ASU Bahrain’s Health & Wellbeing Outreach Initiatives (Last 3 Years)

Applied Science University (ASU) in Bahrain is deeply engaged in promoting health and well-being through a mix of community outreach programs and robust on-campus health services. Over the past three years, ASU has delivered numerous ad hoc events (e.g. health awareness days, campaigns, and volunteering drives) as well as programmed initiatives (recurring programs and services) that benefit both the public and the ASU community. These efforts span topics from hygiene and nutrition to mental health, exercise, family wellness, and healthy aging, often in partnership with government bodies, NGOs, and international organizations. Below is a comprehensive overview of ASU’s recent health and well-being initiatives, grouped by their community focus and continuity.

Community Health Outreach Programs (Ad Hoc Events)

Breast Cancer & Women’s Health Awareness

ASU regularly marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month each year with public events. For example, the university held a “Pink October” awareness event on 7 November 2021 under the patronage of the University President. This event – organized by the ASU Women’s Club in cooperation with the Student Council, the campus Health Unit, and the Community Engagement Office – aimed to educate the community on breast cancer prevention and early detection [1]. ASU has an ongoing agreement with the Bahrain Cancer Society (BCS) to jointly promote women’s health: ASU staff and students have annually participated in BCS’s breast cancer awareness campaigns. Notably, ASU took part in BCS’s “Pinkathon” charity run in 2020, where university students and staff ran to raise awareness and donated funds to the Cancer Society [2]. In subsequent years, ASU members joined BCS’s themed walkathons (e.g. the “Spread Hope” Walk-a-Thon in Seef District during October’s awareness month) to further spread knowledge on breast cancer prevention [3]. These events are not one-offs but rather part of ASU’s annual calendar – the University’s Community Engagement Office includes a breast cancer awareness drive every October as a scheduled outreach activity [4]. This sustained commitment has helped educate attendees on early screening and treatment, with interactive booths, free consultations, and educational materials provided at each event.

Mental Health and Well-Being Campaigns

ASU’s outreach also addresses mental health, often integrating it with other health topics. In October 2024, ASU hosted a comprehensive health day titled “Stronger Together”, aligning with both World Mental Health Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Month. Under the patronage of the University President, this event was a collaborative effort by the Student Counselling Office, Student Services Office, the campus Health Unit, the Women’s Club, and the Student Council [5]. It brought together medical professionals and wellness experts from local hospitals and clinics to engage with students and the public. Participants benefited from free on-site medical check-ups, health consultations, and awareness lectures during the day [5]. For instance, a specialist delivered a lecture on “The Impact of Positive Thinking and the Components of Happiness on Mental Health,” emphasizing the importance of mental positivity on overall well-being [5]. By combining physical health (breast cancer screening) and mental health in one program, ASU underscored a holistic approach to well-being. Earlier, ASU had organized stand-alone Mental Health Awareness campaigns (e.g. a joint Student Counselling and Community Engagement Office initiative in 2018) and continues to observe World Mental Health Day on campus, but the “Stronger Together” event marked an especially large-scale, multi-topic outreach in recent years.

Public Health Screening and Blood Donation Drives

Another key outreach mode has been on-site health screenings and donation campaigns benefiting the broader community. In May 2024, ASU organized a university-wide blood donation camp under the slogan “A Drop of Blood Equals Life.” Endorsed by Prof. Hatem Masri (University President), the drive was inaugurated with senior leadership present and opened to students, staff, and the public [6]. Crucially, ASU partnered with major healthcare providers for this campaign – teams from King Hamad University Hospital, Ibn Al-Nafees Hospital, Al Arrayed Eye Center, and the Home Health Care Centre all participated, setting up stations on campus for blood collection and basic health checks [6]. Such collaboration ensured professional medical supervision and encouraged a high turnout. Likewise, ASU has welcomed corporate partners for public health days: in one recent World Health Day observance, Nass Corporation joined with ASU to offer free health screenings and GP consultations on campus, followed by wellness awareness sessions [7]. These collaborative health camps allow community members to monitor their health (blood pressure, blood sugar, etc.), receive medical advice, and even register for blood or organ donation – all at ASU facilities. The strong participation of external hospitals and companies demonstrates ASU’s role as a convening hub for community wellness initiatives.

Fitness, Sports, and Active Lifestyle Events

To promote physical fitness and healthy lifestyles, ASU engages the community through sports events and exercise campaigns. Each year the university enthusiastically supports the national Bahrain Sports Day (an initiative of the Bahrain government to encourage exercise). For instance, in 2025 ASU collaborated with Nass Group to celebrate Bahrain Sports Day with a campus sports festival, organizing group exercise sessions and athletic activities for students and employees (in line with COVID safety norms) [8]. On a larger public scale, ASU was a key organizer of the “I Can Change” health carnival at Seef Mall on World Health Day, as part of the national “Bahrain Deserves Voluntary” campaign. This carnival-style event (held in a public mall) featured a community fun run (mini-marathon), sports team demonstrations, free medical check-ups, healthy lifestyle exhibitions, and interactive competitions, with participants from Bahrain and neighboring countries [4]. ASU’s Deanship of Student Affairs, staff, and students all took part alongside local sports clubs and NGOs, distributing healthy food samples and wellness information to mall-goers [4]. By taking fitness and preventive care activities into the public domain (parks, malls, etc.), ASU helps instill habits of exercise, proper nutrition, and regular health screening in the local population. These ad hoc events complement the continuous efforts on campus to encourage physical activity (described later), extending ASU’s impact to families and community members of all ages.

Ongoing Health Initiatives and Programs (Programmed Activities)

Beyond individual events, ASU has established structured programs and services that ensure health promotion is an ongoing priority:

Student Health Volunteer Group

Recognizing the value of sustained volunteerism, ASU formed a dedicated Health Volunteer Group of students in late 2020. The goal of this group is to help the community in Bahrain through health-related volunteering, leveraging student energy for social impact [2]. Since its creation, the volunteer group has participated regularly in community health campaigns – from assisting at blood drives and charity runs to visiting care homes – thereby providing continuous outreach. This student-led initiative demonstrates ASU’s programmed approach to community service: rather than volunteering sporadically, the university has institutionalized it by training student volunteers and integrating such activities into the academic calendar. (Notably, ASU’s ethos of volunteering also saw it contribute to Bahrain’s COVID-19 relief Feena Khair campaign in 2020, underlining its commitment to national health causes [4].)

Campus Health Unit and Medical Services

On the institutional side, ASU maintains an on-campus Health Unit that offers first-line medical support and health education to students and staff year-round. According to university policy, “the University will ensure that the Health Unit is properly staffed and accessible at all times.” [9] This means qualified medical personnel (such as a nurse or doctor) are available during working hours to handle injuries, provide first aid, and advise on health issues. The Health Unit doesn’t only react to illness; it also takes a proactive role in wellness promotion and preventive care. For example, the Health Unit team frequently partners with the Student Affairs Directorate to run hygiene campaigns, vaccination drives, and wellness workshops on campus [10]. (During the pandemic, ASU’s Health Unit helped coordinate on-campus COVID-19 testing and vaccination for the university community, after ASU joined an agreement with Bahrain’s Ministry of Health to facilitate vaccine distribution for university populations [4].) Additionally, ASU trains and certifies first aiders among its staff who can respond to emergencies alongside the Health Unit [10], ensuring a safe and healthy campus environment on a daily basis.

Student Counselling and Mental Health Support

ASU places “paramount emphasis on the mental health and well-being” of its students and employees [11]. Through the Student Counselling Office, the university provides free psychological counseling services, stress management programs, and mental health awareness activities throughout the year. Professional counselors are available for one-on-one support, and the office regularly organizes workshops and lectures on mental and emotional well-being. For instance, in the 2022–2023 period the Counselling Office delivered a series of well-being lectures to students: one recent session titled “Psychological Security” (May 2023) taught students coping strategies for anxiety and creating a safe headspace [1]. Earlier that spring, the Counselling Office collaborated with the Community Engagement Office to host a seminar on “The Psychology of Marriage” (March 2023), which discussed healthy relationships, family planning, and marital communication for young adults [1]. These recurring sessions indicate a programmed approach to mental health literacy – rather than a one-off event, ASU has a continuous agenda of tackling topics like stress, depression, relationships, and work-life balance. The Counselling Office also runs peer support initiatives and wellness campaigns (such as exam-time de-stress events and suicide prevention awareness) making mental health care an integral part of student life.

Physical Fitness and Recreational Programs

Internally, ASU works to embed exercise and healthy living into campus culture. “The university encourages physical fitness and wellness among students through sports, recreational activities, and health awareness,” as noted in its sustainability report [12]. This commitment is made tangible by the sports facilities and programs available to students and staff. ASU’s campus features a well-equipped gym and outdoor sports courts, and the University organizes regular sports tournaments, fitness classes, and clubs. Intramural leagues (e.g. football, basketball, table tennis) are held each semester to keep students active. ASU’s teams also compete in national inter-collegiate sports events – notably, the university’s football team participates in the national University Football League and even clinched the championship of the UFL’s 5th edition [13]. Each year, the ASU Sports Day event brings the whole campus together for friendly matches, aerobics sessions, and fun challenges promoting exercise for all ability levels. These recurring athletic events, alongside awareness campaigns on nutrition and healthy lifestyles, are programmed into the academic year. They ensure that the message of “sound body, sound mind” is consistently reinforced within the ASU community.

Partnerships and Collaborations in Health Outreach

ASU amplifies its impact through strategic partnerships with government agencies, non-profits, and international organizations – a mix of one-off collaborations and long-term agreements:

Ministry of Health and Government Agencies

The University works closely with Bahrain’s health authorities on public outreach. In recent years ASU has cooperated with the Ministry of Health’s Health Promotion and Awareness Unit to run community health campaigns [10]. This collaboration enables ASU to host ministry-led experts on campus for awareness lectures (covering topics like nutrition, diabetes prevention, and maternal health) and to send student volunteers to ministry campaigns in the community. ASU’s close ties to the health ministry were also evident when the Pakistani Minister of Health visited ASU in February 2021 – an international delegation that explored future partnerships between Pakistani health institutions and ASU [4]. During that visit, ASU’s leadership discussed opportunities for joint research, student exchanges in health fields, and knowledge-sharing that could benefit healthcare development in both Bahrain and Pakistan [4]. This visit highlights ASU’s role as a stakeholder in global health education discussions. Moreover, ASU is proactive in national health initiatives: it signed on to agreements to facilitate COVID-19 vaccination (ensuring its campus community had access to vaccines in coordination with health authorities) [4], and it participated in Bahrain’s “Feena Khair” relief campaign to support the country’s pandemic response [4]. Through such government partnerships, ASU contributes its resources and expertise to wider public-health goals, from emergency response to chronic disease prevention.

Non-Governmental Organizations and Local Societies

ASU has forged MoUs and working relationships with key NGOs to extend its outreach. We have noted the partnership with the Bahrain Cancer Society, under which ASU commits to annual breast cancer awareness events (Pink October marathon, etc.) [4]. Another example is ASU’s Memorandum of Understanding with the At’aa Individual Social Responsibility Society (signed March 2022) to collaborate on community health and social initiatives [1]. Through this MoU, ASU students and staff volunteer alongside At’aa Society on projects such as health education in underserved neighborhoods and campaigns for the elderly. ASU’s Community Engagement Office also routinely meets with local charitable societies (e.g. Al-Eker Charitable Society in 2022) to plan joint community health projects, like providing free medical advice to low-income families [1]. In 2019, ASU even partnered with a private clinic (Dentalia Medical Center) to explore offering free dental check-ups and dermatology advice to students and nearby residents [4]. These collaborations leverage external expertise while providing ASU volunteers and students with valuable service-learning experiences.

International Organizations and Outreach

While ASU’s health outreach is largely local, the university has not hesitated to engage internationally when possible. Aside from hosting foreign dignitaries in health, ASU has worked with bodies like the Bahrain Red Crescent Society and UN organizations. For example, ASU took part in an international project with UNIDO and the Red Crescent to establish a vocational training center on campus, which, while primarily skills-focused, also aimed to empower youth (including in health-related fields) in the wake of crises [4]. On the public health front, ASU faculty and students have contributed to global awareness days (such as World No Tobacco Day and World AIDS Day) by disseminating multilingual informational materials online, demonstrating a global outlook in health education. During the COVID-19 pandemic, ASU shared best practices with partner universities abroad on safe campus operations and mental health support, aligning with worldwide efforts for well-being during crisis. These international engagements, though fewer, indicate that ASU’s impact is not confined to Bahrain’s borders – the university is keen to learn from and contribute to global health initiatives in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Internal Health and Well-Being Services for Students and Staff

ASU’s commitment to health and well-being is equally strong within the university community, ensuring that students and employees have access to the support they need:

On-Campus Medical Care

As mentioned, ASU’s Health Unit is a vital resource that provides primary healthcare services on-site. Students and staff can visit the Health Unit for routine medical needs – whether it’s treating minor injuries, getting health advice, or referrals to hospitals. The Health Unit staff also conducts periodic health screenings on campus (e.g. annual check-ups, vision and dental camps in collaboration with clinics) as a preventive measure. During community health events, the Health Unit often sets up booths to educate attendees on topics like hygiene, disease prevention, and first aid. The presence of trained first aiders across campus departments further strengthens emergency responsiveness [10]. ASU’s health and safety policies are comprehensive, covering everything from campus food hygiene (ensuring healthy cafeteria options) to environmental health (smoke-free campus zones and sanitation) [9]. These policies create a healthy setting that complements the outreach programs.

Mental Health and Counseling Services

ASU’s Student Counselling Office provides confidential counseling for personal, academic, or psychological issues. Over the last three years, there has been an enhanced focus on mental health, acknowledging the stress of the pandemic era on students. ASU has expanded counseling hours, introduced online counseling (tele-counseling was offered during COVID lockdowns), and launched peer support initiatives like “ASU Listens,” where trained student volunteers provide a friendly ear under professional supervision. The university’s strong stance is that mental wellness is as important as physical health: “Applied Science University in Bahrain places a paramount emphasis on the mental health and well-being of both its students and employees.” [11] To raise awareness, the Counselling Office has run campaigns such as Mental Health Awareness Month activities every May. In these campaigns, they distribute literature, run stress relief workshops (yoga, meditation sessions), and host expert talks (e.g. psychiatrists discussing anxiety management). The Office also works discreetly with any students who have special mental health needs, coordinating with local clinics or hotlines if advanced care is required. By integrating mental health services into campus life, ASU not only supports individual students but also destigmatizes seeking help – a critical aspect of well-being promotion.

Health Education in Curriculum and Co-Curriculum

ASU infuses health and wellness topics into its educational offerings, ensuring students gain knowledge even outside health-specific majors. For example, general education courses on Environmental Science and Sociology discuss public health issues (like nutrition, community health, and aging societies). The College of Arts and Science periodically hosts seminars on topics such as healthy aging and elder care, inviting experts to speak to students from all disciplines. Moreover, student clubs (beyond the Women’s Club) contribute to the well-being agenda: the Sports Club, Nutrition Club, and Environmental Club have all organized events like healthy cooking demonstrations, hiking trips, and “wellbeing days” on campus. Through these co-curricular activities, students take leadership in promoting wellness among their peers. ASU’s commitment to lifelong wellness is also evident in staff development – the university’s HR Department arranges employee wellness programs (e.g. annual staff fitness challenges, workplace ergonomics workshops, etc.), recognizing that a healthy workforce is essential for an effective educational institution.

Conclusion

In summary, ASU Bahrain actively delivers both ad hoc and programmed outreach initiatives to improve health and well-being in the community and within its own campus. Ad hoc events like health awareness days, screening camps, blood drives, and charity runs address immediate community needs and align with global health campaigns. Meanwhile, long-term programs – from the student health volunteer group and annual Pink October activities to continuous counseling services and sports programs – ensure that health promotion is woven into the fabric of the university’s operations. These efforts are often conducted in partnership with national ministries (health, youth & sports), local NGOs (e.g. Bahrain Cancer Society, charitable societies), healthcare providers, and even international entities, amplifying their impact. ASU’s multi-faceted approach covers physical health (hygiene, nutrition, exercise, medical care), mental health (counseling, awareness), family and social well-being (lectures on marriage, aging, etc.), and public health preparedness (emergency drills, COVID response). Through these initiatives, ASU is not only enhancing the well-being of those it reaches directly, but also contributing to the broader culture of health in Bahrain. The university’s recent track record – from the “A Drop of Blood Equals Life” blood donation in 2024 [6] to the integrated Breast Cancer & Mental Health event in 2024 [5], and the Pink October campaigns each year [1] – showcases an institution making health and wellness a clear priority. These documented activities and partnerships over the last three years will undoubtedly serve as strong evidence in ASU’s pursuit of excellence in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (SDG 3: Good Health & Well-Being).

References