The University of Salford, UK, has entered into a new partnership with the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) to launch a number of collaborative academic initiatives for the Kingdom of Bahrain and the UK.

The two institutions have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that will see the University become a BIBF academic provider of choice. The relationship will lead to the joint development of undergraduate and postgraduate courses, building on Salfords expertise in areas such as Business Administration, Marketing, Tourism and Islamic Banking and Finance. These are all academic areas where Salford already has an international reputation of excellence which this new partnership will only enhance.

A special event was held at the BIBF to celebrate the new partnership in the presence of Mr. Mockbul Ali, Deputy Ambassador to Bahrain, Professor Helen Marshall, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Salford and Solveig Nicklos, Director of BIBF.

BIBF is the leading provider of financial and business related courses in the region and provides a full portfolio of entry-level courses as well as qualifications aimed at senior leaders in the banking industry across the Middle East. In addition to its expertise in business-related courses, Salford also has an internationally renowned reputation in areas such as built environment, energy, healthcare, media and digital, and science and technology.

This latest partnership demonstrates the Universitys ongoing commitment to championing industry-led, practice-based teaching and learning across the Middle East. Professor Helen Marshall, said: The University of Salford is focused on forging long-term partnerships with key institutions across the Middle East and the BIBF are the leading organisation for business and finance education in Bahrain.

I am delighted to have strengthened our relationship with such a powerful regional partner that shares our belief in practical based learning underpinned with regional and international academic expertise.
The partnership will lead to the development and expansion of BIBFs doctoral level teaching provision, as well as open up a range of joint research initiatives between the two institutions. Academics from Salford will visit and work with their BIBF counterparts in key areas relevant to the regions economy and development like oil and gas and post-oil economies.

Dr. Ahmed Al Shaikh, BIBFs Deputy Director, said: BIBF is keen to expand its academic offerings as part of its commitment to satisfy business needs across all sectors, and further strengthen Bahrains position as a regional financial hub primarily through the unparalleled quality of its workforce. We continue to advance the quality of our offerings through strategic partnerships with the worlds most prestigious educational and professional institutions, and the agreement with the Salford Business School at the University of Salford is a prime example of this.

As part of the agreement there will also be opportunities for student and cultural exchanges, with Salford students able to study short programmes at BIBF and experience what its like to work on a trading floor by taking advantage of BIBFs simulation dealing room. Dr. Keith Sharp, BIBFs Head of Centre for Academics, said: We are delighted to be signing this MoU with the University of Salford. This is an excellent opportunity for students from our Foundations Programme to progress to degree-level study in one of the UKs leading universities, and hopefully the start of a long and mutually beneficial partnership between our two institutions.

The University of Salford has a long history and established presence in the region and built on this foundation by launching its first Global Hub in Abu Dhabi in 2014. Since then the University has outlined a regional strategy that focusses on providing industry-relevant courses and expertise that complement the business, economic and developmental needs of the UAE.

Professor Marshall added: Maintaining an international context to the University of Salford is imperative to our long term strategy and this new relationship with the BIBF can only add to our already excellent reputation in delivering industry-relevant postgraduate and professional level qualifications. Salford and the BIBF have a shared ethos. We both believe in equipping our students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in a competitive industry and I look forward to developing a meaningful partnership together in the years ahead.

In the UK the University is also a leading voice in business-led education and professional training. The Salford Business School (SBS) was named Business School of Year in 2014 at the prestigious Times Higher Education Awards and is renowned for its sector-leading work in supporting small and medium enterprises (SME). SBS was recently rated first in the North West of England and fifth in the UK for SME engagement in Encouraging a British Invention Revolution: Review of Universities and Growth which was a report produced by GSK Chief Executive Officer, Sir Andrew Witty.