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iGA holds graduation ceremony for first batch of AI Talent Programme
As part of its efforts to enhance digital innovation and build national capabilities in Artificial Intelligence (AI), the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) organised a graduation ceremony of the 1st batch of the AI Talent Programme, in strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and in collaboration with University of Bahrain and Ahlia University.
The six-month programme aimed to empower academically distinguished university IT students, preparing them for their graduation projects by providing practical experience in adopting AI solutions within the government sector. Participants received intensive hands-on training and skills covering teamwork, programming, and the development of AI-based prototypes in the iGA Innovation Hub, a strategic step to link academic education with real work needs.
Participating students from the University of Bahrain and Ahlia University worked on two main projects addressing government sector challenges: One for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the other for the Statistics and Population Registry sector.
Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive of the iGA, commended the graduation of the 1st batch, affirming that the programme aligns with the Government’s vision and reflects iGA’s ongoing commitment to implementing the directives of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communications Technology (MCICT). Al Qaed emphasised that the programme’s results demonstrate its effectiveness in preparing qualified national talents capable of transforming academic knowledge into practical solutions that directly enhance government services, in line with Bahrain Vision 2030.
Al Qaed also highlighted the collaboration with participating universities and the strategic partnership with AWS, highlighting that investing in students is a fundamental pillar of the national digital transformation journey.
During the event, Al Qaed announced the launch of the 2nd batch of the AI Talent Programme, which will include 20 students from six universities: Bahrain Polytechnic, Kingdom University, Arab Open University, Applied Science University, University of Bahrain, and Ahlia University. The 2nd batch will feature an expanded number of applied projects, reflecting the program’s growing impact on government innovation.
Eman Ahmed Al Dossary, Undersecretary at the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, expressed the Ministry’s pride in the collaboration with iGA through the programme, which resulted in the development of an advanced system by participating students, specifically designed to organise and monitor promotional campaigns and commercial discount activities. She explained that the system, supported by AI engines for document auditing and compliance verification, will significantly accelerate licensing procedures, enhance smart regulatory oversight, and ensure the highest levels of accuracy and transparency in the market.
Al Dossary added that this initiative reflects the Ministry’s firm commitment to adopting innovative digital solutions that promote fair pricing, credible advertising, and transparent commercial practices, protecting the rights of all consumers in the Kingdom, in line with national digital transformation efforts and Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.
Dr. Fuad Mohammed Al Ansari, President of the University of Bahrain, affirmed that the outstanding performance of students in the AI Talent Programme reflects the University’s national vision of aligning academic education with the needs of the real market. He noted that students’ work on developing a smart system to track and analyse foreign investment serves as a strong indicator of their readiness to enter the labour market, their ability to address real-world challenges, work collaboratively, and deliver innovative solutions.
He said that the strong interest shown by students in the program demonstrates its effectiveness in empowering youth and leveraging advanced AI technologies to serve the national economy and support decision-makers. Dr. Al Ansari added that the program represents a model of productive collaboration between academic institutions, government entities, and the private sector, contributing to refining students’ talents and equipping them with the expertise required to lead the future
Professor Mansoor Al Aali, President of Ahlia University, emphasised that the university’s participation in the AI Talent Programme reflects its dedication to advancing digital innovation and building national capabilities. He noted that the programme enables students to transform academic knowledge into smart solutions for government sectors, demonstrating the maturity of the Project-Based Learning model and applied innovation.
He highlighted the university’s commitment to preparing distinguished national talents combining academic depth, technical proficiency, and national awareness, supporting Bahrain Vision 2030 and national digital transformation, while contributing to enhancing Bahrain’s regional and international competitiveness.
The 1st batch included 13 students, 7 from Ahlia University and 6 from the University of Bahrain, specialising in IT majors. The students were divided into two groups: One group addressed challenges for the Statistics and Population Registry sector, while the other focused on the Ministry of Industry and Commerce.
University of Bahrain students developed a national smart system to track and manage foreign investment in Bahrain. The system aggregates investor, company, and project data into a single platform, producing precise reports to help government authorities monitor investment volumes, investing countries, and the fastest-growing sectors. It utilises AI technologies for data extraction, analysis, and predictive insights, accelerating procedures, reducing errors, and supporting the national economy.
Ahlia University students developed an AI-enabled smart tool to organise and monitor promotional campaigns and commercial discounts for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The tool integrates with ministry systems to quickly and accurately review campaign requests, enhancing regulatory oversight and improving the quality of services provided to commercial entities.
The AI Talent Programme reflects iGA’s ongoing commitment to preparing a generation of young national talents capable of leading innovation and digital transformation in Bahrain. Higher education institutions interested in participating can contact iGA’s Innovation and Advanced Technologies Directorate via AITalentProgram@iga.gov.bh
