AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation Announces National Bank of Bahrain as Sponsor of 'Watheq' University Preparatory Program and 'The Takeoff' Career Exhibition

Biz Bahrain

31-05-2025

AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation (MKF) has announced the National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) as the official sponsor of both the 'Watheq' university preparatory program organized from 14th July to 20th August 2025 and 'The Takeoff' career exhibition, which is set to take place on 28th June 2025 at the Foundation's new headquarters in Riffa. Held as a one-day event, 'The Takeoff' exhibition marks its debut this year. It will bring together a group of local and international universities and feature interactive career stations that will allow students to experience various academic and professional disciplines through practical and mentoring activities. The exhibition will also include an AI-powered personalized assessment that will help students explore university majors that align with their skills, interests, and aspirations, enabling them to make well-informed decisions about their academic and career journeys. The Takeoff exhibition is being organized in collaboration with several leading educational institutions in the Kingdom, including the American University of Bahrain, European University, Bahrain University of Technology, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland – Bahrain, British University of Bahrain, Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance, University of Bahrain, and Ahlia University. Meanwhile, the 'Watheq' program aims to empower Bahraini youth with practical capabilities and competencies essential to their professional and academic success. As part of its sponsorship, NBB will also financially support the participation of 120 high school students in The Takeoff exhibition, giving them direct access to university guidance and career exploration opportunities. Commenting on the partnership, Her Highness Shaikha Zain bint Khalid Al Khalifa, Chairperson of the Board of Directors at AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation expressed her appreciation for NBB's continue support of the Watheq program. She commended the sponsorship's crucial role in achieving MKF's goals of equipping Bahraini youth with the capabilities they need to succeed through targeted initiatives focused on education, career guidance, and skills development. Her Highness highlighted MKF's keenness to expand this partnership further and maximize the positive impact of the Foundation's endeavors.
Commenting on the sponsorship, Hisham Abu Alfateh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer of NBB said, 'We remain dedicated to empowering Bahrain's youth and supporting projects that prepare them academically and professionally. Our collaboration with MKF reflects our shared vision of investing in the potential of promising young Bahrainis. Through our sponsorship of the Watheq program and The Takeoff exhibition, we reaffirm our belief in the important part that youth play in cultivating a brighter future for the Bahraini job market.'