RCSI awarded its highest honour of Honorary Fellow to His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, King of Bahrain, at its overseas meeting in Bahrain today.

The RCSI is extremely proud of its institutional and personal relationship with the government of Bahrain, which spans over a quarter of a century.

Giving the citation for His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, Professor , RCSI Council Member acknowledged this long-standing allegiance, stating: "We have been privileged to collaborate in the provision of medical education and training, especially following the establishment of the Medical University of Bahrain in 2004. This provides healthcare education and training to students from Bahrain, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Yemen and UAE as well as the United States and Europe."

Born in 1950 His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa joined the Government Primary and Secondary Schools in Bahrain before moving to Cambridge after which he attended the Mons Officer Cadet School and the Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. After graduating in 1968, he was involved in organising the Bahrain Defence Force and was later named its Commander-in-Chief, a position he held until his accession to the monarchy in 1999.

In 1974 His Majesty King Hamad was named Deputy to the Head of the Khalifa Family Council and was also responsible for establishing the country's Historical Documents Centre. In 1978 he graduated as a helicopter pilot and helped to create the Bahrain Air Force. He also established the Bahrain Centre for Studies and Research in 1981.

"It is widely acknowledged that Bahrain entered a new era when His Majesty, King Hamad, acceded to the throne, and that this present reign has been marked as an enlightened period of social and political progress," Professor Keane stated.

"His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa, King of Bahrain, is a man of peace, stability and influence in a difficult and troubled world. His very significant achievements, I'm sure you would agree, make him more than worthy for admission to the Honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland," Professor Keane concluded.