Support for Student Mothers at Applied Science University (ASU) Bahrain

Childcare Facilities and Services for Student Mothers

Figure 1: Image: ASU’s childcare partnership.

ASU collaborates with Kinder World Preschool – a local early childhood center – to provide free childcare services for its students and staff, allowing student mothers to attend classes knowing their young children are in a safe nearby facility [1].

Applied Science University (ASU) in Bahrain provides accessible childcare support to enable student mothers and staff with young children to pursue their university responsibilities. Notably, ASU has partnered with a nearby preschool – Kinder World Preschool Bahrain – to offer childcare services for members of the university community, including students attending courses [1]. This arrangement means that an entity close to campus welcomes students’ children during class or work hours [1], effectively serving as an extended on-campus childcare option. Crucially, the childcare service is provided free of charge for all ASU students and employees, reflecting the university’s commitment to removing barriers for parents in academia [1]. Parents simply need to apply for a spot and specify the timing for which childcare is needed, ensuring flexibility to match class schedules [1]. This initiative directly supports recent mothers in continuing their education without worrying about their child’s care, fostering a family-friendly academic environment [1].

The Kinder World Preschool partnership accommodates infants as young as 3 months up to children about 4 years old, covering the typical age range before formal schooling [1]. At the preschool, children engage in age-appropriate learning activities, play, and receive care from qualified staff in a safe, nurturing environment [1]. The preschool’s ethos of “Together We Nurture” aligns with ASU’s inclusive values, as it welcomes parents to be part of the child’s early education experience [1]. By leveraging a nearby established childcare provider, ASU avoids the need to build and staff an in-house nursery, yet still integrates childcare support into the student experience. Planning documents and campus descriptions indicate that ASU’s new campus is designed to be accessible and modern; while it does not house a dedicated daycare center, the university ensures childcare availability through this external collaboration [1]. In practice, this means student parents can drop off their children at the partner preschool (located conveniently close to the university) and attend their lectures or work on campus with peace of mind [1]. Overall, the accessible childcare service – formalized via an agreement with Kinder World and offered at no cost – demonstrates ASU Bahrain’s dedication to practical support for student mothers, aligning with the goal of gender equity in higher education (SDG 5) by helping women continue their studies after having children [1].

University Policies Supporting Student Mothers

ASU Bahrain’s formal policies and student handbook underscore a commitment to supporting students with family responsibilities. In the Student Handbook 2024–2025, the university’s Equality and Diversity Policy explicitly lists “Pregnancy and Maternity” as protected characteristics, alongside attributes like age, disability, and gender [2]. This means that ASU prohibits any discrimination or unfair treatment on the basis of a student being pregnant or having children, ensuring recent mothers have equal access to education. Such a policy foundation signals that accommodations for student mothers (e.g. excused absences for medical needs, flexibility in assessments, or leave of absence for maternity) would be handled with understanding, although specific procedures are typically case-by-case. The protected status of pregnancy and maternity in university policy is an important guarantee that student mothers can raise concerns if they face barriers, and that the university is obliged to address those issues fairly [2].

Additionally, the university’s regulations acknowledge practical considerations involving children on campus. For instance, library rules note that bringing young children into the library is not permitted so as to avoid disturbances to other students [2]. While this rule exists to preserve a quiet study environment, it indirectly highlights the need for alternative child-friendly spaces, which ASU addresses through its childcare service. In general, ASU’s policies aim to create a campus climate where student parents feel supported. The inclusion of family-related provisions reflects the university’s awareness of student mothers’ needs – aligning with SDG 4 (Quality Education) by promoting inclusive and equitable opportunities for all learners, regardless of parental status.

Family-Friendly Campus Events and Culture

ASU Bahrain actively cultivates a family-inclusive campus culture through events and initiatives that welcome students’ family members and children. One prominent example is the celebration of Family Day on campus. On March 12, 2018, ASU held a Family Day event inviting students’ parents, brothers, sisters, and other family to the university [3]. This day allowed families to visit campus, engage in social activities, and share in the university experience with their enrolled relatives. Such events help build a supportive community around student parents by acknowledging the important role of family encouragement in academic success. Family Day featured a friendly atmosphere with entertainment and gatherings for all ages; photos from the event show families sitting together and enjoying the campus festivities [3]. By opening its doors to students’ children and relatives, ASU sends a clear message that family engagement is welcome at the university.

Figure 2: Family-friendly event on campus.

ASU organized a fun World Children’s Day celebration on campus, complete with play equipment and activities for kids. The event was free for the children of students, staff, and local community members, demonstrating a welcoming environment for students with children [3].

ASU has also observed World Children’s Day by hosting recreational activities for kids on campus. In one such celebration, the university organized a free fun day for the children of ASU students, staff, and external guests from the local community [3]. The campus was transformed with child-friendly games – for example, an inflatable play slide and cartoon-themed décor – creating an inviting space where student parents could bring their kids to safely play and participate in the festivities. This event was offered at no cost to participants as a community outreach and inclusion initiative [3]. It not only gave children a chance to enjoy the campus environment, but also allowed student mothers and fathers to engage in university life without needing to arrange separate childcare on that day. Such family-oriented occasions indicate that ASU strives to be a child-friendly campus. Even external organizations have utilized ASU’s facilities for youth events; for instance, the ISACA Bahrain Chapter’s 2024 “Children’s Day Out” community event was hosted at ASU, highlighting the university’s reputation as a supportive venue for family and community activities.

Beyond campus celebrations, ASU’s community engagement programs integrate family themes to reinforce a culture of care. As part of its social responsibility initiatives, ASU marks the UN International Day of Families (celebrated May 15) through service activities. In one recent example, student clubs at ASU commemorated Family Day by volunteering at a local elderly care center – visiting senior citizens and sharing gifts – to honor the idea of broader community as family [4]. According to a university magazine report, this volunteering visit was explicitly timed “with the celebration of Family Day” and aimed at instilling values of compassion and intergenerational support among students [4]. Such activities reflect a holistic approach: while ASU directly supports student-parents on campus, it also encourages students to appreciate family bonds in the wider community.

Child-Friendly Facilities and Accommodations on Campus

In terms of physical campus infrastructure, ASU Bahrain’s new campus in Al-Ekir was designed with accessibility and student comfort in mind. There are ample modern facilities like spacious classrooms, student lounges, and prayer rooms; however, rather than a dedicated on-site nursery, ASU leveraged its partnership with Kinder World Preschool to fulfill the need for childcare facilities [1]. The preschool’s proximity to campus ensures that it functions almost as an extended facility for ASU students and staff. University documents emphasize that this solution was chosen to support students with children – effectively making childcare “accessible” to the campus community even if not within the main buildings [1]. Parents can therefore attend lectures knowing a child-accessible space (the preschool) is readily available nearby, complete with the necessary amenities for young children (nursery play areas, learning materials, rest areas, etc.).

Within campus, whenever events involve children or family attendees, ASU makes accommodations to its spaces. For example, during the World Children’s Day and Family Day events, outdoor areas on campus were set up with kid-friendly equipment and seating for families [3]. The presence of children on these occasions indicates that campus grounds are safe and adaptable for all ages when needed. While the general rule is to maintain academic areas (like libraries or lecture halls) as quiet zones free from disruption [2], ASU demonstrates flexibility by designating other areas for family gatherings and play when appropriate. Additionally, the university’s open days and orientation programs often encourage prospective students to bring family along, implicitly highlighting facilities like comfortable waiting areas and on-campus services that can accommodate visitors, including those with small children.

Conclusion

Applied Science University Bahrain offers a supportive environment for student mothers through a combination of dedicated services, inclusive policies, and family-friendly practices. The free childcare provision via Kinder World Preschool removes a major barrier for recent mothers returning to education [1], while formal policies against pregnancy-based discrimination ensure these students are treated equitably [2]. Community-building events like Family Day and Children’s Day showcase ASU’s welcoming approach to students with children, making it easier for them to integrate academic life with family life [3]. All of these efforts align with the university’s strategic commitment to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). By enabling parents to continue their studies and by promoting inclusive campus values, ASU Bahrain is contributing to quality education for all and empowering women through education [1]. The combination of practical childcare support and an inclusive campus culture makes ASU a noteworthy case of a higher education institution actively supporting student mothers in pursuit of their academic goals.

References