The Northern Governorate concluded the tenth edition of the Summer Activity Programme 2023, which was launched in June with the participation of 250 students under the slogan "Our homeland and our king bring us together". It was organized with the support of the National Bank of Bahrain, Al Salam Bank and the Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company, in cooperation with the Bahrain Autistic Society, Arab Open University, The Bahraini Catalysts Disabilities Association, and several organizations from the public and private sectors, as well as volunteers.
During the ceremony held at Arab Open University, the Northern Governor, Mr. Ali Al-Asfoor, stated that, the Summer Programme, which was carried out for more than a month, offered a package of unique and more powerful programs and events to combine entertainment and education in one place. The programme brought to the fore principles of national affiliation, values of citizenship, and the concept of the ‘healthy city’ adopted by the Northern Governorate. It also provided students with the opportunity to take the Psychometric test, in order to foresee future careers based on participants' skills and abilities and, thus, opening up new horizons with different aspects of life in various fields, so as to practically integrate more effectively in society.
Mr. Al-Asfoor further added that the Programme's activities helped define an array of talents, highlighting participants’ creativity through the artworks they produced. It also helped promote their knowledge and learning processes through the Programme's awareness-raising lectures, Training workshops, multi-stakeholder exploratory visits in Bahrain. Furthermore, Autism Summer Programme contributed to the integration of autistic people into society with the help of volunteers and the Programme's organizing committee.
Mr. Zakaria Hashim, President of the Bahrain Autistic Society, thanked and appreciated the Northern Governorate for the establishment of a program concerned with autism for the sixth year, noting that this Programme was distinguished both at the local and external levels by catering for the needs of this category of society.
The opening ceremony included an exhibition of artwork conducted by participating students, a screening of a film summarizing the Programme’s activities, followed by a promotional film about Arab Open University. After that, the Governor concluded the ceremony by honoring supporters, collaborators, volunteers and participants.