Goal 9
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure in Bahrain and Government Initiatives
Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9) focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting inclusive and sustainable industrialization, and fostering innovation. Bahrain, as part of its Vision 2030, has prioritized economic diversification and technological advancement, aiming to become a regional hub for industry, innovation, and advanced infrastructure. Through various initiatives led by the government and its institutions, Bahrain is working to foster an innovative and resilient economy.
Key government initiatives supporting SDG 9 include:
Infrastructure Development and Modernization: Bahrain has invested heavily in infrastructure projects to improve transportation, telecommunications, and energy networks. Notable projects include expansions in the Bahrain International Airport, upgrades in road networks, and the Bahrain Metro project. These improvements are crucial for supporting industrial growth, enhancing connectivity, and attracting international investment.
Industrial Sector Support: The government supports sustainable industrialization by encouraging sectors such as manufacturing, logistics, and technology. The Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) offers incentives for companies in these sectors, creating an attractive environment for investment. Bahrain’s logistics sector, in particular, is expanding, positioning the country as a strategic hub for trade in the region.
Promotion of Innovation and Technology: Bahrain is committed to creating an innovation-friendly ecosystem that promotes technological advancement. Initiatives include the establishment of technology parks, research centers, and support for the ICT sector. The Ministry of Industry and Commerce, in partnership with the Bahrain Economic Development Board, provides incentives and resources for tech startups and innovators, fostering a dynamic and diversified economy.
Digital Transformation and Smart Cities: Bahrain has launched several digital transformation initiatives to improve public services and foster a knowledge-based economy. The "Smart Bahrain" initiative seeks to integrate advanced technology in various sectors, including healthcare, education, and transportation, to create smarter, more sustainable urban environments. E-government services have also expanded, increasing accessibility and efficiency in public service delivery.
Research and Development Support: Bahrain encourages research and development (R&D) across multiple industries, especially in energy, water, and technology. Partnerships with academic institutions, international organizations, and private companies facilitate innovation and the adoption of new technologies. The government’s support for R&D is essential for driving economic growth and resilience in line with SDG 9.
Through these initiatives, Bahrain’s government is committed to building a robust infrastructure, promoting sustainable industries, and fostering an innovation-driven economy that aligns with the principles of SDG 9.
SDG 9 at Ahlia University: Supporting Innovation and Infrastructure Development
Ahlia University in Bahrain actively contributes to SDG 9 by fostering a culture of innovation, encouraging research, and investing in infrastructure to support quality education and industrial linkages. The university’s commitment to SDG 9 is evident in its academic programs, research initiatives, and collaborations with industry partners, which collectively contribute to the sustainable industrial and technological growth of Bahrain.
Promoting Innovation and Research: Ahlia University encourages innovation and research across various disciplines, especially in technology, engineering, and business. Through research grants, resources, and faculty mentorship, students are empowered to explore innovative solutions for contemporary challenges, particularly those relevant to Bahrain’s industrial and technological needs.
Industry Partnerships and Collaboration: The university has strong ties with local and international industries, creating internship and research opportunities for students. These partnerships enable Ahlia University to align its academic programs with industry needs, ensuring that students gain skills that are relevant to Bahrain’s growing sectors, such as technology, logistics, and finance. These collaborations also foster knowledge exchange and drive industry-relevant innovation.
State-of-the-Art Infrastructure: Ahlia University continuously invests in modern campus facilities and advanced technologies to enhance the learning experience. The university’s infrastructure includes smart classrooms, well-equipped labs, and digital learning tools that support innovative research and development. This infrastructure provides students with hands-on experience in emerging technologies, preparing them for roles in the knowledge economy.
Digital Literacy and Technology Programs: The university offers courses and programs focused on digital skills, data science, and information technology, providing students with essential skills for a tech-driven economy. By integrating digital literacy into its curriculum, Ahlia University equips students with the tools needed to thrive in industries that are becoming increasingly dependent on technology and innovation.
Entrepreneurship and Startup Support: Ahlia University encourages entrepreneurship by supporting students interested in launching their own startups. Through workshops, mentorship programs, and business incubators, students receive guidance on how to develop and scale their business ideas. These initiatives foster a spirit of innovation and entrepreneurship among students, supporting Bahrain’s goals for economic diversification and industrial growth.
Through these efforts, Ahlia University plays a key role in promoting SDG 9 by fostering a culture of innovation, advancing industry-relevant skills, and providing modern infrastructure that supports high-quality education and research. The university’s alignment with SDG 9 not only prepares students to contribute to Bahrain’s industrial and technological advancement but also helps build a resilient, innovation-driven future for the nation.
International Conference on IT Innovations and Knowledge Discovery
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/events/international-conference-on-it-innovations-and-knowledge-discovery/
The international Conference on ’IT INNOVATIONS AND KNOWLEDGE DISCOVERY (ITIKD, 2023)’ to be held on 8th and 9th March 2023 in hybrid mode i.e. Virtual and Physical, focuses on the recent developments and findings in the domains of computational intelligence, knowledge discovery, modern trends of cyber security and other IT innovative systems. The conference is aimed to bring together participants representing the entire cross-section of academicians, researchers, industrialists, students etc’ both locally and internationally.
The conference is programmed for two days, which will offer a platform to ICT researcher’s to share their research findings, guidance from renowned keynote speakers, new technologies with researchers and experts.
Ahlia team won Khalid Bin Hamad Competition for Innovation in AI prize for best idea
A number of IT College students participated in the 2nd H.H. SH. Khalid Bin Hamad ’ Artificial Intelligence Competition, which has been hosted at Bahrain Polytechnic campus.
The competition includes 2 Hackfest tracks, one for University students, and the other for High-School students. Students have to work on innovative projects that use one or more of the Microsoft Azure features for Artificial Intelligence. Student projects are judged prior to an exhibition event and winners are announced at the award ceremony.
Registered teams have 4 weeks from the official launch of the relative Hackfest to work on their projects. Each team is given the chance to pitch/demonstrate the project to the evaluation panel. The best projects win cash prizes. Guiding workshops are organized to support the participants during the Hackfest duration.
IT College team won the prize of the best idea from new comers of university level competition.
International Conference on the Fourth Industrial Revolution and Beyond
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is the outcome of more than two centuries of scientific advancement in a wide range of disciplines. It has witnessed several periods of development that allowed the transition from farming and feudal society to more advanced society of revolutionized mental and intellectual spirit. This transition allowed contemplating new horizons of prosperity and opulence.
The Fourth Industrial Revolution encompasses ongoing automation of traditional manufacturing and industrial practices, using modern smart technology. Large-scale machine-to-machine communication (M2M) and the internet of things (IoT) are incorporated to improve automation, upgrade communication and self-monitoring, and production of smart machines that can analyze and diagnose issues without the need for human intervention. There are several major aspects that drive the Fourth Industrial Revolution, such as technological development, high-speed internet, artificial intelligence automation, big data analysis, and cloud technology.
The economy has always been a major force in transforming societies. Currently, however, changes, driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, are occurring at an accelerating rate impacting all aspects of human societies. They also alleviate the economic system to new horizons of affluence and create values that engage people and organizations in a new behavior.
Modern technologies are affecting our interactions, smoothing our economies, impacting our environment, and channeling information upon which individuals and institutions are influenced. It is essential, therefore, that we manage the risk of technological change not only to lessen its impact on society, but also to preserve human values. The aim of the conference is to address issues relevant to the Fourth Industrial Revolution by emphasizing the road to achieve progress and development for a sustainable future.
Call for Papers
Ahlia University international virtual conference on the Fourth Industrial Revolution will take place in Manama, the Kingdom of Bahrain from 17th ’ 19th January 2022. The conference provides an excellent opportunity for academicians, students, engineers, policy makers, and researchers to discuss new ideas and reflect on the impact that new technologies will have on human societies.
Current technological and knowledge gaps hinder some nations from quick adoption of the new industrial revolution driven by such disruptive technologies as robotics, automations, virtual reality, the internet of things (IOT) and artificial intelligence.
The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrates that collective global efforts are necessary to overcome some of the challenges facing nations. The conference aims to address the emerging technological trends and provide solutions to remedy the current state of global insecurity and inequality.
Topics of the conference
The Fourth Industrial Revolution addresses the blurring boundaries between various types of disciplines, including physical, digital, and biological worlds. This conference provides a platform for participants to exchange their knowledge and share information on a wide range of issues that are becoming a major concern of the current and future impacts of technologies, driven by the Fourth Industrial Revolution, on human societies in their quest for a better future.
’ Artificial Intelligence and Robotics
’ Industry 4.0
’ Machine learning
’ Predictive and Prescriptive Maintenance
’ Intelligent Structural Analysis
’ Advanced Materials
’ 5G, 6G generations, and beyond
’ Additive Manufacturing and Multidimensional Printing
’ Space technologies
’ Drones, and applications
’ Micro-Electromechanical Systems (MEMS) and applications
’ Biotechnologies and their role in health science, agriculture, and food processing
’ Nanotechnology, future perspective
’ Quantum computing
’ The Internet of Things
’ Cloud Computing
’ Digital finance
’ Virtual and Augmented Reality
’ Holography
’ Renewable energy, storage, transmission, and optimization through AI
’ Neurotechnology
’ Geoengineering
’ Education and the challenges of the Fourth Industrial Revolution
’ Impact of the Fourth Industrial Revolution on the environment, Culture, and Society
’ Neurotechnology and applications
’ Future technologies
’ Cybersecurity
Accelerating the transformation to a green university: University of Bahrain experience
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/events/entrepreneurship-and-innovation/
Many universities are striving to have an environmental impact on the society as they are considered as small communities aiming to be eco-friendly and having low CO2 emission. This concept has been emerging after the worldwide concern on the ozone depletion issue and global warming. As a result, many titles have appeared like ’Green Universities’, ’eco- friendly Universities,’ ’Environmental sustainable Universities’ and ’Environmentally responsible universities,’ etc. This paper proposes a mechanism that allows universities to go green or become environmentally sustainable higher education bodies in a short span of time. It simply advises the universities to best practice the Environmental Sustainable Development Goals (ESDG’s) Components incorporated in the seventeen United Nation Sustainable Developments Goals (SDG’s) that were announced on the 25 th September 2015 by all leaders of the countries which were aimed to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all as part of a new sustainable development agenda where each goal has specific targets to be achieved over the next 15 years.
These ESDG’s listed within the SDG’s are the following:
1) Good Health and Well-being. 2) Quality Education.
3) Clean Water and Sanitation.
4) Affordable and Clean Energy.
5) Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
6) Sustainable Cities and Communities.
7) Climate Action.
8) Life below Water.
9) Life on Land.
Therefore, incorporating such 9 Goals in the strategic planning of each worldwide university that has aligned its goals with the Country National Strategy - which by default includes these SDG’s - will accelerate and boost each university to transform to Green and Environmentally Sustainable campus. The paper also sheds light on the experience of Ahlia University in this respect.
The purpose of the visit is to give the students with the opportunities to have a good idea about the practical side related to entrepreneurship by visiting real businesses and interacting with Entrepreneurs.
SUSTAINABILITY IN GOVERNANCE AND ADMINISTRATION
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/sustainability-governance-administration/
Sustainability in governance and administration addresses how we run the university in terms of human resources, finance, decision-making and process implementation. The way we function as an institution and a community supports our commitment to sustainability and all decisions at AU are made and implemented with a sustainable future in mind. The commitment of the University to sustainability is demonstrated through the following policies: the Sustainability Policy, Environmental Policy, and Paper Use Policy, all of which have helped to change the way the University is governed and administered.
University Policy on Sustainability
The University Mission will be attained responsibly by carrying out its activities in a manner that achieves a balance between the social, economic and environmental dimensions of sustainability. Ahlia University works towards the advancement of learning through teaching, scholarship and service to society. This is accomplished by offering the best education to our outstanding students, by carrying out excellent scholarly activities based on international standards, and by providing service to society in all possible ways for which we are well-suited by virtue of our academic strengths [2].
Ahlia University aspires to achieve the highest possible standards of sustainability on its campus and in its day-to-day academic activities, practices and operations, and by its outreach to the broader community. The University strives to be a leader in education and research that creates and communicates the knowledge required for humans to live sustainably at the local, regional and global community. Our goal is to become an institutional model of sustainability for society in the GCC as we pursue our academic mission and play a positive and proactive role in communicating the rationale and need to develop and implement sustainable practices in the broader community.
For this purpose, the University will:
’ Encourage economic efficiencies in the University’s operations that are consistent with social equity and respect for the environment;
’ Undertake its activities and operations in a manner that strikes an appropriate balance between the needs and aspirations of current and future generations;
’ Minimize the use and consumption of energy and material resources in recognition of the finite capacity of the biosphere to accommodate human activities.
’ Promote a healthy, safe and productive work and learning environment for the AU community;
’ Advance individual and collective efforts and accountabilities throughout the AU community to make sustainability a priority in the life of the University;
’ Share knowledge to stimulate innovation, raise awareness and ensure effective participation of the AU community in the implementation of sustainable practices;
’ Identify and conserve the cultural and natural heritage of AU, including properties, traditions and knowledge;
University Policy on Healthy Environmental
Ahlia University is committed to fulfilling its academic mission and managing all resources in harmony with our natural environment as well as to meeting our social, scientific, ethical and educational leadership responsibility in actively promoting the restoration and preservation of a healthy environment for the future and in contributing to building an equitable world [2].
The University recognizes the importance of rethinking and correcting if necessary the heavy reliance on and the wasteful habits in the use of resources we take for granted. The commitment of the University to raising environmental awareness is demonstrated in its daily teaching and research activities, in the services the University provides to the community and society at large, and in the individual and collective decisions the University takes to offset the negative impact of the University’s operation and activities on the Environment. Moreover, the University is committed to increasing the University community’s awareness of environmental issues, by fostering the appropriate values, knowledge, and skills to enable us to work towards the restoration and preservation of the Environment [2].
AU shall strive to be recognized as an environmentally safe and responsible institution of learning, and as a model of environmentally responsible living. For this purpose, AU community shall make every reasonable effort to:
’ Encourage all members of the AU community to be environmentally aware and the University Policy on Healthy Environment Policy to be well publicized;
’ Encourage all members of the AU community to Re-think/Reduce/Re-use/Recycle. Given the costs that recycling entails, reduce and re-use options shall always be considered first; and
’ Prevent the over-consumption of energy and other resource and reduce the production of waste, and the release of substances harmful to the biosphere;
’ Maintain purchasing practices that are environmentally safe and responsible whenever possible;
’ Seek additional ways of achieving our goal of being environmentally safe and responsible.
IT INNOVATIONS IN KNOWLEDGE DISCOVERY SYMPOSIUM
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/events/it-innovations-in-knowledge-discovery/
Under the Patronage of his Excellency Eng. Kamal Bin Ahmed Mohammed, Minister of Transportation and Telecommunications, Ahlia University -College of Information Technology organizes the IT Innovation in Knowledge Discovery Symposium.
This event offers a platform to ICT researchers to share their research ideas, guidance from world-renowned keynote speakers, workshops on ICT new technologies and network with researchers especially in the GCC countries.
Objetives
’ To share and exchange novel ideas about knowledge discovery and data science.
’ To create awareness on IT emerging trends to students, staff, faculty and symposium participants.
’ To provide latest ICT hand-on skills to participants through workshops.
SCOPE
This symposium brings together participants representing the entire cross-section of academicians, researchers, industrialists, students etc. This event is a two-day program which offers a platform for ICT researchers to share their research ideas, guidance from renowned keynote speakers, workshops on ICT new technologies and network with researchers especially in the GCC countries.
Event will hold keynote speeches, presentations on new trends, researchers’ views, and ICT workshops.
UNIVERSITY INDUSTRY INTERFACE: TEACHING, LEARNING & COLLABORATIVE RESEARCH
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/events/uiidc/
COVID-19 impacted the society and all its aspects, universities and higher education institutions (HEIs) are not an exception. Teaching and learning have seen a paradigm shift. Many universities and HEIs have adopted online teaching, learning and assessment swiftly with their resources. Due to the pandemic, some learning activities have been restricted or have been transformed. Rapid technology adoption has also brought many new opportunities by way of flexible learning without any time and travel restrictions.
This panel discussion aims to discuss the challenges and opportunities faced by universities and HEIs in terms of the industry interactions with the students, faculty and other industry stakeholders. The key takeaway from this panel discussion will potentially be a change in the strategy of universities and HEIs by the decision makers for industry interaction.
Ahlia University Opens its Doors to Innovation, Excellence and Success
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/ahlia-university-opens-doors-innovation-excellence-success/
Prof. Abdulla Al Hawaj, the Founding President of Ahlia University and the Managing Director of its Board of Trustees, called upon the newly admitted students to aspire towards creativity, innovation and excellence in both the academic and practical aspects of their lives. He avowed, ’Dream big, and do not underestimate your vigor and capabilities. You have a great opportunity at Ahlia University to develop a drive that is greater than a certificate or a job.’
In his opening speech at Ahlia University’s Induction Day for the new academic year 2017-18, Prof. Abdulla Al Hawaj assured students that Ahlia University cares to create a family atmosphere that acts as a second home to all students and employees. He encouraged new students to open their minds and hearts to life at the university in all its scientific, cultural, and social facets, through participation in various extracurricular activities and regular visits to the university library.
Prof. Al Hawaj declared that Ahlia University is steadily achieving regional and international recognition and success with the support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, His Royal Highness Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister of Bahrain, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince of Bahrain.
Along similar lines, Prof. Mansoor Alaali, the President of Ahlia University, welcomed the new students and congratulated them on joining Ahlia and assured them that the university is proud to be the first private university in Bahrain to have had received confidence from the Quality Assurance Authority for Education and Training (QAAET) for all its programs. He further added, ’Innovation and continuous development are vital characteristics of successful universities and educational institutions’.
Prof. Alaali called on students to actively engage in the university’s community and campus experiences by participating in various seminars, workshops and conferences organized by the faculty, the Deanship of Students Affairs and the Student Council. Moreover, Prof. Alaali stated that an ideal student takes initiative, and possess the spirit of ingenuity, creativeness and participation in both on and off-campus activities.
As a part of the Induction Day activities, students were provided with pamphlets and brochures explaining the types of services and educational tools offered by the university, including the e-learning platform (Moodle) which can be accessed through the university’s website.
IT INNOVATIONS IN KNOWLEDGE DISCOVERY symposium
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/it-innovations-i-knowledge-discovery-symposium/
Organized by Ahlia University under the patronage of the Minister of Transport and Communications
Today (Thursday) ... Manama hosts IT Innovations Conference
Under the patronage of the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr. Kamal Ahmed, the activities of the "Information Technology Innovations in Knowledge Discovery" conference, organized by the Faculty of Information Technology at Ahlia University, will kick off this morning (Thursday), April 6, 2017, at the Rotana Hotel in the capital, Manama, for two consecutive days, with the participation of experts, researchers and specialists from the Gulf countries and several Arab, Western, Asian and African countries.
The opening ceremony is expected to be attended by about 200 people, including experts and decision-makers in the government and private information technology sector in Bahrain, the Arab Gulf countries and a number of countries around the world, including the United States of America, Canada, Sweden, Pakistan, Tunisia, Iraq, Egypt and Nigeria, in addition to representatives from a number of Bahraini and Gulf ICT companies.
On this occasion, the President of the University, Prof. Mansour Al-Aali, praised the patronage of His Excellency the Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr. Kamal Ahmed, for the activities of the conference, stressing that Al-Ahlia University is proud of the great support it enjoys from the esteemed government in its various ministries.
He said that this conference is an opportunity for participants, including officials, academics, experts, researchers, representatives of the private sector and those concerned with the field of industry and information and communication technology, to exchange experiences and opinions and provide the best models of global practices in a field that is witnessing major transformations every day. He stressed the importance of enhancing the uses of ICT solutions and services in raising the quality of services to facilitate and keep pace with the successive global changes in the transition to the digital economy and review the various modern trends of technology.
For her part, the Dean of the Faculty of Information Technology at Ahlia University, Dr. Wassan Awwad, stressed the importance of the role of the ICT sector in finding smart solutions for various economic sectors, noting the advanced infrastructure of the Kingdom of Bahrain in this field, and the efforts made by the Ministry of Transport and Communications in developing this sector and enhancing competitiveness in it to keep pace with various global developments. She stressed that the development of the knowledge-based digital economy must be diversified and competitive, encourage the scientific and research role of universities and various relevant institutions, and rely on innovation and entrepreneurship.
Awwad explained that the opening ceremony of the conference will include the speech of the sponsor of the conference, Minister of Transport and Communications, Mr. Kamal Ahmed, and the speech of the President of Al-Ahlia University, Professor Mansour Al-Aali, in addition to the speech of the Dean of the Faculty.
In addition to the Master's program in Information Technology and Computer Science, the Faculty of Information Technology at Ahlia University offers two bachelor's degree programs: a bachelor's degree in information technology, and a bachelor's degree in distributed systems and multimedia, and all of the college's programs have achieved full confidence in the programmatic review of the National Authority for Qualifications and Quality Assurance, like other university programs in the faculties of management, engineering and health sciences. The university supports its IT programs with professional courses offered by Oracle and Microsoft that are required by the labor market, and those who receive them are paid twice as much as their peers with academic qualifications only.
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