Since gaining its independence from Great Britain in 1971, the Kingdom of Bahrain has developed one of the most progressive political systems and one of the most advanced economies in the Persian Gulf, with a GDP per capita of GBP 11,150. Oil replaced pearl fishing as the leading source of income in the 1930s, but has been eclipsed by the financial sector in recent years. Bahrain is home to many multinational firms doing business in the Persian Gulf, because of its relatively cosmopolitan outlook, modern economy, favourable regulatory structure, and excellent communications and transportation infrastructure.
Bahrain's development as a major financial centre has been the most widely heralded aspect of its diversification effort. Bahrain is a regional financial and business centre; international financial institutions operate in Bahrain, both offshore and onshore, and the financial sector is currently the second largest contributor to GDP. More than 100 offshore banking units and representative offices are located in Bahrain. The kingdom has also made a concerted effort to become the leading Islamic finance centre in the world, standardising regulations of the Islamic banking industry. It currently has 26 Islamic banks which is the largest concentration of Islamic financial institutions in the world.
Bahrain is working to develop other service industries, such as information technology, healthcare and education. The government has used its oil revenues to build an advanced infrastructure in transportation and telecommunications. A new air traffic control tower, part of a program to upgrade and modernise Bahrain’s airport, was completed in June 2004. A modern, busy port offers direct and frequent cargo shipping connections to the US, Europe, and the Far East.
In well-to-do Bahrain, the economy is heavily dependent on oil, but the government is looking for new sources of income. The relatively high living standard of Bahrain is based upon oil revenues however; efforts are currently being made to make the kingdom a commercial centre in which the location of the islands is central. Bahrain's central location within the Persian Gulf, in between Western and Eastern airline destinations, is being exploited. Furthermore, the proximity to Saudi Arabia combined with the opening of a causeway in 1986 has made Bahrain into a centre of leisure for Saudis.
With a population of approx 688,345 (235,108 (34 percent) of which are non-nationals), the people of Bahrain enjoy high living standards, even if there are considerable differences between social groups. Housing and transportation is subsidised by the state and access to communications is high, with one telephone to every four inhabitants, two radios to every five inhabitants and one TV set to every three inhabitants.
Bahrain invests GBP ten million per annum in training and education. The Bahrain secondary school population is over 63,200, with 25,193 pupils in government schools and 38,014 in private education, many of whom attend English medium or bilingual schools. There is growing interest in the British Curriculum, with at least three private schools currently seeking approval to offer GCSE, AS- and A-level studies, as the need has been recognised for secondary school graduates to be better prepared to follow higher studies in the UK.
A traditional familiarity with, and a respect for, the quality of UK Education has seen an increase in scholarships to the UK from the Ministry of Education, Bahrain Training Institute and Chevening scholarships funded by the FCO. In addition, the Crown Prince and Commander-in-Chief of the Bahrain Defense Force, HH Shaikh Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, offers a Scholarship Scheme for students wishing to study overseas, usually in the UK or USA. For those institutions seeking partnerships and collaborative links, there is great potential for franchise and joint venture programmes in Bahrain. In addition, distance learning programmes are gaining popularity and government support for vocational training is developing further.
A number of private universities have recently opened in Bahrain, including the Philippine based AMA Computer University, which provides a wide range of four year degree courses specialising in IT, Business Management and Engineering. Other universities have signed partnerships with British, Canadian or American Universities.
An increasing number of training institutions in Bahrain, for example Ahlia University and Brunel University, have links with UK based universities and colleges and are accredited to deliver approved UK postgraduate qualifications, including MBAs, MScs and PhDs.
The British Council continues to experience growth in the number of enquires regarding postgraduate study opportunities in the UK, with the British Council receiving approximately 900 enquiries for Master and PhDs per year. In 2004-05, the British Council signed 45 placement contracts for postgraduate study in the UK. The encompassing of modern technology and increased access to the World Wide Web play a major role in greater awareness of UK educational opportunities.
There remains a steady increase in students seeking undergraduate places at UK education institutions. Bahrainis accredit much prestige to obtaining British qualifications, and as a consequence, the UK is their first country of study choice. The British Council received over 1,200 enquiries in 2004 / 2005 and signed 60 contracts for undergraduate study in the UK.
At present, many Bahraini students require a foundation programme to prepare them for higher studies in the UK. The demand for foundation programmes is expected to steadily increase as a result of the growing population and rise in secondary school graduates seeking an internationally recognised qualification as a route to employment.
As a result of high unemployment rates and the destruction of the World Trade Centre, the demand for English language placements in the UK increased steadily in 2004-05 and 2005-06.
The Bahraini Government is endeavouring to establish the country as a regional centre for further education training in the Gulf. English is the main business language, so UK companies are able to profit from business opportunities in the education and training sector. With a demand for a qualified national workforce, there is significant potential for both training companies and for UK based colleges and universities to provide their expertise through establishing courses or by offering accredited qualifications in subject areas such as Technical Skills Training. The market for Information Technology training, however, is fairly well saturated.
The Ministry of Labour's policy to develop vocational qualifications is pivotal in the government's plan to develop a labour force that meets the market needs. Local educational organisations offer training to jobseekers at all skill levels. Popular subjects include Retail, Travel Hospitality, Tourism and all areas of Technical Training.
Last year, the British Council worked in partnership with nine UK universities and colleges, arranging visits to Bahrain to promote their products and services to targeted organisations, potential partners and prospective students. Popular subjects of study chosen by Bahraini students include; Accounting, Business Management, Engineering, Finance and Insurance, Information Technology, Law, Public Relations and Marketing.
EDUKEX Bahrain traditionally attracts serious enquiries from those who have already obtained a vocational qualification, such as an HND or National Diploma, and who want to continue to higher education. The British Council assists students throughout Bahrain in completing their UCAS application forms for foundation and undergraduate studies.
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