ASU Bahrain Collaborations to Improve Health and Well-Being

ASU’s Health & Well-Being Partnerships

Applied Science University (ASU) has actively forged collaborations at local, national, and global levels to improve health and well-being outcomes. Over the past 3–5 years, the university as an institution (not just individual faculty) has signed numerous Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) and agreements with health-focused organizations. These partnerships range from local community health providers to national health authorities and international institutions, encompassing both direct medical collaborations and initiatives indirectly supporting wellness (such as mental health support, sports, and community well-being). Below is an expanded overview of ASU’s key health-related collaborations in recent years, organized by scope:

Applied Science University (ASU) – Health & Wellbeing Collaborations

Local Partnerships & Initiatives (Bahrain)

• Community Health MoU:

ASU has a formal Memorandum of Understanding with the Capital Governorate to jointly carry out community-benefit initiativesasu.edu.bh. Through this partnership, the university collaborates on public health outreach and wellness programs that benefit both ASU students and the broader Bahraini society. For example, Capital Governorate officials have joined ASU’s on-campus health events such as awareness days and screenings.

• Healthcare Outreach Events:

The university regularly teams up with local hospitals and health organizations for public awareness campaigns. In November 2025, ASU marked World Diabetes Day by hosting a medical outreach event that offered free blood-sugar screenings and lifestyle consultations in collaboration with several Bahraini healthcare institutions (including private hospitals like Shifa Al Jazeera Hospital). These events – attended by ASU’s President and community health partners – aim to educate the public on diabetes prevention and management. Similarly, ASU has organized blood donation drives on campus (e.g. the “A Drop of Blood Equals a Life” campaign) in coordination with Bahrain’s national Blood Bank, encouraging students and staff to donate blood for local hospitals’ needs. (Sources: ASU social media and community reports)

• “Stronger Together” Health Day:

On October 14, 2024, ASU held a joint Breast Cancer Awareness Month and Mental Health Day program entitled “Stronger Together.” Under the patronage of ASU’s President, this event was organized by the Student Counselling and Services Offices in collaboration with the campus Health Unit, the Women’s Club, and the Student Councilasu.edu.bh. It brought together healthcare professionals from various hospitals and clinics and wellness educators who volunteered to increase awareness of breast cancer and promote mental wellbeingasu.edu.bhasu.edu.bh. The day featured free medical check-ups (e.g. breast screening consultations) provided by visiting medical staff, as well as an interactive mental health lecture (“The Impact of Positive Thinking on Mental Health”) for students and facultyasu.edu.bh. These collaborative sessions not only offered on-the-spot health services but also empowered participants with knowledge about early cancer detection, preventive lifestyles, and coping strategies for mental healthasu.edu.bh.

• Collaborations with Health NGOs:

ASU engages with local health charities on community projects. Notably, the university has worked with the Bahrain Cancer Society – for example, ASU’s staff and students participated in the Society’s public walkathon at Bahrain Bay during World Breast Cancer Awareness Monthasu.edu.bh. This joint event (a “walking festival” marathon) saw ASU volunteers join hundreds of participants from various public/private institutions to promote cancer awareness and healthy livingasu.edu.bh. Such collaborations with non-profits underscore ASU’s commitment to national health campaigns (e.g. “Think Pink” initiatives) and allow the university community to contribute to causes like cancer prevention and chronic disease awareness.

• Campus Health Services:

On campus, ASU maintains a medical clinic and counseling services for student wellbeingasu.edu.bh. The Student Counselling Office often partners internally with the Health Unit to run wellness workshops and mental-health awareness days for students. ASU also celebrates global health observances – for instance, it hosts annual events for World Health Day with wide participationasu.edu.bh. These internal programs sometimes feature guest talks by healthcare professionals and are part of ASU’s effort to cultivate a “health-promoting university” environment.

• Sports and Fitness Programs:

To support physical well-being, ASU collaborates in national sports initiatives. The university participates in Bahrain Sports Day each year by organizing campus-wide fitness activities (CrossFit challenges, team games, etc.)asu.edu.bh. Its sports teams (football, basketball, volleyball, for both men and women) compete in inter-university leagues, working closely with Bahrain’s University Sports federations. In fact, ASU prides itself on a strong sporting ethos – its teams have topped local university championships, reflecting the school’s partnership with national sports bodies in promoting student fitnessasu.edu.bh. Through these events and leagues, ASU joins forces with sports authorities to encourage healthy, active lifestyles among youth.

Regional & International Engagements

• Regional Health Projects:

ASU extends its engagement to regional health and wellness projects for educational collaboration. For example, in 2025 a group of 27 ASU engineering students visited Bahrain’s upcoming King Abdullah Bin Abdulaziz Medical City – a major GCC healthcare complex under the Arabian Gulf University – as part of an academic field tripagu.edu.bhagu.edu.bh. This visit (organized with the project’s main contractor) allowed ASU students to learn about cutting-edge hospital infrastructure and healthcare research facilities being developed in Bahrain and the Gulfagu.edu.bh. Such initiatives strengthen ASU’s ties with regional health institutions; by exposing students to large-scale medical projects, the university contributes to knowledge exchange in the Gulf’s health sector.

• Academic Partnerships with Wellbeing Focus:

On a global level, ASU’s formal academic partnerships also touch on health and well-being themes. Notably, ASU has a dual-degree alliance with London South Bank University (LSBU) in the UKasu.edu.bh. LSBU’s mission emphasizes “promoting the health and well-being of young men and women,” aligning with ASU’s valuesasu.edu.bh. While this partnership primarily offers joint degrees in engineering, law, and business, it underscores ASU’s commitment to international standards in education and student welfare. (ASU faculty are also members of bodies like the UK’s Higher Education Academy to improve teaching quality and student outcomesasu.edu.bh – indirectly supporting the well-being and success of students.)

Conclusion

In summary, Applied Science University Bahrain actively collaborates with a variety of health and wellness institutions – from local hospitals, public health authorities, and NGOs to regional projects – through MoUs, community campaigns, and educational initiatives. These collaborations serve diverse purposes such as health screenings, awareness lectures, sports and fitness promotion, and research exposure. They are often time-bound events (e.g. health days, outreach programs) but can also be structured partnerships, all contributing to physical and mental well-being in line with Bahrain’s national health goals.