HRH Premier stresses support to national universities

Manama, May 24 (BNA): His Royal Highness Prime Minister Prince Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa has lauded the key role played by universities in developing societies, underlining the government's support to all national universities, and keenness on encouraging investment in the education sector. In this regard, HRH the Prime Minister praised Al-Ahlia University's distinguished status, landmark achievements and cooperation with international university, which, he said, will benefit students in Bahrain and promote Bahraini universities abroad. HRH the Prime Minister made the statements while receiving at the Gudaibiya Palace today the founding President of the Al-Ahlia University Professor Abdulla Yussef Al-Hawaj, who introduced to him a delegation from Brunel University, led by its Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Andrew George, currently on a visit to the kingdom. UK Ambassador to Bahrain Simon Martin was present. HRH Premier affirmed the government's full interest in supporting the efforts of national universities to expand the scope of their cooperation with renowned prestigious world universities, given the positive impact of that cooperation in improving the quality of the educational output in the kingdom. The Prime Minister expressed pride in the distinguished level of higher education in the kingdom, which, he asserted, has attracted mega world universities to cooperate with Bahraini universities or open their regional branches here. This proves the soundness of the government's efforts to upgrade the educational system in the kingdom and enhance global confidence in it, he explained. HRH the Prime Minister affirmed that the educational and scientific sector is one of the main pillars of the comprehensive development strategy adopted by the kingdom through putting in place all necessary requirements and an educational atmosphere that ensure the graduation of qualified competencies in various disciplines. HRH Premier highlighted the government's keenness on consolidating investment in higher education. This will bring about a quantum leap in the sector and cope with the latest world systems in this regard, for the best interests of future generations, he said. HRH the Prime Minister lauded the UK-based Brunel University as a renowned academic institution with distinguished staff and educational programmes, wishing a successful cooperation with Bahraini universities. Professor Andrew George lauded HRH Premier's support to the existing cooperation between Brunel University and national universities in Bahrain, noting that such support will enhance cooperation in various educational and academic programmes. He affirmed that cooperation with the Al-Ahlia University would be expanded in the scientific and other fields. Professor Dr. Abdulla Al-Hawaj extended utmost thanks and gratitude to HRH Premier for his unlimited support to the education sector and national universities, including Al-Ahlia, expressing Al-Alia University's deep pride in the Premier's support. The Prime Minister's support will motivate private educational institutions to exert more efforts to improve the quality and efficiency of the education in the Kingdom, he said.