Bahrain Mirror: The Manchester Evening News website said that Bahrain will witness the opening of a new university "British University Bahrain" later this year, in partnership with University of Salford.

The website indicated that "British University Bahrain (BUB) will deliver a range of undergraduate degree programs on a brand new campus receiving the first cohort of students in September 2018."

It is part of the University of Salford's aim to grow its international reach and will offer courses in engineering, computer science and business. The website further stated that the Bahraini government and employers have identified skill shortages in the country and region and the courses have been designed to fill those gaps and are aimed at contributing to growth in the national and regional economy.

This announcement comes amid significant deterioration in situation of private high education institutions after more than 120 academic programs in private universities have been suspended based on decisions from the higher education council, and after several warnings directed to a group of them due to violation cases, including forging cases. Meanwhile, more than one university was closed for different reasons.

There are 10 private and 3 public universities in Bahrain.

The Bahraini-British relations are becoming stronger with British continuous support for the monarchy, despite the international criticism for Bahrain's human rights record. Manama offers great facilities to the British market. It also hosts the first permanent military base in the United Kingdom in the Gulf, since UK military withdrawal since early 1970s.

Arabic Version