Bahrain This Month - February 2022

TECHNOLOGY - ENTERTAINMENT - DINING

Since 1997

February 2022 | Vol. 26

| Issue 2 | BD2 / SR20

YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE

FINTECH SPECIAL

EDUCATION SPECIAL

An insight into what inquiry-based learning is and how it’s applied at CSB

The very best of FinTech providers in the Kingdom

An in-depth look at select schools and universities in Bahrain

DINING

Bahrain’s sweet Valentine’s

WTM

Basma Alhashimi’s stunning images

PEOPLE

Fashion Forward

CSB Principal, Abby Saadeh, on the school’s campus, curriculum & more.

Beauty Essentials

Khalid Dannish on the growth of Fintech www.bahrainthismonth.com

Arts

Culture

Clubs

Sports

Interviews

Lifestyle

Dining

Digital Edition

Nightlife

72. Flyer3.pdf 1 11/25/2021 6:19:58 PM

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Juffair Boulevard Soft Opening TKS Properties Management celebrated the soft opening of Juffair Boulevard Hotel. Dr Varghese Kurian, Chairman of VKL Holding Co and Mr Baiju, Indian movie actor, cut the ribbon with Mr Sayooj, Managing Partner of TKS Properties.

14 February2022 2022 4 February

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THE TEAM Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton

Bahrain This Month February 2022

Editor Farah Baig Contributors Kristian Harrison, Behnaz Sanjana, Sravan Kumar V. Pria Masson Tanwar, Ouiam Charkani El Hassani, Eman Deabil Editorial Consultant Ahdeya Ahmed

I

s it just us, or has January proved to be an adrenaline-pumping start to the year? We’ve been busy… extremely busy to be honest, but we all know that at times like this, being busy is a blessing.

Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian

While Valentine’s Day has hardly taken a back seat, we have a lot more in store for you this February, aside from celebrating the festival of love. This issue is jampacked with multiple insights from the world of FinTech and also shines a light on some of the best educational institutions in Bahrain.

Art Director Hatem Monem Webmaster Nishad Eapen

Financial services, as we know them, have changed tremendously in recent years, so for our FinTech feature, we had an insightful chat with the young and wellaccomplished CEO of Bahrain FinTech Bay, Khalid Dannish. He shared his thoughts on the industry, its growth and the potential for Bahrainis working in the field. We also spoke to business leaders who have utilised FinTech to revolutionise their industries by streamlining processes and bringing us a level of convenience many of us never realised was possible.

CRM & Database Coordinator Muna Yousef Staff Photographer Subeesh Kumar N S Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar

The need for education is constant, but the need for a high-quality education in an increasingly competitive world is more pronounced than ever. We tell you all you need to know about select educational institutes which can turn your children into thriving, independent young adults. The Canadian School Bahrain, is a prime example of leadership in this revolutionary inquiry-based learning scenario.

Distributor Al Hilal Group (Hilal Direct Services)

Media Sales Director Anuradha Manhas anuradha@redhousemarketing.com

For Valentine’s Day, our team put together the perfect list of activities for you to enjoy! You’ll also find the best of Chinese New Year celebrations too. The Kingdom has grown to love its fair share of themed brunches, so this month, we’ve sampled the exciting options at the Wyndham Garden Manama’s Indian restaurant – Jashan!

Be sure to check out the exhilarating events taking place across the island too.

Media Executive Kathleen Christabel kathleen@redhousemarketing.com

In our Motoring section, Kristian Harrison shares his top picks for the most anticipated cars this year. Meanwhile, business expert Pria Masson Tanwar explores the equally intriguing and lucrative world of embedded finance.

DIGITAL & CONTENT MARKETING TEAM Digital Strategy Director Lini Reghunath Digital Marketing & Social Media Director Farah Baig Social Media Managers Simran Tiwari, Rohit Reghunath

In our Woman This Month segment, we explore the best of fashion, beauty and lifestyle while keeping the cooler months in mind.

There’s no denying that Bahrain has earned a special place in the hearts of all of those who have lived or are living in the Kingdom. We shine a light on the extremely talented young photographer, Basma Alhashimi, who’s taken it upon herself to share the stunning landscape and architecture of Bahrain with the world through her incredible photography and mesmerising time-lapse videos.

Printing Press Union Press, Bahrain Published monthly by

It’s an issue with plenty for you to look forward to, so needless to say, Bahrain This Month continues to be your guide to a great way of life!

RED HOUSE MARKETING P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 813-777, Fax: (+973) 17 813-700 Email: info@redhousemarketing.com www.bahrainthismonth.com © Copyright Reserved 2005-2020 The concept, content, style and design of this publication remain the exclusive property of Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. and must not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, Red House Marketing cannot accept legal responsibility for any error or omission.

• Views expressed in this magazine by journalists and writers are not necessarily those of the publishers of Bahrain This Month.

Licensed by the Ministry of Information Publication Code: TA001 ISBN 1 899 348 09 3

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COVER Cover Picture:

Canadian School Bahrain

George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman

Scan this QR Code to subscribe to the digital edition of the magazine.

Gulf and international subscriptions available on request.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

February 2022 5

FEBRUARY ISSUE 294

INTERVIEW

CONTENTS

12 16

99.1 FM Listening to a Different Tune

36

Being a Good Sport!

Bahrain’s FinTech Hub

CEO of Bahrain FinTech Bay, Khalid Dannish, tells us about the Kingdom’s FinTech industry and its potential.

Farah Baig speaks to the President and Chairman of Bahrain Rugby Football Club about it’s success over the last 50 years, and what they have in store for the future

FINTECH FEATURE

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There’s a new radio station in town And George Middleton tell us all we need to know about it!

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Bahrain This Month speaks to some of the leading innovators of FinTech to explore upcoming services, the growth of the industry in Bahrain and potential for employment in the field.

VALENTINE’S DAY FEATURE

38

Here’s are some fun ways in which you can celebrate Valentine’s Day in Bahrain!

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Bahrain has no dearth of educational institutions with nurseries, schools, colleges and training institutes dotted all across the Kingdom. We shine a light on select schools and universities about what sets them apart.

EDUCATION FEATURE

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26

DINING

43 44

A Desi-licious Brunch at Jashan!

Bahrain’s most exciting new Indian restaurant, Jashan, now serves up a flavourful Indian brunch.

Farah Baig tells us all about it.

The best of Valentine’s Day, Chinese New Year and every day dining options!

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MOTORING

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Rides to Look Forward to in 2022!

Our resident motorhead, Kristian Harrison, shares his top picks for the most anticipated cars this year.

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Embedded Finance – A New Way for Business Pria Masson Tanwar explores the equally intriguing and lucrative world of embedded finance.

Motoring Bites

COMMERCE Business Bites

6 February 2022

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bhthismonth

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The Art

Week of Love

An inclusive romantic staycation with intimate ambiances, indulgent cuisine, stunning views, live entertainment & more.

Book your Valentine's staycation inclusive of a one-night stay in a sea-view room, romantic dinner for two, and breakfast.

BD100 net for a night stay in ART Room with a romantic room set up and dining options in one of our themed nights, brunches, a la carte dining, or Monday Valentine's dinner at Choices. *BD30 couples massage spa voucher can be added to your package

Valid from February 11th – February 18th Prior booking is required For bookings, contact fb.art@theart.bh or 16000111 theArt.bh

Art Hotel & Resort, Amwaj Islands held Winter Land The the launch of its Winter Land event.

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February 2022 7

FEBRUARY ISSUE 226

60

CONTENTS

FASHION

60

Looks to Love

Here’s some inspiration for your date night look, right from the runways of Giorgio Armani and the eclectic collections of La Marquise and JW Anderson too.

PEOPLE

62

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For the Love of Landscapes

73

In Her Shoes – Harpreet Kaur

73

Young Bahraini photographer, Basma Alhashimi, gets the big picture… quite literally. Her stunning landscape and cityscape photography has earned her recognition and captured the attention of viewers around the world.

Having been passionate about media since she was a student, Harpreet Kaur has grown to be the Head of Cluster Marketing at Ramee Group of Hotels. We take a peek into her life this month.

BEAUTY

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Valentine’s Beauty Essentials

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Ultra-Cool Skincare!

Here are some products that we believe you’ll love this Valentine’s Day that could perhaps even make it on to your wishlist.

If you’re dealing with dry and flaky skin that just can’t seem to balance themselves out this winter, you’ll find relief with these 5 products.

LIFESTYLE

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February 2022

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rhmbahrain

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Women in Leadership

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Is Online Learning Making My Child Fall Behind?

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Veri Peri - The Colour of 2022

Accredited Chartered Manager (CMI), Eman Deabil, does a comprehensive study on the number of women in executive management roles in Bahrain.

Ouiam El Hassani addresses a pressing concern that parents are dealing with during the pandemic.

These tips will help you give your home a little makeover with this year’s stunning colour, Veri Peri. www.womanthismonth.com

Celebrate Romance at Al Areen Palace and Spa

Treat your loved-one to a Romantic Villa Stay or memorable Valentine’s Day Dinner at Keizo Restaurant.

+973 17845000 | reservations@alareenpalace.com

www.all.accor.com

@alareenpalaceandspa @alareenpalace.official

happenings

F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2 H A P P E N I N G S THE PERFECT PICNIC FEBRUARY 4

PLAYLIST PICNIC

AN ES-SCENT-TIAL WORKSHOP THE ROYAL GOLF CLUB

There’s nothing quite like a live music festival experience. Playlist Picnic, an open-air festival being held at the Royal Golf Club, will feature a diverse lineup of artists and bands, making it the place to be for fantastic entertainment and lots of fun for the entire family. Groove to the tunes of Cactus, Hot Box Groove, Likwid, Native Tourists, Oud Kamja, The Relocators, The Legendz and more who will be bringing you the best of alternative, reggae, fusion funk, electronic, rock n’ roll and more!

Doors open at 1PM. Tickets are priced at BD20.

Call 37 777-845 for more information.

FEBRUARY 16

PERFUME FOR LOVE

FOUR SEASONS HOTEL BAHRAIN BAY

Become an expert in choosing the best perfume for your skin type. The Four Seasons Bahrain Bay is hosting a women’s workshop with personal guidance from a professional nose, allowing guests to delve into the realm of perfumery and gain insight into perfumery, the way diverse fragrance notes complement one another, and how they are paired to create an exquisite fragrance. Indulge in this fun and educational workshop, which will be held at the hotel’s Jasmine Lounge. Guests will be given a beautifully packaged perfume to take home as a souvenir of their olfactory experience at the end of the workshop. The workshop is priced at BD15 for hotel guests and members and BD12 for guests.

Call 32 300-256 for more information.

PEDAL TO THE METAL FEBRUARY 8 11, 15 – 18

BAHRAIN DRAG RACING CHAMPIONSHIP

BAHRAIN INTERNATIONAL CIRCUIT

This February, visit the BIC for an unforgettable racing experience! The Bahrain Drag Racing Championship is the largest in the Gulf and attracts competitors from all over the world. Drag racers push their vehicles to their limits for a variety of reasons, including pride and the opportunity to win a “Wally,” a unique trophy awarded only to winners of NHRA-sanctioned races throughout the world. The sound of roaring cars, the smell of burning rubber, and the sight of fine-tuned racing beasts is what one can expect at this championship. Tickets are priced at BD5 for the Startline Grandstand, BD3 for the Batelco Grandstand and BD2 for the Test and Tune Batelco Grandstand.

Visit www.bahraingp.com for more information.

10 February 2022

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happenings

SUPPORTING ARTISTS FEBRUARY 25 - 26

ART FAIR AT EL MERCADO

EL MERCADO MALL

The Art Fair at El Mercado will feature modern and contemporary masters, mid-career and emerging artists from all over the Kingdom. One can expect to find a range of diverse art genres such as paintings, jewellery, crafts and more. This event is focused on supporting and encouraging local artists and is a must-visit for all art lovers. The event will be held from 5 PM to 10 PM on February 25 and from 3 PM to 10 PM on February 26.

MAKE A SPLASH FEBRUARY ONWARDS

SCUBA DIVE AT DILMUNIA

MALL OF DILMUNIA

The Mall of Dilmunia has unveiled an exciting opportunity for visitors to dive into their crystal-clear aquarium. The cylindrical aquarium, which is home to a variety of fish and sea-life, is the first of its kind within a mall across the GCC and holds 700,000 litres of water. This is an experience you wouldn’t expect to have in Bahrain, but one that is well worth diving into. Aquarium diving is the ideal activity for those who would like to experience diving in a controlled and safe environment whilst making unforgettable memories..

Call 13 300-266 for more information.

ART FOR A CAUSE

A WHEEL-Y GOOD TIME FEBRUARY ONWARDS

CLASSIC CAR EXHIBIT

MALL OF DILMUNIA

FEBRUARY 3-7

VISION 2022 AWA

AL’ALI MALL, GATE 2

The Classic Car Show exhibit at the Mall of Dilmunia is a must-visit if you want to reminisce over a beautiful display of vintage cars brimming with colour and style. The event brings together a wide range of vintage automobiles on display, as well as plenty of entertainment, dining options, and other mall activities, all under one roof. It is perfect for memorable visits with family and friends.

Call 13 300-266 for more information.

The American Women’s Association is hosting an art and photography event to highlight the various talents of 21 artists who reside in Bahrain. The art and photography shall exhibit a variety of cultures, styles, subjects, and ideologies. This is your chance, art and culture aficionados, to help raise funds for a phenomenal cause: AWA’s community fund, while also supporting and encouraging these incredibly talented artists. The event will be held from 10 AM to 10 PM. Entry is free of charge. www.bahrainthismonth.com

February 2022 11

interview

99.1 FM LISTENING TO

A DIFFERENT TUNE

Last August, courtesy of the Bahrain government, BFBS, the military charity and media organization, was granted an FM radio license on the 99.1 frequency.

A slight adjustment to the broadcast antenna’s siting in November 2021 has resulted in significantly better coverage of the station across the Kingdom.

BFBS Bahrain is one of nine overseas BFBS radio stations whose mission is to entertain, inform, connect and champion the 1000s of UK armed forces and families stationed and deployed overseas.

Apart from the best popular music and 24/7 news form the UK, topics for inclusion vary from life after service in the Armed Forces, history, childhood obesity or any current topic of interest related to Bahrain and activities taking place here. Programme content can’t be too location specific, as shows emanating from Bahrain are also heard in the UK, UAE, Qatar, Mali and Estonia, so needs to capture content of interest to all of these audiences.

It’s a tricky task but BFBS Stations Manager, Dave Roberts, is extremely optimistic about the potential for the future. “The morning show will soon be branded as local to Bahrain allowing significantly more local content”, 12 February 2022

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interview says Dave. “This will give us a better vehicle through which we will be able to cater to our forces audience in Bahrain more effectively.”

Respectful of both Ofcom UK guidelines as well as Bahrain’s social and cultural values, Dave finds very little restriction on what he and his fellow presenters can and do say on air. With personal connections to Gibraltar, UK and Ireland, like many people who live and work in Bahrain, he has spent much of his working life ‘abroad’.

“I never really lived in UK itself”, he says. “My parents were in the military, so I was brought up in the military environment and lived all over the world. Then I went to boarding school followed by university, which was the longest time that I’d spent in the UK up to that time”.

He continues: ”From within our small studio and office space here in Juffair our priority is to deliver a personalised radio service to UK military personnel stationed in Bahrain. But our services are not just limited to the radio station. We also offer a TV platform, with the best of UK TV including BBC1, BBC2, ITV channels, Sky Sports, BFBS Sports, Sky News and a movie Channel to those serving their country away from home.”

BFBS negotiates the broadcast rights with most of the major TV service providers, film studios and premium sports providers making their content available to UK forces based not only in Bahrain but just about anywhere they may find themselves overseas. “We also deliver alternative radio services on the same system that include content from BBC radios 2, 4 and 5 Live as well. Our mobile video unit can also film and edit military stories likely to be of interest both locally and internationally.”

Dave is particularly proud of the support the station has given to local and international causes including, most notably, coverage on the Bahrain team who climbed Everest recently. According to him, the Bahrain Everest expedition is the ideal type of story content that resonates with the audience throughout the 40 countries receiving BFBS services from Canada to Brunei to Diego Garcia”.

in the Falklands – and that includes military families, as well as serving personnel ”.

Obviously, with the emergence of the latest digital technologies, the BFBS media offering includes active social media channels including Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat in particular making it a highly interactive and engaging platform not strictly limited to radio.

The local social media is tasked to presenter Akylah Rodrigues, while the Twitter and Instagram content is sent to their digital team in the UK to process. “We send them footage, explains Dave, “and they place it on the various platforms on our behalf”.

Digital exposure is available via the online BFBS App, which includes several different genres stations on the BFBS network, as well as topic-specific podcasts to download on the spot in case the audience misses something important.

Local content, fun and games, local quizzes, sharing content from the rest of the network means that there is a lot going on which is shared specifically on the BFBS Radio social media sites.

BFBS has operated in the region for decades although, more recently, in the 1991 Gulf War they came back to the region in the most meaningful way since before the Suez withdrawal in the 1950s. They have had a presence in Kosovo, Bosnia, Iraq and then Afghanistan – as well as in the more permanent, established UK military bases overseas, such as Germany, Cyprus and Gibraltar.

After Afghanistan, the station was due to be based in the UAE but ended up coming to Bahrain; a decision decided on by the Ministry of Defence in the UK. After a temporary move to be part of the BFBS Radio station in Cyprus for a couple of years, at which time Dave had left the organisation, he was eventually offered an irresistible opportunity to set up a brand new radio entity in Bahrain which is the reason he came on board once again.

BFBS Radio presenters working on the station are based in Bahrain for approximately six months. The station is not commercial and therefore Dave and his colleagues are both willing and able to share their expertise and experience for the benefit of all concerned within the Kingdom of Bahrain. Presenters are all civilians from various walks of life, most of whom initially intern at a local BFBS station prior to being offered a contract with the organisation.

“We know we have a really big audience in Bahrain already”, says Dave, “and appreciate their engagement though phone-ins and competitions. A total staff of three look after TV, Radio and Social Media for the entire Bahrain operation.

“One of the main objectives of the service is to provide useful and relevant local information chat delivered in an unpolitical and unbiased manner. Ultimately, we want to encourage the UK forces personnel here in the Kingdom to get out of their living quarters and into town to experience the many social activities on offer in Bahrain.”

“We are a small station with one studio and a few staff but since the service globally networked, we actually deliver our content to an international audience”, he states. “The breakfast show starts at 6 AM and goes on until 1 PM in the afternoon; delivered from our own studios. After that, we dot around the world to different studios who then feed in to the sustaining network”.

The main criteria used to decide on any topic’s inclusion on the BFBS network, says Dave, is “Is it interesting, is it entertaining and is it useful to our military community audience? We need to deliver the content in such a way that when we’re talking about something in Bahrain, the topic sounds interesting (for instance) to somebody living www.bahrainthismonth.com

February 2022 13

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Santa’s Visit

Santa came to ART Hotel & Resort’s Choice Restaurant entertaining children and guests in the Christmas spirit with Gingerbread house decorations, face-painting, dancing and delicious Christmas Delights.

14 February 2022

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fintech feature

A SPOTLIGHT ON BAHRAIN’S FINTECH INDUSTRY FinTech- it’s the fastest-growing and highly-advanced technology that has revolutionised the finance industry all around the world. The industry intertwines the best of technology and innovation to streamline what was once a traditional approach to financial services, and make them more accessible and easier-to-use for the general public. The use of smartphones for mobile banking, investment services and cryptocurrency are just some of FinTech’s applications.

Being at the forefront of every advancement opportunity, Bahrain has spared no effort to utilise and develop FinTech. Bahrain This Month spoke to some of the leading innovators of FinTech to explore upcoming services, the growth of the industry in Bahrain and potential for employment in the field.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

February 2022 15

fintech feature

T

BAHRAIN’S FINTECH HUB Bahrain This Month speaks to CEO of Bahrain FinTech Bay, Khalid Dannish, about the Kingdom’s FinTech industry, the potential for Bahrainis in the field and the accomplishments of the incubator to-date.

here’s no denying that technology plays a vital role in our daily lives. With the dawn of the pandemic, the need for technology grew tenfold with its increased application in every aspect. This extended further to the world of FinTech which was propelled to new heights as the need for integration of technology in the finance industry grew. In the Kingdom of Bahrain, the FinTech industry thrived as established companies ventured into modernising and advancing their operations while innovative startups brought life to their concepts.

Leading FinTech Hub in the Middle East, Bahrain FinTech Bay, has proved to be an invaluable incubator for the industry in Bahrain. The ecosystem has thrived under the guidance of CEO of Bahrain FinTech Bay, Khalid Dannish. “I really cut my teeth in London and the investment banking world at the height of the financial crisis. So, I could say I›m used to a

16 February 2022

challenge and really, I’ve always gravitated towards roles that were in the investment banking space and also roles that sit between technology and business,” says Mr. Dannish, who took on the role in February of 2020, right on the heels of the pandemic.

Despite spending a majority of his professional and personal life between the UK and Bahrain, the opportunity to be part of the founding team that develops an authentic FinTech ecosystem in Bahrain was compelling enough for Mr. Dannish to return to the Kingdom’s shores. “It was a no brainer for me to move back and be a part of this exciting journey,” he says.

A Growing Industry in Bahrain The Kingdom of Bahrain is currently home to around 100 FinTechs while around 200 startups are operational in the broader technology field. “A majority of them are fairly young companies, so each one of them

employs five to ten people. However, we do have some large-scale companies that employ over 150 people at a time, typically mostly Bahrainis as well,” explains Mr. Dannish.

The number of people currently employed in the FinTech industry has been growing steadily around the world with Bahrain being no exception. “If you look at the FinTech ecosystem at large, you have to not only consider the entrepreneurs employed within Fintech but those involved in corporate FinTech solutions or government entities… the whole plethora of roles involved,” he says.

«So, when thinking about how many people are currently employed in Bahrain’s FinTech industry, it’s hard to put a number on it; I would, however, say that it’s in the thousands when you consider all the stakeholders in the ecosystem,” he adds.

The Role of Bahrain FinTech Bay “Our broad mandate was to establish a FinTech

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fintech feature hub to really attract best-in-class technology from all over the world while simultaneously developing our local digital economy as part of a national agenda,” explains Mr. Dannish.

The incubator was formed in partnership with the government, and strategic industry partners such as local and international banks, telecommunication companies, insurance companies and asset managers, with the intention of collaborating to build an inclusive platform. “We distilled our vision into several key themes including incubation, acceleration, talent and education, investment awareness, thought leadership conferences and events, and corporate innovation and advisory,” he says.

Since the establishment of the incubator, several lucrative partnerships have come into place. “We’ve seen corporates engage with FinTechs, academia partner with technology providers and FinTechs collaborate with each other too. It’s been an array of partnerships and our job is to facilitate these meaningful interactions.”

Bahraini Talent in FinTech “I think we have a strong workforce and can see a tremendously entrepreneurial spirit in them,” he says.

The thriving industry provides plenty of opportunities for young Bahrainis to enter to enter the field whether through the influx of startups coming into the country or locallyinitiated startups. “Of course, this talent needs nurturing and they require guidance in best practices which is where some of our incubation and acceleration programmes come into play as well,” he says. “FinTechs coming into the country as well as corporates are hiring locally en masse. So, there is a value proposition for the country and it’s for young Bahrainis to take advantage of it.”

With the industry thriving there is now potential for education providers to offer more specialised programmes to enhance the employability of Bahrainis in the field. “There’s definitely scope for improvement for more specialised courses. We’re starting to see some universities come out with more specialised courses in artificial intelligence or broader FinTech. I think they’re in a very privileged position as they can really determine the outcome of the specialisations in our workforce,” he says, highlighting that it is the universities’ role to guide the youth through new opportunities in the region.

“That being said, I think there is an opportunity for us to specialise in more technical related fields, like artificial intelligence, data science, blockchain and software development as that can only strengthen our kind of proposition, but really that education can start at a fundamental level even earlier than universities – it can start in schools,” he adds.

FinTech in the Time of COVID-19 At the beginning of the pandemic, Bahrain FinTech Bay partnered with the US State Department under their Middle East www.bahrainthismonth.com

Partnership Initiative (MEPI). “We designed a programme called ‘Build for Bahrain’ which was tremendously successful. It was purely for locals and focused on three key areas: community, health and business continuity which was tremendously successful,” he says.

“We were broadening our horizons from then looking at HealthTech, EdTech, and FinTechs on how we can assist economic recovery, which was undoubtedly going to have an impact on the kingdom. I think by and large, what the pandemic has emphasised is that we need to embrace change quickly and we need to deliver services in a more efficient manner,” he elaborates.

The team collaborated with the government and corporates to launch solutions so business could continue at a time when in-person interactions were less than ideal. “I believe FinTech by and large has enabled businesses to secure cash flow and their operations which, without the technology provided by FinTech, would be tremendously hard to do. I think the pandemic has highlighted the role of FinTech, how important it is and how ingrained it can be, not just in our lives but in industry and government as well.”

Unmatched Achievements Since his appointment as CEO, the establishment has enjoyed its fair share of success and commendable achievements. “We actually launched a whole new series of cohort-based acceleration programmes and simultaneously wrapped it under the umbrella of a new strategy called ‘Innovate for Bahrain’ at the beginning of the pandemic,” he says, adding that the purpose of ‘Innovate for Bahrain’ was to enable local entrepreneurs and provide a platform for them to develop solutions for the Kingdom and region.

corporates launch digital online banking services as well as the rise of new funds and support for FinTech in the Kingdom.

A New Year For the year 2022, Bahrain Fintech Bay intends to venture into broader technology themes and deeper into existing FinTech verticals. “One project that is coming up is born out of our partnership with the Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA) through which we are looking to develop PropTech in Bahrain,” he says.

The organisation intends to broaden their scope of services and partnership network both: regionally and internationally. “For us, it›s really about capitalising on all the good work we›ve done, remaining relevant and at the forefront of authentic applications,” he says.

“I think collectively, we›re now in a position where we’re a FinTech hub in our own right.

We›re attracting some of the bigger FinTech unicorns from all over the world. So that’s testament to our strategic position in the kingdom and also the way that the ecosystem is moving forward,” he concludes.

Scan the code to watch the full interview.

The series kicked off with their first acceleration programme, which was fully virtual – a first in the Kingdom of Bahrain.

“This was a programme which focused on female entrepreneurship - Standard Chartered’s global Women in Tech programme, which we localised for the Kingdom. We offered mentorship support, prize money, as well as follow on incubation which was tremendously successful,” he states.

Bahrain Fintech Bay’s National FinTech Talent Programme is a significant collaborative effort in partnership with Tamkeen and Georgetown University McDonough School of Business. “It’s something we’re quite proud of as we took young, Bahraini graduates and enrolled them as part of this professional course. We supplemented it with internships with startups in the FinTech space, and also corporations looking at digitalisation and authentic innovation,” he explains.

“The best performing candidates were sent to Singapore for six weeks or San Francisco to get a sense of more mature FinTech ecosystems,” he adds.

To date, Bahrain Fintech Bay has not only witnessed the growth of startups, but seen February 2022 17

FinTech feature

INVESTING IN PAYMENTS

Fintech is one of the fastest growing and most important technology sectors, globally. As finance and technology continue to amalgamate, Bahrain This Month spoke to the CEO of Arab Financial Services (AFS), Samer Soliman, about the company’s objectives, the future of payments and fintech.

C

ould you tell our readers a little bit about AFS’ current mission and objectives?

AFS has been in existence for over 35 years with a vision to drive and enable the transformation of digital payments. For every transaction that is conducted, our aim is to enable a fully digital variant versus traditional cash or brick-and-mortar methods.

Our vision is simple: empower a digital transaction transformation for secure and seamless payments experiences.

With over 20 years of international experience across the banking and payment sector, you have brought highly significant experience to AFS. Could you tell us about the company’s achievements under your leadership?

I’ve been privileged to be one of the early adopters of the digital payment space. The last 20 years has given me exposure to international players and I continue to advance my capabilities as an individual. I’m particularly proud of bringing the first contactless transaction to the region and also the first mobile transaction across the Middle East and Africa.

When I first joined AFS I recognised the company’s potential, and its immense wealth of human capital and technology. As we saw businesses across Bahrain struggling to stay afloat during the pandemic, we launched AFS Go! specifically for them. With this new, digital solution bundle we gave them affordable access to digital tools they need to simplify business operations, reach more customers, increase sales, and reduce costs. These affordable, convenient, and easy to use bundled payment solutions span eShop, In-Store Payments and Digital Payroll.

We also delivered Bahrain’s first full payments acceptance solution to businesses via an app: AFS Pay, which transforms merchant smartphones into payment terminals. In addition to scanning a credit card in-store (Tap and Pay), AFS Pay allows remote payments for home deliveries by 18 February 2022

Scan the code to watch the full interview.

generating payment links that can be shared via social media. This year we also successfully integrated all King Fahd Causeway toll gates with our smart android POS terminals to deliver quick and secure, cashless customer experiences to travellers.

How has AFS grown since its inception?

Since its establishment, we have pivoted historically from a business that was focused solely on travellers cheques, to a refreshed business agenda that delivers in the areas of payments processing, and has also introduced fintech and acquiring arms to deliver future ready payments solutions for a wider client base. AFS has continually evolved since its inception and that is key to its success and longevity. We have continually invested in our capabilities and resources and the coming year will see us commit to executing a proactive and dynamic strategy for the company to keep it as one of the leading payment providers in the region, operating in over 20 countries and trusted by its partners and clients.

What do you think is the main reason for AFS’ success in the region?

Definitely the continued investment that we have done over the past 35 years. AFS shareholders did not shy away from investing in new business lines and propositions that would add value. Secondly, we have a wealth of human capital that is incomparable to others; our team is the best in the region in terms of execution and understanding the industry.

What is your prediction for the role of FinTech in people’s everyday lives in the future?

The fact is that fintech makes our lives easier.

It’s a frictionless experience that requires less from you as a user, improving your capacity of doing other things. Before COVID-19, FinTech started to gain traction and now that traction has accelerated significantly. There are lots of great ideas out there that can bridge the gap between where the financial industry is and where the technology is today, and I believe FinTech is the key catalyst of that.

Are there any new products or service launches planned in the imminent future?

Yes! I think the biggest one that we’re looking at right now is the ‘Buy Now, Pay Later’ proposition in the Bahrain market. AFS was privileged to bring this proposition to Bahrain and we’re looking at rolling it out to multiple merchants in the longer term. It enables merchants to have more customers spend in their outlets, and customers are more encouraged to purchase higher ticket items in interestfree instalments.

Finally, AFS is going to introduce an AFS academy for college students pregraduation, to come in for an internship.

We will use that internship to qualify resources that we can train and develop going forward. www.bahrainthismonth.com

fintech feature

DYNAMICALLY DIGITAL

Founded in 1999, CrediMax was the first provider of premium services to credit card users in the Kingdom and, as a fullyowned and independent subsidiary of BBK, has continued to maintain its position as one of Bahrain banking’s greatest assets.

We spoke to the company’s CEO, Ahmed Seyadi, about its latest service – eCrediMax.

F

irstly, can you tell us the basics about eCrediMax and the reasons for introducing it?

It is a straightforward, simple service that we recently introduced. In fact, it›s actually our digital onboarding solution. The idea is that with the world shifting to digital commerce, it’s a way of providing more convenience to our clients. Instead of coming all the way to our physical contact sites to apply for our services, with just a few steps they can do it virtually from anywhere.

This is our first step towards a plethora of other digital services to come. We already have our main CrediMax mobile app, so digital onboarding is only one part of our longer term strategy when it comes to revamping and transforming our digital presence and interaction with our customers.

How will this particular app benefit people?

You don›t have to leave your office or home to apply for CrediMax products. That›s ultimately the basic service in a nutshell, without compromising on controls, security, credit assessment and more. It’s a huge time-saver, you don’t have to sit in traffic for hours just to travel a few kilometres for a menial service you can just do on your phone.

With eCrediMax, it takes exactly eight minutes to apply and your card will be delivered to you 20 February 2022

wherever you are. Not only that, you can eliminate the physical card completely if you desire and have a virtual one which is enabled through our e-wallet Benefit pay or accessories like Apple Pay, Fitbit etc.

How will eCrediMax compete with and streamline traditional financial services?

We are focusing on two main things. Firstly, payment acceptance. We are empowering the retail industry so that they have as many options as possible to accept payments so that they can deliver their services to their consumers. Secondly, to equip consumers with various means of payment. This has always been our core service basically and digital is the core of CrediMax since its establishment, because we›re not into cash. Unlike other banks, we are purely focusing on digital specific products and services and this is what makes us special.

CrediMax is very much a renowned financial service provider, but how does the introduction of eCrediMax, in particular, enhance your existing financial offerings?

We don’t see it as a differentiator, to be honest, but rather as a minimum that our customer must have. What we believe is the other milestones or the roadmap to come is what will make us different, in terms of quality of service and unique products. For example, you

will be able to allocate allowances for children across various time frames, control spending limits whether in or out of Bahrain. It’s part of our strategic goal to include children financially as early as possible, to educate them in terms of financial responsibility and management.

How will eCrediMax safeguard its clients amongst a rise in cyber-crime and online theft?

Security is crucial in our line of business because this is how our clients trust us. So we have multiple layers; one of which is the technology-based security. We are PCI DSS certified, which is a mandate now in Bahrain for all issuers. The second layer is what we call fraud monitoring, which focuses on the behavioural and social engineering side of fraud attempts. Our team monitors transactions online 24/7 and over the years have cultivated numerous ways of predicting suspicious behaviour.

The third layer, which is very important in our view, is educating our clients and cardholders so they don’t fall for phishing scams and other attempts to obtain personal information.

Scan the code to watch the full interview. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Download eCrediMax App and apply for your card anytime and anywhere and enjoy: 3 months 0% interest No Administration Fees 2,500 Bonus Thameen Loyalty Points 5 lucky winner will get BD 100 each

CrediMax B.S.C(closed) - A Financing Company License by Central Bank of Bahrain

commerce

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR: TRENDS & TECHNOLOGIES.

D

igital changes across every aspect of our our lives, including the education sector, has been consistent over the last few years. The question is: How much of a Digital Transformation has there been in the education sector? Is it just confined to the usage of PCs, Tablets, Email, Zoom, Meets, Google Classrooms, and other online resources to teach, or is there more to it?

Let’s explore all the aspects of digitisation in the education sector, upcoming trends, and technologies that’ll improve the experience across various touchpoints along with the teaching and learning experience.

What is a digital transformation in terms of education?

A Digital Transformation is leveraging technology to simplify business processes.

However, in the education sector, it is not limited to the learning and teaching experience but also includes: 1. A Seamless admission process 2. Streamlining lead flow 3. Teaching and learning methodologies 4. Student-driven transformation Using technology in the admission process While the pandemic has forced institutions to adapt and take a digital approach when it comes to classes, the same cannot be said about other aspects of academia, including 22 February 2022

Digital Marketing Expert, Sravan Kumar V., explores the undeniable digital transformation of the education sector, and how it can be further implemented for the convenience of schools, parents and children alike.

the admission process. Many institutes still rely on paper-based application processes or sending PDF forms over email, and lack proper implementation of technology. An end-to-end online solution for admissions is not only hassle-free, but also creates a great experience for both: parents and students applying for admission.

• Institutions can avoid the hassle of paperwork also making them easy to track • An automated response system can off-load counselors • Students and parents can check their application status online • Decrease the hassle of calls regarding applications CRM to streamline the lead flow In today’s digital world, inquiries are not just limited to walk-ins but come from various channels such as social media, websites, referrals, advertisements, and other offline channels. Tracking all the leads and responding to them at the earliest makes the difference when it comes to conversions.

A good CRM tool will not just only help in tracking leads, but help the admission team figure out which leads to focus on, leading to a good admission cycle. With a good CRM tool, they can track student interest, prioritise highquality leads and make data-driven decisions.

Transformation in Teaching and learning methodologies Institutes have found ways to keep the students engaged and make sure they don’t miss out on learning during the pandemic.

Be it smart classes, interactive videos, or online courses, educational institutions have undergone a huge digital transformation during the pandemic when it comes to academia. While the sector has already seen a transformation, new emerging technologies such as Gamification and AI/Predictive Learning could further transform learning.

Student-Driven Transformation Today’s generation of students has the highest exposure to digital content, compared to their earlier counterparts as they acquire, process and share information throughout the day. As their normal life is built on digital interaction, they are likely to respond well to a similar set of learning. So it becomes paramount that institutes meet their expectations and the new learning needs of today’s students.

The bottom line is, digital transformation is not only here to stay but is the need of the hour.

Even though educational institutions would incur financial investments in procuring the technology, in the long run it is invaluable and worth the investment.

Sravan Kumar.V is a Digital Marketing expert and a passionate marketer. www.bahrainthismonth.com

fintech feature

THE POWER OF THE NEW AND IMPROVED BFC PAY APP! BFC Payments, the Fintech arm and fully owned subsidiary of BFC Group Holdings, envisions itself to serve the financial needs of those trapped in the cash economy with its disruptive technologies and cutting-edge solutions. With its powerful super-app, BFC Pay, it offers a secure digital wallet to add money, receive salary, easily open an account using eKYC, make use of international remittance at great rates, make local bill payments, make wallet-to-wallet money transfers and much more using three payment methods – BenefitPay app, ATM/ Debit card and BFC Pay wallet.

BFC Payments provides digital payment services for Corporates, SMEs and Consumers. One of the flagship features on the BFC Pay App is the LMRA’s Wages Protection System (WPS) compliant digital salary account.

Head of Business Development, Strategic Partnerships & Innovation of BFC Payments, Davis D Parakal, says, “Bringing

a superior and innovative customer experience to Bahrain’s FinTech space is part of our overarching strategy and BFC Pay is a major milestone towards it. While offering local and international payments to our Banked customers, BFC Pay will be a salary account for the unbanked segment. Our WPS digital Payroll product works hand-in-hand with the BFC Pay app enabling our corporate and SME clients to disburse the salary straight to customers’ mobile wallet.’’

In the coming months, many new product offerings, merchant tie ups and exciting partnerships will be added on the app to make it a holistic payment solution.

CEO of BFC, Deepak Nair says, “This is a major digital leap for us and is part of the Group’s significant commitment to invest in digital innovation. With BFC powering international remittance on the BFC Pay App, we are delighted to extend our online money transfer services, increasing customer convenience.”

The Power of great experiences on our new BFC Pay App! • Instant international money transfer at best rates • Bill Payments • Secure Digital Wallet • Multiple Payment Modes • Wallet to Wallet Transfer • Add Beneficiary easily

Download BFC Pay App today!

Scan to Download

/BFCBahrain

/Bfc.bh

: +973 3974 7340

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1

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BFC Payments B.S.C. (C) is licensed by the Central Bank of Bahrain as an Ancillary Service Provider

February 2022 23 26/01/2022 4:01 PM

commerce

A

EMBEDDED FINANCE

N E W

W AY

F O R

B U S I N E S S

As online services continue to grow and develop, Pria Masson Tanwar explores the equally intriguing and lucrative world of embedded finance.

A

round 15 years ago when I was studying for my Masters, we had some extensive courses on the importance of the value chain. With time, experience on the ground showed how costs can be cut and businesses streamlined if there is greater control over one’s own supply or value chain. This could take the form of a bank acquiring a company that offers innovative blockchain solutions or, the set-up of Neo banks as extensions of a banks existing platforms, acquiring the provider of your basic raw material, etc. – these are integrative moves.

However, within the tech space there appears to be a move towards disintegration in some ways. The various elements of the value chain, which were previously done by one entity, are being broken down into their own separate elements. That’s the beginning of Backend-asa-service, Banking-as-a service, Lending-asa-service, Software-as-a-service – the list just keeps getting longer.

In line with this, I stumbled upon the more detailed world of technology and API’s (Application Programmable Interface). With finance as my core interest, it got me thinking about my previous exploration into the world of FinTech and my curiosity in tow, I looked into

how API’s have enabled embedded finance.

Embedded Finance allows for digitised versions of buy-now-pay-later schemes, for installment schemes, prepaid cards, easy credit – and that’s the tip of the iceberg. API’s allow any offering to enter an agreement and gain access and interact with banking systems.

Payment solutions and card processing currently seem to be the most popular form of embedded finance. In Bahrain, Sinnad which is a subsidiary of Benefit Pay, Infinios (previously NEC Payments) and NymCard (with Arab Financial Services) are all examples of emerging and established players in the space.

Related to this, systems like Tap or MyFatoora offer a suite of services around allowing businesses to accept payments online. Take this a step further and you have Payment International Enterprise (PIE) which now provides a self-service platform for electronic payments for customs brokers, importers and customers to pay customs fees and taxes.

Buy Now Pay Later systems are also gaining traction. Regionally, Zoodpay offers a seamless deferred payment solution allowing customers to make interest free payments for their ZoodMall online shopping orders with simple instalment plans. The success of their business

model is evident in their successful Series A funding of USD10 million and a Series B round of USD38 million.

Money is what moves any business, and any system that eases the flow of money from the payee to the recipient, is likely to be here to stay. Currently, embedded Finance generates revenues for USD22.5 billion globally but is expected to be worth over USD7 trillion by 2030.

The world of technology is complicated, very intriguing and extremely lucrative. The complications and details are like a deep web and if each branch turns into its own clear offering, embedded finance is likely to create novel connections among different businesses, their consumers and the systems that run all of the above. In a way, it’s like the disintegration is likely to case integrations like never before.

To survive, almost all businesses are going to have to explore, accept and adapt really fast.

Pria is the Founder and Managing Director of GMI Advisory WLL– a Management Consultancy specialising in emerging businesses. You can visit her company website www.guidemyidea.com or www.gmiadvisory.com to connect with her.

You can follow Pria using her Instagram handle @guidemyidea.

24 February 2022

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Global Money Transfer with BenefitPay. Now you can remit money around the world with a few clicks on your BenefitPay app. Remittance provides you with the ability to select the country, currency, and transfer type, in addition to providing full transparency on fees and costs. Now with BenefitPay’s Remittance Service making payments around the world has never been as easy.

Licensed By Central Bank of Bahrain as Ancillary Service Provider

JO5646_BEN_Remittance_Ad_191mmX125mm_AW.indd 1

24/01/2022 5:29 PM

WEAR A FACE MASK

WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN

CLEANING HANDS WITH ANTISEPTIC

AVOID CONTACT WITH SICK PEOPLE bahrainthismonth

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February 2022 25

education feature

THE POWER OF AN EXCEPTIONAL EDUCATION We’ve all been told, time and time again, that knowledge is power and it’s for the best of reasons. Pursuing the best of education is without a doubt the best investment you can make for yourself or your children.

Bahrain has no dearth of educational institutions with nurseries, schools, colleges and training institutes dotted all across the Kingdom. That being said, some of these institutions have gone above and beyond to provide their students with exceptional opportunities through foresighted learning methods, curricula that allow them to pursue a higher education abroad, and internship opportunities too. As we shine a light on the Kingdom’s education sector, we spoke to select schools and universities about what sets them apart.

26 February 2022

www.bahrainthismonth.com

education feature

UPHOLDING AN AMERICAN STANDARD A UBH’s approach to education is unique; in that it fosters interaction and collaboration between its students, faculty, and the professional community.

The university’s unique curricula is based on best-practices from highly acclaimed US colleges and universities, with handpicked faculty comprising local and international teachers and researchers in their respective fields. The tailored curriculum is experiential, interactive and entrepreneurial, with the aim of creating work-ready graduates who can transition seamlessly from academia to application.

The American University of Bahrain (AUBH), is the Kingdom’s first American-style University offering a holistic academic journey for students.

The University offers the various programmes within its colleges of Engineering, Business and Management, and Architecture and Design.

Its recent alliance with CSUN, the largest university system in the US, enables students to gain access to degree programmes in over 69 disciplines. Through this partnership, students can begin studying at AUBH while taking general education courses, a common core in the curriculum, and then seamlessly transfer to CSUN after one to three years of studies.

The institute is in the process of developing opportunities for visiting professorships, industry collaborations, and internship between Bahrain and the United States.

AUBH’s campus is always alive with a host of leisure and extra-curricular activities to create unique spaces for the AUBH community to interact, learn, and grow as individuals.

Call 77 999-997. www.aubh.edu.bh admission@aubh.edu.bh

Anticipating the demand for STEM professionals to rise over the next 10 years, AUBH is proactively responding to this need through our STEM-based programming.

Students are provided with the tools they need to be successful and give them realworld experience to promote critical thinking and dynamism. They experience internships, field trips, speaker series events, and lectures from industry leaders. Recently, the university welcomed H.H. Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, who delivered a lecture to students on campus.

Unlock Tomorrow at AUBH Bahrain’s American-style University

At the American University of Bahrain, it is a core part of our mission to provide quality education and prepare our students for an evolving and competitive job market. AUBH students have access to a wide array of opportunities to realize their professional and personal goals, in a student-centric, multicultural, and flexible, American-style University environment, on par with the best universities around the world. Beyond academia, they also have access to social, athletic and other extra-curricular activities making AUBH home.

Admissions are open. The deadline to apply is September 9th, 2022.

For a lifetime of success. | Apply now: +973 7799 9997 | aubh.edu.bh | #AUBH

www.bahrainthismonth.com

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February 2022 27 27/01/2022 11:47 AM

education feature

INQUIRY BASED LEARNING AT CANADIAN SCHOOL BAHRAIN The Canadian School Bahrain is a fine example of the wide variety of schools and curriculums Bahrain offers its citizens and residents. Located in Diyar Al-Muharraq, it offers the curriculum of British Columbia, Canada, in a world class facility.

The Canadian School Bahrain (CSB) strives to provide students an excellent education with high academic standards through the teaching of the British Columbia, Canada Curriculum. This unique curriculum includes all British Columbia courses and Arabic language studies, Bahraini Social Studies and Citizenship classes, and Islamic studies. It has been approved by both the Ministry of Education in British Columbia, Canada and the Ministry of Education in Bahrain.

CSB differs from other schools by way of its inquiry-based approach to learning, which is an all-encompassing concept that involves investigating, problem solving, active exploration and hands-on learning that engages students to the fullest.

Inquiry based learning engages students in their lessons which helps them to foster a deeper understanding of what they have learnt and to make key connections to previous learning as well as future learning. Students are encouraged to apply their knowledge to real life situations and problem solve together, focusing on the school’s Core Competencies: Communication, Collaboration, Critical and Creative Thinking, Personal and Social Responsibility.

28 February 2022

School principal Ms. Abby Saadeh graduated from the Masters of Teaching Program at the University of Calgary, Canada. She has 22 years of experience in education and has been the principal at CSB since its opening in September 2019. “At CSB, students are prepared for an ever-changing future, guided to be engaged thinkers, ethical citizens and to have an entrepreneurial ethos; graduates will continue to think critically, make observations; use technology to learn, innovate, discover and communicate ideas with others in a collaborative environment and be life-long learners,” she says.

CSB’s students graduate with a Dogwood Diploma, which is amongst the best in national and international academic assessments, that allows them to apply to any university worldwide. They are enabled to use and apply the skills and competencies that they have learnt to engage and interact in any learning and/or professional environment.

The school campus is equipped with Science and Home Economics labs, Art and Music rooms, library learning commons, multipurpose spaces, a canteen, sports gymnasium and football field. Plans are in the pipeline for an auditorium, swimming pool and full-fledged

middle and high school state-of-the-art facilities.

Students currently enjoy after-school football and basketball training, and as the campus expands in the next academic year, the swimming pool will be open for students.

Classes for coding, robotics, cooking, and arts and crafts will also be offered in the future.

Meaningful use of technology within the classrooms is an integral part of the school program, as it allows students to find innovative means of communicating their knowledge, while also leading their own research and gathering findings to enhance their learning. Students have one-on-one access to iPads in grades 4 and up, allowing them to record, create and develop digital presentations. With the use of technology, CSB students have the opportunity to showcase their learning and personalities through a variety of digital formats.

Students benefit from the faculty of the school, that is dedicated to developing them into world citizens who are confident in their culture, empowering them to achieve academic excellence through nurturing moral values of integrity, responsibility, respect and courage.

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‫دﻳﺎر اﻟﻤﺤﺮق‬ STUDENT-CENTERED APPROACH

Diyar Al Muharraq

REGISTRATION IS

NOW OPEN ‫اﻟﺘﺴﺠﻴﻞ ﻣﻔﺘﻮح ا ن‬

ACADEMIC YEAR

2022/2023

Nursery to Grade 8

+973 66644234 / +973 13691111 admission@canadianschoolbh.com www.canadianschoolbh.com canadianschoolbh

canadianschoolbh

@canadianschoolbh

canadianschoolbh

bystander

Bahrain Rugby Club held a New NYE Lunch The Year’s Eve lunch.

Movenpick Christmas Dinner

Mövenpick Bahrain held a Christmas Eve dinner for guests to enjoy the festivities.

Art of Collage Under the patronage of HE

Sheikha Hala bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, The Art of Collage - the first solo exhibition by Layla Al Bassam - was held at the Bahrain Young Ladies Association.

30 February 2022

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education feature

HIGH ACHIEVERS

Since its establishment, the University College of Bahrain has grown to be a stalwart of higher education in the Kingdom. Here’s what you need to know about UCB:

F

ounded in 2002 by Shaikh Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed AlKhalifa, the University College of Bahrain (UCB) is a non-profit private institution of higher education, licensed by the Ministry of Education. Since its founding, UCB has grown to be Bahrain›s most studentcentered university. The university has earned a glowing reputation for its combined aim of achieving excellence in education and enabling students to achieve their goals through their unwavering commitment.

The degree programmes were originally designed and developed around a USA and Canadian higher education model of curriculum content, assessment and delivery pattern, through a formal relationship with McMaster University in Canada; which provided advice and the initial curriculum.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Hence, UCB provides a rigorous and internationally-informed curriculum based on a semester credit hour system in the USA/Canadian liberal arts tradition.

The University specialises in the subject areas of Business Administration, Information technology and Communications and Multimedia. It educates students and instills new knowledge by uniting the rigour, relevance, creativity and intellectual dynamics of business and the liberal arts, dedicated to quality education that is benchmarked against international standards and attuned to the needs of the region it serves. The University continuously upgrades

its curriculum to include the most recent practices ensuring that graduates will obtain professional knowledge and the required skills to be the leaders in their profession.

UCB strives to cultivate business leaders who will ride the waves of change and steer them toward the creation of wealth for the entire society.

Their programmes are coached in a context of innovation, teamwork and creativity, inspire critical thinking, personal growth and a passion for learning. UCB strives to serve the social, cultural and economic needs of the community in Bahrain and the wider region.

For more information, visit www.ucb.edu.bh or WhatsApp +973 66 661-415.

February 2022 31

bystander

Green House Harvest

The Rotary Club of Salmaniya held a Green House Harvest at Othman Janahi’s Farm together with the Bahrain Down Syndrome Society to celebrate the National Day of Bahrain.

Friday Brunch Vida Beach Resort Marassi Al Bahrain hosted a delectable Friday Brunch.

La Reine Opening The grand opening for La Reine was held at Al Reem Centre in Riffa.

32 February 2022

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education feature

Nadeen School:

A growing child-centered, inclusive, and diverse family with a shared love of learning.

N

adeen School, founded in 1977, is wellknown for its holistic approach to education and for celebrating the unique, individual talents of children with diverse backgrounds and abilities. Currently located in Um Al Hassam, the school has 400 children from over 50 countries and 80 staff. The family-style school, with the motto ‘Small School – Big Family’, is further enhanced through their green spaces, school farm, cosy campus, and Open-Door Policy.

Scheduled to move to a brand new, purposebuilt, green school in the heart of Dilmunia in January 2023, the school will expand to higher ages and offer tremendous, unique learning and life opportunities for its students – a move that the faculty and other team members are all very excited about!

“We are one of the founding members of the British Schools of the Middle East (BSME) and an accredited member of the group. Nadeen School is also one of only three British Schools Overseas (BSO) schools in Bahrain, registered and recognised by the British Government and Department for Education,” says Director, Shanee Puri.

Combining the best of many different education

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systems, with high-tech education at one end of the spectrum and forest schools at the other, is the key to Nadeen School’s success. “Fundamental to our ethos and practise is our whole-child and childcentred approach to education. Our creative, individualised approach to the curriculum and to all of our students ensures our students’ success, both personally and academically,” she states.

The school faculty believes that the strength of the school’s ethos and community supported them through these recent, extraordinary times.

“Ensuring our students’ and team’s wellbeing, continuation of the children’s learning, and preservation of our strong community bond were our top three priorities over the last year. Our teaching and support teams have gone above and beyond to ensure that the children have continued to progress in all aspects of their

learning and development,” says Ms. Puri.

“We reflect on what lessons we can take from this shared experience and look forward to a stronger, brighter future ahead.”

February 2022 33

bystander

Ascon Control Factory Inauguration

A grand inauguration ceremony was held for a leading switchgear manufacturing company, Ascon Control W.L.L, for its new factory which is owned by Amad Group of Companies. The factory was inaugurated by the Minister of Industry, Commerce and Tourism, HE Zayed R Alzayani in the presence of Indian Ambassador to the Kingdom of Bahrain, HE Piyush Srivastava, and Amad Group Managing Director, Pambavasan Nair.

34 February 2022

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How employable will you be after your studies?

Now more than ever, you need to stand out from the crowd.

Employability skills can give you the edge you’ll need.

The City & Guilds Employability qualification builds on your skills and experience to further yourself in education and work. It has been designed with industry experts to help familiarise you with the world of work, progress your career, and guide you on appropriate attitudes and behaviours.

How do I start?

Contact a City & Guilds approved centre near you that offers our Employability Skills (5546) qualification, and they will assist you through the process.

Find a centre in Bahrain: cityandguilds.com/bahrain-centres

interview

BEING A GOOD SPORT!

Bahrain Rugby Football Club (BRFC) has been one of the most popular expatriate clubs in the Kingdom for over 50 years. Farah Baig speaks to the BRFC Chairman, Mike Cunningham, and BRFC President, Michael Stapleton, about its success in the past and plans for its future.

The Kingdom of Bahrain has grown to be home to hundreds of thousands of expats over the years. While Bahrain has proven to be a safe haven for all, being in a new and unfamiliar country has its challenges. That’s where social clubs like Bahrain Rugby Football Club come in; the sports-centric social club has proven to be a ‘home away from home’ for members since its establishment in 1971.

Strolling through the sprawling social club in Janabiyah, it’s hard to believe that the club had its humble beginnings as a section of the British Club in 1971. “Bahrain Rugby Football Club became its own entity in 1974 when it took up a perimeter of the ground at the Bahrain International Airports Muharraq Runway,” states BRFC President, Michael Stapleton.

Sports At the Heart of It All Over the years, the club has grown and expanded, finally settling in its current location which most people recognise. The BRFC has a number of pitches, netball courts, cricket nets, a sports hall, gymnasium and a 25m swimming pool aside from the hospitality venue, Mano’s, and children’s play area too.

“Our main operations revolve around sports;

36 February 2022

we run cricket, netball, football and badminton, with rugby being the priority, of course! We’ve also had the Bahrain National Cricket team come out here to practice on the grass pitch,” says Mr. Stapleton, adding that the club aims to nurture the presence of sports in the Kingdom through collaborations with the community.

The club has participated in and hosted several matches over the years. In fact, BRFC won the 7s Plate Championship in Hong Kong in 1978. The team then consisted of Richard Turnball, Grant Haskell, Phil Griffiths, Richard Duck, Ross Aldrige, Fred Simmons, Michael Stapleton, Jeff Evans and Dave Billington, and was managed by Bill Tyler. “It’s a team sport, you cannot play on your own so you create life-long bonds – they become your best mates. So, a number of ex-players and supporters all stay in contact with each other,” says Mr. Stapleton.

The club has roughly 100 people training for Gaelic football which has grown tremendously over the last six or seven years, with the team travelling for matches too. “We have a set of nets and on average we have about 120 players from the social clubs and select

schools who train here at times. We also host schools’ sports days, camps, tournaments and more,” says BRFC Chairman, Mike Cunningham.

Building a Community As the popularity of the club grew over the years, so did the number of members. “We currently have 4210 members, including adults and children from 63 nationalities. We also have over 65 staff members,” says Mr. Stapleton.

With regards to membership at the club, priority is given to families and those who participate in sports. “Sports is a big thing and many people came here to play sports, but what we’ve really done is focus on the families by giving them a nice safe environment to socialise in. Being at BRFC, people could relax knowing that their kids would be safe: that they would not be able to leave the area or have outsiders enter the club,” says Mr. Cunningham.

“Younger kids also have access to the children’s play area and facilities like inflatable castles while games are on so people could come watch the game,” he adds.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

interview The Spirit of Sportsmanship President of the Olympic Committee and an avid sportsman himself, HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, attended the last home game at the club prior to COVID. “We’re very privileged that HH Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa has consented to become a patron of the club,” says Mr. Cunningham.

“HH Shaikh Nasser has a vision of Bahrain developing excellence in all the sports, as does HH Shaikh Khalid so they see places like this where the youth can come and learn a sport as vital in that growth and development,” he adds.

With sports, children are taught the values of camaraderie – working as a team all while staying fit. “I think that is the main message that HH Shaikh Nasser is sending: that it’s great to be successful as a country, but it’s also important to have a healthy population through people playing sports and participating for the benefit of their mental and physical health,” says Mr. Cunningham.

Last year, BRFC hosted First Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, President of the General Sports Authority and President of Bahrain Olympic Committee, HH Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa for the Bahrain Gaelic festival. “We had around 40 teams coming from Ireland and the UK to participate in the event. HH Shaikh Khalid presented the trophies to the winning teams,” says Mr. Stapleton.

Rugby in Bahrain With the inception of the Rugby Board for Bahrain, an initiative by HH Shaikh Khalid, new life will be breathed into the presence of the sport in the Kingdom. “The entity will be separate from the BRFC and intends to promote rugby in the Kingdom with an emphasis set on schools… similar to what was done in Hong Kong which now has a strong presence in rugby in Asia,” explains

www.bahrainthismonth.com

Mr. Cunningham.

“Bahrain will now become affiliated to the Asian Rugby Union which is in turn affiliated to the Ireland and the UK headquarters,” he adds.

Most students in Bahrain tend to veer towards football and basketball, but Mr. Cunningham believes introducing them to the sport while they are young will build an interest. “Once the board is established, we will give them all the input they need and help them appoint somebody to start it in the schools,” he says.

The Royal Rumble Boxing enthusiasts are in for a treat this month as BRFC will be hosting a spectacular sporting event to raise funds for the Royal Humanitarian Fund. “The Royal Rumble Charity Boxing Dinner is being held on February 4under the patronage of Supreme Council for Youth and Sport First Deputy Chairman, General Sports Authority Chairman and Bahrain Olympic Committee President Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa, in partnership with the Bahrain Boxing Federation,” states Mr. Cunningham.

During the event, boxers from Bahrain’s Royal Guard will go head-to-head with The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers. “I had initially discussed having a boxing event at BRFC with Tony Davis who is the coach at Bahrain Boxing Federation.

When HH Shaikh Khalid visited the club to talk about sports, he decided to organise something special which would put Bahrain on the map,” he says.

The event will also be attended by International Boxing legends, Joe Calzaghe and Darren Barker, who will be flying in for the event. “It’s actually going to be a very exciting weekend. In fact, Joe and Darren will both be at the weigh in the night before the match which will be open to the public,” he concludes.

February 2022 37

valentine’s day

CELEBRATING LOVE IN ALL FORMS

Here’s are some fun ways in which you can celebrate Valentine’s Day in Bahrain this year!

Whether you’re in a relationship or not, love deserves to be celebrated in all forms. We bring you some of the best ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day be it with your significant other, family or friends.

A Beachy New Experience!

Horse riding is the perfect way to spend this Valentine’s Day! Enjoy a romantic sunset with your loved one and experience Bahrain’s breathtaking Nurana Islands on magnificent stallions with Kashta Tours. With pristine turquoise waters and the mesmerising sounds of the ocean, you are sure to have an unforgettable experience with your partner when riding these charming animals. Prices start at an hourly rate of BD7 per person. Advance reservations are strongly suggested.

Call 32 122-163 for more information.

GALENTINE’S DAY The Kashta Camper Caravan has everything you need for the perfect Galentine’s camping experience (yes, right here in Bahrain!) with your besties. It includes bean bags, tents, projectors, seating, barbecue equipment, lights, speakers and more!

Cosy up with a cup of hot chocolate while taking in the spectacular views of Bahrain’s skyline and stargaze with your favourite people. The allinclusive Kashta Camper Caravan is priced at BD85.

Call 32 122-163 for more information.

Love Is the Main Ingredient Cucina Italiana has something special planned for you and your partner for the month of February with their cooking class. Add a few more ingredients to make this Valentine’s Day particularly memorable. Experts will demonstrate to you how to prepare delectable petite plates that you can easily replicate in your own kitchen.

This hands-on couple’s culinary class is a deliciously 38 February 2022

entertaining way to learn a new skill and bond with your partner, regardless of your cooking ability. This cooking class is available on weekdays from 4PM to 6PM and is priced at BD50, inclusive of selected beverages, dinner and a romantic table setup.

Call 17 001-317 for more information.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

valentine’s day

Dinner and a Movie – A Classic!

A cosy movie night under the stars, followed by an amazing dinner, sounds like the perfect way to celebrate Valentine’s Day. Solymar, located in Amwaj, has it all under one roof. Sit back, relax and enjoy amazing movie screenings with your partner from 7 PM to 9 PM and indulge in Solymar’s scrumptious assortments from a set menu of food and beverages after. The experience is priced at BD60 per couple and BD30 per individual.

Call 35 094-777 for reservations.

Floating in Love

Make this Valentine’s extraordinary with an unforgettable dining experience at V Lounge, the region’s first floating restaurant. V Lounge offers an irresistible romantic set-up on private floating boats at the heart of Bahrain Bay with a spectacular set menu. With impeccable views of Bahrain’s skyline and a dining experience like no other we are certain your loved one will be very impressed. V Lounge has allinclusive packages from BD70 onwards.

Call 34 159-777 for reservations.

Love is…a Wagging Tail!

The bond between a pet and its owner is incredibly precious and should be celebrated on this love filled occasion. This Valentine’s, take your furry friend for the paw-fect date to Wagalag, the Kingdom’s fantastic pet park and gift your best friend a paw-some Valentine’s pupcake box from Bubbles and Miche. You can also make this occasion even more special for your fur baby with Coco Pets, which offers a variety of services to meet all of your pet’s needs.

Call Wagalag on 33 724-011 for more information. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Sip and Paint This Valentine›s Day, grab your painting supplies for a fantastic, enjoyable, and creative experience. To relish a socially-distant date with your partner, host a sip-and-paint workshop at your home. Enjoy the artistic process of replicating a gorgeous painting through a tutorial while sipping a glass of bubbly, or let your imagination run wild and create your own masterpiece.

February 2022 39

interview

CUTTING THROUGH TO SUCCESS Technology solutions provider, Cutwatr, has an array of tailormade answers to digitally optimise operations for businesses to reach their ultimate goals.

T

he way business is carried out the world over has changed. Humanity has come a long way from relying on manual formats to fully-fledged digitisation to drive trade and commerce. This change has further been accelerated in recent times, as the need for doing business on digital platforms has never been more evident than in the past two years.

But in the era of intelligent innovation and digital disruption, how can a business choose the right technology stack to get past the hurdles on its path to success and growth? Here is where Cutwatr can help you navigate the sea of new innovation and complex

business challenges with smart solutions that are specifically tailor-made for your business.

Established in 2012 in the UAE, Cutwatr quickly gained recognition for its fresh take on providing ground-breaking and agile solutions for renowned businesses to fast-track their growth. This led to the young organisation’s footprint to expand to the fast-paced markets of the US, India, the Middle East; through Bahrain, Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

Cutwatr prides itself for providing the best and most suitable business solutions that address and resolve customer pain points in the arenas of Trade Finance Automation, Artificial Intelligence solutions and Software Engineering services that include software development, application support, robotic process automation (RPA), quality assurance, cyber security, digital experience and technology consulting amongst others.

With renowned business conglomerates the world over in its portfolio, Cutwatr strives to ensure high-quality services that continue to uphold its reputation as a credible and reliable business partner.

This is mainly because the company delivers excellent solutions, services and products in-house, without relying on third-party outsourcing.

Today, Cutwatr is one of the few ISO Certified technology companies in the Kingdom of Bahrain. It has created a

“

competitive edge for itself, due to its approach of seeing its clients with a personalized lens that provides agile, flexible solutions to fully meet their needs. This is enabled by Cutwatr’s skilled and specialised teams that provide thought leadership and guidance while overseeing mission-critical technology projects. This expertise does not only entail key insights and practical recommendations, but also enables rapid transformation to meet the ultimate goal.

With a global footprint, Cutwatr has the ability to collaborate, communicate, and respond quickly and efficiently to the needs of its clientele, all the while seamlessly executing tasks with honesty, hard work and technical superiority.

The company has made a mark in industries like Banking and Finance, Oil and Gas, Hospitality and Logistics, all of which are in the midst of a digital revolution. Cutwatr has helped organisations to reach their potential and achieve accelerated growth by handholding them on the path to digitisation, thereby enhancing end-user experience, reducing costs and increasing profitability.

Cutwatr is dedicated to empower today’s organisations by harnessing the best of innovative solutions and digital technology to be a frontrunner in their respective fields. When businesses opt for partnering with Cutwatr, they witness the company’s tagline in action: ‘Complete and Most Appropriate Technology Solutions’.

In a rapidly evolving digital world, businesses face unique and complex challenges each day.

At Cutwatr, we integrate strategy, design and technology, along with strong commitment to work ethics, and enable organizations to face the future with conviction.”

40 February 2022

- Amit Kansal, Chief Executive

www.bahrainthismonth.com

interview

DEVELOPING BAHRAIN’S NATIVE WORKFORCE Behnaz Sanjana

Peter Linford, CEO of OGM Technical Institute, which is affiliated to Nasser S Al Hajri Corporation (NSH), talks about how the training organisation is ultimately playing a role in the greater good of the nation.

H

aving held various leadership positions in governmental and private sectors in Australia, the Asia Pacific, and the MENA region, Peter is at the helm of OGM, a technical training institute under the aegis of NSH and the RP Group of Companies.

Tell us about OGM Technical Institute and its purpose.

OGM Technical Institute Pty Ltd was established to provide internationally recognised workforce training to meet global industry demand for tradecraft skills.

Building from the significant success of NSH in the Middle East and under the vision and guidance of Dr Ravi Pillai, OGM aims to create and supply ‘work ready’ trainees who meet immediate industry requirements in Bahrain, KSA and India.

What type of training does OGM impart?

OGM is an internationally recognised training group that offers Bahraini nationals a fully sponsored twelve-month training programme inclusive of a monthly stipend. Trainees acquire 30 percent knowledge training by certified trainers, followed by 70 percent ‘on the job’ training, which collectively ensures in-depth experience and understanding of real project site working.

The courses offered are for Safety Officer, Welder, Pipe Fitter, Scaffolder, Assistant Electrical worker and Instrumentation worker. They are conducted in English, and include behavioural soft skills training.

How is OGM affiliated to BAPCO›s modernisation project?

NSH (through OGM) is providing trade skills training to over 500 Bahrainis, leading to employment and careers in the Oil and Gas sector in Bahrain and Saudi Arabia.

The programme, contracted with TTSJV is under the initiative of Bapco, supported by Bahrain’s Ministry of Labour, who recognise that genuine skills and opportunities for employment are best delivered by the private sector where skilled and motivated workers are in demand. NSH with TTSJV is proud to be their key partner in delivering these programmes. www.bahrainthismonth.com

How do the programmes benefit trainees?

The immediate benefit is that registered unemployed Bahraini nationals have the opportunity to develop new skills while being paid a training salary. Over the medium term, successful trainees are offered ongoing employment contracts with NSH. Over the long-term Skills and opportunities are continually offered, which results in career progression with qualifications and experience recognised across the Gulf region.

Would you say OGM is contributing positively towards Bahrain›s economic and social fabric, and in what way?

Through OGM’s training, NSH is working to expand the percentage of Bahraini nationals working for our projects at all

levels; from management through to labour support, and we understand this must be achieved through training and skills development. In line with His Majesty’s Vision 2030 for the Kingdom of Bahrain, the Bapco Modernisation Project represents a generational turning point for BAPCO which is going to provide a sustained development of the Kingdom. It is a matter of pride that OGM is able to nurture and develop Bahraini talent to contribute as much as possible to such a prestigious project.

Besides, the skills we impart provide opportunities for lifelong careers with NSH across the Gulf region and qualifications that can be recognised across industries by many companies.

What OGM graduates and trainers have to say…

Hasan Jameel –Welding I benefited a lot from the training in the field of welding. I am confident in my work, interpersonal skills and speak English better thanks to professional trainers.

Zeyad Mandagar –Electrical My training helped in reducing errors caused by inexperience and increased the quality of my work as an electrician.

Asrar Hassan – Soft Skills Trainer It’s rewarding that OGM has given me the opportunity to learn and grow by being a part of the team that gets to kickstart Bahrainis’ careers.

February 2022 41

bystander

Ambassador, HE Piyush Srivastava, visited the NSH Labour Camp at BAPCO together with Ahmed Al Haiki, Assistant Visit to NSH Camp Indian Under-secretary, Bahrain’s Ministry of Labour and Social Development and delegates from the ICRF.

Training Meeting The OGM/NSH training team convened at the training center at Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard.

Graduation Ceremony A ceremony was held for graduates at NSH at the BAPCO training site.

42 February 2022

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

food review

A DESI-LICIOUS BRUNCH AT JASHAN!

Bahrain’s most exciting new Indian restaurant, Jashan, now serves up a flavourful Indian brunch. Farah Baig tells us about the delightful feast.

G

rowing up in the Middle East, being surrounded by family on a Friday has turned into an unspoken tradition. Strolling into Wyndham Garden Manama’s spectacular Indian restaurant – Jashan, I soon realised that the warm and welcoming atmosphere of their brunch was perfect for a Friday feast with family – the wafting aroma of spices, bustle of their live cooking stations and welcoming team made us feel right at home.

Going through the extravagant spread, it’s clear that celebrity Chef Jainul Khan and his team have presented the best of Indian cuisine – aromatic curries, light and refreshing chats, sumptuous khatti rolls, and a colourful array of desserts. To start our dining experience, we had Chef Jainul put together some delicious chat: Pani Puri, Dahi Papdi Chat and Bhel Puri, washed down with bottomless Mango Lassi and Jal Jeera.

While we whet our appetite, our hostess served vegetarian and non-vegetarian starters at the table. Of the vegetarian starters, the clear favourite was the Paneer Tikka while the tender and flavourful Malai Chicken Tikka took centre-stage with the non-vegetarian varieties.

The Lamb Seekh Kebab and Fish Tikka (made with the freshest of hammour) were succulent too. The Kathi rolls were a delicious combination of paneer or chicken, in a rich gravy, rolled in a fresh paratha that’s then toasted on a skillet.

Scouring the main courses we set our eyes on the aromatic Dum Chicken Biriyani, which we paired with raita, fresh chilis and green chutney. Avid Indian cuisine enthusiasts appreciate the Dum cooking process as it seals in the flavour and fragrance of the spices resulting in an unforgettable, concentrated taste. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Jashan does nothing by half measures so we were pleased to tuck into the abundance of curries including a few fan favourites such as the Chicken Makhani, Paneer Butter Masala, Dal Jashan and Mutton Rogan Josh. Freshly-made garlic naan was the best companion for the Mutton Rogan Josh which was beautifully cooked to a tender, melt-in-your-mouth consistency. The Paneer Butter Masala was a flawless combination of pillowy-soft paneer cubes and delightfully creamy curry while the boneless Chicken Makhani had us revisiting the spread for seconds.

It’s worth mentioning that while each and every dish had a terrific blend of flavours, we thoroughly enjoyed experimenting with the array of chutneys and other condiments to surprise our palates. I mean, who doesn’t enjoy the delightful tang of perfectly pickled shallots?

Indian mithais have grown to be an essential addition to celebrations and festivals in India, but we didn’t need a special occasion to gorge on Jashan’s tantalising desserts. Embellished with a sheet of edible silver, the Shahi Tukda is a Mughal dessert that proved to be fit for royalty with its rich creamy milk and mix of textures. The Phirni (bowls of rice pudding) had the unmistakable flavour of saffron and was topped with crushed pistachios. The Kubani ki Halwa, was something completely new to us – a rich blend of fresh apricots cooked down to a jam-like consistency. Revisiting a classic, we ended our meal with the warm, comforting Gulab Jamuns – a sweet finish to our Jashan feast.

Jashan enchanted us with their quaint atmosphere and fantastic brunch (priced at just BD 10). So, needless to say, it’s sure to become a regular for our Friday family feasts.

February 2022 43

tablehopping

FEASTS FOR ALL THIS FEBRUARY!

Romance is evidently in the air this February, with some of the best dining spots in Bahrain pulling out all the stops to make Valentine’s Day a memorable one. Of course, regular dining deals are at your disposal throughout the month, with a few dedicated dining events in honour of Chinese New Year.

HERE COMES THE TIGER In celebration of Chinese New Year, The Gulf Hotel Bahrain will host a gastronomic celebration from February 1 – 5 at the newly reopened China Garden. Usher in the Year of The Tiger with celebrity Chef Anita Lo and enjoy a selection of her spectacular Chinese cuisine while reuniting with those closest and dearest to you. The pricing for this special tasting menu is on à la carte basis.

Call 17 713-000.

CUT TO THE ROMANCE To celebrate Valentine’s Day, CUT by Wolfgang Puck at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay is offering an enhanced à la carte menu featuring signature ingredients ranging from beluga caviar to black truffles. Elevate the romance on February 14, from 7pm, as the outlet’s culinary team invites guests to relish time with their loved ones over stunning backdrops and delectable flavours.

Call 17 115-000.

44 February 2022

DELICIOUS DUCKLING Fraser Suites Diplomatic Area Bahrain is the place to enjoy Peking Duck which serves upto four guests for BD20. This price is inclusive of the crispy Peking duck, served with steamed pancakes, juliennes of cucumber and spring onion, crispy peanuts and Hoisin sauce, steamed chicken dumplings with chili sauce, stir-fried chicken noodles, vegetable spring rolls, prawn crackers and egg fried rice.

For dessert, choose between Da Rosa Honey Cake or seasonal grilled fruit skewers with passionfruit sorbet. This treat requires a booking four hours in advance.

Call 16 161-888 or WhatsApp 33 621-016

VROOM IN TO VALENTINE’S IN A MASERATI Imagine riding with your date in a personal chauffeur-driven Maserati to a romantic dinner at Vida Bahrain’s The Bistro by Origins. The swanky hotel is switching things up this Valentine’s Day and giving you the opportunity to do something extraordinary this February 14. This exclusively limited dining package, ‘Valentine’s Dinner Date with Maserati @Vida’ from 7pm – 10pm, is priced at BD99 per couple, inclusive of a delectable set menu, live entertainment and pick-up and drop-off for the special couple in their personal, chauffeur driven Maserati. Only a few spots are available; terms and conditions apply.

Call 77 488-100.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

bystander

F1 Press Conference

Bahrain International Circuit announced major details on the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2022 - the opening round of this year’s FIA Formula 1 World Championship taking place 18 to 20 March as a once-ina-generation event, ushering in “A New Era” in the top flight.

Happy Valentine's Day! Akami is Red, Shiromi is White..

Plan Ahead & Book a Table for Tonight.

17522733

www.olivermaki.com

www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

@makirest makirestaurant

February 2022 45

tablehopping

SAYING IT IN STYLE VALENTINE’S AT VIA BRASIL Bring your significant other for a sensual evening of eating, drinking and romance with spectacular views. Experience a churrascaria dinner paired with an excellent selection of South American grape, mixed Brazilian cocktails and gorgeous chocolate-inspired desserts at Wyndham Garden Manama’s Via Brasil on February 14, from 7pm – 11pm. The exciting evening is priced at BD75 per couple with unlimited churrascaria and selected beverages.

Call 66 398-787.

LOVE AT FIRST BITE London is by far one of the most iconic cities in the world for a romantic getaway. So, for the special occasion of Valentine’s Day, The Harvesters Pub & Terrace at Crowne Plaza Bahrain brings London to you by way of a London romantic buffet treat. It’s a great way to be inspired by romance and indelible memories with your valentine for BD20, with an additional BD10 for the grape package, every Tuesday at the restaurant from 6pm – midnight.

Call 17 531-122 / 39 920-163

46 February 2022

Nothing says “I love you!” more than a beautifully laid out Italian dinner, coupled with a bottle of house wine within the beautiful setting of La Pergola at The Gulf Hotel Bahrain. The amorous evening on February 14 is priced at BD50+++ per couple, and BD46+++ per couple for Prestige Club members.

Call 17 531-666.

MUSSELS GALORE Spend Thursday evening at The Bistro by Origins at Vida Bahrain, endlessly savouring delicious, unlimited mussels with a signature sauce of your choice: Mariniere, Blue Cheese, or Tomato, served with appetising French Fries. The Bottomless Moules Frites evening is staged from 8pm – 11pm, priced at BD9, with a 10 percent discount on selected Belgium ale to complement the good vibes and a classic Mussels Night.

Call 77 488-100.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

tablehopping

FABULOUS THROUGH FEBRUARY The Cavalry Club at Golden Tulip Bahrain has a lineup of amazing promotions to suit every taste. Avail of special offers like Steak and Grape which includes selected grape and a sumptuous rib-eye steak for BD14, or the Burger and Brew promotion for BD8, where you can sink your teeth into a delicious burger with fries and a pint to wash it down. For discerning palates, the Grape and Cheese Platter will be perfect for BD10, inclusive of selected grape and cheese.

Call 17 535-000 / 39 995-182/42

THE FLAVOUR OF LOVE It’s Valentine’s Weekend at Mondo Taste of Italy at the Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa, when love will be in the air on February 11 and 14. Dine in the cosy ambience of the restaurant for BD54, inclusive of a four-course meal for two, a glass of bubbly or a mocktail, a rose for the lady and live entertainment.

Call 17 531 666.

AN AFFAIR TO REMEMBER Silk’s Restaurant at Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain will stage a fantastic Valentine’s Day Dinner so that you can impress the love of your life with a truly romantic experience on February 14, from 7pm – 11pm. It’ll be an evening of great food, delicious drinks and a violinist to set the mood. After a ‘Love at First Sip’ welcome cocktail on arrival, couples can enjoy a fresh seafood buffet, mouth-watering cuisine for meat lovers, and a wide array of sweet treats. There will be four hours of unlimited drinks including grape, ale and soft beverages, plus a pleasant surprise for your loved one, all for BD52+++ per couple.

Call 17 460-017 or WhatsApp 33 640-032

COOK WITH A CELEBRITY CHEF The Gulf Hotel Bahrain brings you The Art of cooking with Chef Anita on February 5.

If you’ve got the heart for all things food, don’t miss out on this culinary event with celebrity Chef Anita Lo, priced at BD39. The class will be followed by lunch, and will accommodate a maximum of 10 participants. Certificates will be awarded to all guests.

Call 17 713-000. www.bahrainthismonth.com

February 2022 47

tablehopping

ROMANCE UNDER THE STARS Celebrate your love at the open-air roof-top lounge, at Ya Hala restaurant located at Ramada Hotel and Suites by Wyndham, Amwaj Islands. Let the live band lure you with the tunes of love while you enjoy a moonlight five-course set menu including bubbly on February 14 from 7.30pm – 11pm. The romantic rendezvous is priced at BD52 per couple.

Take advantage of the early bird offer and book before February 10 to get a 20 percent discount.

Call 13 600-111.

FRIDAY ROAST There’s nothing more comforting than a Friday Roast in a relaxed and cosy atmosphere of La Mosaique Restaurant located at Crowne Plaza Bahrain. The lavish lunch consists of starters, a three-meat roasting board with all the traditional trimmings, and dessert. Meat roasts include beef, lamb and chicken, inclusive of selected beverage or three mocktails made with fresh juices. The afternoon is priced at BD16, every Friday from 1pm – 5pm.

Call 17 531-122 / 39 242-391

FROM A RICH CUISINE For all lovers of Indian food, the Weekend Brunch at Jashan at Wyndham Garden Manama is the place to be every Friday and Saturday, from noon – 3pm. This scrumptious Indian all-you-can-eat extravaganza will surely tantalise your taste buds with authentic Indian delicacies for BD10 per person.

Call 66 398-787.

HIGH TEA WITH PANACHE Spend a delightful afternoon at Gallery Lobby Lounge at Mövenpick Hotel Bahrain to enjoy a splendid afternoon high tea served with sweet and savoury treats that are guaranteed to pleasure, plus a cup of tea or coffee to warm your heart. Guests can enjoy the treat for BD15+++ for two people, daily from 2pm - 6pm.

Call 17 460-017 or WhatsApp 33 640-032

48 February 2022

www.bahrainthismonth.com

motoring

Ferrari Purosangue

Here’s The Big One. Arguably the most anticipated and certainly the most controversial car of the year. Welcome to the Ferrari… SUV. The codenamed ‘thoroughbred’ is arriving into a world more eco-conscious by the week, yet still thirsty for SUVs. Incredibly, the model’s features, powertrain and even what it actually looks like haven’t been revealed yet, which makes the fact that this car has been the watercooler topic of choice amongst motoring enthusiasts for a year even more impressive.

RIDES TO LOOK FORWARD TO IN 2022!

Our resident motorhead, Kristian Harrison, shares his top picks for the most anticipated cars this year.

Hummer EV

One of Bahrain’s favourite vehicles is back! Who doesn’t remember driving on the Kingdom’s highways and seeing these huge, squared beasts roaming around? Well, the military-inspired SUV has made a triumphant return as an all-electric effort. How the times have changed. The Hummer EV is going to weigh at least four tonnes, have 1,000lb/ft of torque and be capable of 0-100kmph in around three seconds.

2021 was a momentous year in the automotive world. We finally drove some long-awaited standout vehicles and were smitten by unexpectedly great cars. But 2022 has the potential to be an even more revolutionary year as the electric conversion kicks into high gear… but not without some exciting last gasps from internal combustion V8s.

Here are my picks for the most exciting cars to (hopefully!) roll off the factory conveyor belts and arrive in the Kingdom this year.

Lotus Emira & Evija Volkswagen ID Buzz

One of the coolest cars on this year’s slate, believe it or not, is… a van! But it’s just beautiful. At last, VW is giving us the retro-styled one-box people-mover we’ve always wanted. The fully electric ID Buzz and ID Buzz Cargo will offer either seating for a whole family or a big tub of fresh air respectively, and it’s expected a fully habitable campervan version will follow.

Batteries will range up to a mighty 111kWh, with claimed range of almost 560km being mooted.

The final petrol-powered Lotus launches this year – but it promises to send pistons out with, well, a bang. The Emira is a supercar lookalike for sports car money. Then there are the powertrain choices: first up a supercharged V6 manual, to be followed by an AMG-spec four-cylinder turbo. Lotus is on course for a massive 2022, with the new Emira being bolstered by the delivery of the Evija electric hypercar and progress being made on the company’s first foray into crossover SUVs.

Hyundai Ioniq 6

Hyundai is making huge strides in the industry at the moment, and this beautiful beast that could pass as the latest Batmobile is another string to the company’s bow. The Ioniq 6 is an all-electric saloon with pebble-smooth styling riffing off the Prophecy concept, based on the same underpinnings as the Ioniq 5 hatchback. The niftiest feature on the Ioniq 6 are the micro-LED headlamps, which can detect slippery surfaces, recognise underconstruction patches, and project necessary road signs. www.bahrainthismonth.com

Range Rover

Purists reading this article might be a little sick of the word ‘battery’ at this stage, so here’s some light relief for them. Range Rover is another old favourite that’s promised to prefer plug-in to petrol in future, but that’s a few years away. For now, straight-six and V8 engines are the offering for the clean, crisp, reductive 2022 models, driving the rear wheels only most of the time, going 4x4 only when slip is detected in an effort to save fuel.

Which car are you looking forward to in the near future?

Let us know on Instagram - @bahrainthismonth.com.

February 2022 49

motoring news

BIC launches F1 2022: A Once in a Generation Event in Motorsport B ahrain International Circuit (BIC) has unveiled details of the 2022 Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix, a once in a generation event for fans.

An incredible line-up of attractions both on and off the track was announced for the race weekend taking place from March 18 to March 20 in Sakhir as the first race of “A New Era” in F1.

The launch of the 18th edition of the Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix took place at a special press conference, which included the unveiling of the new 2022 F1 car, with a special Bahrain livery.

Addressing the media and guests were BIC Commercial Director, Sherif Al Mahdy, and Gulf Air Marketing Director, Mohamed Jamsheer, in the presence of BIC Chief Executive, Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa, and Gulf Air’s Acting CEO, Captain Waleed Al Alawi.

“Our 2022 race is a landmark moment for the sport. Fittingly being held under our slogan ‘A New Era’, the race will usher in the next chapter of F1 following perhaps the biggest revolution of rules in the history of the sport,” says BIC Chief Executive, Sheikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa.

Exhilarating Off Track Entertainment The first megastar concert act of the adrenalinedriven weekend will be Grammy Award-winning DJ, songwriter and producer Afrojack. The Dutchborn genre-bending musician has co-created major hits for such artists as Beyoncé, Pitbull, will.i.am and David Guetta.

a life-sized Toy Brigade, Funky Style Band from Italy, Jam Batucada musical show from Spain, and plenty of other kids’ entertainment.

More On Track Entertainment There will be plenty of other racing action this Bahrain Grand Prix with the FIA Formula 2 Championship, the FIA Formula 3 Championship and the Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East all supporting F1.

Afrojack will be lighting up the stage at the F1 Village vending area on the Friday evening. All Bahrain Grand Prix ticket-holders will be able to attend the concerts at no extra cost.

F2 and F3 will be holding their season-opening rounds in Bahrain featuring many of motor racing’s stars of the future. Meanwhile, the Porsche Sprint Challenge Middle East will be holding the final round of its 2021/2022 season in Bahrain, with the series’ newest champion set to be crowned in front of a global audience.

Fans will also be able to step onto the 42-metrehigh Ferris Wheel or feel the adrenaline rush in the carousel-like Ghost Rider speed ride. Fans can also enjoy stage acts and roaming performers, such as renowned street performer Abraham Thill,

Bahrain will also host the F1 pre-season testing from March 10 to March 12 –a week ahead of the new championship. The tests will be a crucial

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BIC to host pre-season testing the week before Bahrain Grand Prix

opportunity for F1’s teams and drivers to evaluate the performance of their new cars ahead of the new season. The sessions will be open to spectators, giving F1 lovers an early preview of the 2022 cars.

Tickets now available with up to 15% under Early Bird scheme Tickets to this year’s Bahrain Grand Prix have already been selling fast with tickets available at 15 percent off under BIC’s Early Bird promotion for a limited time. Discounts are also available for children aged three to 12 at 50 percent off, with reductions also available to students, those with special needs, and senior citizens.

BIC has also introduced an enhanced refund policy for 2022 for local fans and international travellers which can be viewed on the website.

Tickets can be bought online at www.bahraingp. com or by calling the BIC Hotline on +97317450000.

www.bahrainthismonth.com

motoring news

MASERATI:

BACK TO RACING. Maserati has announced the first step in its motorsport strategy and will make its debut in the ABB FIA Formula E World Championship (the world’s first allelectric road-racing motorsport series) in 2023. With motorsport in its genes and rooted in the spirit of pure competition, Maserati is the first Italian brand to compete in Formula E. Maserati will now debut on the grid from Season 9 with the new Gen3, the fastest, lightest, most powerful Formula E racing car ever. The Gen3 is the world’s most efficient racing car featuring a series of industry-leading design, production and technological innovations.

Maserati made its racing debut was 96 years ago. The first racing car to bear

the Trident logo on the bonnet was the Tipo 26, which debuted at the Targa Florio in 1926, winning first place in the class up to 1.5 L, with Alfieri Maserati, of the Maserati brothers, at the wheel.

Thirty-one years later, Juan Manuel Fangio won the F1 World Championship with Maserati in 1957. The last time Maserati was seen in a single seater was with Maria Teresa De Filippis, the first woman to qualify for a Formula 1 Grand Prix, on board of a 250F.

A NEW MOTORSPORTS COMPANY FOR NISSAN! Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. has announced plans to establish a new company through the integration of two affiliated companies, Autech Japan Inc. (Autech) and Nissan Motorsports International Co. Ltd. (NISMO). The new company is to be established on April 1, 2022.

The integration is aimed to better globally utilise Autech’s know-how in developing and manufacturing customised vehicles and NISMO’s brand power built up through motorsports. Positioned as an important strategic subsidiary, the new company is expected to contribute to Nissan’s sustainable growth.

Nissan aims to deliver a variety of exciting cars, provide experiences that better connect people and society, and to expand the possibilities of mobility.

A RECORD YEAR FOR BENTLEY Bentley Motors has announced total sales of 14,659 in 2021, an increase of 31 percent over 2020. This significant achievement was driven by new model introductions, a fresh product portfolio and increasing demand for Bentley’s new hybridised models, introduced under Bentley’s Beyond100 strategic path to full electrification by 2030.

The success of this new hybrid option ensured Bentayga remained Bentley’s number one model selling more in its fifth year of sales than ever before. Furthermore, a full year of Flying Spur sales around the world and the introduction of the Continental GT Speed, among the launch of 11 new derivatives, added to this success.

The Americas maintained its position as the biggest selling global market, selling more than ever before. China almost matched this performance for the first time in a decade. The Middle East region continued to grow, and saw a 29 percent increase from the previous year, with 915 cars delivered in 2021, against a total of 735 in 2020. www.bahrainthismonth.com

February 2022 51

business bites

Digital Talent Emerging Unscathed Despite economic difficulties over the past two years, digital talent has emerged relatively unscathed, eager to explore their options and pursue new opportunities. This has emerged as a key takeaway following a global survey of employees in digital roles conducted by Boston Consulting Group (BCG) and The Network, a global alliance of recruitment website. The report, titled ‘Decoding the Digital Talent Challenge,’ sheds light on the key factors behind people’s aspirations to move to new pastures, providing a comprehensive analysis of major international markets, including the MENA region.

As per the survey, part of BCG’s Decoding Global Talent series, as many as 62 percent of MENA

employees working in digital fields are actively job hunting, with better career opportunities in other roles (72 percent), looking for a new challenge (66 percent), feeling undervalued in current positions (40 percent), and searching for a company more aligned with personal beliefs (32 percent) being the main motivations behind people looking for a new role.

On the subject of relocation, the number of digital field employees willing to move to another country for work stands at 83 percent.

Canada is the most preferred destination where digital workers would like to relocate (16

percent), followed by the UAE (12 percent), and Germany (10 percent). The survey found that 66 percent of MENA talent are willing to work for remote employers with no physical presence in their country.

A FOCUS ON BAHRAIN’S TRAINING NEEDS The Bahrain Society of Private Training Institutes (BSPTI) is conducting a national study of Bahrain’s training requirements at the individual and corporate levels. The research intends to create a qualitative leap in the performance of Bahraini training institutes and assist them in adopting the latest technology for training.

Experts and specialists are currently working on writing the final recommendations of the comprehensive study which covered different productive sectors. The study includes the opinion of human resource managers, stakeholders in the training sector in government and private institutions, and jobseekers.

“BSPTI will ensure that training institutes implement these recommendations to develop the training process. This will be done through the content of training courses by harnessing modern technologies in training, including electronic training.

These recommendations will be presented to stakeholders in the training sector in Bahrain, including the Ministry of Labour and Social Development, the Education and Training Quality Assurance Authority and Tamkeen Labour Fund,” says Chairman of the Society, Nawaf Al Jishi.

Part of the study focuses on the issue of apprenticeship, which includes theoretical and practical training programmes to learn trades and professions in different industries, and how to encourage more Bahraini youth to enter professional and craft fields, in addition to the best mechanisms for providing appropriate qualifications to obtain practicing licenses professions.

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A RECORD PRODUCTION Bahrain Steel BSC, a leading producer and global supplier of high-grade iron-ore pellets and a subsidiary of Foulath Holding has reached a record production of 12 million tonnes of iron-ore pellets in 2021. The company’s Increased output also enables the company to help facilitate the transition towards carbon neutrality.

This milestone also aligns with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030, Economic Recovery Plan and the Industrial Sector Strategy (2022-26), which call for an increase in the industrial sector’s contribution to GDP, exports and job creation, with Bahrain Steel already contributing over four percent of GDP and 25 percent to the country’s non-oil exports aside from employing 260 Bahraini nationals.

“As the only GCC owned pellet producer and a reliable supplier to all regional steel manufacturers, Bahrain Steel’s ability to meet increasing demand for pellets in greener steel production is inextricably linked with sustainable economic growth, both in the region and around the world,” says Chairman of Foulath and Bahrain Steel, Meshary Al-Judaimi.

Record production was achieved by meticulous strategic planning and supported by strong collaborations with the company’s supply chain partners including a 20-year agreement signed in 2019 with Anglo American Marketing Limited (Anglo American), the global mining giant.

“With a change in strategy, and the strong partnership with Anglo American, we were able to increase production by an impressive 50 percent compared to 2019, strengthening our position as a leading global supplier of high-quality DR pellets,” concludes Group CEO of Foulath and Bahrain Steel, Dilip George. www.bahrainthismonth.com

business bites

EXPANDING ACROSS BORDERS Gulf Future Business (GFB), a Bahraini company, plans to open its first Business Centre located in Saudi Arabia’s business district area this year. GFB Business Centre will provide companies with a soft-landing zone into the Saudi market with a working space and support services to accelerate their market entry, support their ongoing operations and generate opportunities.

The Gulf Future Business Centre of Business in Saudi Arabia was specifically designed to incubate ICT companies in addition to companies

operating in other activities and have products, services, solutions, and expertise required by the Saudi market.

The centre is currently prepared to incubate 15 companies, with the group hoping to expand further. “Saudi Arabia’s ICT sector has a 45 percent e-commerce share of the GCC market in 2021; and a 32 percent growth of the e-commerce market from 2015-2020. Big multinationals have already chosen Saudi Arabia due to its rapid growth of local FinTech

services and a growing number of FinTech players leveraging the local investment ecosystem,” explains CEO of Gulf Future Business, Ahmed Al Hujairy.

“Bahraini firms’ strong presence in the Saudi market, which is experiencing rapid expansion and unparalleled potential, will assist Bahrain’s economy by increasing returns and extending their share of this market,” he concludes.

The Recovery of the Non-Oil Sector Estimates of national accounts issued by the Information and E-Government Authority showed that Bahrain’s GDP grew in real prices by 2.09 percent and 10.19 percent at current prices in the third quarter of 2021.

The national accounts report shows that the growth is due to the rise achieved by the non-oil sector by 3.76 percent in real prices and 5.94 percent at current prices. This was supported by transportation and telecommunications activity, which showed an improvement in its economic performance, growing by 25.78 percent in real prices and 14.69 percent at current prices from the third quarter of last year. The oil sector fell by 4.63 percent at real prices and increased by 39.95 percent at current prices compared to the same quarter of 2020.

The results showed that government and private health services increased by 9.13 percent in real prices and 6.39 percent at current prices. Manufacturing grew by 15.62 percent at current prices while falling slightly in real prices by 0.26 percent. As for trade activity, it grew by 4.48 percent and 3.45 percent in real and current prices, respectively.

GUARANTEED INTERNSHIPS Ahlia University’s College of Information Technology and Thinksmart for Training and development have signed a partnership agreement which aims to provide internships for their IT Senior Students under its Forsati Programme.

Launched in 2017, the Forsati Programme in partnership with Microsoft, aims to empower youth through employability and enhance the productivity of Bahraini IT professionals.

The partnership guarantees a two-month internship for IT Senior students who will go through a series of professional training and certifications, aside from work www.bahrainthismonth.com

experience with top Bahraini companies.

“The success of our students has always been our top priority as we want to ensure that they are ready for the future. Over the years, we have seen how the Forsati Programme helped our students by providing them with the latest skills and valuable work experience with some of them leading to full-time roles,” says Dean of the College of Information Technology, Dr. Wasan Shakir Awad, Group CEO of Thinksmart, Ahmed AlHujairy, says: “This partnership enriches our relationship with Ahlia University, and we commend the commitment and leadership of Dr. Wasan for supporting the students.”

February 2022 53

tv releases

Streaming Television/Films

What’s our idea of the perfect Valentine’s Day? A nice dinner followed by a quiet movie night at home with that special someone. Here are Kristian Harrison’s recommendations.

The Great Indian Murder

The Great Indian Murder brings Vikas Swarup’s bestselling novel Six Suspects to live action.

Actors Pratik Gandhi and Richa Chadha play detectives in this coming-of-age web series. The show revolves around an intriguing murder mystery with a critically acclaimed cast.

I Want You Back

Reacher

Peter (Charlie Day) and Emma (Jenny Slate) are two thirty-somethings who have each been left by their respective partners. Unwilling to admit that their relationships are over and fearing that they will be forever alone, the two decide to team up to win their exes back by destroying their new relationships.

Munich – The Edge of War

Netflix’s first big movie of the year is Munich, which is a historical biopic set in the autumn of 1938. Hitler prepares to invade Czechoslovakia, and the government of Neville Chamberlain desperately seeks a peaceful solution. A British civil servant and a German diplomat, former classmates, travel to Munich to discuss peace. Among the huge cast assembled for this movie are George MacKay, Jeremy Irons, Jannis Niewöhner and Liv Lisa Fries.

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Reacher is an American crime thriller television series based on the book series Jack Reacher by Lee Child. This crime drama follows the titular Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson), a military veteran who gets accused of murder, which he claims to not have committed.

Love and Leashes

Despite his straight-laced, cold, and blunt demeanour, Jung Ji Hoo is still adored by his female co-workers. One day, his co-worker Ji Woo, mistakenly opens a package of Ji Hoo’s, accidentally revealing for all the world to see one of his fetishes. Passing it off as owning a pet, in secret, Ji Hoo and Ji Woo arrange a contract which begins a racy romance and the indulgence of Ji Hoo.

Raising Dion

This show follows Dion as he continues honing his powers with the support of his mum and Tevin (Rome Flynn), his Biona trainer who catches Nicole’s eye. After befriending new student Brayden (Griffin Robert Faulkner) – a fellow powered kid – a series of alarming events unfold, and Dion learns that danger is still looming. Navigating twists, turns, and surprise visitors, Dion and Nicole must prevail – not just to save themselves, but the entire city of Atlanta. www.bahrainthismonth.com

tv releases

Free Guy Free Guy stars Ryan Reynolds in what’s essentially The Truman Show set in an open-world video game loosely inspired by Grand Theft Auto and Fortnite.

Reynolds stars as a non-player character, a bank teller, who becomes self-aware and determined to become the game’s hero--which wreaks all kinds of havoc and glitching with the game’s programming.

The film also stars Jodie Comer, Lil Rel Howery, Joe Keery, Utkarsh Ambudkar, and Taika Waititi.

The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse Inventing Anna

In Inventing Anna, a journalist (Anna Chlumsky) with a lot to prove investigates the case of Anna Delvey (Julia Garner), the Instagram-legendary German heiress who stole the hearts of New York’s social scene – and stole their money as well. But is Anna New York’s biggest con woman or is she simply the new portrait of the American dream? Anna and the reporter form a dark funny lovehate bond as Anna awaits trial and our reporter fights the clock to answer the biggest question in NYC: “Who is Anna Delvey?” www.bahrainthismonth.com

The Wonderful World of Mickey Mouse spotlights the endearing, adventurous and comedic antics of Mickey Mouse, Disney’s #1 star, and is geared towards kids, families and fans of all ages. The series is produced by Disney Television Animation with Emmy Award-winning artist and director Paul Rudish serving as executive producer and supervising director. Christopher Willis, the Emmy Award-nominated composer of the Mickey Mouse shorts, also provides the music for this series. Philip Cohen is the series producer.

February 2022 55

bystander

Rotary Club Lunch

Faisal Juma, Rotary Club of Salmaniya President, hosted a Christmas luncheon for Rotarians in Bahrain.

Faisal handed out his club banners to all the other club Presidents in the Rotary spirit of good will and friendship. There was also a banner exchange between the Rotary Club of Salmaniya and Rotary Club of Seef, Bahrain as well as Rotaract’s youth representative. The event was held by the poolside at Golden Tulip Bahrain.

Skall Dinner

SKAL International Bahrain 370 held a dinner function at Legendz Restaurant, Intercontinental Regency Hotel.

Bahrain IVLP Christmas Party

On behalf of the Bahrain IVLP Alumni Association, Adheya Ahmed hosted an early Christmas Party celebraton in Riffa Views.

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www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery

music

The Wombats

Fix Yourself, Not the World As the lead singer of Britain’s the Wombats, Matthew Murphy always seems to have one foot on the podium to pop success and the other on a banana peel.

It’s a wryly amusing balancing act he manages to pull off yet again on the band’s fifth studio album, 2022’s ‘Fix Yourself, Not the World’. It is another deep dive into Murphy’s psyche, where literate lyrics rife with self-loathing and allusions to substance abuse are married to the group’s highly kinetic postpunk grooves and ‘90s-style Brit-pop hooks.

Cat Power

The Weeknd Dawn FM Verdict:

Another sure-fire set of hits from the popular artist.

What’s the story?

‘Dawn FM’ is the fifth studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter the Weeknd, released through XO and Republic Records. It features narration by Jim Carrey, guest vocals from Tyler, the Creator and Lil Wayne, and spoken word appearances from Quincy Jones and Josh Safdie. The Weeknd described the album’s concept as a state of purgatory – a journey towards the “light at the end of a tunnel”, serving as a follow-up to his fourth studio album ‘After Hours’.

Worth a listen?

The Weeknd’s almost fathomless vocal facility elevates even the most rudimentary expressions of co-dependency, despair, regret and obsession, and he helps it all go down easier with jingles and an amusingly hyped-up ad for “a compelling work of science fiction” called the ‘After Life’. The set peaks early with a sequence of dejected post-disco jams that writhe, percolate and chug. Toward the end of that first-half stretch, The Weeknd reaffirms his R&B roots and affinity for Michael Jackson with a cut built from Alicia Myers’ 1981 gospel boogie classic “I Want to Thank You.” After that, it slows down and stretches out a bit to varying effect, dipping into Japanese city pop for the bittersweet and remorseful “Out of Time” and edging ever so achingly toward Latin freestyle with “Don’t Break My Heart.” www.bahrainthismonth.com

Covers From the cover of Tom Waits’ “Yesterday Is Here” on ‘Dear Sir’ to the version of Rihanna’s “Stay” on Wanderer, reinterpreting the work of artists she loves has always been a key part of Cat Power’s music. Roughly once a decade, she serves up an album’s worth of thoughtfully chosen and performed covers; the first, 2000’s Covers Album, came out of a period when she needed to find respite from writing her own songs. Since then, she’s used these collections as reflections of where she is as an artist and a person.

Like so many other times during her career, she does a lot with a little on “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” using barely more than an upright bass and pedal steel (and, of course, her warm, knowing vocals) to connect with Kitty Wells’ original and make it her own. ‘Covers’ is a treat for fans, and reaffirms that Cat can find new meaning in the music that moves her.

The Lumineers

Brightside After the ambitious, darkly thematic song cycle III, ‘Brightside’ comes as something of a tonal reset for the Lumineers.

Embracing a more spontaneous approach, the Denver indie folk duo lets their ragged edges show on a record that values the raw creative spark above all else. Most of the songs on Brightside have a sense of scaled-down immediacy and it’s a nice change from a band who, despite their minimalist format, have more or less existed as a stadium act over the previous decade. The easy melodic hooks that drew fans to the Lumineers in the first place remain, but the combination of stronger material and looser performances make for a strong fourth outing.

February 2022 57

GADGETS

BTM brings you the latest gadgets to push your technological buttons.

MEETING OWL PRO

As the world continues to work remotely and online meetings become a part of everyday life, the tech has stepped up to make the process more efficient and immersive, with the meeting owl pro being a great example of that.

SYMFONISK PICTURE FRAME WI - FI SPEAKER

These Wi-Fi speakers borne out of a collaboration between Sonos and Ikea. The flat panel speaker is about as thick as a flatscreen TV and can be mounted flush against a wall or stood up on a shelf using the kickstand. Ikea offers interchangeable front panels so you can shake things up when you tire of its looks. There are controls on the side but the speakers also work with Sonos’s S2 app, which means you can send music seamlessly to different parts of your home, and access the full range of streaming services that plug into it.

Available from Ikea.

Fitted with a 360 degree camera, eight microphones and a speaker, it aims to replicate an in-person meeting while separated from colleagues. With an 18-foot audio pickup radius and an automatic zoom that responds to who is speaking at the time, it’s a sophisticated kit that integrates with Zoom, Slack, Google Hangouts and more.

Available from www.amazon.com.

GALAXY S21 FE 5G

The Galaxy S21 FE 5G is a smartphone that delivers select fanfavourite Galaxy S21 premium features in a well-rounded package to empower people to explore and express themselves. It is equipped with some of the most-loved aspects of the Galaxy S21 – eye-catching design, powerful performance, a pro-grade camera and seamless ecosystem connectivity.

Samsung Galaxy S21 FE 5G 128GB is priced at BD290 and S21 FE 5G 256GB costs BD310 and they are both available for purchase across Samsung stores and major retailers in Bahrain.

ZEPHYR PRO RGB SWEATPROOF GAMING MOUSE

If you’ve ever played an online game, whether that’s Fortnite, Call of Duty or Apex Legends, then you’ll have experienced the sweaty palms that come with going toe-to-toe with a cocky 12-year-old shouting abuse at you over the voice comms. Short of keeping a chalk dish and a chamois cloth beside your console, there’s not a lot you could do about it… until now. This gaming mouse houses a tiny fan that blows cool air onto your palms through its honeycomb outer shell while you play. The rest of the mouse hardware uses the latest, most accurate sensors to keep your inputs sharp as well as dry.

Available from www.yotoplay.com 58 February 2022

WITHINGS BODY SCAN

French tech company Withings is taking smart scales to the next level. Dubbed as the Body Scan, this new scale from the company comes with a set of health monitoring features such as ECG, body composition, nerve activity and vascular age. To monitor these additional biomarkers, Withings’ latest scale is equipped with a tethered handle packed with sensors. The gadget makes perfect sense in the current scenario where people can keep track of their health without leaving the house.

Available at www.withings.com www.bahrainthismonth.com

Bahrain Edition

BEAUTY | FASHION | HOME | WELLBEING | LOCAL ISSUES

February 2022 | Issue 226

BEAUTY Valentine’s Essentials Cool Winter Skincare

PARENTING Is Online Learning Making Your Child Fall Behind?

FASHION Looks to love as seen on Giorgio Armani’s Runway

LIFESTYLE Eman Deabil studies the number of women in executive management roles in Bahrain.

Veri Peri - The Colour of 2022

INTERVIEW Basma Alhashimi on her stunning photography A peek into the life of Harpreet Kaur! www.womanthismonth.com

FASHION | get the look

e v o l o t s k Loo

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner. Here’s some inspiration for your date night look, right from the runways of Giorgio Armani and the eclectic collections of La Marquise and JW Anderson too.

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We didn’t quite believe in love at first sight till we set our eyes on the alluring Giorgio Armani SS 2022 collection.

The colours explode in a gypsy juxtaposition of reds and purples, and plays of spontaneous layerings.

After over twenty years, Giorgio Armani presented the collection at Via Borgonuovo 21, in the historic theatre that has been the backdrop for some memorable fashion shows. The collection is a comeback, too: a métissage of exquisitely Armanian tropes mixed with nomadic scents, decorations and colours that seem to have been gathered during a journey or a trip to be reinterpreted with an urban feel. The counterpoint of precision and freedom is achieved with remarkable lightness, of both materials and hues with a palette which is reminiscent of love.

Giorgio Armani’s eveningwear is a feast of light: luminous, weightless gowns that barely skim the body, made of layers of tulle that create melting, surprising, infinitely soft nuances of colour.

To accessorise, we adore a mix of JW Anderson’s embellished earrings or minimalistic infinity bracelets from the British label’s SS 2022 collection. Jonathan Anderson’s latest collection for his eponymous brand is an uncompromising exploration of texture, material, and juxtapositions in volume. www.womanthismonth.com

FASHION | get the look

Editor’s Pick Accessorise in an entirely fresh way with La Marquise Jewellery’s new Paper Boat© collection.

Handcrafted in 18K Solid Gold and combined with sparkling White Diamonds and Ceramic Enamel, the contemporary collection consists of pendants, earrings, rings, bracelets and bangles in four unique colours. Each piece is created to be layered, stacked and styled in the wearers’ own unique way.

A modern and playful take on luxury jewellery, the Paper Boat© collection offers new symbols to represent life in all its forms. Opt for rich Jade Green, Carnation Pink, Capri Blue, or Raspberry Red, with motifs ranging from small, medium to large to add a playful pop of colour.

La Marquise Jewllery

Paper Boat Collection www.womanthismonth.com

February 2022

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PEOPLE | interview

FOR THE LOVE OF LANDSCAPES

by Farah Baig

Young Bahraini photographer, Basma Alhashimi, gets the big picture… quite literally. Her stunning landscape and cityscape photography has earned her recognition and captured the attention of viewers around the world. This is her story.

P

hotography has a way of invoking its viewers’ deepest of emotions. A meticulously composed photograph can spark waves of joy and nostalgia while also inspiring action from those looking at it – perhaps even a visit back home. These are the all too familiar feelings experienced by those gazing at the mesmerising imagery captured by the young, avid photography enthusiast, Basma Alhashimi.

The 25-year-old Bahraini is bright and ambitious, and holds a BSc in Accounting and MSc in Finance and Investment from the University of Essex. “I believe that a person should have at least three hobbies; one to make you money, one to keep you creative and one to keep you fit,” says Basma, who is an accountant at the Electricity and Water Authority.

Her Journey

Basma, who is largely self-taught, developed an interest in photography in 2010. Two years later she acquired her first DSLR, transforming her interest into a hobby and that hobby into a passion. “Not many people know this about me, but I am lucky to have learned the basics of photography at a workshop in the summer of 2013 from a great woman, Badria AlBalushi - the sister of renowned professional Bahraini photographer, Jaan AlBalushi,” she says. “I am eternally grateful to her, because she embedded the basics in my head and gave

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me the strong foundation which kickstarted my photography journey.”

As the years passed, Basma dabbled in various niches of photography including street, macro, sport and product photography. However, in the summer of 2016, she was drawn towards landscape and architecture photography in a workshop by professional Kuwaiti photographer Mohammed Alsultan.

“He made me find my passion for landscapes and cityscapes and gave me a good base of information to get me started. Since then, I have done my own advanced research, trial-anderror and experimenting,” she explains. “I’ve made hundreds of attempts with various techniques and failed many times along the way but I think, from a personal standpoint, that this is the best way to learn and develop.

There are no shortcuts to success, just a load of hard work, patience and consistency.”

More recently, the pandemic presented her with an opportunity to perfect her craft.

“Since group photography activities could no longer be organised, it kick-started a phase of personal growth and development for me that involved a lot of location scouting, planning and experimenting on my own,” she says of a time that sparked

her passion for time-lapse photography.

“Consequently, I currently like to describe myself as a cyclist by dawn, an accountant by day and a photographer by dusk,” she says.

Staying Inspired

While Basma doesn’t shy away from exploring, one of her go-to locations is the picturesque Al Ghous Park in Muharraq which seasmlessly combines her love for landscapes and cityscapes. “You can never go wrong with heading over there, where the opportunities to get creative are endless as you can witness an iconic skyline and capture several landmarks in a single image,” she beams.

Besides Mr. Alsultan, she is also inspired www.womanthismonth.com

PEOPLE | interview

by Dany Eid and Elia Locardi, professional photographers who she was fortunate to meet during their talks in Bahrain. “Such talks involve diving into the very technical aspects of landscape and cityscape photography.

I am introduced to an ocean of advanced information which makes me realise how little I know about this specific type of photography, and how much room there is for improvement,” she explains.

Waves of Nostalgia

Basma’s photography has been shared far and wide through the social media platform, Instagram, garnering her a growing audience and commendable recognition in the photography realm. “I think it would be difficult for me to describe my photographs, but if I had to talk about my aim when I’m out shooting, it would be to portray the beauty of Bahrain, from my perspective. This is why I always try to include landmarks in my photos,” she says.

“I’ve noticed that my work is mostly shared by people who are based in Bahrain or by exresidents of Bahrain, including some of my friends who now live or study abroad, and constantly tell me that my photos make them miss Bahrain and make them long to visit again,” she adds.

Her beautiful imagery has also earned the reaction of complete strangers across the world, some even wishing to visit the Kingdom. “They’ve told me that they use my page as a reference and guide to beautiful places in Bahrain. Some have even said it makes them want to visit our beloved country, urging me to cover more areas,” she says.

Good Things Take Time

“With time-lapses, you really have to think carefully about framing the scene as once you start shooting you can’t move your camera at all,” she says, adding that she began exploring time-lapse photography in 2018.

Shooting time-lapses is a very timeconsuming process and requires a lot of patience from start to finish. “After shooting a www.womanthismonth.com

time-lapse, you end up with a series of images that need to processed into a video using video editing software. Early on I was shooting them but was really lazy about processing them. The processing phase has its own challenges such as flickering between frames sometimes due to very slight changes in exposure, which would need to be corrected,” she explains.

“With time though, I have learned to enjoy every part of the process,” she adds.

Goals and Achievements

Aside from landscape and architecture photography, Basma enjoys her fair share of sports photography which she dabbled in while in university. “My photos have been featured a few times on Basketball England’s website and on one occasion, on the BBC too.

My recent work has been awarded the ‘New Years’ Eve 2020 Best Photo’ by the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA),”

she says, adding that in December 2021 she was invited by the BTEA to be a part of a panel of four judges for a National Day photography exhibition.

The ambitious photographer has begun working on a short-term project about the Kingdom of Bahrain which she believes will take place over three or four years. “Another project I plan on taking on is something I’ve done while at university – taking portraits of people. I do, however, know that implementing the same in Bahrain will undoubtedly be a much more challenging and time-consuming task since a country is much bigger than a university campus university,” she says of the projects which will portray different aspects of Bahrain.

“In the long-term, however, with the everevolving field of photography, my plan remains to continue to follow my passion,” she concludes.

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BEAUTY | news

LIPSTICK SHADES TO LOVE THIS WINTER

Winter beckons beauty palettes with darker and deeper tones. Flormar’s Colour Master Lipsticks have grown to be one of our favourites this season with its affordable and versatile range. The collection boasts 16 highly-pigmented lipsticks that instantly transform any makeup look. The best part is that these lipsticks have a nourishing formula of Vitamin E and Shea Butter that moisturises and softens lips – perfect for winter.

Here are the three winter shades from the Colour Master range that we are currently in love with: Flormar Colour Master Lipstick in Good Night As the sun sets, you can play with darker tones. This colour is a gorgeous mix of browns and maroons, perfect for an evening dinner, party or event.

Flormar Colour Master Lipstick in Plums There is beauty in trying out new colours, and although purple can seem daunting, experimenting with colours closer to mauve or plum can result in a stunning look as well!

Valentine’s

This February, the world will be celebrating love – a feeling we all can’t get enough of. The fact of the matter is, true love starts with you. So, here are some products that we believe you’ll love this Valentine’s Day that could perhaps even make it on to your wishlist.

Flormar Colour Master Lipstick in The Red No makeup bag is complete without a red lipstick. It always makes heads turn and adds that oomph factor to any look and style.

BE TOTALLY IRRESISTIBLE WITH GIVENCHY The IRRESISTIBLE GIVENCHY Eau de Toilette, a bright fragrance, introduces a dazzling, fruity rose to a tender musky wood. When the naturalness of a floral bouquet meets the woody facet of Virginia cedarwood, the ultimate fusion with white musk produces a lingering secondskin effect. The new glowing IRRESISTIBLE GIVENCHY Eau de Toilette is a concentrate of femininity which invites to dive into freshness.

Available at leading outlets and online.

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BEAUTY | news

PERFECT CURLS WITH HASK It might be winter but that doesn’t mean that your curls don’t need the same amount of care they’d receive in summer. Curls, coils, spirals… whatever the curl pattern, you’re sure to get amazing results with HASK’s Curl Care collection which guarantees the hydration and care your hair needs.

The six-piece range is now a favourite among Hollywood hairstylists for styling, treating and nourishing curly hair. It features everything you’ll need on wash day including a moisturising shampoo, an intensive deep conditioner, and a curl-enhancing jelly. Each of the products are made using naturallyderived ingredients that include a

miracle blend of Coconut Oil, Argan Oil and Vitamin E to hydrate and protect curls from damage and frizz.

Of the six products, our favourite this season is the Curl Care Shaping Jelly which allows you to define your curls without leaving them feeling crunchy or dry. The non-stickly formula sculpts waves and curls and prevents them from frizzing and drying out.

HASK’s Curl Care collection is vegan, cruelty-free and free of silicones, sulphates, parabens, phthalates, gluten, drying alcohol and artificial colours.

Available at major hypermarkets, supermarkets and on www.glambeaute.com.

VICTORIA’S SECRET TEASES ALL YOUR SENSES. Victoria’s Secret has revealed a flirty new look for its Tease Eau de Parfum. Celebrating sheer femininity in its new guise.

A gourmandise floral experience, Tease is inspired by and dedicated to women who embrace life and seek every experience it has to offer. The unique fragrance is a sensory journey, with a liberating burst of playfulness engaging smell, sight, and taste.

The assertion of uninhibited femininity, Tease is deliciously sweet and intoxicating.

A bright olfactory signature crafted by Victoria’s Secret’s perfumers, it introduces a

dazzling, addictive feel as Petally Gardenias are wrapped in the delicious warmth of Black Vanilla, and a fresh bite of Anjou Pear tickles the senses.

Victoria’s Secret’s new Tease Eau de Parfum is available in stores and on VictoriasSecret.ae, VictoriasSecret.com.kw and VictoriasSecret. com.sr. The collection includes an Eau de Parfum, Eau de Parfum Rollerball, Fragrance Mist and Fragrance Lotion.

For more information, check out @victoriassecretmena on Instagram.

ENHANCE YOUR EYES

Eyeshadow palettes are perfect for creating a number of looks, but we’ve missed the convenience of smaller palettes that we can pop into our handbag when we’re on the go. One of the world’s pioneering cosmetics brands, Max Factor has released the Masterpiece Nude Palette Eyeshadow - an ultra-versatile and universally flattering eye contouring palette.

Of the collection, we love the #2 Golden nude palette which has enough shades for you to take your look from day to night with ease. With their five perfectlypaired, buildable shades you can master a glamourous nude eye look or achieve a sultry golden smokey eye look. With this palette you can contour your eyes, and create matte, shimmery or sparkly finishes.

Available at all leading beauty product stockists. For more information, visit www.maxfactor.com

www.womanthismonth.com

February 2022

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PEOPLE | interview

WOMEN IN LEADERSHIP A year after examining women’s role in the boardroom, Accredited Chartered Manager (CMI), Eman Deabil, does a comprehensive study on the number of women in executive management roles in Bahrain.

L

ast year, I conducted a study to examine women’s representation in the boardroom for a sample of 117 organisations in Bahrain. After a year, it’s worth mentioning that when looking at the boards of the same sample, the overall women representation has increased from 9.8 percent last year to 11 percent this year for two main reasons:

• Women representation in boardrooms

has increased for some organisations as a result of the actual increase in the number of women joining the boardrooms; 12 more women have booked their seats in the boardroom, congratulations!

• The total number of board members

decreased in some organisations, while

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women representation stayed the same.

This contributes to increasing women representation percentage.

This year, the same sample was used yet again to examine women representation in executive management roles. However, given that the executive management team was not published on some organisations’ websites, only 86 organisations were examined. Another limitation in this study was that in some instances, there was no clear distinction between executive management, senior management or even management team, while on some websites they were not differentiated. This makes it difficult to draw concrete conclusions especially with the different types and sizes of organisations.

Now by looking at the data available for the 86 organisations and the area under study this time (i.e., women in executive/senior management) the following was noticed:

• Total management roles were 869, out

of which 695 were reserved for men (80 percent), whereas 177 were for women (20 percent).

• 25 organisations out of the 86 have

no women representation. Reached between 50 percent and 67 percent in six organisations.

• 12 organisations (14 percent) were led

by women holding the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO)/General Manager/ President. Of these, five were educational www.womanthismonth.com

PEOPLE | interview institutions and seven were financial institutions.

• At least 17 out of the 177 women hold

doctorate degrees, 16 of which are serving educational institutions.

Consistency cannot be established around levels and grades across the 86 organisations given the different types of industries examined and the varying designs, sizes and grading structures leveraged in each organisation. However, the following was observed:

• Out of the 177 women holding managerial

roles, 24 were chiefs (14 percent), 65 were heads/deans (37 percent), 43 were directors/VPs/principal (24 percent), 23 were managers/senior managers/assistant managers (13 percent).

• By looking at the area of expertise of

the 177 women, it’s noticed that at least 31 are in human capital and admin.

In other words, 31 organisations out of the 86 (36 percent) trust women to manage HR matters. 22 are in risk, legal and compliance, ten are in strategy and project management, nine are in corporate communications and marketing, and seven are in finance.

Despite the important gains achieved over the past few years, women are still underrepresented at board level as well as executive and senior management levels. To reduce this gap and drive sustainable progress for all women, McKinsey & Company in its report ‘Women in the Workplace’ published in September 2021 suggested the following:

• Companies need to take action to address a systemic weak point in the corporate pipeline: the ‘broken rung’ in promotions at the first step up to manager;

• Companies need to track representation, as well as hiring and promotion outcomes; they may need to fine-tune their hiring and promotion processes; and

• Ensure that all women are getting the mentorship, sponsorship, and professional development needed to advance.

Having said that, Bahrain has come a long way to empower women and ensure gender diversity and equality at different fronts. A recent example is the clause that was added to the Article (39) of Law 36/2012 earlier this year that says: “Discrimination in the wages between male and female workers in jobs of the same value shall be prohibited.”

Another example is the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) Reporting Guide that was issued by Bahrain Bourse to assist listed companies to drive sustainable development and ensure gender diversity and equality by tracking and reporting the following metrics:

• Under Social category - Gender Pay Ratio and Gender Diversity

• Under Governance category – Board Diversity

The reporting requirement will hold leaders accountable for the progress on gender diversity and equality. Yet this could be a double-edged sword if not taken seriously and cautiously; especially when equality comprises quality by hiring and/or promoting more women merely to increase the number and eventually meet the target and turning a blind eye to the quality of the other candidates who could be best-fit for the role; it’s when ‘gender’ becomes the only competitive advantage – which might be unfortunately the case in some instances! www.womanthismonth.com

February 2022

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LIFESTYLE | opinion

IS ONLINE LEARNING MAKING MY CHILD FALL BEHIND?

Parents had just breathed a sigh of relief as life started getting back to normal with kids being reintegrated into society and gaining some of the social skills that seemed impossible to acquire with COVID-19 around. Life had other plans, though, as things went downhill with numbers increasing once again, the reimplementation of restrictions and schools embracing the online learning approach yet again.

For the third academic year, kids are required once again to sit behind a screen, all day, while they do their Maths, Science, and even P.E at home. Parents can’t help but wonder whether their kids will ever catch up? The question comes up constantly: When do we need to start panicking about our children falling behind?

Ouiam El Hassani addresses a pressing concern that parents are dealing with during the pandemic.

If you’re concerned that remote learning may have set your child back academically, brace yourself: It probably has. When students return to school, research shows that most will be behind where they would have been if classroom instruction had continued as normal.

Some kids only know school during COVID, so naturally, they do not know how to share material, work in groups, or even wait in line, because of social distancing that had been mandated since 2020. These kids never had the opportunity to practice what a normal preschooler does on a normal day. However, every problem has a solution. So, practicing at home using board games to learn how to take turns, and how to lose gracefully can ease the process. Parents can also work on delaying gratification; for example, if your child asks for a snack, stretch out the time between them asking and you giving it to them.

Luckily, for this age group, it is very easy for them to bounce back very quickly and catch up on what they’ve missed.

For young elementary school kids, however, the stakes may be a little higher. For example, if your child is ready to start reading or writing, they might find it very challenging to cope with online learning as these skills require a more hands-on approach, and need lots of practice and guidance. While it isn't entirely impossible with online learning, it is a lot more difficult than if they were in their normal school setup. In this case, parents are encouraged to approach their kids’ schools for support. Most schools have already got the hang of things

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as they navigate through their third year of online learning; so given that they’ll likely offer some kind of extra support, take advantage of it fully and ask for more if you need to. You can also supplement school learning with reading, games, and activities. You can turn a baking session into a science class by talking about different ingredients and how they affect baking differently, you can talk about measurements, you can let them whisk and break eggs as fine motor activities.

www.womanthismonth.com

LIFESTYLE | opinion

The other point parents seem to forget about is that children’s cognitive learning is built on a secure emotional foundation. If they continually see their parents unhappy or anxious, it can start to inhibit their own development. That’s worrying because this is a really stressful time for parents. It can be hard to maintain a calm and attentive climate for kids when parents must take over schooling.

When parents lose their patience or don’t listen, children can start to shut down emotionally, in turn disengaging from all learning experiences.

Therefore, giving your child all the support they need emotionally and mentally and offering them a healthier and more stimulating learning environment is all that your child needs right now.

So, for parents wondering whether their kids will ever catch up, it might be more efficient to ask instead: How do we ensure that our children get the best possible opportunities to learn under these challenging circumstances?

One thing most parents seem to overlook is that all kids are currently facing the same ordeal, so

when your kid goes back to school, chances are his/her classmates will be at the same level or as you would might think of it – ‘behind’. Therefore, schools will have to adapt to this new situation and come up with a new system that will ensure they get all the support they need.

Parents shouldn’t feel guilty that they aren’t doing enough. When the pandemic is over, schools will have to meet the children wherever they are. Kids are resilient and they’ll undoubtedly get the knowledge they need. Right now, the main focus should be making them feel loved, secure and safe amidst these disruptions. Learning can’t occur until those things are in place What’s my advice? Stop worrying about when you should start panicking and rest assured that even if your children fall behind, they will catch up! www.womanthismonth.com

February 2022

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LIFESTYLE | home

VERI PERI

The Colour of 2022 The news is out - Pantone’s Colour of 2022 has been announced as a gorgeous shade of purple known as ‘Very Peri’. The irresistible, blue-tinged shade of purple that is ‘Very Peri’ is expected to make a statement in our wardrobes and homes this year.

Exploring this exciting trend, the team at WeThrift has partnered up with Modern Colour Theorist and Colour Therapist, Momtaz Begum-Hossain. Being the author of ‘Hello Rainbow Finding Happiness in Colour’, Momtaz’s insights on how to incorporate Very Peri into your own home for the year ahead are very welcome!

Shutterstock

Here’s how you can give your home a little makeover with this year’s stunning colour, Veri Peri.

1. Pair with other colours

“Purple introduced with silver and grey soft furnishings make a bedroom feel opulent, while purple and blue in the bathroom will give you a boost of clarity in the mornings.

Meanwhile, purple and orange makes for a welcoming living room, and purple and yellow will brighten up hallways,” she adds.

Shutterstock

According to Momtaz, the trick to seamlessly integrate purple into your living space is to pair the shade with other complementary colours. “Purple is a hue that works in harmony with so many other colours. You don’t need to go for full purple coverage, instead, pair purples alongside other colours you love,” explains Momtaz.

2. Consider different shades of purple for each room As we all know, purple comes in many shades and variations. With this in mind, it is important to be mindful of what you hope to achieve when selecting a particular purple shade for an area in your home. “The purple spectrum begins with soft tints like lilac, which is increasingly becoming a popular choice for painting walls because it has calming qualities, yet has more personality than a regular light blue,” she says.

“Lavender, on the other hand, is a richer purple with indigo tones. Just like the flower’s aromatherapy properties for being the scent of relaxation, lavender helps to promote a good night’s sleep, and it’s a colour that can make a bedroom feel like a restful sanctuary,” she adds.

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LIFESTYLE | home

4.Pay attention to your furnishings It’s not just about all wall colours purple home furnishings will do the trick as well.

3. Use purple to encourage relaxation Need some much-needed zen in your life? Introducing purple into your home is certainly a good starting point. If you do activities such as yoga in your living room, then purple walls may help aid that relaxation you intend to achieve.

Speaking about the best ways to accessorise with purple, Momtaz says: “Purple cushions are great for snuggling up on the sofa after a long day as they’ll comfort you while giving the room a contemporary stylish feel. A soft velvet throw strewn on your bed will also add instant luxe to your bedroom, while a vase of purple flowers in the kitchen and bathroom will promote positive energy whenever you encounter them.”

“Purple is the colour of well-being and spirituality”, says Momtaz. “On one hand, it conjures up magic and fantasy, and on the other, it encourages meditation and is a colour often associated with wellbeing practices like yoga. It’s a colour that connects with our intuition and gives us inner strength so it has a positive effect on ourselves and our relationships with others.”

What other home colour trends can we expect to see in 2022?

5.Invest in crystals

When it comes to accenting the relaxed vibe of a home, crystals are a must.

Whether you’re into spirituality or not, there is no denying that these materials do not fail to generate an aura of tranquility, while making a few heads turn. “Purple stones such as amethysts promote healing, meditation, and contemplation and can be placed around the home to maintain a spiritual balance,” she says.

ur trends Finally, predicting the other interior colo the is to come in 2022, Momtaz says: “Yellow we’ll be seeing complementary colour of purple, and as s, we’ll also a lot of purple coming through in interior be styled can two see a lot of yellow items so that the optimism together. Yellow is a colour that promotes compliment the and positivity and this energy will also keep a look healing powers of purples. You should also out for peacock palettes too.”

Loved this? Be sure to visit www.wethrift.com for more! www.womanthismonth.com

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skincare

Carbon Theory’s Breakout-Control

Control Acne with Dermoviva’s Face Wash

Sleep your way to healthy skin with Carbon Theory’s Breakout Control Overnight Detox Serum infused with antioxidant-rich cranberry particles that gently moisturise, delivering an intensive hydrating treatment to keep skin supple. Carbon Theory’s acnetargetting skincare range is created with all-natural, vegan and cruelty-free formulations that respond to specific needs and real-life skin concerns, with a full AM to PM regimen to keep acne at bay.

Available on www.thesecretskin.com.

DermoViva has introduced an exclusive skincare range with Superfood Green Tea extracts to bring to you the goodness of this magical herb in its purest form. It helps in effectively controlling skin sebum production and fighting pimples as well as acne scars giving your skin a healthier glow. Loaded with vitamins which are essential for skin health and free from sulphates and parabens, the DermoViva Green Tea skincare range works to give you clear, oil-free, acne-free skin while not stripping away its natural moisture. Be sure to give their face wash a try!

Available at leading supermarkets across the GCC or on www.amazon.ae and www.noon.com.

ULTRA COOL SKINCARE! 5 Skincare Products to Help You Beat the Winter Woes Cooler weather is definitely a welcome change in the Middle East and the world around, but what isn’t welcome is the myriad of skincare challenges it brings with it. If you’re dealing with dry and flaky skin that just can’t seem to balance themselves out this winter, you’ll find relief with these products.

The HELLO, GOOD STUFF! Face Mist Don’t let your skincare slip this season and pack your bag with essentials. HELLO, GOOD STUFF! is the perfect match for any beauty addict who loves to keep it simple, more natural and effective. The products are comprised of at least 90 percent natural ingredients that pamper the skin and give it a beautiful natural look.

Their 3in1 Face Mist is made from natural watermelon extract. With just one spray, the fruity scented formula moisturises, sets your makeup in place and refreshes the skin.

Available at www.noon.com, www.amazon.ae and most leading pharmacies.

Ixora’s Detox Body Scrub Embark on a skin detox journey with Ixora’s award-winning, natural and certified beauty products. Ixora’s products are cruelty-free and free from harmful ingredients, allowing the brand to meet the highest global standards of organic certification - COSMOS organic.

Ixora’s Detox Body Scrub will revive your skin and reveal a fresh glow with our detox body scrub.

Its Himalayan Salt will exfoliate and remove dead skin cells to leave skin looking polished and feeling smooth. Grapefruit Essential Oil will stimulate circulation and gently cleanse. This natural detox scrub not only removes dull and dead skin cells but also improves skin texture- – the perfect skincare addition this winter.

Available at www.ixoraworld.com , www.thesecretskin.com or www.ounass.ae.

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Tech-savvy Skincare with FOREO Swedish skincare brand FOREO knows best about winter weather and the importance of adapting your skincare routine according to changing temperatures. Turn a chilly winter evening night-in to a relaxing spa experience with the beauty-tech experts’ innovative product, UFO 2.

Combining LED light therapy, thermotherapy, cryotherapy and T-Sonic pulsations to deeply infuse the ingredients deep into your skin, the smart device allows you to get the most out of every single nutrient.

UFO 2 provides you with ultimate winter nourishment while improving hydration, elasticity, and skin texture in just two minutes.

Available on Sephora, Namshi.com, Sivvi.com, Noon.com and FOREO.com www.womanthismonth.com

last word

In Her Shoes

Are there any hobbies you enjoy?

I love lists! I make lists for just about everything. Apart from that, I am obsessed with cleaning.

If I have to unwind, I either clean or do activities involving nature.

I also enjoy watching the news, socialising and helping people.

Kaur has s a student, Harpreet wa e sh ce sin ia ed m t e abou all things media.

Having been passionat developing her skills in sly lou cu eti m s ar ye specialist, spent the last eight media and marketing l ita dig d an st, ali rn jou When she’s After growing to be a mee Group of Hotels.

Ra at g tin ke ar M r ste sh of of Clu ture, people and the ru na Harpreet is now Head r fo e lov r he in ing she’s bask not dabbling in media, r life this month.

We take a peek into he . es nc rie pe ex w ne enjoying

Cats or dogs?

This is like asking my parents who their favorite child is! I want both and a whole lot of them.

What is your proudest achievement?

I am most proud of the woman I am becoming. I don’t want to define the achievement by one specific moment, but rather the journey. It’s definitely due to all the strong and beautiful women around me who have supported and inspired me – especially my mum!

What’s one song or movie that never fails to inspire you?

These are songs that have never failed to inspire me: • You are Made of Wonder – Emily Sande ft. Naughty Boy • Blowin’ in the Wind – Bob Dylan • Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen – Baz Luhrmann

The best piece of advice you have ever received was:

Harpreet

If you could be granted three wishes, what would they be?

• To travel all across the world • For the pandemic to end and, • This one is harder to attain, but I wish I had a magic wand to fix climate change and the environment.

www.womanthismonth.com

My journalism professor always used to say “It’s all in the head”.

In Journalism School we spent hours working in remote areas of India in extreme climate conditions. So, our professor used to tell us that no matter how insecure, tired, sad or angry we were, if we could manage to convince our mind otherwise, we would be able to do anything. So, your comfort zone and your biggest fears are all just in the head.

Do you have a hidden talent?

What is your dream holiday destination?

Spain

I am extremely good at organising, cleaning, and give great head massages.

February 2022

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advertisers index

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American University of Bahrain

Now you’ve seen your regular issue, which we hope you enjoyed, make sure to check out our websites and social media for daily updates of what’s happening across the Kingdom. You can find us at:

Ramee Grand

The Art W.L.L

Royal Bahrain Hospital

RP Group of Companies

Maki Restaurants Group Co.

Energie Fitness

Bahrain International Circuit

Amad Baeed Electrical W.L.L

Al Areen Palace & Spa

Juffair Boulevard

The Benefit Company B.S.C

Credimax B.S.C

BFC Payments B.S.C.(Closed)

Arab Financial Services

University College of Bahrain

Nadeen School

City & Guilds

Canadian School Bahrain

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facebook.com/bahrainthismonth www.instagram.com/bahrainthismonth

www.womanthismonth.com

facebook.com/womanthismonth www.instagram.com/womanthismonth

74 February 2022

Financial Institutions

Arab Financial Services . . . . . . . . . . . . .

BFC Payments B.S.C.(Closed) . . . . . . . .

Credimax B.S.C . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Benefit Company B.S.C . . . . . . . . . .

19 23 21 25

Hotels & Serviced Residences Al Areen Palace & Spa . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Juffair Boulevard Hotel & Suites . . . . .

Ramee Grand . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

The Art W.L.L . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Medical & Dental Services Royal Bahrain Hospital . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

9 IFC 74, IBC 7 14

Others

Amad Baeed Electrical W.L.L . . . . . . . .

34 American University of Bahrain . . . . . .

27 Bahrain International Circuit . . . . . . . . .

BC Canadian School Bahrain Front COver, 29 City & Guilds . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

35 Energie Fitness . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

3 Nadeen School . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

33 RP Group of Companies . . . . . . . . . . . . .

40, 41, 42 University College of Bahrain . . . . . . . .

31

Restaurants & Cafes

Maki . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

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