UOB signs partnerships with Oxford and Aston

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The University of Bahrain signed two research partnerships with two of Britain’s prestigious universities on Thursday. The partnerships comes as a result of the Science Collaboration Symposium that was organized by the British Council in February and November 2016. The symposium discussed pressing issues on water, energy and food and was attended by researchers from Bahrain, the United Kingdom and Gulf countries.

The partnership agreement signed between the University of Bahrain and the University of Oxford outlines future research in the field of water distillation via osmosis technology. The agreement allows researchers from the University of Bahrain to benefit from the expertise of Oxford University in this field. It is hoped that joint research will help in reaching high efficiency solutions that contribute to reducing energy consumption for water desalination.

The second partnership signed is between the University of Bahrain and the University of Aston outlines effort for a joint study on linking desalination plants using reverse osmosis technology via renewable energy systems. The agreement also includes both universities jointly supervising University of Bahrain PhD in Engineering programme and organizing a number of activities in the field over the next three years.

The two partnerships come as a result of the Science Collaboration Symposium organized by the British Council last year. The symposium is one of many programmes that are implemented in the Bahrain under the umbrella of the Gulf Science Innovation and Knowledge Economy programme (GSIKE).

The programme aims to further expand scientific research activities by creating opportunities for joint collaborations between universities and research institutions in Bahrain and the United Kingdom. It also seeks to promote joint research as well as exchange expertise and technology between the Gulf and the United Kingdom.

In light of the occasion, British Council Bahrain Director, Mr. Alan Rutt stated “We are very happy to see fruitful and strong partnerships being shaped as a result of our science innovation programmes. The British Council strives to build a sustainable platform for local researchers to connect with peers in the Gulf and the UK via the Gulf Science Innovation, and Knowledge Economy programme that we started implementing last year”.

“University of Bahrain’s partnership with Oxford and Aston is a strong example of outcomes that are achieved as a result of researchers coming together to serve their communities and we wish them the best of luck taking this forward” Mr. Rutt added.

In line of the partnerships, a delegation from both British universities will visit Bahrain from 26th to 28th April to identify next steps and deliver workshops for University of Bahrain staff.

University of Bahrain President, Prof. Riyad Hamzah is pleased to launch the two partnerships in scientific cooperation; especially that the university is celebrating its 30th anniversary.

Prof. Hamzah praised the efforts of the British Council in Bahrain which organized the Science Collaboration Symposium in partnership with the University of Bahrain last November. The symposium was attended by more than 50 UK, Gulf, and local researchers and led to more than 10 collaborative research understandings with British and Gulf universities.

“The signing of these two partnerships is only the beginning of the road, and we look forward to further cooperation, coordination and exploring opportunities for joint research that will contribute to finding solutions to the challenges our societies face in terms of water, energy and food” he said.

The university president wished the research teams success in their future missions, stressing that the university administration will spare no effort in providing the necessary facilities to achieve the desired research objectives.