by ashokaib | Aug 17, 2025 | Uncategorized
Medical students from the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU), Ms. Zainab Hussain Abdullah Salman and Ms. Zainab Salman Saleh, represented the College at the Federation of European Microbiological Societies (FEMS) Conference recently held in Milan, Italy.
They presented a scientific research poster titled “Phenotypic and Genotypic Colistin Resistance in Acinetobacter baumannii: Genomic Insights, Occurrence, and Diagnostic Methods Performance”, supervised by Prof. Mohammed Shahid, Head of the Department of Microbiology, Immunology and Infectious Diseases, and Dr Mohammed Shadab from the College of Medicine and Medical Sciences at AGU.
The research highlights the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance, particularly in bacteria associated with hospital-acquired infections, with a focus on genomic understanding of the bacteria and assessing the effectiveness of current diagnostic methods.
Their participation in this prestigious international conference reflects AGU’s commitment to supporting student-led research and strengthening its presence in global academic forums. It also reinforces the university’s standing as a distinguished scientific centre in the region that contributes to finding innovative solutions to global health challenges.
by ashokaib | Aug 17, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Secretariat-General of the Shura Council and the Arabian Gulf University (AGU) signed a cooperation agreement to strengthen cooperation and coordination in support of legislative, educational, training, consultancy, and capacity-building efforts for human development in the Kingdom of Bahrain.
The agreement was signed by Kareema Mohammed Al Abbasi, Secretary General of the Shura Council, and Dr. Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of AGU.
Al Abbasi said that the agreement is part of the Secretariat-General’s ongoing approach to expanding cooperation with leading academic institutions, contributing to institutional development, supporting digital transformation, enhancing parliamentary work through research and studies, and developing the skills of national staff in the agreed areas.
She added that the Arabian Gulf University is a leading educational institution locally and internationally, noting that the agreement will enrich the work of the Secretariat-General through the university’s accumulated academic expertise and specialised scientific research. It will also provide opportunities for university students to gain first-hand insight into parliamentary processes and promote awareness of legislative work through exchange visits and participation in community initiatives launched by the Secretariat-General, such as the Digital Innovation in Parliamentary Work competition.
Al Fuhaid emphasised that the agreement provides an effective institutional framework for leveraging academic and scientific expertise to support the Kingdom’s legislative process.
He highlighted that the university is committed to utilising its academic and research capabilities to develop projects and initiatives that contribute to the advancement of the legislative environment, highlighting that this cooperation reflects the integration between the academic and parliamentary sectors in achieving sustainable development.
The agreement builds on an ongoing partnership between the two sides, which has included joint training courses, exchange visits, and participation in conferences organised by both parties over recent years.
by ashokaib | Aug 17, 2025 | Uncategorized
The Researcher Maha Musaad Jumaa, from the Department of Natural Resources and Environment at the College of Education, Administrative and Technical Sciences at the Arabian Gulf University (AGU), assessed the ecosystem services of mangroves in the Kingdom of Bahrain by harnessing remote sensing and geographic information systems (GIS). Her doctoral thesis, recently defended, aimed to characterise the mangrove ecosystem within the Ras Sanad Reserve, situated in the Gulf of Tubli.
Soil samples were collected to a depth of 50 cm to determine mangrove soil texture, salinity and pH, enabling calculation of carbon stocks and equivalent carbon-dioxide stored in the soil. Employing Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, she analysed ten spectral vegetation indices to produce land-cover maps and compute the mangrove area in Ras Sanad between 2016 and 2024.
Supervised by Dr Sabah Al Jenaid (principal supervisor) and Dr Mohammed Obeid (co-supervisor), the study revealed that mangrove soils contain substantial carbon, demonstrating their sequestration capacity: average soil carbon reached 95.5 ± 174.73 tonnes per hectare (8.02 per cent), while equivalent carbon-dioxide averaged 641.27 ± 350.49 tonnes per hectare.
Analysis of the 10 vegetation indices indicated medium mangrove cover across most months of the study period (index values 0.2–0.6), with peak coverage recorded in winter (December: 0.65). Land-use classification achieved an overall accuracy of 87 per cent (kappa 0.91) in 2016 and 91 per cent (kappa 0.86) in 2024.
All indices confirmed that mangrove coverage in Ras Sanad remained virtually stable from 2016 to 2024, totalling approximately 20.53 hectares of the reserve’s overall 35.82 hectares.
Ms Jumaa recommended employing modern tools such as geospatial artificial intelligence to monitor future expansion or contraction of mangrove stands in Ras Sanad and elsewhere in the Gulf of Tubli
by ashokaib | Aug 17, 2025 | Uncategorized
The University Medical Centre at King Abdullah Medical City has announced the installation of a state-of-the-art Pulmonary Function Test (PFT) device, underscoring its ongoing commitment to providing patients and the community with the latest and most efficient medical technologies. This pivotal addition is set to elevate healthcare quality, particularly in the precise diagnosis and monitoring of chest diseases.
Commenting on the development, Dr Salman Hamad Al Zayani, Chief Executive Officer of the University Medical Centre, said: “This strategic investment demonstrates our constant drive to keep pace with global advances in the medical sector. Equipping the Centre with this sophisticated device will sharpen our diagnostic capabilities and enable our medical teams to deliver comprehensive, accurate care in line with our vision of becoming a leading medical hub in the region.”
Dr Al Zayani expressed his gratitude to His Excellency Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of the Arabian Gulf University (AGU), for his keen support and continuous follow-up of the Centre’s development efforts.
The PFT device is an indispensable diagnostic tool for assessing lung efficiency and the ability to inhale and exhale air, as well as measuring how effectively oxygen is transferred to the bloodstream. It conducts a series of painless tests that allow physicians to identify respiratory disorders with precision, facilitating early diagnosis and contributing to the formulation of effective treatment plans.
For his part, Dr Adel Bedaiwi, Consultant Pulmonologist at the Centre, noted that “this device enables us to perform highly accurate examinations that are crucial for the early detection of chronic respiratory diseases such as asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), as well as assessing the impact of other conditions, including heart disease and obesity, on respiratory function. It is also an essential tool for evaluating lung capacity before major surgeries and for monitoring patients’ responses to treatment.”
The main tests provided by the device include spirometry to assess lung volume and airflow speed, lung volumes to distinguish between obstructive and restrictive diseases, diffusing capacity (DLCO) to evaluate the lung’s ability to exchange oxygen, and bronchial provocation tests to detect airway hyper-responsiveness.
by ashokaib | Aug 17, 2025 | Uncategorized
Arabian Gulf University (AGU) has signed a cooperation agreement with Maaref Business Services to develop a professional diploma programme in investment for non-profit and endowment organisations, as part of efforts to strengthen prominent partnerships between the academic sector and the business sector in support of sustainable development.
The agreement was signed at the University’s campus in Salmaniya, in the presence of His Excellency Dr Ghazi bin Abdulrahman Al Otaibi, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Scientific Research, and His Excellency Mr Anas bin Fahd Al Dowayan, Chairman of the Board of Maaref Business Services. The agreement covers the development of the professional investment diploma for non-profit and endowment organisations, enabling professionals to enhance their skills in this vital field.
On the occasion, Dr Al Otaibi underscored the importance of this collaboration, stating: “This agreement represents a model of integration between academic institutions and private-sector companies, and contributes to developing the workforce in the non-profit sector through specialised, high-quality programmes that enhance their efficiency and ability to deliver impact.”
He added: “This initiative comes within the University’s vision to achieve sustainable development and promote innovation in the non-profit sector, under the guidance and wise vision of His Excellency the University President, Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid.
For his part, Mr Al Dowayan expressed his delight at partnering with AGU, saying: “At Maaref, we believe in the importance of building specialised professional capacities. This agreement allows us to provide advanced educational and training solutions that support endowment and charitable organisations in achieving financial sustainability and amplifying their developmental impact.”
Programme Coordinator, Prof. Adel Ismail Al Alawi, noted that the programme was designed to meet the needs of those working in the non-profit sector, explaining: “We will focus on delivering advanced academic content that covers investment concepts, risk management, governance and financial technologies, in line with global best practices.”
He added: “The programme will comprise a set of study units covering multiple aspects of investment management, including risk management strategies, technology applications in investment, best practices in governance and other related topics. It will also offer trainees the opportunity to participate in workshops and discussion panels with experts in the field.”
The programme will be launched in a hybrid format that blends in-person learning with distance learning, making it accessible to participants from the GCC countries, the wider Arab world and internationally. This will enable interested professionals worldwide to join the programme and enhance their investment skills.
In the same context, Mr Tamer Al Tamimi, Chief Executive Officer of Maaref Business Services, explained that this collaboration represents a pioneering step towards empowering leaders in the non-profit sector, noting that the programme will provide a flexible educational platform that combines practical experience with a forward-looking vision, helping to raise the efficiency of employees and enable them to lead impactful investment projects.
Meanwhile, Prof. Waleed Khalil Zubari, Dean of the College of Education and Administrative & Technical Sciences, said: “This programme reflects our commitment to developing sustainable education and enhancing practical skills to serve the needs of Gulf and Arab societies in the field of investment. We aim to equip participants with modern concepts and tools needed to confront current challenges in the non-profit sector, thereby strengthening their positive impact on society.”
It is noteworthy that this professional diploma targets professionals currently working in awqaf (endowments), charitable organisations and non-profit institutions, as well as individuals seeking to bolster their skills in investment management, governance and community development related to non-profit organisations. It is also aimed at professionals in the financial and investment sector and entrepreneurs interested in social investments. The first cohort of this programme will commence in the first semester of the 2025–2026 academic year.
