Coinciding with the celebrations of the Silver Jubilee of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa’s ascension to the throne, marking 25 years of His Majesty’s reign and on behalf of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health, His Excellency Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, , laid the foundation stone for the new academic building of the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) - Medical University of Bahrain, which was held under the patronage of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and in the presence of several dignitaries.

On this occasion, Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, affirmed the unwavering support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, to continue strengthening and enriching the educational process and developing its outcomes. Professor Sameer Otoom expressed his gratitude to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister for his patronage of the ceremony and expressed his appreciation to the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health, His Excellency Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, for attending the ceremony.

Giving an overview of the project, Professor Otoom highlighted, “For 20 years, RCSI Medical University of Bahrain has been committed to educating and developing healthcare leaders in Bahrain and the Middle East. Today, we are taking a leap forward with the commissioning of an expansion project spanning over 7,912 sqm, which will increase the University’s net usable area by 140%, and feature six areas of development: Teaching, Clinical Simulation, Research, Student Experience, Conferring Ceremony & Events and Office Space.

Professor Otoom added, “This project aligns with our Green Campus initiative by enhancing operational efficiency and environmental stewardship and providing a springboard for further progress and opportunities to develop programmes which cater to the needs of the national and regional markets and are in line with our Mission to ‘Educate, Nurture and Innovate for the Benefit of Human Health’.”

Mr Ghazi Abdulla Nass, Executive Director, Nass Corporation B.S.C., stated: “We thank His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for his patronage of the ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the New Academic Building of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain. We also thank RCSI Medical University of Bahrain for this collaboration opportunity to build together a vision for the future for the Bahraini youth to avail of an enhanced medical and health sciences education and research offering.”

Mr Stephen Harrison-Mirfield, Managing Director, RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, expressed his gratitude and appreciation to His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for his patronage of the ceremony to lay the foundation stone for the University’s New Academic Building. He also extended his thanks to the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health, His Excellency Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, for attending the ceremony on behalf of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince and Prime Minister and thanked the University’s stakeholders for their continuous support in advancing the vision of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain namely; Professor Deborah McNamara, RCSI President; Professor Cathal Kelly, RCSI Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive Officer/Registrar; Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain; Professor Alfred Nicholson, Vice President for Academic Affairs and Head of School of Medicine; Mr Ghazi Abdulla Nass, Executive Director, Nass Corporation B.S.C.; Executive Members of the University and Nass Corporation B.S.C..

The ceremony proceedings brought together Professor Sameer Otoom, President of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, and Mr Ghazi Abdulla Nass, Executive Director, Nass Corporation B.S.C., for the signing of the contract between Nass Contracting Company W.L.L and the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Medical University of Bahrain, as well as the commissioning of the University’s campus expansion project, cementing the commitment of both parties to advancing a sustainable future under the Bahrain Economic Vision 2030.

In the 20 years since its inception, RCSI Medical University of Bahrain has made significant strides in accomplishing its Mission, and we look forward to further enhancing our contribution toward healthcare, healthcare research, education, societal well-being and social, environmental and economic outputs within the Kingdom of Bahrain.