In a strategic partnership with Amazon Web Services (AWS) and in cooperation with the University of Bahrain and Ahlia University, the Information & eGovernment Authority (iGA) held a graduation ceremony for the first batch of the AI Talent Program on February 17 (BNA) as part of its efforts to strengthen digital innovation and develop national capabilities in AI.
iGA holds graduation ceremony for first batch of AI Talent Programme
By giving them hands-on experience implementing AI solutions in the public sector, the six-month program aims to strengthen academically distinguished university IT students and prepare them for their graduation projects. In the iGA Innovation Hub, participants got extensive practical training and skills including programming, teamwork, and the creation of AI-based prototypes—a calculated move to connect academic learning with practical business requirements.
Participating students from Ahlia University and the University of Bahrain collaborated on two major projects that addressed issues facing the government sector: one for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and another for the Statistics and Population Registry sector.
The Government’s vision and iGA’s continued commitment to carrying out the directives of General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa, Minister of the Interior and Chairman of the Ministerial Committee for Information and Communications Technology (MCICT), are both reflected in the program’s graduation of the first batch, which was praised by Mohammed Ali Al Qaed, Chief Executive of the iGA. In keeping with Bahrain Vision 2030, Al Qaed emphasized that the program’s outcomes show how well it prepares skilled domestic talent capable of converting academic knowledge into real-world solutions that immediately improve government services.
Al Qaed also emphasized the strategic cooperation with AWS and the collaboration with participating colleges, emphasizing that student investment is a key component of the country’s digital transformation process.
Twenty students from six universities—Bahrain Polytechnic, Kingdom University, Arab Open University, Applied Science University, University of Bahrain, and Ahlia University—will be part of the second batch of the AI Talent Program, which Al Qaed revealed during the ceremony. In keeping with the program’s increasing influence on government innovation, the second batch will include a greater number of applied projects.
The Ministry of Industry and Commerce’s Undersecretary, Eman Ahmed Al Dossary, described the Ministry’s pride in working with iGA through the program, which led to the creation of a sophisticated system by participating students that is intended to plan and oversee advertising campaigns and commercial discount activities. She clarified that the technology will greatly speed up licensing processes, improve astute regulatory control, and guarantee the highest standards of accuracy and openness in the market, all while being supported by AI engines for document audits and compliance verification.
“In keeping with national digital transformation efforts and Bahrain Economic Vision 2030, this initiative reflects the Ministry’s firm commitment to adopting innovative digital solutions that promote fair pricing, credible advertising, and transparent commercial practices, protecting the rights of all consumers in the Kingdom,” Al Dossary continued.
The exceptional success of students in the AI Talent Program is a reflection of the University of Bahrain’s national ambition to match academic education with the demands of the actual market, according to Dr. Fuad Mohammed Al Ansari, President of the University of Bahrain. He pointed out that students’ efforts to create an intelligent system to monitor and evaluate foreign investment are a good way to gauge their preparedness for the workforce, as well as their capacity to solve problems in the real world, collaborate with others, and come up with creative ideas.
According to him, students’ keen interest in the program shows how well it empowers young people and uses cutting-edge AI technologies to boost the country’s economy and assist policymakers. According to Dr. Al Ansari, the program is an example of fruitful cooperation between educational institutions, governmental bodies, and the corporate sector, helping to develop students’ abilities and provide them the know-how needed to guide the future.
Ahlia University President Professor Mansoor Al Aali emphasized that the university’s involvement in the AI Talent Programme is a testament to its commitment to promoting digital innovation and developing national capacities. He pointed out that the program shows the maturity of the Project-Based Learning approach and applied innovation by empowering students to turn academic knowledge into clever solutions for government sectors.
He emphasized the university’s dedication to developing exceptional national talent by fusing technical expertise, academic depth, and national awareness. This will support Bahrain Vision 2030 and the country’s digital transformation while also boosting Bahrain’s competitiveness both domestically and internationally.
Thirteen students with IT majors made up the first class, seven from Ahlia University and six from the University of Bahrain. Two groups of pupils were formed: One group concentrated on the Ministry of Industry and Commerce, while the other addressed issues facing the Statistics and Population Registry sector.
Students at the University of Bahrain created a national smart system to monitor and control foreign investment in Bahrain. The system creates accurate reports to assist government authorities in tracking investment quantities, investing nations, and the fastest-growing industries by combining investor, company, and project data into a single platform. It speeds up processes, lowers errors, and boosts the national economy by utilizing AI technologies for data extraction, analysis, and predictive insights.
Students from Ahlia University created a clever application with AI capabilities to plan and track marketing campaigns and sales for the Ministry of Industry and Commerce. The technology improves regulatory monitoring and raises the caliber of services offered to commercial companies by integrating with ministry systems to evaluate campaign requests fast and precisely.
iGA’s continuous dedication to developing a new generation of Bahraini talent capable of spearheading innovation and digital transformation is shown in the AI Talent Programme. Interested higher education institutions can get in touch with iGA’s Innovation and Advanced Technologies Directorate by sending an email to AITalentProgram@iga.gov.bh.
