The American University of Bahrain (AUBH), in partnership with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)’s International Science and Technology Initiative (MISTI) and powered by Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait (BBK), hosted the closing ceremony for two cutting-edge training workshops.
Held from January 6 to 30, the workshops marked the third consecutive year of this groundbreaking initiative, dedicated to fostering innovation and creativity among students. The program was meticulously designed to equip participants with the skills and knowledge required to excel in the ever-evolving landscape of modern technology.
The first workshop, titled “MISTI Accelerator – Business Startup: Transforming the Future,” centered on fostering entrepreneurial growth and driving innovation. The second workshop, “Actuated Experiences – Design & Fabrication for Interactivity: Unlock the Door to Innovation,” focused on providing hands-on learning opportunities in design and technical development.
These workshops brought together a diverse cohort of students from engineering, computer science, and ICT disciplines, representing various universities across Bahrain, such as, AUBH, Ahlia, BIBF, Polytechnic, Strathclyde, RUW, UOB and others. Guided by international experts and instructors from MIT, participants immersed themselves in practical learning experiences designed to ignite creativity, refine technical skills, and equip them to tackle future challenges in their respective fields.
During the ceremony, participating students presented their exceptional and innovative achievements in design and manufacturing before a distinguished jury comprising representatives from BBK, Tamkeen, and other leading industry experts. The winning projects were announced as follows: Bazaar received the Best Business Pitch award, Navcket was honored with the Best Project Advanced award, and PearlQuest secured the Best Project Beginners award. In the People’s Choice category, ICE Wall emerged as the winner in the Advanced division, while EmotiBear claimed the title in the Beginners division.
Mr. Yaser Alsharifi, BBK Group Chief Executive, commented: “We are extremely proud to support this pioneering educational program for the second year in a row, which represents the embodiment of our strategic vision to invest in the future of Bahraini youth. We believe that these initiatives directly contribute to strengthening the Kingdom of Bahrain’s position as a regional hub for advanced technology and innovation, which supports our national aspirations towards sustainable development and economic prosperity.”
Dr. Bradley J. Cook, President of the American University of Bahrain, expressed his great appreciation for BBK’s support for the pioneering MISTI program hosted by the university in collaboration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and affirmed his pride in the strategic partnership with the Institute for the third consecutive year.
“These initiatives exemplify the essence of global academic collaboration, aligning with our vision to deliver an exceptional educational experience that equips students to become future leaders and pioneers in addressing contemporary challenges,” Dr. Cook stated, “We are dedicated to supporting the Kingdom of Bahrain’s vision for sustainable development by empowering youth with the skills to innovate and create, thereby contributing to the growth of a prosperous society and the establishment of a knowledge-based economy.”
For her part, Mrs. Marwa Al Alawi, Lead Instructor and Course Developer for this year’s MISTI program from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), expressed her happiness with the success of this year’s fabrication workshop, and stated, “We are thrilled to partner with AUBH for the third consecutive year to host the MIT Global Teaching Lab Program. This year, my team and I developed an original course focused on teaching key fabrication skills, such as 3D modeling, building sensors from scratch, and creating graphical user interfaces.
“The program has engaged 55 Bahraini students through 10 hands-on labs, including designing sliding calendars, building light-following robots, and creating a Guitar Hero game with a physical guitar. With a dedicated course website, instructor-made videos, and exciting final projects—ranging from underwater drones to social robots and smart furniture—we are equipping Bahraini students with cutting-edge skills and fostering their belief that, with the right tools, skills, and guidance from mentors, they can create almost anything they imagine.”