NBB and Fab Lab Bahrain Launch Second Edition of TechStride to Empower Future Innovators

Al Bawaba

19 hours ago

The National Bank of Bahrain (NBB) has partnered with Fab Lab Bahrain to launch the second edition of the TechStride programme, an educational initiative that aims to empower young Bahrainis with practical knowledge and hands-on experience in emerging technologies. Building on the success of its inaugural edition last year, the programme has returned with an expanded curriculum designed to strengthen technical proficiency and inspire a generation of confident and creative problem-solvers.Targeted at high school and university students aged 15 to 24 years, TechStride offers a dynamic six-week learning experience from 12 July to 21 August 2025. This year, more than 60 students will participate in 48 hours of weekly training delivered in small, focused groups. The programme's project-based structure allows participants to apply new concepts in real time while gaining exposure to real-world applications of advanced technologies.The initiative fosters an environment where participants are encouraged to turn their original concepts into working prototypes. Structured into four groups, each team receives 12 hours of weekly instruction across four-hour sessions that ensure a focused, collaborative, and immersive experience. Participants are selected based on their personal statements and submitted project ideas in areas such as Robotics, AI, or Game Design, followed by an interview process to assess their readiness and motivation.Commenting on the occasion, Hisham Abu Alfateh, Chief Corporate Communications Officer at NBB, stated, 'NBB continues to invest in projects that build long-term value for our youth and our community. TechStride is a unique platform that introduces students to emerging technologies while encouraging them to think independently and creatively. By supporting this programme for the second consecutive year, we reaffirm our belief in the power of education, innovation, and opportunity to shape a more inclusive and forward-looking economy.'For his part, Salman Oraibi, Fablab Bahrain Co-Founder, said, 'TechStride represents our commitment to building local capacity in science, technology, and the creative industries. The programme gives students a space to learn, experiment, and connect their interests to real-world possibilities. With NBB's valued partnership, we are proud to continue creating environments where curiosity leads the way and skills are developed through action.'TechStride is an initiative of Fab Lab Bahrain, one of the most active nodes in the global Fab Lab network and the first in MENA to offer the MIT-affiliated Fab Academy diploma. With a strong emphasis on creativity, critical thinking, and iterative design, the programme cultivates an entrepreneurial mindset among youth and encourages lifelong learning in the face of rapid technological change.
NBB's ongoing support of TechStride underscores the Bank's broader commitment to national development and focus on fostering a future-ready generation equipped to excel in the digital economy.