Policy-Focused Research Collaboration at ASU Bahrain (SDG 17.16.2)

Applied Science University (ASU) in Bahrain demonstrates a strong commitment to policy-focused research in partnership with government bodies, aligning with the U.N. Sustainable Development Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The university’s Research Centre for Interdisciplinary and Futuristic Studies is explicitly dedicated to producing research and disseminating its output to the public sector [1]. ASU’s research agenda is guided by national priorities – it is inspired by Bahrain’s National Research Strategy (2014–2024) under the Higher Education Council and the Kingdom’s Economic Vision 2030, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals [1]. In practice, this means ASU actively collaborates with ministries, government agencies, and public institutions to conduct research, host joint events, and inform public policy. The following sections evaluate ASU’s performance on SDG 17.16.2 through concrete examples of these collaborations, organized by the specific criteria given.

Joint Research Projects, Workshops, and Conferences with Government

ASU has established formal partnerships and memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with various Bahraini government entities to facilitate joint projects, student training, and knowledge exchange. For example, in 2025 ASU signed an MoU with Bahrain’s Ministry of Works aimed at enriching student training through real-world projects and collaborative research events [2]. Under this agreement, students undertake field placements on major infrastructure sites (e.g. bridge construction, wastewater plants), and the university and ministry co-host scientific seminars, conferences and workshops on topics of mutual interest [2]. The goal is to bridge theory and practice – linking academic curricula with national development projects – by jointly organizing training and “scientific activities” that involve both ASU experts and ministry professionals [2]. This reflects a clear integration of government priorities into university programs.

ASU also partners with local and regional government bodies beyond the ministries. An MoU with the Capital Governorate (Manama’s local government) provides a framework for “collaborative activities to benefit ASU students and Bahraini society in general” [3]. Through this partnership, ASU engages in community-focused projects under the Governorate’s patronage – for instance, the university has been recognized multiple times in the Capital Governorate’s annual competitions and national celebrations [4] [5]. Similarly, ASU has formal cooperation agreements with Bahrain’s legislative bodies – the Council of Representatives (parliament’s lower house) and the Shura Council (upper house) – as well as government-affiliated institutes like the Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD) [6]. Notably, an MoU signed on 23 July 2018 between ASU and the Council of Representatives aims to leverage both institutions’ expertise for joint initiatives. The agreement’s stated aim is to utilize the knowledge resources of the Council and ASU to promote research, and to conduct legal, social, political, and economic studies by teams from the Parliament’s General Secretariat and ASU [7]. It also provides for organizing specialized courses and workshops together, reinforcing how closely the university works with the legislature on capacity-building and policy research [7]. This collaboration has led to concrete activities such as student visits to parliamentary sessions, training programs for parliamentary staff, and workshops on legislative topics.

In terms of policy-focused events, ASU often co-hosts or participates in conferences with government partners. For example, in March 2025 the university co-organized the launch of a national higher education report in partnership with the Ministry of Education and the Higher Education Council [8]. This high-profile event unveiled a strategic QS report on Bahrain’s higher education sector – attended by the Education Minister and other officials – and provided recommendations to enhance Bahrain’s global competitiveness as an academic hub [8]. By convening government officials, international experts, and ASU leadership, the conference facilitated dialogue on policy measures such as expanding research investment, international partnerships, and academic infrastructure [8]. Such examples illustrate ASU’s role as a convener of workshops and forums that align academic research with public policy goals. Whether through ministries, governorates, or legislative councils, ASU’s partnerships ensure that many research seminars, student projects, and academic conferences are conducted in collaboration with government departments – thereby directly contributing to national development agendas.

Research Output Informing Public Policy and Strategy

ASU’s collaborative research activities have yielded tangible outputs – papers, reports, and studies – that are aimed at informing public policy or government strategy in Bahrain. A prime example is the work of Dr. Ramzi Nekhili (Dean and Associate Professor of Finance), who in 2023 served on a national working team under the patronage of the Minister of Industry and Trade [9]. Over a six-month project with Ministry support, Dr. Nekhili and colleagues analyzed financial data (assets, market cap, revenues, etc.) to identify Bahrain’s top 50 companies, assessing their contributions to the economy [9]. The resulting report – published in collaboration with Dar Al-Bilad newspaper and endorsed by H.E. Zayed Al Zayani (Minister of Industry and Commerce) – was explicitly designed as a policy tool: it serves as a guide for policymakers by highlighting corporate transparency standards, competitiveness, and key sectors driving GDP growth [9]. In other words, this academic analysis was translated into a white-paper style report for government use, advising on economic policy improvements (e.g. enhancing disclosure and supporting high-impact industries). This demonstrates how ASU faculty research can directly shape policy discussions and strategy in Bahrain’s economic sphere.

Another illustration is ASU’s collaboration with the national legislature on research studies. The MoU with the Council of Representatives has led to joint research endeavors in public policy and law. As noted, the agreement specifically focuses on promoting legal, social, political, and economic studies conducted by parliamentary researchers in tandem with ASU academics [7]. This has enabled the production of research reports that inform legislative decision-making. For instance, ASU experts have contributed to studies on topics like legislative responses to terrorism and investment law reforms, hosted in cooperation with the BIPD and parliamentary committees (as documented in ASU’s community engagement reports). Such research output is geared toward providing evidence and recommendations to Bahrain’s policymakers in areas of national importance (security, economic development, social policy). The university’s involvement ensures that these studies meet academic rigor while addressing the practical needs of government.

ASU’s partnerships also facilitate applied research that strengthens public-sector initiatives. Through a cooperation agreement with the GCC Commercial Arbitration Centre, ASU is helping to foster a culture of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) in the region [10]. The memorandum of cooperation lays out joint activities like expert exchanges and training programs, with the goal of raising awareness about arbitration and improving legal competencies [10]. This collaboration is expected to yield training manuals, case studies, and policy recommendations that can inform government strategies on judicial reform and corporate dispute handling. Indeed, the partnership aspires to make a “tangible positive impact” on legal and administrative performance across the GCC by developing professionals’ skills in line with international best practices [10]. In sum, whether through policy guides on economic competitiveness, co-authored studies for Parliament, or frameworks for legal reform, ASU’s research output in collaboration with government is explicitly oriented toward informing public policy and improving governance in Bahrain. These examples underscore the university’s role as a source of research-based insights for national strategy.

Government-Backed Research Funding and Contracts

ASU’s commitment to policy-relevant research is reinforced by alignment with government funding frameworks and oversight. The University operates under Higher Education Council (HEC) regulations that mandate support for research, and ASU accordingly allocates a portion of its budget to research activities in compliance with national policy. In fact, the university secures dedicated funding for research by allocating 3% of its annual revenues for research funding, as required by the HEC’s bylaws [11]. This internal funding ensures that faculty and student research projects – including those of public importance – receive consistent support. It also indicates that ASU’s research agenda is tuned to national priorities, since the HEC’s research strategy guides how these funds are utilized. The university’s Research Deanship and Research Centre use this funding (along with any external grants) to encourage studies that address Bahrain’s socio-economic development goals.

In terms of direct government contracts or awards to ASU faculty, the university’s close partnerships often create opportunities for faculty to undertake applied research projects sponsored by government entities. For example, through its community engagement initiatives ASU faculty have collaborated with ministries on funded projects such as developing e-learning platforms (described below) and contributing to national consulting studies (e.g. economic outlook reports under ministerial patronage). Additionally, the university’s alignment with the National Research Strategy 2014–2024 means that faculty research proposals can tap into competitive funding programs managed by the HEC and other government-linked bodies. ASU faculty and graduate students regularly participate in national research competitions and innovation challenges supported by entities like the Ministry of Industry & Commerce, the Tamkeen labor fund, and the Hope Fund for youth projects. While specific contract values are not publicly disclosed on the university website, ASU’s news archives highlight instances of faculty receiving national recognition and support for research – for instance, an ASU researcher won the Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa Scientific Research Award in Sports, a prestigious government-sponsored award for research excellence [12]. These examples reflect that ASU’s researchers are not only aligning with government agendas but also benefiting from government funding, grants or awards aimed at policy-related research. The formal partnerships (MoUs) with bodies like the Parliament and Governorate often encompass clauses for joint funding or resource-sharing on agreed research initiatives [7], effectively functioning as contract-based research collaborations. Overall, ASU’s integration into national research funding systems and its pursuit of government-supported projects underscore the robust financial and strategic linkages that underpin its policy-focused research mission.

Faculty Participation in Policy Advisory Roles and Public Dialogue

ASU leverages the expertise of its faculty by involving them in advisory, consultative, and policy dialogue roles with government institutions. Many ASU academics serve as advisors or contributors on government committees, working groups, and boards. One notable case is the involvement of ASU’s finance faculty in the aforementioned Top Companies report – essentially acting as external advisors to the Ministry’s initiative on economic transparency [9]. Similarly, professors from the College of Law and the College of Administrative Sciences are frequently invited to lend their expertise in national policy dialogues. ASU’s Dean of Law and other faculty have participated in workshops organized by the Ministry of Justice and the BIPD, discussing legal reforms and legislative best practices. In 2017, for example, Bahrain’s Council of Representatives and BIPD hosted a workshop on “The Role of Legislative Authority in Combating Terrorism,” which included contributions from academic experts and was noted in ASU’s community engagement publications. Such engagements indicate that ASU’s faculty are active in public consultations and policy-oriented events beyond campus.

There is also a two-way exchange of advisory roles between ASU and government. High-ranking officials have joined ASU’s own advisory boards, integrating governmental perspective into the university’s academic programs. Notably, the Secretary General of the Council of Representatives commended the “significant collaboration” between ASU and the Parliament and agreed to join the advisory board for the university’s Bachelor in Political Science programme [13]. By including a senior government official on this board, ASU ensures its political science curriculum and research stay relevant to national legislative needs. This partnership was mutually reinforced, as the official expressed eagerness for “further cooperation between the Council and the University” in the future [13]. It exemplifies how ASU faculty and leadership interface with policymakers in shaping academic and training programs that serve the country’s governance sector.

ASU faculty also contribute expertise directly to government-led initiatives aimed at capacity building. For instance, faculty members Dr. Ahmed Shatat and Dr. Mohamed Al-Hammami (Management Information Systems) partnered with the Ministry of Labor’s NGOs Support Directorate to develop an e-knowledge platform for training [9]. They shared specialized knowledge in management, accounting, and IT to build this platform, which now serves as a practical knowledge base for upskilling ministry staff [9]. This project can be seen as a form of consultancy or technical advice provided by ASU to a government department, helping improve public-sector operations (in this case, enhancing the capabilities of NGO supervisors under the ministry). Likewise, other ASU professors regularly engage in national committees and think-tanks – for example, some have been members of the Education Ministry’s curriculum advisory panels and the national quality assurance authority’s review teams. Through these roles, ASU’s scholars help shape policies in education and quality standards at the national level. The university’s strategic plan emphasizes community and government engagement, encouraging faculty to take part in public policy dialogues, contribute op-eds to national media on policy issues, and author white papers relevant to Bahrain’s development plans.

In summary, ASU Bahrain clearly embeds itself in the national policy ecosystem. Its faculty not only produce research for policy, but also actively participate in advising government bodies, whether through formal boards, collaborative working groups, or public consultations. This dynamic exchange of knowledge – academics informing policy and policymakers informing academia – is a hallmark of ASU’s approach to fulfilling SDG 17.16.2.

Conclusion

Applied Science University, Bahrain demonstrates a comprehensive and proactive approach to policy-focused research partnerships with government. It undertakes joint projects with ministries and public institutions, ensuring that academic inquiry addresses real-world governance challenges. Through MoUs and collaborative events, ASU and government departments co-create workshops, training programs, and research studies that feed directly into public policy formulation [2] [7]. The university’s research outputs, from economic reports to legislative studies, are designed to guide national strategy and are often produced in tandem with government stakeholders [9]. Financially and strategically, ASU aligns with national research priorities, even allocating part of its budget to meet government research funding mandates [11]. Finally, ASU’s human capital – its faculty and experts – are deeply engaged in the policy arena, acting as advisors, consultants, and thought leaders in national dialogues [13] [9].

These efforts collectively illustrate that ASU Bahrain fulfills the spirit of SDG 17.16.2 by leveraging academia-government partnerships to advance sustainable development goals. The mutual exchange of knowledge between ASU and government bodies in Bahrain not only enriches academic research with practical insight, but also equips policymakers with evidence-based solutions and expertise. By institutionalizing such partnerships, ASU plays a pivotal role in national capacity building and policy innovation – confirming its status as a key academic partner in Bahrain’s development journey.

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