Goal 3
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being in Bahrain and Government Support
Sustainable Development Goal 3 (SDG 3) focuses on ensuring healthy lives and promoting well-being for all at all ages. Bahrain has made considerable progress in advancing healthcare and public health, with a focus on enhancing medical infrastructure, improving healthcare access, and promoting preventive health measures.
The Bahraini government has implemented various initiatives to achieve SDG 3, including:
Universal Healthcare Access: Bahrain provides a comprehensive healthcare system that offers free or subsidized healthcare services for its citizens. The government is dedicated to ensuring universal access to healthcare, with an extensive network of hospitals, clinics, and health centers. Through the National Health Insurance Program (Sehati), Bahrain ensures that both citizens and expatriates have access to quality healthcare services.
Public Health Campaigns: The Ministry of Health conducts public health campaigns addressing key health issues, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, mental health, and cancer awareness. These campaigns aim to raise awareness, encourage preventive healthcare, and provide early intervention to reduce the prevalence of these conditions.
Investing in Healthcare Infrastructure and Technology: Bahrain is continually investing in modernizing its healthcare facilities and adopting advanced medical technologies. Telemedicine, electronic medical records, and digital health applications are integrated into the healthcare system to improve efficiency, accessibility, and patient care quality.
Mental Health Support: Bahrain has been increasingly focused on mental health services, recognizing the importance of mental well-being in achieving SDG 3. The government has implemented programs to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and provide accessible mental health support through counseling and specialized mental health facilities.
Combating Infectious Diseases: Bahrain has also focused on preventing and controlling infectious diseases. Immunization programs for children, health screenings, and disease prevention measures have been strengthened to ensure a healthy population. Bahrain’s effective response to COVID-19, including vaccination campaigns, quarantine facilities, and public awareness initiatives, reflects its commitment to SDG 3.
These government initiatives align with SDG 3 by ensuring that Bahrain’s citizens and residents receive high-quality healthcare, while preventive health measures contribute to overall community well-being.
SDG 3 at Ahlia University: Health and Well-being Initiatives
Ahlia University in Bahrain also contributes to SDG 3 by promoting health, wellness, and well-being among its students, staff, and faculty. The university implements various programs and activities that support physical and mental health, creating a supportive environment that fosters well-being.
Health Awareness Programs: Ahlia University hosts health awareness events, workshops, and seminars that address critical health issues, such as mental health, nutrition, fitness, and stress management. These programs are designed to educate students and staff on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and to provide practical tools for managing health.
Mental Health Counseling Services: Ahlia University offers counseling services to support the mental well-being of its students. Qualified counselors are available to provide guidance and support, helping students manage stress, anxiety, and academic pressures. By promoting mental health awareness, the university fosters a supportive environment that prioritizes emotional well-being.
Sports and Fitness Facilities: The university encourages physical fitness by providing sports facilities and organizing recreational activities, such as sports tournaments and fitness challenges. These activities encourage students and staff to maintain an active lifestyle, which contributes to their physical and mental well-being.
COVID-19 Response and Health Protocols: During the COVID-19 pandemic, Ahlia University implemented strict health protocols to ensure the safety of its academic community. These protocols included social distancing measures, sanitization, online learning options, and awareness campaigns to prevent the spread of the virus. The university also supported the government’s vaccination efforts by encouraging students and staff to get vaccinated.
Health Research and Partnerships: Ahlia University engages in health-related research, exploring topics relevant to public health and well-being. By collaborating with healthcare organizations and research centers, the university contributes to developing solutions for prevalent health issues in Bahrain and shares knowledge that benefits the broader community.
Through these initiatives, Ahlia University aligns with SDG 3 by fostering a health-conscious culture on campus and supporting the well-being of its community. This approach complements Bahrain’s national efforts toward achieving good health and well-being for all.
Ahlia University Community Engagement Plan (2021-2025)
This plan, like the one before it, has as its underpinning AU’s vision in which the university strives to make a positive contribution to the development of the Bahraini community and by extension the wider Gulf region through its three core functions of Teaching and Learning, Research and Community Engagement. AU’s Community Engagement Plan 2021-2025’ is a continuation but strengthening of its Community EMPOWER Plan 2016-2020. It was deemed necessary to review and revise the current plan earlier as AU has a new strategic plan coming into effect in 2021. AU’s Community Engagement Plan (2021-2025) is derived from a number of national and international strategies to maintain the highest quality and academic standards in relation to Community Engagement and Social Responsibility.
Community Engagement Plan Aims:
’ To enforce social responsibility and to serve the local and regional community.
’ To further encourage and enhance participative community-based research which supports social and economic development.
’ To Strengthen the university's community relationships through cooperation and support of planned extension programs and services.
’ To provide budding entrepreneurs with skills and knowledge, as well as support through mentoring to successfully translate business ideas into viable business ventures.
Initiative 1:
Support and encourage students in a culture of engagement, entrepreneurship and innovation and prepare them by providing support through mentoring and partnerships to become leaders in their chosen professions.
’ Create a culture of awareness among learners about the importance of entrepreneurship for the growth of economy by fostering entrepreneurship at the university and community at large.
’ Providing experiential learning opportunities, conducting meaningful entrepreneurial research, and connecting students with mentors and resources that enable them to successfully start up a new business and prosper.
’ Provide Entrepreneurship related courses to support, educate, coach and encourage young entrepreneurs to pursue business opportunities and succeed in transforming them into viable start-ups.
’ Link the academic life with the business world through training, incubation, research and consultation.
’ Create partnerships with local and regional industries, and small and medium enterprises will be involved to support budding entrepreneurs.
’ Conduct events, seminars, lectures, conferences to promote entrepreneurship across the institution.
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/cms4/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Annual-Report_2018-19_061220.pdf
Ahlia University strives to achieve excellence in all aspects of its community engagement activities.’ Towards this end, in 2018/19 Ahlia created a Community Engagement Unit in order to enhance the management, monitoring and reporting of all community engagement activities, which in turn would maximize the impact of these activities across all stakeholders and strata of society.’ The support and coordination of the colleges, deanships and directorates allows the proper implementation of our community engagement plan with the aim of contributing positively in the development and prosperity of the community.
Community Engagement at Ahlia University is the process where students, faculty, staff, alumni and community organizations exchange information, resources and make referrals for community service and further learning opportunities. Community engagement activities form the third of Ahlia’s core functions.
For this reason, our Strategic Plan is underpinned by a Community Empowerment Plan and our activities are wide ranging, aimed at our internal and external communities.
-We offer programs meeting the needs of students, employers in the Kingdom.
-We support good causes and encourage volunteering and other activities that allow students to learn about civic duty and global citizenship.
-We work towards making our high-quality education accessible to all qualified applicants through scholarships, grants, and tuition remission schemes.
- Our research is outward-facing and geared to needs of our society.’
In 2018/19, Ahlia University organized and participated in a total of 90 community engagement activities, which means an average of more than 2 activities per week, across the first semester, second semester, and summer session.
Social Responsibility
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/social-responsibility/
We promote active participation in constructive social change through volunteerism, leadership and civic action on the part of our faculty, staff and students; further we accept a responsibility to contribute to the growth of our society through supporting worthy causes, conducting research that strives to advance human welfare, and by preparing professionals for leadership roles in their professions and their communities.
SPORTS
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/sports/
AHLIA UNIVERSITY PARTICIPATES WITH SIX SPORT TEAMS IN THE ’YALLA’ FESTIVAL THAT WAS HELD BY THE MINISTRY OF YOUTH AND SPORTS.
Ahlia University participated with diverse sport teams of football, basketball, volleyball, table tennis, colour challenge team and last but not least was the special needs team.
In the great festival which was held by the Ministry of Youth and Sports on Saturday the 6th of February 2016, AU took part in all the diverse activities that were challenging specially the Basketball team which played six games and lost only one of them.
The university joins festivals arranged by The Ministry to embrace student’s involvement in the community which leads to develop stronger relations with the society.
BASKETBALL
In August, Ahlia University organised a Basketball Tournament at the Star Sports Club. Five teams took part ’ The Tigers, Assad, The Black Wolves, One Team and Manama. The Tigers were victorious after a nail biting final against Manama.
FOOTBALL
In April, Ahlia took part in the Football Championship XV. 12 teams took part and there was great sense of competitive rivalry as the teams progressed from the knockout stages through to the final.
Community Engagement Plan (2021 ’ 2025)
Community Engagement Plan Aims:
- To enforce social responsibility and to serve the local and regional community.
- To further encourage and enhance participative community-based research which supports social and economic development.
- To Strengthen the university's community relationships through cooperation and support of planned extension programs and services.
- To provide budding entrepreneurs with skills and knowledge, as well as support through mentoring to successfully translate business ideas into viable business ventures.
About New Campus
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/about-new-campus/
Located in Madina Al Shamaliya island 11 this unique peace of architecture which embrace a mixture of contemporary and modern design art reflects the spirit future of a university campus. The main campus plot consists of interactive teaching and learning facilities, food and beverage outlets, library and study rooms, auditorium, offices, meeting halls, seminar halls, lobby and reception area, open spaces and car parks.
The indoor sports hall plot consists of multi sports hall accommodating up to 800 spectators based on international standards including football, basketball, volleyball and handball. The international size swimming pool capable of accommodating sports and training events. The gym and spa will provide a gorgeous health and wellbeing environment. A wide space clinic will be used as a medical and training facility. A serving lobby and receptions area, open spaces and car parks.
The main university campus and sports hall facility are surrounded with a beautiful huge green area park of more than 75000 square meter size. The students, staff and visitors will enjoy a spectacular sustainable environment.
AL Madina al Shamaliya Context:
Al Madina Al Shamaliya is a group of islands located within a twenty-minute drive from Manama City and a ten-minute drive from the Seef District. A series of primary roads and major linear routes link Madina Al Shamaliya to the Manama Central Business District (CBD), airport, industrial and port areas and surrounding districts. Ahlia University is at the heart of Island 11 along the primary open space.
Ahlia’s sexual and reproductive health-care services
Ahlia University in Bahrain is committed to promoting the well-being of its students by providing them with access to comprehensive sexual and reproductive health-care services. These services encompass a range of offerings, including information and education services, which are made available through special clinics, awareness campaigns, events, and informative lectures. The university recognizes the importance of ensuring that students have the knowledge, resources, and support they need to make informed decisions regarding their sexual and reproductive health. This proactive approach not only fosters a culture of well-being and empowerment on campus but also contributes to the overall physical and emotional health of its student community.
Health Clinic
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/student-handbook/
A health clinic is located in the third floor and is staffed by a full-time nurse who is responsible for providing medical first aid services. During emergencies that cannot be addressed by the nurse, the nurse will arrange for the student to be taken by ambulance to the adjacent health center or in more serious cases to the nearest hospital.
Ahlia University boasts a comprehensive healthcare system to cater to the well-being of its community members. This includes a general clinic that offers essential first-aid services to address immediate healthcare needs.
’In addition to this, the university has established specialized clinics dedicated exclusively to providing sexual and reproductive health services, with a particular focus on the needs of female employees and students, including pregnant individuals.
A dedicated healthcare professional oversees these specialized clinics, ensuring that regular monthly appointments are available to provide necessary care, guidance, and support. This commitment to specialized healthcare services underscores the university's dedication to the holistic health and welfare of its diverse community.
BREAST CANCER AWARENESS EVENT
https://www.linkedin.com/school/ahlia-university/posts/
STUDENT COUNSELLING
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/cms4/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Student-Handbook_Nov2020_WEB.pdf
Ahlia University provides a variety of student guidance services through a specialized directorate in the Deanship of Student Affairs. The Directorate of Student Counselling and Guidance responsible for providing services that help students overcome any academic, personal, social and psychological concerns that they may face throughout their study at Ahlia University.
Our student-centered counselling services are driven by our mission to provide services that are preventative and remedial in nature while addressing the psychological, educational, social, and developmental needs of AU students.
We aim to empower students, while educating them on developing lifelong skills that can assist them in the pursuit of their life and future goals. We are data driven, which means data is used in assessing student counselling needs and effectiveness, while driving future program development and evaluation.
Counselling may be of help to you if you are in need of/experiencing any of the following:
1. Academic Support services: including concerns about being at risk, on academic probation; struggling with low/under performance, study skills, language proficiency; in need of mediation with faculty/staff’etc.
2. Personal concerns that could be from within or outside university life that are hindering your academic success and overall well-being.
3. Psychological concerns: coping with concerns of such nature, and managing academics.
4. Adjusting to University life: University is a great milestone in your life. This transition can be challenging for some, causing undue stress.
5. Questioning your choice of major: For many, University provides them with an opportunity to seek and identify careers better suited to their interests and abilities. This might require guidance and support.
6. Any other concern that you might want to discuss in a confidential manner.
Please consider meeting with a counsellor if you are experiencing any of the above concerns, or even otherwise.
Counsellors at AU have an open-door policy, where the counsellor-student relationship is viewed as unconditional in nature, not restricting frequency or purpose of contact.
For concerns we cannot resolve, we will refer you to the appropriate body. Our core belief is that all students’ have dignity and worth and have the right to a safe, mutually respectful and orderly learning environment. Diversity is to be respected and appreciated as we foster unity amongst our students, faculty, staff and community.
Note: All students have the right to confidentiality. Please know that counselling services are offered in a private, safe and secure environment. All information shared is kept confidential (private); unless required by university policy, Kingdom law and/or the Counselling Code of Ethic (ACA; 2014)
Student Council
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/cms4/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/Student-Handbook_Nov2020_WEB.pdf
One of Ahlia University priorities is to create the right means of communication between students and the management and give the students the right to express their opinions and to discuss their problems in a democratic manner. In order to achieve this objective, the university has established the Student Council, which consists of members elected by their fellow students from different colleges. Student Council membership normally lasts for one year. The winners in the election elect the Student Council President and the heads of different Student Council committees. The Student Council aims to achieve the following:
1. Develop students’ personalities from the academic, social, cultural, and national aspects.
2. Develop students’ leadership skills and allow them to freely express their views and opinions.
3. Develop students’ awareness of their rights and responsibilities within the university rules and regulations.
4. Support students’ activities in the fields of science, culture, social events, and sports, which are expected to improve the students overall educational attainment.
5. Encourage the spirit of collaboration and teamwork between the students and create a strong bond between the students and the University faculty and staff.
6. Encourage students’ contributions towards the development of better student service
Directorate of Student Counselling & Advising
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/directorate-of-student-counseling-advising/
’The counselling Department has been set up with intent to provide support to ALL students enrolled at Ahlia University (AU). Counsellor’s here at AU work for, and in favor of students, with intent to empower them to achieve their optimum potential. We encourage students to utilize the counsellor’s available: to help them with any concerns coming in the way of meeting academic success. We believe that all students have dignity and worth and have the right to a safe, mutually respectful, healthy and orderly learning environment. We respect and appreciate diversity, while aiming to cultivate unity among our students, faculty, staff and community.
Students are provided with student-centered counselling services, addressing prevention, intervention and student developmental needs. We hope to help students’ develop lifelong skills that can assist them in pursuit of their life goals.
Counselling Aims
https://www.ahlia.edu.bh/counseling-aims/
Students can visit a counsellor for several reasons.
Click on Counselling Aims
Please consider meeting with a counsellor if you are experiencing any of the above concerns, or even otherwise. Counsellors at AU have an open door policy, where the counsellor-student relationship is viewed as unconditional in nature, not restricting frequency or purpose of contact. For concerns we cannot resolve we will refer you to the appropriate body.
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