Applied Science University Bahrain: Cross-Sector SDG Dialogue and Partnerships

Applied Science University (ASU) in Bahrain demonstrates a strong commitment to SDG 17.17.1 – Partnerships for the Goals, actively engaging in cross-sectoral dialogue and collaboration to advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This report evaluates ASU’s initiatives in organizing SDG-focused events, forging partnerships across sectors, participating in policy dialogues, and instituting strategic plans that prioritize community engagement. Evidence from ASU’s official sources is presented in support of each aspect, aligning with THE Impact Rankings criteria for SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals).

SDG-Focused Conferences and Forums Organized by ASU

ASU has organized and co-hosted numerous conferences, forums, and seminars addressing key SDG themes, often in collaboration with international and local partners. Notable examples include:

– International Conferences on Innovation and Sustainability

ASU co-organized the International Conference on Innovation, Technology, Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (ICITEE 2019) with London South Bank University, providing a forum for researchers and practitioners to share findings on innovation, technology, and sustainable entrepreneurship [1]. The conference drew participants from 16 countries and highlighted the role of innovation in sustainable industrial development, directly supporting SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) [1]. More recently, ASU hosted the International Conference on the Leadership and Management of Projects in the Digital Age (IC: LAMP 2022), a platform for academics and professionals to discuss project management and digital innovation – crucial factors for sustainable infrastructure in line with SDG 9 [1]. These conferences exemplify ASU’s role in convening cross-sector dialogue on economic development and technological innovation in the context of sustainable development.

– Forums on Sustainable Development and Society

ASU’s commitment extends to forums on social and urban sustainability. For example, the University held a forum titled “Sustainable Buildings and Infrastructure” (May 2015) in collaboration with a professional body, focusing on sustainable urban development (supporting SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities). In addition, the University regularly hosts community-focused events; each year ASU organizes a Career Day under the patronage of the Ministry of Labor, bringing together public and private sector employers to campus. In 2024, the 11th Career Day featured 52 companies and institutions from public and private sectors, aimed at introducing students to job opportunities and market needs [2]. The Minister of Labor commended this event for strengthening the role of higher education in economic development by aligning academic output with labor market demands [2]. Such forums facilitate dialogue between academia, government, and industry on workforce development, addressing SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth).

– Events Promoting Gender Equality

In support of SDG 5 (Gender Equality), ASU hosts and participates in events highlighting women’s empowerment. The University celebrates Bahraini Women’s Day annually with on-campus initiatives and exhibitions that underscore women’s roles in society and entrepreneurship [3]. For instance, an International Women’s Day event in March 2023 showcased innovative projects by female students, aiming to enhance their status and skills in entrepreneurship [3]. These ASU-organized activities provide a forum for discussing gender equality and affirm the University’s commitment to empowering women and girls in line with national efforts and SDG 5 [2].

Cross-Sector Partnerships and MoUs Aligned with SDGs

ASU actively establishes partnerships and Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with government agencies, NGOs, civil society, and industry, explicitly targeting SDG-related themes. These formal collaborations create frameworks for joint initiatives, knowledge exchange, and community benefit:

– MoUs with National Initiatives for Youth & Education

In May 2024, ASU signed an MoU with Hope Talents, a national youth talent development initiative, to enhance training and employment opportunities for students and graduates [4]. This partnership with a government-supported entity focuses on improving graduates’ transition into the job market, reflecting ASU’s community service strategy and contributing to SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 8 (Decent Work) by equipping youth with skills for employment [4]. Similarly, ASU entered a cooperation agreement with the Bahrain Society for Human Resource Management (BSHRM) in 2024 to bridge academic programs with professional practice. The MoU aims to strengthen bilateral ties with this civil society organization, leveraging ASU’s business and HR academic programs to produce graduates with practical skills aligned to market needs [5]. Such academia-industry partnerships ensure that education at ASU is relevant to economic and social development goals.

– Partnerships with Government Bodies

ASU has formalized collaborations with government institutions to support policy implementation and capacity-building, advancing SDG 16 (Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions). Notably, the University signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Bahrain’s House of Representatives (Parliament) to provide academic expertise, research support, and training for parliamentary staff and members [6]. This cross-sector partnership is rooted in ASU’s mission of serving Bahraini society and supporting national development. On the sidelines of the MoU signing, ASU’s President emphasized the University’s “keenness to cooperate with national institutions… and contribute to supporting the wheel of development” in Bahrain [6]. The MoU establishes a practical framework whereby ASU offers training courses to Members of Parliament, facilitates student visits to parliamentary sessions, and contributes research input to legislative studies – an initiative that benefits students (especially those in Law and Political Science) and strengthens governance through academic collaboration [6]. This exemplifies how ASU aligns with SDG 17 by leveraging academic resources in support of government capacity and civic engagement.

– Collaborations with NGOs and Social Organizations

The University also partners with non-governmental organizations to advance social development goals. For example, ASU signed an MoU with the At’aa Individual Social Responsibility Society (a Bahraini NGO) in March 2022 to promote social responsibility initiatives benefiting students and the broader community. Through such agreements, both the University and the NGO aim to create programs that foster volunteerism, civic responsibility, and economic inclusion, aligning with goals like No Poverty (SDG 1) and Reduced Inequalities (SDG 10) [5]. These partnerships indicate ASU’s outreach beyond academia to engage civil society in achieving the SDGs. Moreover, ASU’s affiliations list includes numerous local and international academic partnerships (e.g. with London South Bank University and others), demonstrating a broad network of cooperation that enriches its educational and research environment in line with global goals.

Participation in Policy Dialogues and SDG Consultations

Beyond hosting its own events, ASU is an active participant in national and global SDG dialogues. University leadership, faculty, and students frequently take part in external forums, consultations, and committees that shape policy and public discourse around the Sustainable Development Goals:

– National Forums on Gender and Education

ASU representatives have been invited to high-level forums on women’s empowerment in science and education. For instance, ASU staff and students attended the Scientific Forum “Bahraini Women and Future Sciences” under the patronage of HRH Princess Sabeeka bint Ibrahim Al Khalifa. This forum, organized by the Supreme Council for Women at Bahrain Polytechnic, convened stakeholders to discuss the role of women in future scientific fields [3]. In another case, on November 28, 2019, the President of ASU (Prof. Ghassan Aouad), along with senior administrators, participated in a forum titled “The Role of Women in Higher Education and Future Sciences” organized by Bahrain’s Education & Training Quality Authority in celebration of Bahraini Women’s Day [3]. At these forums, ASU’s involvement ensured that the perspective of higher education was included in national conversations about gender equality in STEM and academia, directly contributing to SDG 5 (Gender Equality) and SDG 4 (Quality Education).

– Expert Contributions to Policy Discussions

ASU faculty have contributed expertise in specialized policy dialogues. On November 6, 2019, members of ASU’s Talent Club were invited to a panel discussion hosted by the national Education & Training Quality Authority on empowering women in future sciences [3]. During this dialogue, the ASU representatives highlighted the University’s efforts in empowering female students in science and emphasized the importance of practical skills and gender equality in emerging science fields [3]. Such participation illustrates how ASU’s academic community informs and supports policy development in Bahrain, reinforcing SDG targets on inclusive education and gender empowerment. Additionally, ASU faculty have engaged in discussions on digital governance: the University was represented by three professors at the “Digital Rights Forum: Changes and Challenges” held at the University of Bahrain, a multi-stakeholder forum addressing issues of privacy, technology, and rights in the digital era [7]. By contributing to conversations on digital policy and rights, ASU supports SDG 16 targets related to inclusive societies and justice in the context of technological change.

– Regional and Global Engagements

ASU’s involvement extends to broader initiatives such as the Bahrain Universities Model United Nations (BUMUN) and humanitarian forums. ASU students and faculty regularly join the BUMUN conference, which engages participants in debating global issues like climate change, women’s economic empowerment, and public health – mirroring multiple SDGs [7]. In 2018, an ASU student delegation not only participated in BUMUN (under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa) but also earned awards for their diplomatic contributions [7]. Furthermore, ASU has partaken in the Royal Humanitarian Organization’s dialogues on charitable and humanitarian work (supporting SDG 17 partnership networks for good), and ASU staff have been panelists or attendees in seminars on topics ranging from labor market integration of persons with disabilities to interfaith understanding (e.g. a forum on the Biography of the Prophet Mohammed under the Ministry of Justice’s patronage) [7]. Through these varied engagements, ASU acts as a bridge between academia, government authorities, and civil society in tackling development challenges.

Strategic Commitment to SDG Outreach and Engagement

ASU’s initiatives are underpinned by institutional policies and strategic plans that prioritize outreach and partnerships for sustainable development. The University’s strategy explicitly integrates community engagement and cross-sector collaboration as core objectives:

– Integration of SDGs in Strategy

ASU’s Strategic Plan (2020–2025) and vision statements align with Bahrain’s development priorities and the UN SDGs. A key pillar of this strategy is community partnership. As part of its strategic plan, “the University seeks to enhance cooperative relations with various national institutions,” engaging with government and private sector entities to benefit the community and support the country’s development efforts [5]. This reflects a deliberate policy to leverage education and research in service of national SDG targets. For example, ASU’s strategy maps its educational goals to Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and SDGs, ensuring that academic programs and research contribute to economic, social, and environmental development.

– Dedicated Community Engagement Office

ASU has established a Community Engagement Office to operationalize its partnership goals. The Office’s mandate underscores outreach and dialogue across all sectors of society. According to the Office’s charter, ASU is committed to “develop relationships with all sectors of society (including government, policymaking bodies, charities, … institutions, schools and media) to promote outreach through dialogue, engagement and collaboration.” [7]. This formal emphasis on multi-sector collaboration ensures that the University’s resources and expertise are accessible to the broader community. The Community Engagement Office coordinates volunteer programs, advisory services, and joint events, thereby institutionalizing SDG 17 partnerships at the grassroots level of the University. In addition, ASU publishes annual Community Engagement Booklets documenting activities and impact, and maintains a dedicated Sustainability web portal that reports on each SDG (e.g., highlighting ASU’s contributions to goals like quality education, gender equality, clean energy, etc.). Such transparency and planning demonstrate that SDG outreach is not incidental but a strategic priority for ASU.

– Affiliations and Collaborative Networks

ASU’s governance framework includes an “Affiliations and Partnerships” agenda, indicating a proactive approach to forming alliances. The University has numerous MoUs and affiliations listed on its official site [5] [6], ranging from academic exchange agreements to industry linkages. By embedding partnership goals into its institutional policies, ASU ensures sustainable collaborations are continually sought and maintained. For instance, research collaborations (like the joint research with Bahrain Institute for Political Development on sustainable development policy [6]) and service initiatives (such as ASU’s support for the Ministry of Labour’s online training platform for NGOs, which earned ministerial recognition [6]) are products of this strategic outlook. The alignment of ASU’s strategy with SDG 17.17.1 is further evidenced by top leadership communications – the President’s messages and annual reports frequently stress community service, public-private partnerships, and the university’s role in national development.

Conclusion

Applied Science University (ASU) Bahrain actively initiates and participates in cross-sectoral dialogue and partnerships in pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals. The evidence shows that ASU organizes significant conferences and forums addressing goals such as quality education, gender equality, industry innovation, and sustainable cities, often co-hosting these events with international universities or under the auspices of government ministries. The University has entered formal partnerships – through MoUs – with government bodies, NGOs, and professional societies to advance educational and societal outcomes aligned with SDGs, thereby institutionalizing cross-sector cooperation. ASU’s faculty and leadership contribute to national policy dialogues and SDG consultations on issues ranging from women’s empowerment to digital rights, indicating the university’s voice in shaping development discourse. Underlying these efforts is a clear strategic commitment: ASU’s policies and plans prioritize community engagement, partnership-building, and societal impact as integral to its mission.

Through these multi-faceted initiatives, ASU Bahrain exemplifies the spirit of SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals). The University not only leverages academic resources to support national development agendas but also fosters a culture of collaboration that bridges academia, government, civil society, and industry. Such a comprehensive approach ensures that ASU’s contributions to sustainable development are both broad and deep – from empowering individual students and stakeholders, to influencing systemic progress toward the United Nations SDGs in Bahrain and beyond. The compiled evidence from ASU’s official publications and events attests that the University is fully engaged in cross-sectoral dialogue for sustainable development, fulfilling the criteria of SDG 17.17.1 and strengthening its standing in THE Impact Rankings for global partnership and outreach.

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