UoB And BENEFIT Bahrain Commend the Approval of the Council of Ministers 

Aiming To Develop Joint Research and Promote the Use of Innovative Technologies and Applications 

UoB And BENEFIT Bahrain Commend the Approval of the Council of Ministers 

On Establishing an Advanced Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence and Computing 

The University of Bahrain (UoB) and the BENEFIT Bahrain Company expressed their thanks and gratitude to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and to the Honorable Council of Ministers for approving the memorandum of the Ministerial Committee for Financial and Economic Affairs and Financial Balance on the establishment of an advanced educational laboratory for artificial intelligence in UoB, in support of the education and development process. This took place at the Council’s session held on Monday (21 December 2020).  

In light of this approval, the two parties are finalizing the official and legal procedures to proceed with the establishment of an advanced laboratory for artificial intelligence, which will be within the College of Information Technology at the University. The agreement between the two parties includes conducting joint research projects using artificial intelligence, promoting artificial intelligence research and innovation in multiple areas such as cyber security, fraud detection, innovative methods for electronic payments, big data for sustainable energy, particle physics, engineering applications that employ artificial intelligence, and supercomputing. 

On this occasion, the President of UoB, Prof. Riyad Yousif Hamzah, stated that “The noble directives of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa, King of the Kingdom of Bahrain, towards building a knowledge economy and investing in artificial intelligence techniques, led us in the College of Information Technology and the University of Bahrain to search for partners who can support and advance the project from the logistical aspects, while the College handles the knowledge aspect of it, and therefore it was agreed with BENEFIT Bahrain to establish a “BENEFIT Advanced Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence and Computing” at the University. 

For his part, the Chairman of the Board of Directors of BENEFIT, Mr. Mohammed Ebrahim Al-Bastaki, stated that “We supported this important partnership in the implementation of the directives of the wise leadership, and within the framework of its social responsibility in supporting national projects, especially since the laboratory will provide advanced studies in multiple areas, including the sectors of innovation in payments, cybersecurity, big data analysis, and advanced computing, in line with our strategic plans in this framework.” And he further added that “BENEFIT plays a leading role in implementing innovative initiatives in the field of financial technology and electronic payments, we promote strategic relationships with various active partners under the supervision of the Central Bank of Bahrain to achieve national goals and plans.” 

Regarding the partnership between the two sides, the CEO of the Company, Mr. Abdulwahid Al-Janahi, said “We are incredibly thrilled about this important initiative that enhances the principle of a national partnership between different sectors towards societal progress, and we are looking forward to benefiting from it by developing our cadres in the Company and qualifying them according to the latest specializations and advanced fields, which is an important goal within the core of our philosophy in the Company by refining the Bahraini expertise and enhancing their technical skills, especially that the advanced laboratory will focus on developing work in qualitative disciplines that include artificial intelligence, big data, cybersecurity and cloud computing, all of which are promising specializations.”. 

For her part, Dean of the College of Information Technology, Dr. Lamya Mohammed Al-Jasmi, stated: “The College offers much higher education and scientific research programs that contribute to the development of the national economy based on the knowledge economy and focus on local and regional issues related to information and communication technology, and that is through cooperation with partners from the business and industry sector and international academics.” And she further added: “We are proud of the hundreds of graduates from various information technology disciplines who have entered the local labor market, in addition to entrepreneurs who contribute to the development of the national economy.” 

It is worth noting that the laboratory will be supporting innovation, scientific research and development to be a national center for research and excellence in the field of artificial intelligence applications, and a spot of inspiration for researchers, students and entrepreneurs interested in employing artificial intelligence. 

The College of Information Technology had updated its undergraduate and postgraduate programs those joint with other colleges, by introducing new master’s programs in cyber security, software engineering, big data, and a doctorate in computing and information sciences, among others, which require the development of computing capabilities and the creation of national laboratories specialized in artificial intelligence to supplement student and research talents and benefit from them in supporting the national economy. 

BENEFIT Bahrain is the leading company specialized in developing innovative solutions for electronic payment processes and providing and managing multiple electronic channels for the payments of receivables, bills and remittances electronically. Also, the Company pays great attention to the development of national capabilities in innovative technologies in the artificial intelligence sector, which shall benefit its electronic services.