ENGAGEMENT (COMMUNITY / INDUSTRY)
SDG 4: Focus Areas
4.3.1 Public resources (lifelong learning)
Empowering Lifelong Learning and Entrepreneurship: The University of Bahrain Business Incubator Center’s Learning Corner
The University of Bahrain Business Incubator Center’s Learning Corner serves as a key public resource for lifelong learning, directly supporting national human capital and economic diversification goals. Through its free, online platform, the Center offers high-quality non-formal education in entrepreneurship, innovation, and vocational skills. This initiative effectively removes barriers to access, empowering Bahraini youth and adults with the practical competencies needed to drive a modern, innovative economy and cultivate a robust culture of self-employment.
The training portfolio is strategically designed to foster self-employment and create job creators. Its key areas provide comprehensive support, from Foundational Entrepreneurship (business models, lean startup) and Innovation & Ideation to Technical & Digital Skills (e.g., Canva) and Sector-Specific Knowledge for emerging local industries. This directly advances the national economic vision by equipping participants to launch and grow sustainable ventures.
Further details and the complete suite of resources are available through the Incubator Official Portal
Innovation & Entrepreneurship Programs ( Free Online Educational Resources)
Meet an Entrepreneur
Total Videos: 9
Playlist Link: View full playlist
Entrepreneurial Skills Program 2021
Total Videos: 28
Playlist Link: View full playlist
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summer Program
Total Videos: 21
Playlist Link: View full playlist
Innovation and Entrepreneurship Summer Program (General)
Playlist Link: View full playlist
Empowering Lifelong Learning Through Open and Inclusive University Facilities
The University of Bahrain (UoB) actively advances SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting inclusive, equitable, and lifelong learning opportunities for all through open access to its academic facilities and resources. The University enables community members, researchers, and innovators to utilize its libraries and laboratories free of charge upon institutional authorization, reinforcing the principles of open knowledge-sharing, social inclusion, and capacity development.
This initiative enhances public access to education, encourages research collaboration, and supports knowledge democratization by offering comprehensive access to:
- Books, journals, and research materials
- Library electronic resources
- Open-access academic databases
- “Find Your: Books, Journals, and Resources” digital discovery tools
By providing these publicly available educational resources, UoB fosters an enabling environment for continuous learning, strengthens community engagement in higher education, and contributes to the national and global goals of advancing knowledge-driven sustainable development.
University of Bahrain Supports Doctoral Research Access for Algerian Students
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Enhanced doctoral research capacity through practical training and mentorship.
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Strengthened academic and research collaboration between the University of Bahrain and Abou Bekr Belkaid University (Algeria).
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Supported international student mobility and knowledge exchange within the Arab region.
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Promoted open access to campus research facilities for international postgraduate students.
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Contributed to regional scientific development and mutual capacity building in Chemistry research.
University of Bahrain (UoB) – Coursera Partnership for Professional and Lifelong Learning
The University of Bahrain (UoB) partnered with Coursera, a leading global online learning platform, to advance lifelong learning, digital upskilling, and professional development for students, graduates, faculty, administrative staff, and public with registration.
This strategic initiative supports inclusive and equitable access to quality education, enabling learners to enhance career readiness, resilience, and competitiveness in alignment with national labor market priorities and future workforce demands.
Key Details
- Launch Date: 18 September 2023
- Partners: University of Bahrain (UoB) and Coursera
- Target Groups:
- UoB students and graduates (including unemployed graduates)
- Faculty members and administrative staff
- Academics in leadership and administrative positions
Project Scope
Provides access to 8,000+ online courses from globally recognized universities and institutions (e.g., Imperial College London, Yale University, Johns Hopkins University, INSEAD).
- Includes courses by industry leaders such as IBM, Microsoft, Google, AWS, and Meta.
- Offers professional certificates and guided projects through the UoB Coursera learning hub.
- Delivers content in Arabic and English, promoting language inclusion and accessibility.
Implementation and Reach
- Development Duration: Approximately two years (led by UoB’s E-Learning Center).
- Pilot Year Beneficiaries: Around 200 graduates received free training opportunities.
- Overall Target: Nearly 1,000 learners, including students, graduates, and university staff.
- Curriculum Integration: Coursera Professional Certificates and Guided Projects are embedded into academic programs.
- Specialized Training: Management and leadership courses for academic staff covering risk management, business continuity, compliance, and auditing.
- Practical Learning: Hands-on virtual laboratory projects equip learners with digital tools and applied competencies relevant to emerging job markets.
Recognition and Impact
- UoB celebrates outstanding learners through institutional awards such as:
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- Integrating Coursera Professional Certificates to Improve Teaching Effectiveness
- Integrating Coursera Guided Projects to Improve Teaching Effectiveness
- Completing the Most Certificates on Coursera: (Semester II, 2023/2024 – “College with Outstanding Effort in Leveraging Coursera” recognition)
- The initiative strengthens national capacity-building and sustainable access to digital education.
- Supports Bahrain’s strategic goal of cultivating a future-ready, knowledge-based economy through open, inclusive, and lifelong learning opportunities.
Evidence link: https://www.uob.edu.bh/37925/
