Times of Bahrain

06/10/2025

BIBF and Libya’s IBFTS Forge Strategic Partnership to Boost Regional Financial Training

Manama: The Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Libya’s Institute of Banking and Financial Training and Studies (IBFTS), aimed at strengthening cooperation in financial education, training, and professional development across the region.

The MoU was signed by Dr. Ahmed Al Shaikh, CEO of BIBF, and Mr. Ahmed Othman, General Manager of IBFTS, during an official ceremony attended by senior officials from both institutions.

This strategic agreement sets the foundation for a collaborative framework focused on:

Designing and delivering joint training programmes tailored to the evolving banking and finance landscape.
Exchanging expertise, knowledge, and best practices in professional education.
Exploring opportunities for student and staff exchanges, as well as joint workshops and conferences.

Dr. Ahmed Al Shaikh highlighted the importance of regional collaboration, stating: “This partnership reinforces our mission to support financial sector advancement through education. Working alongside IBFTS will help build a pool of highly skilled professionals, contributing to the economic growth of both Bahrain and Libya.”

Mr. Ahmed Othman added: “We are proud to partner with BIBF, a leading name in the financial training sector. This collaboration gives our professionals access to international standards in learning, boosting the resilience and capability of Libya’s financial industry.”

The agreement also reflects BIBF’s commitment to expanding its global outreach and supporting sustainable development through human capital growth and regional cooperation. The collaboration aligns with both institutions’ vision to raise professional standards and equip the workforce with skills necessary for modern banking and finance challenges.

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06/10/2025

Mona Almoayyed Elected Chairperson as MWPS Unveils New Leadership to Boost Migrant Welfare in Bahrain

Manama: The Migrant Workers Protection Society (MWPS) has announced its newly elected leadership team, with Mrs. Mona Yousuf Khalil Almoayyed unanimously chosen as Chairperson of the Board of Directors for the upcoming term.

The formation of the 12-member board marked a new chapter for the organization, with the election of office bearers held as the first order of business. The full leadership slate elected by acclamation is:

Chairperson: Mrs. Mona Yousuf Khalil Almoayyed, Vice Chairperson: Mrs. Evone Vijayavani Bhaskaran, General Secretary: Mr. Madhavan Kallath, Treasurer: Mrs. Kavithasree Suvarna, Assistant General Secretary: Mr. Mohamed Gayazullah Amanullah, Assistant Treasurer: Mr. Daniel Menezes Ambrosio.

To ensure strategic and efficient operations, the board also introduced five specialized committees, each tasked with a specific area of focus:

Action Committee: Headed by Mr. Ayuk Arrey Ndumne, Finance Committee: Headed by Mrs. Kavithasree Suvarna, Fundraising Committee: Led by Mr. Mohamed Gayaz. Labour Safety and Welfare Committee: Headed by Mr. Zuhair Katib. Media and Publicity Committee: Led by Mrs. Raji Unnikrishnan

New Chairperson Mrs. Mona Almoayyed expressed optimism about the board’s future direction, stating: “We are energized and united in our purpose. This diverse and committed team is well-positioned to scale up our efforts in protecting the rights and improving the welfare of migrant workers in Bahrain.

The Migrant Workers Protection Society is a registered non-profit organization in Bahrain that works to safeguard the rights and welfare of migrant workers from all nationalities through advocacy, support services, and community outreach.

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05/10/2025

Bahrain, UK Strengthen Police Training Ties During Interior Minister’s Visit to Durham

Manama: Bahrain’s Interior Minister, General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, visited Durham Constabulary in the UK as part of his official trip aimed at deepening cooperation in police training and law enforcement. He was accompanied by Shaikh Fawaz bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Bahrain’s Ambassador to the UK, and senior Interior Ministry officials.

At Durham Police Headquarters, the delegation was received by Chief Constable Rachel Bacon, who underscored the importance of the strategic partnership. She highlighted the value of Bahrain’s continued collaboration in developing advanced training programmes in areas such as forensics, investigations, and leadership.

General Shaikh Rashid reaffirmed the strength of Bahrain-UK relations and praised the success of joint efforts in raising professional policing standards. He expressed Bahrain’s commitment to global security and emphasised exploring future training initiatives in artificial intelligence, transnational crime, and crime prevention.

The Minister welcomed expanding cooperation and acknowledged Durham’s valuable experience and best practices. He also received briefings on community policing, police leadership, youth engagement, and road safety efforts led by Durham Constabulary.

The visit reviewed earlier training collaborations, including courses in forensic science and professional investigations. Plans are underway to introduce new programmes on combating organised crime and tech-driven policing methods.

General Shaikh Rashid also presented Bahrain’s achievements in rehabilitation and reintegration, including the alternative sentencing and open prison initiatives. He highlighted the “Together” (Ma’an) programme, an anti-violence and addiction awareness campaign run in schools in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

The meeting concluded with a mutual commitment to advancing training partnerships and enhancing police capabilities through continued knowledge exchange.

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05/10/2025

McLaren secures 2025 F1 Constructors’ Championship for second consecutive year

McLaren Clinches 2025 F1 Constructors’ Title Again, Strengthening Bahrain’s Global Sporting Legacy

Manama: The McLaren team, owned by Mumtalakat Holding Company, won the 2025 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship for the second consecutive year.
 
Briton Lando Norris secured third place in the Singapore Grand Prix at the Marina Bay Street Circuit, while his Australian teammate Oscar Piastri finished fourth in a fiercely competitive race held under the lights of the Singapore circuit, known for being one of the most challenging tracks due to its tight corners and precise layout.
 
With this victory, McLaren secured the 2025 Formula 1 Constructors’ Championship for the second consecutive season, with six rounds remaining. The team extended its lead by 27 points at the Singapore Grand Prix, bringing its total to 650 points, a significant 325-point advantage over its nearest rival. Oscar Piastri retained his lead in the Drivers’ Championship with 336 points, followed by Lando Norris with 314 points, further underscoring McLaren’s dominance this season.
 
This achievement highlights McLaren’s status as one of Bahrain’s premier sports investments and reflects Mumtalakat Holding Company’s commitment to supporting global sports while strengthening Bahrain’s presence on the international sporting stage.

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05/10/2025

McLaren Crowned 2025 Constructors’ Champions — Powered by Passion and Precision! 🏁🏆

A historic win for McLaren as they clinch their 10th Constructors’ Championship! 🇧🇭✨
Fueled by speed, strategy, and unstoppable determination — this victory reflects a legacy built on innovation and Bahrain’s proud partnership. 🔥🚀

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05/10/2025

HM King Hamad Honours US Navy Commander, Strengthens Strategic Military Ties

Manama: His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, received Vice Admiral George M. Wikoff, the outgoing Commander of the US Naval Forces Central Command and Commander of the Fifth Fleet.
 
HM the King expressed Bahrain’s pride in the enduring partnership with the United States, emphasising the long standing historical ties and mutual respect that form the foundation of their bilateral relationship.
 
HM the King commended the advanced bilateral cooperation, particularly in military and defence coordination, emphasising the role of the US administration in strengthening regional security and stability and promoting international peace.
 
The meeting also addressed recent regional developments and international events.
 
In recognition of Vice Admiral Wikoff’s efforts to support and enhance Bahrain-US cooperation in military and defence fields, His Majesty presented him the Order of Bahrain (Wisam al Bahrain), First Class.
 
On his part, Vice Admiral Wikoff expressed gratitude to HM the King. He commended HM the King’s role in strengthening the strong strategic partnership, and enhanced cooperation between the two countries.

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05/10/2025

05/10/2025

BIBF Partners with Malaysia’s INCEIF University to Advance Global Islamic Finance Education

Manama: In a move reinforcing Bahrain’s role as a global leader in Islamic finance education, the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) has signed a Letter of Intent with Malaysia’s INCEIF University to collaborate on education, training, and research in the Islamic finance sector.

The agreement was signed during BIBF’s recent official visit to Kuala Lumpur by Professor Emeritus Dato’ Dr. Mohd Azmi Omar, President & CEO of INCEIF University, and Dr. Ahmed Abdul Hameed Al Shaikh, CEO of the BIBF.

This partnership aims to foster international collaboration and knowledge exchange, aligning with Bahrain’s vision to build a knowledge-based economy and strengthen its standing as a global hub for Islamic banking. The two institutions will focus on joint academic and research initiatives, talent development, and capacity-building efforts to meet the evolving needs of the Islamic finance sector.

Dr. Al Shaikh highlighted the significance of the partnership, saying, “We are proud to collaborate with INCEIF University, a globally recognised leader in Islamic finance education. This strategic partnership will expand training opportunities, enhance research capabilities, and help shape future leaders in Islamic finance.”

Dr. Rizwan Malik, Head of the Islamic Finance Centre at BIBF, added: “This initiative marks an important milestone in expanding our academic capabilities and preparing a new generation of professionals equipped to serve regional and international markets.”

The collaboration is expected to lead to the development of specialised programmes that address market needs, support academic innovation, and contribute to sustainable economic development. It reflects a shared commitment to elevating the standards of Islamic finance education worldwide.

This agreement also underlines Bahrain’s continuous efforts to stay at the forefront of Islamic finance thought leadership, by nurturing talent and building global partnerships that serve the industry’s long-term growth.

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05/10/2025

Essity Launches Regional HQ in Riyadh to Support Vision 2030 Healthcare Goals

Riyadh: Essity, a global leader in hygiene and health, has officially opened its new regional headquarters in Riyadh to manage its Health & Medical business across the Middle East. The move aligns with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030, which includes over US$65 billion in planned investments to upgrade the nation’s healthcare infrastructure.

By establishing its Health & Medical hub in Riyadh, Essity reinforces its commitment to long-term growth in the region and to supporting the Kingdom’s efforts in transforming the healthcare sector. The headquarters will lead regional operations and drive collaboration, innovation, and improved access to quality medical solutions.

As part of the launch, Essity also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with two of Saudi Arabia’s leading healthcare distributors — Tamer Group and DMSCO. The agreement aims to raise healthcare standards and expand the availability of advanced health and medical products throughout the Kingdom.

“Saudi Arabia is a strategic market to accelerate growth of Essity’s Health & Medical business in the Middle East,” said Anand Chandarana, President of Business Unit Health & Medical for Essity. “As a global leader in hygiene and health, we are well positioned to support the Kingdom’s healthcare transformation and deliver long-term value to patients, customers, and systems through our trusted brands and innovation.”

Essity offers a wide range of solutions under well-known global brands such as TENA®️, Cutimed®️, Leukoplast®️, Delta-Cast®️, Actimove®️, and JOBST®️. These cater to wound care, incontinence, orthopedic support, and compression therapy needs.

The launch of the Riyadh HQ is expected to boost operational efficiency, deepen Essity’s engagement with local stakeholders, and support Saudi Arabia’s aspiration to become a regional leader in healthcare innovation and excellence.

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02/10/2025

Bahrain’s iGA Advances Digital Strategy with STEM Scholarships Expansion & Cybersecurity Integration

Manama: The Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) yesterday outlined key initiatives for Bahrain’s evolving National Digital Economy Strategy (NDES), spotlighting greater support for STEM scholarships and bolstered cybersecurity measures.

Under the leadership of the Ministry of Education, STEM scholarships—covering science, technology, engineering, and mathematics—accounted for more than 84% of all scholarships awarded in the 2023/2024 academic year. This expansion represents a major effort to align education with future digital sector needs.

In parallel, iGA, working with the National Cybersecurity Center (NCSC), successfully completed projects mandated by the NDES. These efforts align with the National Cybersecurity Strategy and broaden cooperation among government entities to strengthen digital defenses across sectors.

Mohammed Ali Al Qaed of iGA stressed that these first-phase implementations are foundational to the NDES—Bahrain’s first comprehensive digital strategy covering both public and private sectors, He noted that the initiatives support sustainable development in financial services, tourism, industry, IT, logistics, and healthcare. The strategy aims to cultivate a borderless digital economy, positioning Bahrain as a competitive, connected hub for innovation.

Looking ahead, iGA’s strategy implementation team is actively collaborating with relevant stakeholders to introduce further projects across critical sectors in future phases. Al Qaed affirmed that performance monitoring systems will track outcomes, enabling timely course corrections and ensuring that benefits reach all parts of the economy.

For additional details or to download the full strategy document, visit the iGA website at iga.gov.bh or access the National Portal at bahrain.bh.

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28/09/2025

ISB’s Platinum Jubilee Concert ‘Mystique Melodies’ Celebrates 75 Years with Music and Unity

Manama: The Indian School Bahrain (ISB) celebrated a remarkable milestone with its Platinum Jubilee concert Star Vision Presents Mystique Melodies, held on Friday, 26 September 2025, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, Manama. The event, sponsored by Zain Bahrain and supported by Hikvision and Indomie, was a vibrant cultural evening that brought together students, parents, alumni, and well-wishers in celebration of ISB’s 75 years of excellence.

Headlined by the renowned Transcend Band, the concert mesmerized the audience with a blend of soulful ghazals, enchanting Sufi tunes, nostalgic light music, and energetic film hits in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, and English. The multilingual and genre-spanning performance created an unforgettable musical experience that truly reflected the spirit of unity in diversity.

Hon. Chairman Adv. Binu Mannil Varughese expressed heartfelt gratitude to all supporters: “We are deeply thankful to our parents, alumni, and well-wishers whose generous contributions made this Platinum Jubilee concert a meaningful success. Your support enriches our students’ learning journey.”

Dr. Mohammed Faizal, Hon. Vice-Chairman and Hon. Member of HSSE and Sports, delivered the presidential address, extending warm thanks to everyone who made the event possible. Principal VR Palaniswamy welcomed the guests, and Hon. Secretary V. Rajapandian delivered the vote of thanks, acknowledging the sponsors and wider community for strengthening ISB’s mission as a beacon of quality education in the Gulf.

General Convener Prince S. Natarajan remarked, “The overwhelming response reflects the enduring bond between the ISB community and the institution.”

The event aimed to support school development while commemorating ISB’s legacy of academic and cultural distinction. Key leaders behind the event included Patron Mohamed Hussain Malim, Event Convener Sudin Abraham, and Event Co-ordinator Janaradhnan K.

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28/09/2025

ISB Launches BD 400,000 Smart Classroom Upgrade in Partnership with Zain Business

Manama: The Indian School Bahrain (ISB) has embarked on a major digital transformation with the launch of its BD 400,000 Smart Classroom Project, in collaboration with Zain Business, to enhance education and safety for over 12,000 students across its Isa Town and Riffa campuses.

As part of this initiative, 350 classrooms — 225 in Isa Town and 125 in Riffa — will be upgraded with cutting-edge HIKVISION 86-inch 4K interactive panels. These advanced displays support Android 14.0 with dual system functionality, 40-point touch capability, anti-glare screens, and compatibility with OPS devices — enabling teachers to deliver dynamic, interactive lessons. The visual tools are designed to improve student engagement and concept retention.

In parallel, all classrooms, libraries, and laboratories will be fitted with HIKVISION 4MP CCTV cameras featuring smart motion detection, wide field of view, dual-light night vision, and weatherproof design. This comprehensive safety upgrade underscores ISB’s commitment to a secure, modern learning environment.

Zain Bahrain Chief Communications & Investor Relations Officer Sheikh Abdulla Khaled Al-Khalifa and ISB Hon. Chairman Adv. Binu Mannil Varughese signed the agreement in the presence of key school leaders and board members, including V. Rajapandian, Dr. Mohammed Faizal, Mithun Mohan, Principal VR Palaniswamy, and others.

Adv. Binu stated: “This partnership with Zain Business marks a significant step in our journey toward creating a digitally empowered learning environment. We remain committed to enriching students’ educational experiences while ensuring safety and connectivity throughout our school community.”

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