Applied Science University Bahrain: A Neutral and Safe Platform for Political Dialogue and Civil Society Engagement (SDG 16)

Applied Science University (ASU) in Bahrain plays an active role in fostering peaceful, inclusive dialogue in line with SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions. As a neutral educational platform, ASU brings together government officials, political stakeholders, and civil society representatives for frank discussions, training, and collaboration on societal challenges. The evidence below – drawn from official ASU publications and Bahrain government sources – demonstrates how ASU hosts multi-stakeholder events, partners with key institutions, and upholds policies that ensure a safe, impartial space for open dialogue.

Forums and Training Events Facilitating Open Dialogue

ASU has hosted and facilitated numerous events, forums, and workshops where politicians, policymakers, and civil society stakeholders engage in constructive dialogue or capacity-building. These gatherings cover topics from parliamentary practice to social issues, providing a neutral ground for discussing challenges and sharing perspectives:

– Parliamentary Training Workshops

ASU’s Community Engagement Office regularly arranges training sessions for legislative staff. For example, on 5 December 2018 an ASU professor delivered a workshop on “Coordination, Follow-up and Secretarial Skills” to employees of the House of Representatives’ Secretariat, with some university students also in attendance [1]. Likewise, in July 2024 ASU collaborated with the General Secretariat of the House of Representatives to deliver a lecture on the role of regulatory bodies in combating corruption, underscoring the university’s support for transparent and accountable public institutions [1].

– Multi-Stakeholder Policy Seminars

ASU educators have led events that convene officials from different bodies to openly discuss governance challenges. Notably, on 24 June 2019, ASU’s Department of Political Science held a seminar at the Bahrain Institute for Political Development on preparing parliamentary research. The lecture was attended by a broad audience including employees of the Shura Council, the Council of Representatives, and the Ministry of Parliamentary Affairs, enabling participants from various political institutions to exchange knowledge and viewpoints [1]. This illustrates ASU’s role in facilitating cross-institutional dialogue on legislative practices.

– Community Dialogues on Social Challenges

ASU also provides a venue for civil society and officials to jointly address social issues. For example, in April 2019 the university co-hosted an Autism Awareness event titled “You Are Not Alone” in collaboration with the International Organization for Child Protection. Held under the patronage of H.E. Ali bin Saleh Al-Saleh (Chairman of the Shura Council) and opened by the ASU President, the forum brought together government leaders, NGOs, parents, and educators to frankly discuss the challenges faced by children with autism [2]. The University’s President emphasized that “our goal…is to raise awareness of autism among all groups of society”, thanking the Ministry of Education and other partners for supporting the integration of autistic children [2]. Such events demonstrate ASU’s neutral convening power – a senior political figure (Shura Council Chairman) and grassroots community members shared the stage to address a sensitive issue in a safe, educational setting.

– Student Engagement with Legislative Institutions

ASU further fosters dialogue by connecting students and academics with Bahrain’s parliament. In February 2019, ASU’s Community Engagement Office organized visits to both the Shura Council and the Council of Representatives, where delegations of students and staff attended parliamentary sessions and engaged with officials [1]. During these visits, ASU participants received briefings on legislative mechanisms and observed committee deliberations, as part of a program to spread parliamentary culture among youth [1]. This hands-on exposure allowed future leaders from the civil sphere (students) to interact directly with policymakers in a neutral learning environment.

National Forums with ASU Participation: Beyond campus, ASU contributes expertise to national dialogues that align with its mission of open discourse. For instance, ASU academics took part in the Parliamentary Forum for People of Determination 2023, a nationwide conference opened by the Speaker of Parliament. This forum – organized by the Council of Representatives with various official and civil bodies – “discussed the challenges” facing persons with disabilities and gathered input from government agencies, NGOs, researchers, and members of both the Shura Council and House of Representatives [2]. An ASU faculty member presented a research paper on inclusive education during one of the forum’s discussion sessions [2], exemplifying the university’s role as a neutral contributor to multi-stakeholder problem-solving. By engaging in such forums, ASU helps bridge academic insight with policy discussions in a safe, apolitical setting.

Partnerships with Government Entities and Civil Society

ASU Bahrain has formal partnerships and collaborations with key government bodies and civil society organizations, positioning the university as an impartial educational platform and host for consultation programs. These partnerships often involve memoranda of understanding (MoUs) that institutionalize cooperation for training, dialogue, and knowledge exchange:

– Council of Representatives (Parliament) MoU

On 23 July 2018, ASU signed an MoU with Bahrain’s elected Council of Representatives to strengthen cooperation with the legislature. The university’s leadership affirmed a commitment to support national institutions and serve society through this agreement [3]. The MoU established a framework to “provide academic and research expertise [and] conduct training and educational courses” for Members of Parliament, and to utilize both the Council’s and ASU’s knowledge resources for joint research in legal, social, political, and economic fields [3]. In practice, this partnership enables activities such as specialized workshops for parliamentary staff and opportunities for ASU students to attend Parliament sessions and training programs at the Parliamentary Training Center [3]. By collaborating with the legislature in a non-partisan capacity, ASU reinforces its role as a neutral ground for learning and engagement between MPs, parliamentary professionals, and the academic community.

Shura Council (Upper House) MoU

Similarly, ASU has a memorandum of understanding with the Shura Council (Bahrain’s appointed legislative chamber). The university and the Shura Council’s General Secretariat signed an MoU on 29 December 2020 aimed at organizing joint capacity-building programs [3]. Under this agreement, ASU will host training workshops for Shura Council employees and provide advisory expertise, while both parties pursue “mutual scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange” [3]. This partnership underscores ASU’s neutrality and trustworthiness as a training hub for government officials. Senior Shura Council leadership (such as the Secretary-General) have been directly involved, reflecting confidence that ASU offers a safe, apolitical environment for skill development and frank discussion of legislative best practices.

– Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD) MoU

In June 2020, ASU formalized cooperation with the Bahrain Institute for Political Development, a government-established institute that educates and trains political participants. The MoU with BIPD focuses on “maximizing the benefits of mutual cooperation, particularly in the areas of training, capacity development, and skills enhancement” [3]. It promotes the exchange of knowledge among national institutions and the private sector, leveraging ASU’s academic strengths to support BIPD’s mandate of developing political awareness and competency [3]. Through this partnership, ASU serves as an academic partner to a state initiative, helping to educate politicians, civil servants, and civil society actors in an environment that values open dialogue and learning. The collaboration has included visits and joint activities – for example, ASU’s College of Law faculty visited BIPD in 2023 to discuss adding BIPD as a training venue for students and to plan joint research publications, in a bid to “support governmental institutions with legal and political orientations” through academia [4].

– Ministries and Local Government

ASU also partners with various government entities to host consultations and community programs. In 2019, the university held coordination meetings with the Capital Governorate (Manama municipal authority) to explore cooperative projects [1]. ASU faculty have delivered workshops for the Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of community outreach and professional training initiatives [1]. These engagements indicate that ministries view ASU as a reliable, neutral partner to provide expertise and gather stakeholders for discussions on policy implementation, strategic planning, and public sector improvement.

– Civil Society Partnerships

In line with its community engagement mission, ASU actively collaborates with NGOs and civil society groups, further ensuring a diversity of voices in its platform. For instance, ASU signed an MoU with the At’aa Individual Social Responsibility Society on 17 March 2022 to advance shared goals in community partnership and social responsibility [3]. ASU was represented by its President and hosted the signing ceremony on campus, reinforcing the university’s openness to civil society initiatives. Additionally, the Bahrain Women Society – a prominent NGO – has an ongoing collaboration agreement with ASU and even holds representation in some university councils [3]. Through joint activities with the Bahrain Women Society, ASU has engaged on issues of women’s empowerment and social development in an inclusive setting. These partnerships with non-governmental actors demonstrate that ASU’s platform is not limited to officialdom; rather, it neutrally bridges government and grassroots organizations. All parties are welcomed to utilize ASU as an educational forum for dialogue, whether the aim is to encourage civic participation, raise awareness on social challenges, or build capacity in governance and human rights.

In summary, ASU’s network of partnerships – spanning Parliament’s upper and lower houses, government institutes, ministries, and community organizations – underpins its role as a convening platform. The university’s neutral stance is evidenced by its work with stakeholders across the spectrum (from state officials to NGOs), and by the nature of these collaborations which center on training, consultation, and knowledge-sharing rather than partisan activities.

Policies Ensuring Neutrality and Inclusive Expression

ASU Bahrain’s institutional policies and governance framework reinforce its commitment to providing a safe, neutral environment where diverse opinions can be expressed freely and respectfully. Several key policies and codes of practice uphold freedom of expression, academic neutrality, and inclusivity on campus, which in turn create the conditions for frank stakeholder discussions:

– Academic Freedom and Freedom of Expression

ASU guarantees the rights of its faculty and students to academic freedom, which is foundational to neutrality and open dialogue. Article 8 of the University’s Basic Bylaw and Article 11 of the Academic Staff Bylaw explicitly protect freedom of thought and expression within the university’s activities. According to ASU policy, “an academic staff member…shall be granted the freedom of thought, expression, publication and expressing his or her opinion with respect to teaching, academic research and other university activities” (within the bounds of the law and university values) [5]. This formal protection means that differing viewpoints can be voiced without fear, encouraging honest debate and inquiry. It signals to external stakeholders that any event or forum at ASU will be conducted in a spirit of openness and intellectual liberty, free from institutional censorship or bias.

– Inclusive Governance and Stakeholder Representation

The university’s governance model incorporates voices from various sectors, underscoring impartiality and inclusiveness. ASU reserves seats for external stakeholders in its councils and committees – including representatives of the local government, local community, private sector, and civil society – to ensure a broad range of perspectives in decision-making [3]. For example, a delegate from Bahrain’s local government participates in annual University Council meetings, and a representative from a civil society organization (the Bahrain Women Society) is involved in university activities through a formal collaboration [3]. By embedding external stakeholder input into its governance, ASU cultivates a neutral institutional culture that values community needs and pluralism. This structure helps make any public dialogues at ASU balanced and representative, as the university itself is accustomed to neutrality and multi-party engagement in its internal affairs.

– Community Engagement Policy – Safe and Open Discourse

ASU’s Community Engagement Policy articulates principles that promote a safe space for discussion and uphold neutrality. The policy emphasizes instilling “tolerance for differences in opinion” among students and staff, as well as “encouraging free and open flow of ideas” in the university community [3]. These values are actively fostered through coursework, events, and volunteer initiatives. By training its community to respect diverse viewpoints and by welcoming debate, ASU ensures that events involving outside stakeholders are conducted in an atmosphere of mutual respect. Participants from government or civil society can feel confident that ASU will facilitate dialogue impartially and handle sensitive topics with academic objectivity. The Community Engagement Policy also underlines service to society and community partnership [3], reflecting ASU’s intent to act as a conduit between the academy, the public, and policymakers in a constructive, non-partisan manner.

– Equality, Non-Discrimination and Safety

To guarantee that all discussion spaces at ASU are safe and inclusive, the university enforces strict non-discrimination and anti-harassment policies. ASU’s Equality and Diversity Policy states the institution’s “commitment to create an environment where differences are valued and equality of opportunity is evident among all staff, students, and any stakeholder” [2]. The policy protects individuals from unfair treatment based on characteristics such as age, gender, nationality, religion or political belief. Furthermore, ASU explicitly does not tolerate any form of harassment or bullying on campus [2]. These protections ensure that when ASU hosts a politically charged discussion or a multi-party forum, every participant is treated with respect and protected from intimidation. Freedom of expression is thus balanced with respect for human dignity – creating a neutral ground where stakeholders can speak frankly, knowing that the university will uphold civility and guard against any abusive behavior. Such an environment is critical for open dialogue on sensitive issues, as it builds trust among participants that they can share their perspectives safely.

Through these governance measures and ethical policies, ASU cultivates a climate of neutrality, openness, and safety that underpins all its engagements. Academic freedom guarantees open expression; stakeholder inclusion in governance ensures neutrality and balance; and zero-tolerance for discrimination fosters a respectful space. This strong institutional foundation means ASU can confidently invite politicians, officials, activists, and community members to campus, assured that discussions will remain inclusive and secure for all involved.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Applied Science University (ASU) Bahrain provides a neutral and safe platform for political stakeholders and civil society to come together and frankly discuss challenges. The university’s track record – from hosting parliamentary workshops and multi-sector forums, to partnering with the Parliament, government agencies, and NGOs – shows a consistent commitment to facilitating constructive dialogue in a non-partisan setting. Moreover, ASU’s internal policies enshrine the values of free expression, inclusivity, and mutual respect that are essential for open discussions on sensitive social and political issues. These efforts directly support the aims of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) by promoting inclusive decision-making, civic education, and trust in institutions. The evidence presented (drawn from official ASU sources and government records) confirms that ASU Bahrain is not only an academic institution but also a trusted convener where diverse stakeholders – from lawmakers to community advocates – can engage openly, learn from one another, and work jointly towards solutions in a safe academic environment.

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