Interview: Ghassan Fouad Aouad
How can the local start-up ecosystem strengthen higher education while supporting national economic diversification?
GHASSAN FOUAD AOUAD: The higher education sector in Bahrain and across the globe is facing unprecedented challenges as a result of severe competition and issues related to the Covid-19 pandemic, the economy and conflict. In order to thrive in the long run the sector needs to seek out ways to diversify its income through innovation and entrepreneurship.
The start-up ecosystem will play a significant role in this sense. Research outputs could be tied directly to their impact on enterprise and the economic, social, cultural and civic spheres. Moreover, universities can benefit from various forms of commercially earned income resulting from quality business partnerships, as well as the awarding of patents for research activities and incubation facilities.
The development of science parks is another essential step in this process. The country explored the idea of establishing a science and technology park in the past, and it is a matter of time before such parks will start to appear. The establishment of science and technology parks relies on the existence of national science, technology and innovation strategies, as well as the willingness of universities, businesses and the government to collaborate on research and development (R&D) initiatives.
It will be important for R&D financing to be available in order to incentivise research that can be translated into scientific and technological solutions to real-life problems. Ultimately, science and technology parks are the ideal places for qualified scientists, scholars and students to conduct this kind of research, spearhead innovation and develop practical solutions to local and international issues.
Higher education institutions (HEIs) are an essential part of the entrepreneurship ecosystem and yet in many countries they are still its most challenging link. HEIs produce the single-most important element of the entrepreneurship ecosystem, which is knowledge. The origins of successful start-ups can be traced to students or graduates, or even college dropouts who developed their start-up idea through interacting with their teachers and peers while they were still in college. In Bahrain there is a strong awareness of the central role to be played by the educational system in general – and HEIs in particular – in promoting entrepreneurship.
What opportunities exist for private participation in the local higher education segment?
AOUAD: Private sector participation in higher education can manifest through the creation of private HEIs, and the establishment of services to meet the needs of public and private HEIs.
There are several examples in Bahrain where private investors have set up private universities – Applied Science University is one example of this. In regards to servicing HEIs, the private sector plays a vital role in operating buses, supplying uniforms, managing canteens, printing textbooks, and – most importantly – providing the necessary technology to elevate the educational experience for students and improve the output of universities.
The private sector plays a vital role in driving the agenda of academic institutions, namely through the establishment of private universities, and the contribution of services and infrastructure to the sector. This includes academic programmes, advisory boards and guest lectures. Academic programmes can also help meet the demands of industry. Private sector entities involve universities and students in solving real problems, mainly through internship opportunities, job placements, and the sponsorship of high-quality research and scholarship. These real-world opportunities will help HEIs produce graduates that are fit for the marketplace.
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