Arts Culture Clubs Sports Interviews Lifestyle Dining Nightlife TECHNOLOGY - ENTERTAINMENT - DINING www.bahrainthismonth.com Digital Edition Since 1997 MOTORING PEOPLE DINING WTM An insightful chat with Rooba Al Omari about her participation in the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Beauty Essentials Fashion - Pretty in Pink Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, HE Aymen Almoayed on the latest progressions for Bahrain Hitting a high note with pianist, Rajat Chowdhury Ahmed Meshaima, a veteran Bahraini para-athlete on representing Bahrain on a global scale We review Mondo - Taste of Italy! Where to eat this month Dick Potter’s thoughts on flying cars seem within reach! Motoring News to get you up to speed EDUCATION SPECIAL August 2021 | Vol. 25 | Issue 6 | BD2 / SR20 YOUR GUIDE TO A GREAT WAY OF LIFE
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August 2021 5 August 2021 Bahrain This Month George F. Middleton Publisher and Chairman COVER Cover Picture: Education www.bahrainthismonth.com Scan this QR Code to subscribe to the digital edition of the magazine. Printing Press Union Press, Bahrain Published monthly by RED HOUSE MARKETING P.O. Box 20461, Manama, Kingdom of Bahrain Tel: (+973) 17 813-777, Fax: (+973) 17 813-700 Email: [email protected] www.bahrainthismonth.com © Copyright Reserved 2005-2020 The concept, content, style and design of this publication remain the exclusive property of Red House Marketing (Jersey) Ltd. and must not be reproduced in any form whatsoever without prior written permission. Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication. However, Red House Marketing cannot accept legal responsibility for any error or omission. • Views expressed in this magazine by journalists and writers are not necessarily those of the publishers of Bahrain This Month. Licensed by the Ministry of Information Publication Code: TA001 ISBN 1 899 348 09 3 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION Bahrain: BD24 Gulf and international subscriptions available on request. THE TEAM Publisher and Chairman George F. Middleton Editor Farah Baig Contributors Muhannad Mansour, Kristian Harrison, Dick Potter, Pria Masson Tanwar, Ouiam Charkani El Hassani Editorial Consultant Ahdeya Ahmed Print Production Manager Sabu Sebastian Art Director Hatem Monem Webmaster Nishad Eapen CRM & Database Coordinator Muna Yousef Staff Photographer Subeesh Kumar N S Administration and Finance Samson Vaz, Marlyn Ragasa Distribution Team CM Abdul Rahman, Gopal Arul Kumar Distributor Al Hilal Group (Hilal Direct Services) Media Sales Director Anuradha Manhas [email protected] DIGITAL & CONTENT MARKETING TEAM Digital Strategy Director Lini Reghunath Digital Marketing & Social Media Director Farah Baig Social Media Managers Kristian Harrison, Simran Tiwari Welcome to the August issue – a very special ‘Back to School’ edition in which we explore the latest dynamic options in Bahrain’s education sector. This month, we interview the Minister of Sports and Youth Affairs, HE Aymen Almoayed who highlighted the ambitious programmes and developments at the Ministry. Among these programmes is the comprehensive 208-week plan which has changed the future of sport in the Kingdom of Bahrain for the better. We also spoke to veteran Bahraini para-athlete, Ahmed Meshaima, who tells us about his preparations ahead of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. He also imparts some excellent advice for people of determination living in the Kingdom of Bahrain – truly inspirational! Another interviewee, is the ever-so-talented pianist, Rajat Chowdhury, who is one of the top gold medal winners and firstplace winner in his age group at the North American Virtuoso International Music Competition. As the number of active COVID-19 cases in Bahrain plummeted throughout July, dining venues across the island opened their doors for in-house dining. Our team put together an exciting list of some of the best F&B offerings at hotels and restaurants and also reviewed the spectacular Italian restaurant, Mondo – Taste of Italy. In the motoring section, Dick Potter’s thoughts on flying cars take flight with a new development. Meanwhile, Pria Masson Tanwar explores the exciting (though sometimes elusive) business of Happiness. Woman This Month in its usual fashion brings you the best of fashion, beauty essentials, dazzling accessories, recipes and more! On the interview front, we spoke to the only female representative of the Kingdom of Bahrain at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics, Rooba Al Omari, who tells us about her training ahead of the event and her illustrious sporting career. For our ‘In Her Shoes’ segment, we spoke to the wonderful Kristina Rowena Estero – Head of Business Development at the British School of Bahrain. Shades of pink were plentiful at the Giorgio Armani Prive show, and our fashion editor was quick to give us an insight into what makes it so special. We also collated a list of six beauty essentials that will help you throughout the summer. Remember to stay safe, enjoy the freedom that lower active cases allows us (responsibly) and, as always, remember that Bahrain This Month will always be ‘Your Guide to a Great Way of Life’.
www.bahrainthismonth.com 6 August 2021 8 22 36 24 14 12 38 Knowledge is Power We explore some of the best educational organisations in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Making a Strong Comeback Renowned Bahraini para-athlete, Ahmed Meshaima, aims for gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. Achieving Greatness The Minister of Youth and Sport Affairs, His Excellency Aymen Almoayed, highlights the latest developments in sports and more in the Kingdom of Bahrain. My Life in Cars Dick Potter’s thoughts on flying cars takes flight with a new development. Business Bites The Happiness Business Business expert, Pria Masson Tanwar, explores the USD 1.5 trillion wellness market. We savour the best of Italian cuisines at Mondo – Taste of Italy! The best of dining offerings on the island this month. Unleash Your Potential We explore 3 of Bahrain’s most exciting venues for extra-curricular activities. Hitting a High Note! Bahrain-based pianist, Rajat Chowdhury, strikes gold at a prestigious International Music Competition. Motoring News AUGUST 14 12 8 35 29 30 38 40 24 22 36 FEATURE – Education INTERVIEWS MOTORING COMMERCE DINING ISSUE 288 CONTENTS www.bahrainthismonth.com bahrainthismonth bhthismonth 29
www.bahrainthismonth.com August 2021 7 62 AUGUST ISSUE 220 CONTENTS We explore some of Giorgio Armani’s Prive Shine collection and more. We take a peek into the life of The British School of Bahrain’s Head of Business Development. Bahrain’s only female competitor, Rooba Al Omari, tells us about her goals for the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games. Our top jewellery picks that make a statement this summer. 6 Summer-friendly products you must get your hands on! Ouiam El Hassani tells us how to help kids readjust to going outside again. 3 easy-peasy recipes for cool treats that you’ll enjoy this sweltering season. Kristina Rowena Estero 50 54 58 56 60 62 65 Pretty in Pink! The Epitome of Strength & Determination Cool Treats for the Summer! Beauty Essentials A Sparkling Summer In Her Shoes “I Don’t Want to Go Out” www.womanthismonth.com womanthismonth rhmbahrain 50 54 60 58 56 65
8 August 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com The Ministry of Youth and Sport Affairs (MYS) has been at the helm of several sporting achievements and advancements regarding Bahrain’s youth since its establishment. Farah Baig speaks to Minister of Youth and Sport Affairs, His Excellency Aymen Almoayed, who highlights an ambitious 208-week plan which was successfully implemented, laying a strong foundation for the Kingdom to further grow in the field, aside from other exciting projects in the pipeline. ACHIEVING GREATNESS interview
August 2021 9 www.bahrainthismonth.com interview Your Excellency, you have been the Minister of Youth and Sports Affairs since December 2018. What has been the most notable achievement of the Ministry in that time? Upon joining the team at the Ministry back in December 2018, we were honoured by a personal visit at the Ministry by His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa, His Majesty’s Representative for Humanitarian Work and Youth Affairs. During this visit, he met with all the senior team members and set for the Ministry an incredibly aspirational plan of action for the upcoming 208 weeks (the four-year mandate). The plan was referred to as Estijabah - the National Plan to Reform the Youth and Sports Sector. What were the key pillars of the Estijabah programme? There were five key pillars with regards to the Estijabah programme. Firstly, operationally separating the Youth and Sports sectors to build depth and develop expertise in each separately. This allowed us to professionalise sports and increase its penetration into our daily lives, simultaneously increasing our institutional interaction and efforts in empowering the youth. Next, we upgraded our institutional operations and tracking processes to create an A Team with institutional knowledge and processes as opposed to individual achievers – while removing legacy hurdles which might disrupt the progress. Further, we developed transparent systems to allow high performers to be recognised and promoted from within the sectors. In addition, we strived to create an open, competitive and just environment which promotes continuous lifelong innovation and learning. Finally, as part of the programme, we actively collaborate and communicate with active members within our society. How was the Estijabah programme implemented and what were its main achievements? To do this, we literally had to work with the team in Government to restructure the whole Ministry through the issuance of the Royal Decree at the beginning of 2019. I am very pleased with just how far we’ve come in record time; we really did hit the ground running. The greatest honour for me personally and for my colleagues, was when His Highness Sheikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa presented the team – the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Youth and Sports Affairs and the Olympic Committee - to His Majesty the King reporting ‘Mission Completed’ - the completion of Estijabah’s 208-week programme in record time with plenty to spare. The landmark achievements for sports in Bahrain included: - The completion of the Framework to create the Sports Authority; - Settlement of past dues for athletes; - Launch of the Sports Summit; - Professionalisation of Sports; - Adoption of Sports Contracts; - Opening club membership to all; - Allowing sport clubs to commercialise their brands; - Reinforcing the independence of sports associations to create depth of expertise; - Rebranding and refocusing the Bahrain Olympic Committee under the Team Bahrain brand and - Finalising the plans for the new Sports City in Sakhir. The institutional framework has borne fruit faster than we have expected. The sports achievements over the past two years are proof of the success of the programme which His Highness guided and designed – starting from bringing home the Gulf Cup, to sending the largest historical athletic delegation to the Olympic Games, to having Bahraini athletes reach world recognition including playing in the Premier League. That is quite the feat. What were the notable achievements for the Youth Sector as part of the Estijabah programme? There were several notable achievements for the Youth Sector as part of the programme. These included: - Refocusing Youth Centre roles to focus on discovering, mentoring, presenting and highlighting youth talents; - Licensing youth centers; - Launch of the Youth Summits; - Creating the new youth centres’ management and grant systems; - Reducing the age of establishment of companies to 18 years; - Working with the Bahrain Quality Authority to represent and voice youth interests in schools and schooling; - Launching the ‘Furas’ programme – which is an internship platform with the Ministry of Labour and Social Development and Tamkeen; - Creation of the ‘Hope Fund’ by order of His Majesty the King to invest in youth; - Supporting and coordinating with the SME Board through our new membership; - Launching new versions of the ‘King Hamad Award for Empowering Youth to Achieve the
10 August 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com interview Sustainable Development Goals’ and the ‘Nasser bin Hamad International Award for Youth Creativity’. How did you complete Estijabah’s 208-week programme in record time, considering how comprehensive the plan was? Of course, completing these milestones is not an individual achievement, this is a team effort and the team members performed phenomenally. I would suggest that the true magic comes in the reporting system that was developed based on His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad’s request and guidance. We created a full system to follow up and report on each milestone and ensure that everything is on track, allowing everyone to do their part in record time. Estijabah’s 208-week programme was only the beginning; we were setting the foundation for what is to come. Now that the plan is completed, what’s next for sports and Bahrain’s youth? For the Sports Sector, we now have a focused, single regulating and facilitating body, the General Sports Authority, under the chairmanship of His Highness Shaikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Khalifa. Having one accountable operational body, allows the reporting to the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports to be precise and the creation programmes and the designing plans to be targeted. The Sports Sector now has a clear ‘North Star’ and a clear institutional mandate reflected in the ‘Gold Only – National Sports Plan’. I have no doubt Bahrain will go from strength to strength through the execution of this plan. For the Youth Sector, there is much to be done. His Majesty the King reminds us at every interval that Bahrain’s true wealth is in our youth and they are “our hope”. We have a lot of work ahead of us and this is part of what is coming our way and we are branding all this work under ‘Hope’. The simple premise of ‘Hope’ is to understand our gems and support them so they may shine. To do so, we’ve created a full set of goals which we refer to as (5+1) which represent our aspiration, for our youth to feel safe, feel seen, feel supported, feel trusted, feel wanted and most importantly feel hopeful. We’re excited to have a large number of targeted programmes coming up including entrepreneurial pitch programmes, Hackathon Career Guidance Programmes, the Futhool podcast, the Social Entrepreneurship programme, the Youth Market and Badir. What can you tell us about the exciting MYS Infrastructure Projects? There are many sets of projects which we’ve been working on with the team, but the most impactful two, in my opinion, are the Street Courts and the International Sports City which incorporates a full master plan to cater to the future of sports. We think that Sports City and the infrastructure we’re developing around it, including the cycling and sporting routes, will be a huge game changer and reinforce Bahrain as a sports destination. What programmes did the Ministry offer the youth during the pandemic, and how did they adapt to the conditions it imposed? During the pandemic, MYS launched a number of important programmes and initiatives. We’re very proud that the operations of MYS were not impacted as much seeing that by the beginning of 2019, we had already moved our operations to the cloud – which was an incredible milestone to achieve. We then created the initiative for digital transformation of youth programmes, launching the ‘Leave It to Us’ initiative to encourage young people to participate in a set of activities and programmes – making sure that we don’t lose touch with our constituency. We launched projects called ‘Digi kit’, ‘Be Strong and ‘11 Minutes’, which highlight prominent youth experiences in several fields. MYS also amended the criteria of the King Hamad Award for Youth Empowerment to Achieve Sustainable Development Goals and the Nasser bin Hamad International Award for Youth Creativity, to correspond with the conditions of the pandemic and to shed light on international youth efforts in dealing with the pandemic. Overall, it’s business as usual and we push on – continuing to believe in youths’ abilities and potential. The Bahraini delegation at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Bahrain International Sports City in Sakhir.
August 2021 11 www.bahrainthismonth.com interview Regarding Bahrain’s participation at Tokyo 2020, how many Bahraini athletes are participating in the event and across which categories? The Kingdom of Bahrain records an unprecedented participation in the 32nd Summer Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. We participated with 68 athletes and administrators representing five sports, namely Athletics, Handball, Swimming, Boxing and Shooting, making it the largest delegation in Bahrain’s history. Moreover, the participation of the handball team is the first for Bahrain at the level of team games. Needless to say, we are very proud of our champions – to start, the mere participation is an achievement in itself. They are making their country and their brethren proud. What would be your advice to aspiring athletes in the Kingdom of Bahrain? His Highness Shaikh Nasser bin Hamad Al Khalifa had lauded the Golden Era of sports in Bahrain and I would invite all athletes to make the most of these historical times. My key advice would be to focus on their craft – and focus particularly on their strength – and to pick their proverbial battles carefully. There is nothing but opportunity ahead for anyone that persists and makes the right decisions. I have no doubt that Bahrain has a lot of gems that have yet to be discovered and I look forward to seeing them shine in the future. Bahrain’s handball team in action. National handball team at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics Maryam Hassani-Bahrain’s sole shooter at the Olympics
12 August 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com Renowned Bahraini para-athlete, Ahmed Meshaima, aims for gold at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics The Kingdom of Bahrain has high hopes in its Tokyo 2020 Paralympics participation, relying on veteran Paralympic medallist Ahmed Abbas Meshaima, who is competing in the Javelin F38 category. In an interview with Bahrain This Month, Ahmed confirmed that he is determined to make a strong comeback in the event, taking place from August 24 to September 5 this year, after personal reasons deprived him from partaking in the previous games held in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, despite being qualified. Ahmed has been representing the Kingdom in different para-athletic events for 23 years and mainly excels in shotput throw. The father of three won an Olympic medal for Bahrain in shotput during the 2004 Athens Paralympics, as well as several other titles such as the Asian Championship, the GCC Championship, the Pan-Arab Championship and more. However, Ahmed told us that he is competing this year in javelin as his prime game; shotput, his claim to fame, has been eliminated by the organisers of the Tokyo 2020 Paralympics. “The number of games has been reduced at this year’s edition of the Paralympics and shotput was eliminated. It has been my strong point MAKING A STRONG COMEBACK interview
August 2021 13 www.bahrainthismonth.com throughout my career,” says Ahmed. “However, I am keen on making a bold statement and representing my country well in the games. Therefore, I will be taking this new challenge to compete in javelin for the first time on such a global scale. My performance in this game is rapidly improving and I am hoping to succeed in achieving a spot for Bahrain on the podium,” Ahmed said. The seasoned thrower also said that he had participated in several continental and international competitions during the past two decades, adding that the pressure of competing in the Olympics is different. “I have to perform as best as I can before the world and portray a good image about the Bahraini disabled sports movement,” he says. Speaking more about the details of his preparations for the Tokyo journey, Ahmed states that he has been training five days a week throughout the last couple of months, which included several closure decisions of sports facilities as part of the efforts exerted to combat the spread of COVID-19. However, Ahmed’s determination could not be stopped as his request to provide him with the necessary equipment at his house was fulfilled by the officials at Bahrain Paralympic Committee (BPC), which he thanked for its generous sponsorship and support to athletes with determination. “I’d like for people with determination to realise that being involved in physical sports activity has many benefits. It has been proved that sports contribute to the improvement of some disabilities and prevent the possible deterioration of some conditions. It also has a positive impact on the psychological health and makes a valuable addition to individuals’ social lives, by meeting and engaging with people with similar conditions to theirs.” Ahmed along with his teammate, Rooba Al Omari, are set travel to Tokyo on August 19, bearing the responsibility to honourably represent Bahrain in the Paralympics and show their best performance to the world. “Some may believe that it is a tough task for people with determination to be able to defy obstacles and excel in sports. This might be true, but with abundant support and strong determination, it is possible. My main motivation has been my family since the very beginning. I am cheered on and supported by my seven-year-old daughter today with the same momentum I was motivated to give my best by my late father since 1998,” he concludes. interview
14 August 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com The most powerful tool an individual can have to take on the world is a sound education. Knowledge is power – there’s no doubt about that. However, with a wide range of schools, universities and educational facilities in the Kingdom, and a number of curriculums and degree programmes to choose from, picking the right one can be quite the task. We examined some of the best education providers in the Kingdom including preschools, schools, universities and even a vocational training establishment to help your decision-making process easier. ETONHOUSE INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL An established education provider, with 125 schools worldwide, EtonHouse International School opened its doors as a preschool and established itself in Bahrain in 2017. It currently has two sites - the Kindergarten and Preschool based in Hamala and a new purpose-built site set to open its doors in 2022 to middle and high school age students. The EtonHouse group of schools is based around a unique philosophy called: Inquire. Think. Learn. This concept provides students with opportunities to discover through problem-based learning, collaboration and team work, and securing mastery through the curriculum which uses the British framework providing students with the knowledge and skills that are age related. Their curriculum is provided by Oxford International and sets a precedent for ensuring well-being is at its core. Class sizes are small with 16 to 18 students led by a teacher and teaching assistant in every class. The children benefit from longer playtimes where they can be socially active in a playground designed to ignite imaginations - from the mud kitchen to the swings to the arts and crafts and herb garden. EtonHouse is ideal for families who prefer a boutique learning style and want their children to be global and digital citizens. For more information, call 17 310-777 or visit www. etonhouse.me. KNOWLEDGE We examine some of the best educational organisations in the Kingdom of Bahrain. IS POWER education feature
STUDENT - CENTERED APPROACH Call us 13691111 / 66721702 www.canadianschoolbh.com REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN 2021/2022 Diyar Al Muharraq Delivering global education in an engaging and safe environment while developing children’s wellbeing and embracing their confidence in their culture. - Offering the British Columbia Canada curriculum integrated with Bahraini Social Studies, Islamic Studies, and Arabic Language. - BC Certified teachers. - Delivers the latest education concepts in well-equipped new state-of-the-art classrooms that create the right learning environment.
16 August 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com CANADIAN SCHOOL BAHRAIN Located in Diyar al Muharraq, the Canadian School Bahrain (CSB) is a private school offering a 21st-century curriculum with high academic standards. The school offers a unique education programme from Nursery to Grade 7 teaching the British Columbia, Canada curriculum integrated with Bahraini Social Studies, Islamic Studies, and Arabic Language. Having opened its doors in 2019, CSB is certified by the British Columbia Ministry of Education and is the first certified BC offshore school in the Kingdom of Bahrain. With the integrated curriculum, combining the best from both countries, CSB will provide students with the skills and knowledge necessary by British Columbia certified teachers to teach the BC curriculum and Bahraini certified teachers for the Arabic curriculum that is designed for students to become well-educated citizens while celebrating their uniqueness with a personalised approach. The BC Curriculum offers a balanced, concept, and inquirybased approach that is studentcentered and focuses on the whole child. Along with literacy and numeracy foundations, the curriculum emphasises on building a set of core competences i.e. sets of intellectual, personal, and social and emotional proficiencies that all students need to engage in deep, lifelong learning. For more information, call 13 691-111 or 66 721-702, email [email protected] or visit www.canadianschoolbh.com. NADEEN SCHOOL Founded in 1977, Nadeen School is well-known for its holistic approach to education and for celebrating the unique, individual talents of children with diverse backgrounds and abilities. Currently located in Um Al Hassam, the school has 400 children from over 50 countries and 80 staff. The family-style school is further enhanced through green spaces, a school farm, cosy campus, and Open-Door Policy. The school is one of the founding members of the British Schools of the Middle East (BSME) and an accredited member of the group. Nadeen School is also one of only three British Schools Overseas (BSO) schools in Bahrain, registered and recognised by the British Government and Department for Education. Combining the best of many different education systems, with high-tech education at one end of the spectrum and forest schools at the other, is the key to their success. Nadeen School’s creative, individualised approach to the curriculum and each of its students ensures their success, both: personally, and academically. During the wake of the pandemic, the school has ensured continued learning and strengthening of its community bond. Their teaching and support teams have gone above and beyond to ensure that the children have continued to progress in all aspects of their learning and development. Nadeen School is truly child-centered, inclusive and diverse. For more information, call 17 728886 or visit www.nadeenschool.com. education feature
We offer a child-centered, holistic approach to education Tel: 17 728886 Email: [email protected] www.nadeenschool.com Accredited member: Since 1978, Nadeen School has been dedicated to providing a nurturing, safe, stimulating and encouraging environment in which children of all ages, nationalities, abilities and strengths can develop a lifelong love for exploration and learning. We have 50 nationalities in Primary School, Pre Nursery up to Year 6.
18 August 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com THE UNIVERSITY COLLEGE OF BAHRAIN (UCB) Founded in 2002 by Shaikh Dr. Khalid Bin Mohammed AlKhalifa, the University College of Bahrain (UCB) is a non-profit private institution of higher education, licensed by the Ministry of Education of the Kingdom of Bahrain. The Degree Programmes were originally designed and developed around a USA and Canadian higher education model of curriculum content, assessment and delivery pattern, through a formal relationship with McMaster University in Canada. Hence, the University provides a rigorous and internationally informed curriculum based on a semester credit hour system in the USA/ Canadian liberal arts tradition. UCB specialises in the subject areas of Business Administration, Information technology and Communications and Multimedia. It educates students and generates new knowledge by uniting the rigor, relevance, creativity and intellectual dynamics of business and the liberal arts, dedicated to quality education benchmarked against international standards and attuned to the needs of the region it serves. The University continuously upgrades its curriculum to include the most recent practices, ensuring that graduates will obtain professional knowledge and the needed skills to be the leaders in their profession. Available programmes include the Bachelors of Art in Communication and Multimedia, Science in Business Administration, and Science in Information Technology. UCB also has MBA programmes in Business Administration, Management Information Systems, Banking and Finance, and Marketing and International Business Management. Programmes are available in Arabic and English. For more information, call 17 790-828 or visit www.ucb.edu.bh. THE BRITISH SCHOOL OF BAHRAIN For over 25 years The British School of Bahrain has delivered an outstanding holistic education to bright students living in Bahrain. The school follows the National Curriculum of the United Kingdom with adaptations to reflect Bahrain’s local, historical and physical features. The British School of Bahrain is an all-through school for students aged three to 18, from early years (Nursery) through to GCSE and A-Level. With over 80 nationalities on the student roll, the school offers a vibrant and diverse international culture of endeavour that empowers every child. With three rigorous inspections undertaken in the 2020/2021 academic year by industry professionals, the school was once again re-affirmed as one of the foremost “Outstanding Schools” by the Bahrain Quality Assurance inspectorate. At the same time, the British Schools Overseas inspectors concluded that the school “provides an excellent quality of education for its students” – the highest of accolades from this prestigious inspection regime. At the British School of Bahrain, students develop their academic knowledge while enhancing their 21 st Century Skills and understanding, to become confident, successful and independent members of a global society achieving top international examination results and accessing the best universities in the world. The wellbeing of the students, parents, and staff always remains the first priority at the British School of Bahrain. The school is renowned for its welcoming and inclusive culture. During the current climate every precaution continues to be taken to ensure the health and safety of all. This is modern schooling at its best. Call 17 610-944 or visit www.britishschoolofbahrain.com for more information. education feature
Bachelor of Art in Communication & Multimedia Bachelor of Science in Business Adminstartion Bachelor of Science in Information Technology Undergraduate Programs: Master of Business Administration (One Year MBA) Graduate Program: - Register in our Programs in Arabic and English - Online registration and studies APPLY NOW OPEN NOW FOR ADMISSION Fall Semester 2021-2022 HEC Approval No: 0505 -21 +973 6666 1415/ +973 1779 00828 www.ucb.edu.bh Apply Now [email protected] AVOID CONTACT WITH SICK PEOPLE WASH YOUR HANDS OFTEN CLEANING HANDS WITH ANTISEPTIC WEAR A FACE MASK bahrainthismonth
20 August 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com CITY & GUILDS A renowned educational organisation based in the United Kingdom, City & Guilds has been helping people, organisations and economies to grow since 1878. The awarding body and vocational training organisation is committed to providing people who are disadvantaged with practical skills necessary for them to thrive with self-confidence in, what is now, a very competitive job market. People need skills today that the Victorian era couldn’t even dream of, and that’s why City & Guilds keeps changing and adapting, preparing people for the future of work so they may be leaders in their chosen career path. City & Guilds has established Employability Skills (5546) to prepare students for their transitional pathway whether that is to continue with further education, employment, training or living independently. “It more important today to ensure that schools understand the skills of the future which are needed. Employers are looking for young people who have the relevant professional soft skills such as working with others, cognitive flexibility and digital literacy,” says City & Guilds MENA Area Manager, Dr. Tony Degazon. Preparing for the world of work, careers education, information, advice and guidance is an important part of any school curriculum. To realise a young person’s potential, it is important to decide how their skills and experiences fit with opportunities in the job market. Good vocational skill development at a school is a deliberate strategy that is actively planned and supported with a strong career guidance component. It is important to ensure that pupils are inspired and motivated for the world of work, ensuring high achievable aspirations are considered for a range of careers available; City & Guilds is an ideal starting point. For more information, contact Muna Yousef of SOS Marketing on 38 821-490 or visit www. cityandguilds.com. THE APPLIED SCIENCE UNIVERSITY (ASU) Established in 2004, The Applied Science University is one of the first private universities in the Kingdom of Bahrain. Since its establishment, the University has worked relentlessly to become a leading accredited higher education institution, promoting excellence in applied learning and research in the Kingdom and the region. ASU offers a wide range of local and hosted academic programmes through its Colleges of Administrative Sciences, Law, Engineering, and Arts & Science, and it heavily invests in providing programmes with a focus on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics). The university offers some programmes in Arabic while hosted programmes offered in partnership with London South Bank University (LSBU) are taught in English. ASU has achieved both the Institutional Accreditation of Bahrain’s Higher Education Council (HEC) and the Institutional Review by Bahrain’s Education and Training Quality Authority (BQA) which accorded ‘Full Confidence’ to all the academic programmes offered by the University. ASU has also obtained Academic Recognition by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research in Jordan, with several other countries in the process as well. ASU ranked first in all private universities locally, 37th in the Arab region, and 484th globally in the 2020 rankings. It is the only university in Bahrain to achieve four stars in the QS Star Rating in 2019, in recognition of its excellence in teaching, research and community engagement. The University is also ranked 101-150 in the QS International Ranking for universities under 50 years, making it one of the top young universities in the world. In addition, ASU is the first private University in the Kingdom of Bahrain to be accredited by the British Higher Education Academy (Advance HE) as a training centre to train faculty members and qualify them for Fellowships from Advance HE. For more information, call 17 728-777 or visit www.lib.asu.edu.bh education feature Dr. Tony Degazon with Mr. George Middleton
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HITTING A HIGH NOTE! Bahrain-based pianist, Rajat Chowdhury, strikes gold at a prestigious International Music Competition. He tells Farah Baig about his journey through music and his aspirations. He can still remember running down the school hallway with a triumphant smile. “No more karate! Piano it is!”. It’s a fun story – his escape from karate as one of the extracurricular subjects in primary school, then taking refuge in playing the piano at just six years of age. As we delved deeper into the world of the impressive 22-year-old pianist, Rajat Chowdhury enthusiastically states that western classical music is nearest and dearest to his heart. “It makes up the core of my musical and artistic identity. Hopefully, my music communicates everything else about me that I’m finding difficult to put into words right now!” interview 22 August 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com
interview www.bahrainthismonth.com THE LEARNING CURVE His time in Bahrain was instrumental in his musical development. “It is here that I started taking lessons properly and it is here that I made my most important preliminary accomplishments like winning the St Christopher’s School Music festival,” he says. “I wouldn’t be the pianist I am today without having trudged up the steps weekly to Ms. Glorina Victa’s lesson room at the Bahrain Music institute. Without her guidance and inspiration, I would be nowhere and I am sure that she is continuing her fantastic work to this day,” he says, adding that James Roriston, his piano teacher at the boarding school he attended in Bangalore, India was also a contributing factor to his growth as a musician. Since his early days in music, Rajat has gone on to win the Con Brio National Piano competition in India at the age of 17, and was the youngest competitor. Since then, he has been performing at the prestigious NCPA (National Center for the Performing Arts) in Mumbai, India every year since 2015. He was also invited to Vienna to perform his awardwinning composition for solo piano at the Ehrbar hall. Rajat currently studies composition and piano performance at the UBC School of music in Vancouver, Canada under Dr. Patricia Hoy and Dr. Stephen Chatman, who are internationally renowned musicians based in Canada. “I was initially in the school›s engineering program but switched into music in order to pursue my dream,” he says. “I should be the first to say that my talent is hardly perfected. Like all crafts, it is evergrowing and improving. However, the fundamental facet of my development into the musician I am today is a foundational will to express,” he says. AN UNDER-REPRESENTED ART FORM With western classical competitions, the expectations are that performers will rehearse a pre-written piece and meticulously place every detail. However, Rajat contradicted this practice by entering the competition with a completely improvised piece of music: he allowed four notes to be chosen at random by a ‘note generator’ mobile app and proceeded to create an entire piano sonata on the spot using them as a theme. Piano sonatas are vast works that require a lot of planning and feature many interconnected musical themes that are almost exclusively prewritten. To craft one without preparation is a monumental task that harkens back to the improvisational abilities of old masters such as Rachmaninoff and Chopin (two composers that Rajat cites as his foremost influences). Rajat was able to create his sonata within a mere 45 minutes. “Western classical improvisation is an underrepresented art form. To me, it represents new opportunities for music-making that can shed a new light on western classical music for both: audiences and performers”. His dream is to promote this unique avenue of musicmaking in order to break cultural stigmas surrounding the perceived rigidity and elitism surrounding classical music. “Classical music is for everybody. The emotional profundity found within this kind of music can be as life-changing for others as it was for me” says Rajat. THE LANGUAGE OF MUSIC Rajat believes that budding musicians should be able to read and interpret music in the same way they interpret text, listen and appreciate music in the same way spoken languages are approached. “One must become fluent in the language of music itself. It is a language similar to written or spoken languages and as humans we are drawn towards them out of a base desire to express what is on our minds,” he says. “Music is the language through which we fulfil the base desire to express what is in our hearts and yet it is a desire that many of us don’t acknowledge and work towards, even amongst musicians. So, budding pianists must find the content of what they wish to say with music and approach it like a language,” he says. THE NEXT STEP With this win under his belt, Rajat is looking forward to expanding the scope of classical music in the Middle East. With western classical music not having as much of a foothold in this part of the world, he hopes to arrange concerts and performances for the enrichment of Middle Eastern audiences. “My deepest aspiration is to leave behind a legacy of musical work throughout my career that can really move people for years to come, and hopefully bring classical music to a wider audience. If I know that what I have done has truly changed someone’s life, then I am more than happy,” says Rajat. “For now, though, the immediate thing is to graduate from music school!” he rightfully says. THE BEGINNING His parents were skeptical as to how long his new interest would last; yet today, Rajat is one of the top gold medal winners and first-place winner in his age group at the North American Virtuoso International Music Competition. The prestigious competition has attracted talent from around the globe to compete in a variety of categories ranging from solo classical performance to ensemble performance using instruments of their choice, of which Rajat participated in the composition category. Rajat journey in music started with him teaching himself. “I eventually started formal training here in Bahrain when I was 13. So, of the 16 years that I have been playing the piano, nine years have been under structured instruction,” he explains. “I was placed into top music schools such as Bard Conservatory and The Berklee College of music with scholarships, but this period of self-teaching was vital to my creative and artistic freedom,” he says, adding that his mentorship and education lies in Canada but musical legacy and opportunity in the Kingdom of Bahrain. August 2021 23
24 August 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com education feature Unleash Your Potential Learning doesn’t stop once you leave the classroom. In fact, getting creative, learning a new skill or feeling the rhythm has a way of igniting a child’s full potential. Academics are important, but learning to dance, get creative at an art studio or learning to quite literally overcome obstacles is just as important. We explored 3 excellent venues where your child can learn to be creative, strong and free! ARTOLOGY – THE ART COMMUNE There’s nothing quite like art to ignite a child’s creativity. Artology – The Art Commune Events was established in Bahrain in 2010 and is a unique private studio space, located in Saar, which promotes arts culture and supports local, regional and international artists. People of all ages, skill sets, nationalities and from every school are welcome to unleash their creativity at Artology. A hands-on teaching method is incorporated to allow students to develop their skills, express their emotions and have a space that they can call their own. Taking in all ages from four years and above, their classes work on project bases integrating fun facts about the artists, the art movements and styles. Every project is based on a technique and medium – students are given basics and then given room to get inspired and create their own. The aim is to create original artwork. For more information, check out @artology.bh on Instagram. We explore 3 of Bahrain’s most exciting venues for extra-curricular activities.
August 2021 25 www.bahrainthismonth.com education feature BIG UP SPORTS Located in Janabiyah, Big Up Sports is an exciting fitness-related centre which gives you a chance to learn calisthenics, parkour and a form of karate called Sil Jeon Moo or even be part of a bootcamp. The unique centre is run by a vibrant team that is keen on making fitness fun and a rewarding process for kids and adults alike. Big Up Sports currently has 18 classes every day of the week (except for Fridays) for kids, teens and adults. For those of you that do not know, calisthenics is a form of strength training that doesn’t rely on anything other than the individual’s bodyweight. It is one of the most natural forms of training, it is great for building natural strength and staying fit. Parkour, also known as free-running, is the act of getting from point A to point B while using obstacles or your surroundings to do it in the most efficient manner. It consists of running, jumping, climbing and tricks such as back flips. It really helps to make people stronger both physically and mentally, building both their strength and confidence. In the wake of the pandemic, the team has taken extra precautions to keep everyone safe. Equipment and touch points are sanitized between classes, face masks are worn when training and social distancing is encouraged as much as possible aside from other precautions. Big Up Sports, undoubtedly, gives kids a safe space to get fit, learn a new skill and have fun – a truly unique experience. Get in touch with Big Up Sports through their Instagram account @bigup_sports. Bahrain Ballet Centre is the island›s first performing arts studio established in 1982. From dance and music to summer camp and drama, the activities on offer at the Bahrain Ballet Centre will keep your kids engaged physically and mentally. Currently, the studio runs its popular ‹Dance & Creative Camp› for the months of July and August, alongside its regular classes of Ballet, Modern, Tap, Mother & Toddler, Hiphop & Music in addition to specialised Dance & Drama workshops. In an effort to promote regional dance forms the studio, has introduced Khaleeji & Belly dance classes taught by local and internationallytrained instructors. The studio conducts annual examinations based on the leading dance examination board, Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). Classes are open to all ages from toddlers to adults and all experience levels, whether beginner or advanced. The centre also hosts annual dance shows at the Cultural Hall. Past shows include adaptations of ‘Aladdin’s Magical Ride’, ‘Alice’ and ‘When You Wish Upon a Star’. For more information, call 17 693-232 or 33 719-180 or visit www.bahrainballetcentre.com. BAHRAIN BALLET CENTRE
26 August 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander bahrainthismonth @BHThisMonth @bahrainthismonth www.bahrainthismonth.com bahrainthismonth International Day of Yoga at the Indian Embassy The Indian Embassy of Bahrain held a socially-distanced event on the occasion of The International Day of Yoga. The 2021 theme was ‘Yoga for Well-Being’. The International Day of Yoga has been celebrated annually on 21 June since 2015, following its inception in the United Nations General Assembly in 2014. Yoga, which originated in India, is said to provide the practitioner with a wide range of health benefits and is known worldwide for its calming effect.
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28 August 2021 www.bahrainthismonth.com/gallery bystander The Launch of Ta Plage Privèe The Ritz-Carlton, Bahrain launched the 5-star property’s latest beachfront venue, the new Ta Plage Privèe, located on the resort’s private island. Ta Plage Privèe offers the utmost in seclusion with the island’s finest and most pristine white sandy beach and the comfort of a cool and cozy tent to beat the summer heat. On the occasion, General Manager, Bernard de Villèle, said: “With an airconditioned private tent where you can relax, along with a dedicated massage room and your very own exclusive beach, guests will have much more space for themselves while enjoying quality time with family and friends. The new Ta Plage Privèe is a haven of tropical peace and tranquility, with palm trees swaying in the breeze and the rhythmic sounds of the waves complement a well-spent day by the sea.” The launch was attended by invited guests including members of the media WEEKDAY - BD 20 WEEKEND - BD 25 ROOM ONLY (9AM TO 6PM) VALID UNTIL 31 AUGUST 2021 WHATSAPP NO. +973 66390881 TERMS AND CONDITIONS APPLY Here's to GREAT MORNINGS
dining Our quest for culinary excellence, this month, led us to revisit one of the Kingdom’s most loved hospitality venues, The Diplomat Radisson Blu Hotel, Residence & Spa. I’d heard through the grape vine that their Italian restaurant, Mondo, was getting an aesthetic revamp and exciting new menu with the renowned Chef Raffaele at the helm of the culinary team. The restaurant exudes comfort that is reminiscent of Italy – the perfect setting for a meal with family and friends. Authentic Italian food has grown to be a favourite in the books of true gastronomers, and rightfully so. To start, we savoured the Crostini Funghi – a delicious starter of perfectly seasoned sourdough bread served with a side of roasted wild mushrooms. This was followed by a divine Carpaccio of Angus Beef that melts in your mouth. It’s beautifully balanced with sharp Parmigiano shavings, fresh rocket, capers and white truffle oil. As we scanned the table, we realised that Mondo has a variety of flavourful vegetarian dishes; so, guests who prefer to go meatless can give the usual fries and hummus a rest and eat to their heart’s content! Mondo also has a fare of authentic Italian streetfood including one of our favourites, Arancini. The crunchy breaded saffron rice balls are filled with mozzarella and served with Parmigiano sauce. It’s worth noting that one of my favourite starters when it comes to Italian cuisine is Burrata. Few things compare to the cheesy treasure that was their Burrata Pugliese served with charred bell peppers. I was pleased to hear that Chef Raffaele is further perfecting the dish and is meticulously curating each and every item on the menu with the best ingredients (imported from Italy) he can get his hands on both: near and far – the work of a chef that is passionate about his craft! Next, we tucked into three pasta dishes: Truffle and Ricotta Ravioli, Penne Arrabbiata and Linguine Vongole. Generously embellished with shavings of fresh black truffle, the ravioli is the picture of perfection. It’s tossed in smooth sage butter sauce which gives it a balanced profile of flavours that coat all 10,000 tastebuds – easily our favourite item on the menu. We were delighted to try the Island-style Seabass next which was cooked to baked to perfection – maintaining the moisture of the fish – a paramount skill when baking seafood. The fish is layered with thinly sliced potatoes, tomatoes and thyme – light flavours that help you appreciate the freshness of the fish. The Lamb Chops Scottadito were succulent and moist – a beautiful shade of pink all the way through and complemented by the fresh mint and apple salsa, and sweet potato fries. The perfect dish for meat-lovers. To end the meal on a sweet note, we savoured a myriad of desserts, each boasting their own range of textures and flavours. The crunchy canolli with its thick sweetened ricotta filling was heightened by infused candied lemon and orange. This was further perfected with dark chocolate and pistachio. The Espressisimo is a delightful vanilla panna cotta cooked from scratch complete with Madagascar vanilla beans which you can taste all the way through. This is served with an espresso jelly and coffee granita made with coffee straight from Italy. To end our Italian feast the right way, we ended our meal with a classic - Tiramisu – a measure against which most Italian restaurants are rated. Needless to say, Mondo excels in every way – quality food, ambiance and hospitality. We will be back. A TASTE OF ITALIAN INDULGENCE! Farah Baig savours the best of Italian cuisine at Mondo - Taste of Italy. August 2021 29 www.bahrainthismonth.com
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