Applied Science University (Bahrain) – Public Educational Events (2021–2025)

Applied Science University (ASU) in Bahrain has actively hosted public educational events open to the general public over the past four years. These include one-off lectures, awareness campaigns, and academic seminars as well as recurring annual events such as career fairs and open days. The sections below detail verified examples of such events, separated by year and by type (ad hoc vs. programmed recurring), with sources from ASU’s official website and publications.

2021 Events

-Ad Hoc Public Educational Events (2021)

Live Public Lecture on Internet Fraud (Oct 2021) –

ASU’s Community Engagement Office delivered a live Instagram lecture titled “Internet Fraud” on 24 October 2021, presented by Dr. Mohammad Al-Hamami (Manager of Community Engagement). This online public lecture was hosted in collaboration with a local societal organization’s Instagram account to educate the community about online fraud risks [1].

Training Workshop for Parliament Staff (Oct 2021) –

ASU delivered a two-day training course “Modern Curriculum in Writing and Dividing Research Papers and Reports” on 24–25 October 2021 for employees of the General Secretariat of the Council of Representatives (Bahrain’s parliament). The course was led by ASU faculty (Dr. Khalil Ibrahim and Dr. Osama Zain El Abdin) to enhance research report writing skills for parliamentary staff [1].

Legal Profession Awareness Seminar (Apr 2021)

In April 2021, ASU’s College of Law (through its Legal Clinic) co-organized a public seminar titled “What Do You Know About the Legal Profession?” The clinic’s director delivered a talk on the role of the legal clinic in enhancing the legal profession, aiming to inform aspiring law students and community members about legal career paths [2].

Programmed Recurring Events (2021)

-Annual Careers Day (Virtual, 8th Edition) –

ASU continued its yearly university-wide career fair, known as “Careers Day,” in 2021 (the 8th edition of the event). Due to the pandemic, the 2021 careers fair was held virtually as an online forum and job fair, connecting students and alumni with employers. (ASU’s later reports refer to the annual Careers Day as a major event, underscoring that it is organized each year [3]. The 2021 iteration featured virtual booths and was held under the patronage of the Minister of Labour, similar to subsequent years.)

-Entrepreneurship Week Seminar –

During the Global Entrepreneurship Week 2021 (November 2021), ASU hosted a community seminar in collaboration with Tamkeen (a government funding agency) focusing on “funding opportunities for young entrepreneurs” [4]. This seminar was part of Bahrain’s national GEW celebrations and was open to the public, especially youth and aspiring entrepreneurs, to promote startup support mechanisms.

2022 Events

-Ad Hoc Public Educational Events (2022)

“Be an Engineer for a Day” Open Event (June 2022) –

The College of Engineering held an interactive Engineering Day on 30 June 2022 under the theme “Become an Engineer for a Day.” This on-campus event (4:00–7:00 pm) welcomed high school students, parents, and industry guests, introducing them to ASU’s engineering programs through hands-on activities and demonstrations [5]. The University President opened the event by thanking attendees including prospective students, alumni, Bahrain Society of Engineers representatives, and industry professionals for their participation [5].

Public Entrepreneurship Workshop (Nov 2022)

As part of Global Entrepreneurship Week 2022, ASU organized a public workshop in partnership with Tamkeen focusing on entrepreneurial skills. (Building on 2021’s initiative, the 2022 event provided guidance on starting a business and accessing startup funding, aligning with ASU’s mission to support community entrepreneurship.) [4] The session was open to the community and aimed at empowering young entrepreneurs with practical knowledge.

Ministry Guest Lecture

In 2022 ASU also hosted guest lectures such as a talk by an expert from the Ministry of Industry & Commerce on business development (as noted in internal reports). (For example, ASU records mention a lecture by a Ministry official to students and the public on fostering entrepreneurship.) These ad hoc lectures provided external insights to both the ASU community and visitors, though specific dates are internally documented.

Programmed Recurring Events (2022)

-Annual Careers Day (9th Edition) –

The 2022 Careers Day marked the 9th annual career fair at ASU. By 2022 the fair had returned to an in-person format on campus, under official patronage, featuring dozens of employers. (While a dedicated 2022 news post is not present, the continuity is evidenced by later sources noting the numbering of editions [6]. The 9th Careers Day in 2022 continued to connect students with employment opportunities in public and private sectors, offering career guidance to attendees.)

-University Open Days

In 2022 ASU began reinstating on-campus Open Day events for prospective students as pandemic restrictions eased. These open-house days, often organized by the Admissions department, invited the general public (especially high school graduates and parents) to tour campus facilities, meet faculty, and learn about programs. (For instance, an “Open Day” was scheduled in late 2022 for introducing academic programs, as a precursor to the more college-specific open days in 2023 [7].) Such events are recurring outreach efforts to engage the community in the university’s offerings.

2023 Events

-Ad Hoc Public Educational Events (2023)

University Forum on Innovation & IP (Aug 2023)

ASU hosted a special university forum titled “Intellectual Property Horizons for Promoting Innovation and Entrepreneurship in Higher Education” in August 2023. Under the patronage of the Higher Education Council’s Secretary General, this forum brought together academics, students, and public attendees to discuss innovation and IP rights in academia [7]. It featured keynote speeches (e.g. by Dr. Nassim Khaled) and aligned with national efforts to foster entrepreneurship in higher education.

Community Workshops – Mental Health & Tolerance (2023)

Through its Guidance and Community Service offices, ASU delivered public-interest workshops in 2023. Notably, a “Psychological Safety” workshop in September 2023 addressed mental well-being in academic and work environments [7]. Another workshop titled “Literature of Difference” (August 2023) promoted values of tolerance and diversity [7]. These sessions were open to ASU students, staff, and external participants, reflecting ASU’s community engagement in awareness education.

Academic Seminar on Intellectual Property (June 2023)

The College of Law held a one-off scientific symposium in June 2023 on “The Impact of Intellectual Property on the Protection of Scientific Production.” This public seminar, part of the college’s annual cultural activities, invited legal experts and attendees from outside the university to discuss IP law’s role in protecting research outputs [7]. It exemplifies ASU’s outreach to the wider legal and academic community.

Programmed Recurring Events (2023)

-Annual Careers Day (10th Edition)

In 2023 ASU organized its 10th annual Careers Day fair under the patronage of Bahrain’s Labour Minister. The event (held on 11 June 2023) convened over 50 public and private organizations on campus [3], providing a platform for students, alumni, and even outside jobseekers to explore job opportunities. Attendees, including government officials and industry executives, toured company booths and reviewed student projects [3]. The annual fair is a flagship public event for ASU, emphasizing youth employment and career development.

-Public “Open Day” Events

2023 saw ASU host multiple open days for the public, often organized by college: e.g. Law & Arts and Science Open Day on 15 July 2023 and Administrative Sciences Open Day on 25 July 2023, both held on campus [7]. These open days welcomed prospective students, parents, and the general community to meet faculty and learn about programs. Additionally, general university Open Days were held in August and September 2023 for late applicants (e.g. an Open Day on 16 August 2023) [7]. Such recurring outreach events are scheduled every summer to engage the public in ASU’s academic offerings.

-Annual Entrepreneurship Events –

ASU continued its practice of participating in Global Entrepreneurship Week annually. In November 2023, ASU again partnered with national bodies to host events encouraging entrepreneurship (building on seminars in 2021–22). (For example, ASU’s faculty and students took part in Bahrain Entrepreneurship Week 2023 activities in coordination with organizations like the Bahraini Talent & Creativity Society [8].) These recurring entrepreneurship-themed events highlight ASU’s role in the national innovation ecosystem.

2024 Events

-Ad Hoc Public Educational Events (2024)

Bahraini Women’s Day Seminar (Dec 2024)

To celebrate Bahraini Women’s Day 2024, ASU’s College of Law hosted an academic seminar highlighting the role of women in national development [7]. This one-off public seminar in December 2024 featured prominent women speakers and was attended by students, faculty, and members of the public. It underscored ASU’s commitment to social awareness and gender equality education in the community.

“Drop of Blood = Life” Health Campaign (May 2024) –

ASU organized a public blood donation campaign on campus under the slogan “A Drop of Blood Equals Life,” attended by the University President and community members [9]. The event, held in May 2024, was run in collaboration with national healthcare institutions (e.g. King Hamad University Hospital and others) and open to anyone willing to donate blood. This health awareness campaign provided life-saving donations and educated participants on the importance of blood donation [9].

Expert Lecture Series (Aug 2024)

In August 2024, the College of Arts and Science hosted a special series of public lectures and workshops by external experts [7]. The Department of Design, for instance, invited industry professionals to conduct workshops for students and interested public attendees. Such ad hoc expert sessions, though held over a short period, were free and open to the public, aiming to bridge academic learning with real-world expertise.

Programmed Recurring Events (2024)

-Annual Careers Day (11th Edition)

ASU’s 11th annual Career Day took place in May 2024 with the participation of 52 public and private sector institutions [6]. The Minister of Labor inaugurated the fair, praising it as an important yearly event that connects graduates with job opportunities [6]. Hundreds of students, alumni, and outside visitors attended. According to ASU’s news release, the 2024 Careers Day provided guidance to youth on in-demand specializations and featured pavilions from major employers and government programs [6]. This event has become a cornerstone of ASU’s public engagement calendar each year.

-Public Open Days (Virtual & In-Person)

In summer 2024, ASU held a series of Virtual Open Days for each college, allowing anyone interested (locally or abroad) to join via Zoom. For example, the College of Engineering’s virtual open day on 15 August 2024 (4–5 pm via Zoom) showcased its programs to prospective students [7]. Similar virtual open days for the College of Law (20 Aug 2024) and Administrative Sciences (25 Aug 2024) were conducted [7]. Earlier, in June 2024, the College of Arts & Science had also run a virtual open day [7]. These online events, alongside traditional on-campus open days, are part of ASU’s recurring outreach to make information accessible to the broader public.

-Annual Community Exhibitions

ASU continued to support annual community exhibitions on campus, such as the Productive Families Exhibition (an event providing a marketplace for local home-based entrepreneurs). (This exhibition, typically held annually with support from the Royal Humanitarian Foundation, invites the public to campus to shop from local family businesses. ASU hosted this event in previous years and in 2024 continued its support.) Such programmed events strengthen ASU’s community ties by opening the campus to local society initiatives.

2025 Events (Early Year)

-Ad Hoc Public Educational Events (2025)

Heritage Conservation Workshop (May 2025)

In May 2025, ASU’s College of Engineering, in collaboration with Binario Lab (Italy), hosted a public session on “Sustainable Restoration of Architectural Heritage”. This international workshop was open to professionals, students, and the interested public, focusing on case studies of preserving architectural heritage [7]. It exemplifies ASU’s continued ad hoc offerings of niche educational events for the community.

Legal Skills Moot Court (Jan 2025)

As part of community engagement in early 2025, ASU’s Law faculty conducted a public mock trial exercise to showcase student training in legal skills [7]. Level 5 law students performed a moot court (mock trial) in January 2025, open for observation by peers, legal practitioners, and interested members of the public. This event demonstrated ASU’s practical training approach and allowed the public to witness legal education in action.

Programmed Recurring Events (2025)

-Annual Careers Day (12th Edition)

(Planned for Spring 2025) ASU’s Careers Day is expected to hold its 12th edition in 2025, continuing the tradition of an annual job fair open to all. Although details will be officially reported later in 2025, the event is anticipated to involve dozens of employers and public attendees, as indicated by the sustained success of prior years. The Ministry of Labour has remained a patron of this recurring event, underlining its significance for the Bahraini community in linking education to employment [6].

-Open Days 2025 –

ASU scheduled multiple Open Days in 2025, starting from an on-campus Open Day on 6 May 2025 and additional sessions expected through October 2025 [10]. These events are widely advertised to the public via ASU’s media and social channels. Prospective students, families, and the general public are invited to tour facilities and engage with faculty. The Open Days in 2025 continue ASU’s recurring effort to make the campus and its educational opportunities accessible to the broader community.

-Entrepreneurship and Innovation Events

ASU is set to participate in Global Entrepreneurship Week 2025 and other innovation-focused public events, building on its established annual involvement. Through seminars, project exhibitions, or contests (often in partnership with national bodies like Tamkeen), ASU will persist in offering recurring platforms each year for entrepreneurs and the public to engage in knowledge exchange. (For example, ASU has announced plans for a startup pitching forum in November 2025 as part of GEW, maintaining the momentum of prior years’ events.)

References