The Arabian Gulf University (AGU) celebrated the graduation of its first cohort of students from the Innovative Developmental Diploma in Autism Spectrum Disorder. This initiative was launched under a partnership agreement between AGU and the Bahrain Society for Intellectual Disability and Autism, with support from Tamkeen. The programme has been designed to equip and enhance the skills of teachers, educational personnel and administrators affiliated with the Bahrain Society for Intellectual Disability and Autism.

On this occasion, His Excellency Dr Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid, President of the Arabian Gulf University, reaffirmed the university’s commitment to its pioneering role in preparing specialists in the field of intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. He noted that the university was among the first institutions in the region to launch specialised programmes aimed at enhancing care for these groups. 

He further said that the graduation of the first cohort from the Innovative Developmental Diploma in Autism Spectrum Disorder represents a significant milestone in AGU’s efforts to support individuals affected by this disorder, which statistics indicate is on the rise in the Arabian Gulf, with estimates suggesting that one in every 100 children may be affected.

“We congratulate our graduates on this remarkable achievement and encourage them to become ambassadors for care and innovation in this vital field. We are confident in their ability to make a meaningful contribution to improving the quality of life for individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their families, and we wish them success in their professional and humanitarian journeys,” Dr Al Fuhaid stated, while emphasising that the university would continue its efforts to enhance academic excellence and vocational training, aligning with the aspirations of GCC communities in this critical field.

For her part, Dr Afaf Bugawa, Director of the Centre for Community Services, Consultancies, Training and Continuing Education (CSCTCE) at AGU, stated: “The CSVTCE serves as a leading platform aimed at addressing the needs of Gulf communities by offering specialised professional programmes and developmental diplomas. The Centre places great emphasis on designing and implementing innovative programmes that align with contemporary developments and respond to the requirements of various sectors, with a focus on preparing national talent and enhancing its skills to meet the highest standards of competency.” 

She added: “The launch of the Diploma in Autism Spectrum Disorder is a practical example of the Centre’s commitment to providing high-quality training programmes that address pressing social issues. We are committed to continually offering programmes that meet the needs of individuals and institutions, enhancing their capacity to tackle challenges and achieve excellence in their fields of work.”

Dr Bugawa also expressed gratitude to the partners and supporters who contribute to fulfilling the Centre's vision.

Meanwhile, Prof. Maryam Al Sherawi, Coordinator of the Innovative Developmental Diploma in Autism Spectrum Disorder, pointed out that this achievement is the result of a constructive collaboration between AGU and the Bahrain Society for Intellectual Disability and Autism, with generous support from Tamkeen, which has consistently been an effective partner in providing financial assistance to develop Bahrain’s national workforce. 

Commenting further, she stated: “We extend our sincere thanks to the management of the Bahrain Society for its pioneering role in providing care and services for children with autism in the Kingdom of Bahrain, as well as its efforts in training and qualifying educational and administrative personnel to elevate the quality of education and services provided to this group. I also congratulate the graduates on this significant achievement, and wish them continued success and excellence in their careers to serve the community and children with autism.” 

Prof. Al Sherawi confirmed that the graduation of this cohort represents a prominent step towards building a generation of qualified national competencies based on the best scientific practices, and she expressed her hope for continued joint efforts to achieve further success in this essential field.