JEDDAH, 23 February 2004 — Construction firm G.P. Zachariades has begun work on the Royal University for Women in Bahrain. The first phase will be completed by January next year, said a press statement recently issued by the university.
“The university will be a milestone for Bahrain as the first university in the country designed to cater to the needs of women in the GCC and other Arab countries,” the statement said.
Aiming to be a leading private Gulf academic institution, the university’s specific goals are to assist young women to reach their full potential while building confidence and character to deal with tomorrow’s demanding career roles and to become effective members of society.
Phase 1 of the project includes the completion of the college of design and informatics, an administration block, the student union, a dormitory and a gymnasium.
Phase 2 includes the business and education colleges, the remaining dormitories, the library and a food court. Construction for Phase 2 will begin in 2005 and be completed by July 2006.
“Formal agreements have been signed with McGill University, Montreal, and Middlesex University, London, to provide internationally recognized curricula and qualifications,” the statement said. The medium of instruction will be English.
The college of education, in association with McGill University, offers a bachelor of science degree in the fields of educational technology, educational psychology and counseling, pre-school and elementary education and second language education.
The college of design and informatics, in association with Middlesex University, offers a bachelor of arts degree in fashion design, interior design, jewelry design and computer science.
The university’s board of directors is chaired by Muhammad Al-Zamil and includes Muhammad Kanoo, Shaikh Khalifa ibn Daij Al-Khalifa, Ali Ubaydli, Waleed Al-Zamil, Sami Aladdin, Muhammad Al-Khaja, Essa M. Najibi and Abdullatif Al-Hazeem.
