Day: September 7, 2024

Manama, The University of Bahrain (UoB) has finalised its preparations for the start of the new academic year for undergraduate and postgraduate students, which begins tomorrow, Sunday, following the orientation week for new students held from September 2 to 5. Dr. Fuad Mohammed Al Ansari, President of UoB, welcomed all students, particularly the new entrants, congratulating them on reaching this important milestone in their academic life. He encouraged them to pursue specialised knowledge through scientific methods, critical thinking, problem solving, and creative analysis. Around 3,400 new students took the English language exemption test on Monday and Tuesday, September 2-3, 2024, to determine whether they would be exempt from the preparatory programme or require one or two semesters of study. Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, Bahrain has launched its National Summary Data Page (NSDP), a unified platform for publishing financial, economic, and demographic data, aimed at enhancing transparency and the integration of statistical information. The page facilitates the exchange of statistical and descriptive data. Shaikh Salman bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Minister of Finance and National Economy, highlighted Bahrain's commitment to strengthening its international status under the leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. He emphasised the role of comprehensive data in improving governance, attracting investment, and supporting the government's efforts under the backing of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister. The Finance Minister also stressed the importance of ongoing cooperation with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) to apply the highest international standards, commending the collaborative efforts between Team Bahrain and the IMF that contributed to th e launch of the NSDP. The NSDP is available through Bahrain's Open Data Portal, providing data exchange through Statistical Data and Metadata Exchange (SDMX) and supporting Bahrain's efforts to meet the IMF's Special Data Dissemination Standard (SDDS). Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, The second Gulf Hackathon for AI in Education concluded today in Bahrain, organised by the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States in collaboration with the Ministry of Education. The event was attended by Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education; Dr. Abdulrahman bin Mohammed Alasmi, Director General of the Arab Bureau of Education for the Gulf States; and Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of Arabian Gulf University (AGU). The Minister highlighted the event's alignment with efforts to integrate AI into curricula across the GCC and emphasised Bahrain's commitment to strengthening cooperation with the Arab Bureau of Education. Dr. Al Asmi commended Bahrain's support and noted that the hackathon aligns with the bureau's forward-looking programmes developed through expert studies and collaboration with member states. The event ended with the announcement of the competition results and the recognition of the winning student teams. The hackathon saw the participation of 34 high school s tudents from GCC countries, competing to develop AI driven projects. Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, the Information and eGovernment Authority (iGA) Chief Executive, met with the newly-appointed Director General of the GCC Statistical Centre, Intisar bint Abdullah Al Wahibiah, at the iGA's headquarters in Isa Town to discuss joint cooperation. Al Qaed wished Al Wahibiah success in enhancing the centre's role in supporting Gulf statistical work. He expressed hopes for continued collaboration to support Gulf statistical efforts and achieve shared goals. The meeting reviewed iGA's national survey efforts and explored knowledge exchange opportunities to enhance statistical efficiency. The meeting also discussed the upcoming permanent committee meeting on statistical affairs, focusing on developing activities to meet member states' needs. Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, Shaikh Mohammed bin Ahmed Al Khalifa, the Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Ministry Undersecretary, announced the launch of the updated version of Bahrain's unified building permit requirements guide 2.0, available in Arabic and English on the "Benayat" (buildings) website (www.benayat.bh). The Undersecretary highlighted that the updated requirements were developed in coordination with all relevant government entities, aiming to simplify access to building permit regulations and speed up the service delivery process for end users. He further explained that the guide outlines the procedures for issuing building permits for residential and investment projects and serves as a reference for engineering and consulting offices and those interested in building permits. Benayat manages building permits for all projects in Bahrain, including residential, investment, industrial, and commercial. It allows licensed engineering offices in Bahrain to apply for permits and check the status of applications. Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today congratulated the World Endurance Champion, His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Representative of His Majesty the King for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs, and Captain of the Royal Endurance Team, after securing first place in the 160 km FEI World Endurance Championship held in Montpazière, France. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister affirmed that HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad's victory as World Endurance Champion is a testament to the unwavering support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa in advancing equestrian sports in the Kingdom. His Royal Highness highlighted the importance of elevating the Kingdom of Bahrain's standing in international sports competitions. HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad also emphasised the importance of maintaining the Royal Endurance Team's efforts, led by His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, noting that their consistent to p performances bring pride to the Kingdom and its sports sector. His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister expressed his best wishes for the Royal Endurance Team's continued success, praising the team's genuine determination and persistent ambition to ascend the podium and represent the Kingdom of Bahrain on the global sports stage. Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, today attended the 160-km FEI World Endurance Championship in Montpazière, France. His Royal Highness congratulated His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa on the victory of His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Representative of HM the King for Humanitarian Works and Youth Affairs and Captain of the Royal Endurance Team, who won first place in the World Endurance Championship. His Royal Highness also congratulated HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad for winning this global championship for the second consecutive time, highlighting the immense pride it brings to the country. HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister affirmed that endurance racing in the Kingdom of Bahrain has achieved advanced levels, thanks to the unwavering support from His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa. HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad highlighted that the Kingdom of Bahrain continues to enhance its global position in various spo rts, particularly endurance racing, driven by the excellence of its athletes. HRH the Crown Prince and Prime Minister underscored HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad's role in advancing endurance racing in the Kingdom of Bahrain. His Royal Highness commended HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad's distinguished leadership of the Royal Endurance Team, which has contributed to Bahrain's success in this field and at various sports events. HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad noted His Highness' commitment to preparing and training for the championship, which contributed to his victory. His Royal Highness wished His Highness and the Royal Endurance Team continued success in securing future world championships and titles. Additionally, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister attended competitions of the FEI World Championship, where top jockeys from around the world competed. For his part, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad expressed his appreciation to His Majesty the King and His Royal Highness, the Crown Prince and Prime, for t heir unwavering support, which contributed to his victory at the FEI Endurance World Championship. His Highness emphasised that this second consecutive victory is a direct result of the encouragement of His Majesty the King. Throughout his preparation, His Majesty provided continuous guidance and closely monitored every development of the race through regular communication. This support served as a powerful motivator for His Highness to secure first place and excel in endurance sports. His Highness also highlighted that the presence of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister significantly boosted morale, contributing to the successful completion of the race. HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad expressed his gratitude upon achieving first place, crediting the close support of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), Chairman of the General Sports Authority (GSA), and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee. HH Sha ikh Nasser bin Hamad emphasised that the presence and engagement of his children and the children of HH Shaikh Khalid throughout the journey played a crucial role in his victory. Reflecting on the challenges faced during the race, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad noted the strong competition and difficult weather conditions in the early stages. However, through his experience and strategic insight, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad was able to develop a technical approach that led him to secure his second world title. The FEI World Endurance Championship witnessed the participation of 118 male and female riders from 39 countries. The race's distance was 160km, divided into six loops. His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports (SCYS), Chairman of the General Sports Authority (GSA), and President of the Bahrain Olympic Committee, as well as His Highness Shaikh Faisal bin Rashid Al Khalifa, the Vice-President of the Supreme Council for Environment , Deputy Chairman of the Rashid Equestrian and Horseracing Club (REHC) High Committee, and Member of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, were also in attendance. Source: Bahrain News Agency

Manama, Polling stations for the by-elections in the first constituency of Muharraq Governorate closed at 8 pm today, following a strong voter turnout from the constituency's residents. Voters abroad had already cast their ballots in the by-elections last Tuesday at several of Bahrain's diplomatic missions, according to the registered voter list for the same constituency. Source: Bahrain News Agency