The Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) – Medical University of Bahrain welcomed to its campus His Excellency Mr Salman bin Isa bin Hindi Al Mannai, Governor of Muharraq, accompanied by His Excellency Brigadier General Jassim Mohammed Al Ghattam, Deputy Governor of Muharraq, and a distinguished delegation of community leaders and prominent figures from the Muharraq Governorate, alongside Mr Mubarak Al Hadi, Secretary General of the Bahrain Red Crescent Society.

The delegation was received by Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, together with members of the University’s senior leadership and academic team. The visit reflected the importance of continued cooperation between academic institutions and national stakeholders in support of the Kingdom of Bahrain’s priorities across education, healthcare, sustainability, and community wellbeing.

The engagement is built on the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2022 between RCSI Medical University of Bahrain and the Muharraq Governorate, which aims to encourage community participation in addressing health and environmental challenges and to support the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals across social, health, and economic dimensions.

During the visit, Mr Mohamed Abdulla, Head of Estates and Support Services, presented key institutional initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). These included the University’s solar farm, supporting environmental sustainability; the development of a new academic building to enhance teaching and learning capacity; the establishment of a research centre at the Bahrain Oncology Centre; and the Healthy University framework, which promotes wellbeing across the campus and the wider community.

The delegation also received an overview of the University’s support for Bahraini students through nationally supported scholarship pathways, alongside community engagement initiatives, including charitable partnerships, student volunteering in collaboration with the Bahrain Red Crescent Society and the impact of public health initiatives and children’s educational programmes such as the Diabetes Mobile Unit.

On this occasion, His Excellency Mr Salman bin Isa bin Hindi Al Mannai, Governor of Muharraq, affirmed that the partnership between the Muharraq Governorate and RCSI Medical University of Bahrain reflects a shared commitment to engaging the local community in addressing health and environmental challenges. He noted that strengthening frameworks for continued collaboration supports pathways towards sustainable development, delivering positive social, health and economic impact across the Kingdom of Bahrain, and expressed his pride in the University’s vital role in advancing these efforts.

Mr Mubarak Al Hadi, Secretary General of the Bahrain Red Crescent Society, said: “Collaboration between educational institutions and humanitarian organisations is essential to developing socially responsible and community-engaged leaders. Our partnership with RCSI Medical University of Bahrain provides meaningful opportunities for students to contribute to health and humanitarian initiatives, while supporting broader efforts to address community needs in Bahrain and beyond.”

Professor Sameer Otoom highlighted: “One of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain’s key strategic objectives is to support initiatives that contribute to community service and development. We are proud that approximately 51% of our workforce are Bahraini professionals, alongside the provision of dedicated scholarships for Bahraini students. A 2024 PwC report estimates the University’s annual contribution to the national economy at USD 91 million, with this impact expected to grow following the completion of the campus expansion.”

He added: “We are honoured to welcome His Excellency Mr Salman bin Isa bin Hindi Al Mannai and Mr Mubarak Al Hadi to the University, with their visit underscoring the importance of sustained institutional collaboration in advancing sustainability, community engagement, and the development of healthcare education and research. Through partnership with national stakeholders, we continue to support Bahrain’s long-term development goals.”

RCSI Medical University of Bahrain is committed to supporting education, healthcare, and sustainability by working collaboratively with the local community and partners across Bahrain.