ahlia University’s story and history across the decades…
2001
Ahlia University is established as the first private university in Bahrain
Ahlia is born as the first private university in the Kingdom of Bahrain: The brainchild of Professor Abdulla Al Hawaj and one of the first fruits of the National Charter
2002
Recruitment commences with a visit by Dr. Hassan Fakhro, Minister of Industry and Commerce
Recruitment activity commences following a visit by H.E. Dr. Hassan Fakhro, the Minister of Industry and Commerce
2003
The first cohort of students is matriculated
The first cohort of students is matriculated
2004
Ahlia University forms a strategic partnership with Brunel University London
Ahlia University forms a strategic partnership with Brunel University London
2005
The first student council elections are held
The first student council elections are held
2006
Ahlia organizes its first major international conference
Ahlia University organizes its first major international conference – ‘Higher Education in the 21st Century’ – under the patronage of His Majesty King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa
2007
A first for the region as Ahlia launches the PhD (WR) in collaboration with Brunel University
A first for the region as Ahlia launches the PhD (Without Residence) programme in collaboration with the prestigious Brunel University London
2008
Ahlia unveils its acclaimed proprietary student information system: ADREG
Ahlia unveils its acclaimed proprietary student information system: ADREG
2009
Student exchange programme launched with partners in the UK and France
Ahlia launches the first student exchange programme in Bahrain with partners in the United Kingdom and France
2010
First all-female basketball team is formed
The first all-female University basketball team is formed
2011
Ahlia is recognised for its quality by the Bahrain Education and Training Quality Authority (BQA)
Ahlia achieves stellar performance in the Bahrain Education and Training Quality Authority’s (BQA) institutional review and follow-up and goes on to be featured as a “Success Story” in the BQA’s annual report
2012
MSc Engineering Management launched in collaboration with the George Washington University
Ahlia launches a unique Master of Science in Engineering Management degree programme in collaboration with the prestigious George Washington University
2013
Ahlia unveils its new logo and brand-identity
Ahlia unveils its new logo and brand-identity
2014
Ahlia wins the first-place prize at the University Debate Competition
Ahlia wins the first-place prize and represents Bahrain at the Arab World University Debate Competition
2015
Ahlia is recognised as a ‘first category’ university by the BQA
Ahlia is recognised as a ‘First Category’ University by the BQA, and is selected to join the pilot for the Bahrain National Qualifications Framework
2016
HRH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa lays Ahlia’s new campus foundation stone
Ahlia celebrates the laying of the foundation stone for the new campus under the patronage of the Prime Minister HRH Prince Khalifa Bin Salman Al-Khalifa
2017
Ahlia ranks 35 in the QS Arab World Ranking
Ahlia joins the international league tables at #35 in the QS Arab Region Universities Ranking, and is recognised as the fastest rising university in the Arab World
2018
A double-win for Ahlia: 1st in the Bahrain Universities’ Football League & Basketball League
A double-win for Ahlia with the football team coming in 1st in the inaugural Bahrain Universities Football League and 1st in the Bahrain Universities Basketball League
2019
Ahlia obtains the institutional review ‘Quality Mark’ from the BQA
Ahlia obtains the ‘Quality Mark’ from the BQA following the second cycle institutional review in which the university attained the highest judgement
2020
Ahlia obtains HEC Institutional Accreditation
Ahlia obtains Institutional Accreditation following the launch of the Higher Education Council Institutional Accreditation system Ahlia obtains HEC Institutional Accreditation
Ahlia’s family grows to encompass more than 5,000 graduates in its first two decades
