Arab Open University Celebrates the Graduation of the 16th Batch of Bachelor’s students and 7 of the Master’s Students
“With the passing of two decades, we pride ourselves on this academic edifice", Abdulaziz bin Talal.
“We have launched new programmes very much on demand by the labor market, and they are very recent specializations. We have, thus, strengthened our partnership with The Open University in the United Kingdom", Dr. Al-Ghamdi.
On Thursday, October 19, 2023), Arab Open University celebrated the graduation of the 16th batch of Bachelor’s students and the 7th batch of Master’s students, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Muhammad bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Higher Education Council, and His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.
His Excellency the Minister noted the role conducted by higher education institutions in preparing qualified citizens who have contributed to the comprehensive development in the Kingdom under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, and with the constant support of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.
He also pointed out that the Kingdom, with its wise leadership, has improved the local educational system and infrastructure, has developed the necessary strategies to expand the higher education sector, and has opened the way for the private sector to invest in it, acknowledging the vital role of this sector in supplying the national economy with qualified competencies equipped with the skills of the century—and this is the real capital of our country.
His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Arab Open University and Chairman of the Arab Gulf Program for Development "AGFUND", said in his speech during the ceremony:
"Today we celebrate the graduation of our dear students from our University, which has provided them with quality education to be productive citizens in their societies, and active contributors to their development, a process that owes much to the continuous support and generous care of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the King of the country, and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and his wise government. "
"Today, after two decades after the founding of the University, we remember its late founder, His Royal Highness Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, who launched it with a unique vision; aiming to provide young people in Arab countries with higher education opportunities through a non-profit development institution that overcomes economic and social barriers, temporal and spatial, adopting and employing latest technology”, he further added.
“We have witnessed the University’s continuous effort in achieving its mission laid out by the late founder, the father, His Royal Highness Prince Talal bin Abdulaziz, and his righteous son, His Royal Highness Prince Abdulaziz bin Talal bin Abdulaziz, who continues his path, seeking to provide Bahraini students with the knowledge and quality education, so as to contribute to its comprehensive development”, the President of Arab Open University in the Arab World, Dr. Muhammad Al-Zakri asserted.
The President of AOU, Bahrain, Dr. Ghurmallah Al-Ghamdi made reference to the newly launched programmes, adding, “we have now launched 8 programmes, with an increase of 267%, including very recent specializations in AI, Cyber Security, and Data Sciences. Another programme will soon be approved by the Higher Education Council, which is the Master of Cyber Security in partnership with The Open University in the United Kingdom, our strategic partner.”
Dr. Al-Ghamdi also announced more new programmes to be launched, that are very much on demand by the labor market, upon the approval of the Higher Education Council, pointing to the University’s role in preparing graduates for the labor market through inaugurating training programs in cooperation with Cambridge, as well as the US Embassy in Bahrain.
“We’ve come to see the fruits of our hard work; another credit to be added to the University, made by the best of academics and administrators who have dedicated their efforts –the effort we have received as quality education, clarity of vision, consideration and keenness to master and to achieve excellence”, the AOU graduate Zahra Abdulsalam concluded, with gratitude.