Coinciding with the celebrations of the Silver Jubilee, marking twenty-five years since His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa ascended to the throne, the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) - Medical University of Bahrain, held a ceremony to mark the milestone of its 20th anniversary, under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister.

In the presence of the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health, His Excellency Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa, the ceremony was held at the Gulf Convention Centre and witnessed the attendance of distinguished guests, including ministers, ambassadors, University faculty and alumni.

The keynote speech was delivered by the Minister of Education and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Higher Education Council, His Excellency Dr Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, commending RCSI Medical University of Bahrain’s pivotal role in the higher education sector in the Kingdom of Bahrain and supporting the Bahraini youth in achieving its potential as well as its contribution to the development of scientific research and its partnership with schools, particularly in the areas of disease awareness and prevention.

In her opening address, the President of RCSI in Dublin, Professor Deborah McNamara, expressed gratitude to His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, for the Patronage of this celebration and for the guidance and continued support to advancing Bahrain’s education, healthcare and other sectors under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

 Professor McNamara conveyed her deepest appreciation to the Chairman of the Supreme Council of Health, His Excellency Lieutenant General Dr Shaikh Mohammed bin Abdulla Al Khalifa for attending the University’s celebrations and for the invaluable support received from all government stakeholders, which has propelled the University’s advancement over the last 20 years. Since opening its doors in 2004, RCSI Medical University of Bahrain has graduated more than 3,200 students from the schools of Medicine, Nursing and Midwifery and Postgraduate Studies and Research, of which over half are working in Bahrain with the remaining alumni working in 39 countries around the world.

To mark the occasion, the President of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, Professor Sameer Otoom, announced the official release of a commemorative book titled ‘From Dublin to Dilmun’, which chronicles the launch of RCSI’s medical and health sciences transnational education model in Bahrain and pays tribute to the distinguished individuals who have shaped the University’s journey into a leading institution in healthcare education and played a significant role in the development of healthcare professionals in Bahrain and the region.

The book authored by Professor Otoom and Professor Joe McMenamin, Professor Emeritus of RCSI in Dublin and former Head of School of Medicine and Vice President for Academic Affairs of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain, encompasses the valuable collaboration of 26 contributors, including His Excellency Dr Faisal Al Mousawi, former Minister of Health in Bahrain and former Chairman of the Shura Council, Professor Kevin O’Malley, Foundation President of RCSI Medical University of Bahrain and Mr Michael Horgan, former Chief Executive of RCSI.

In his speech, Professor Otoom offered his sincere appreciation to the dedicated faculty, clinical educators, staff, students, alumni and partners, whose collaborative efforts and unwavering support are indispensable to the provision of world-class healthcare education and training as well as the delivery of healthcare services to all communities.

Committed to its enduring mission to ‘Educate, nurture and discover for the benefit of human health', RCSI Medical University of Bahrain remains dedicated to furthering its legacy of producing highly skilled healthcare professionals, delivering world-class medical training, conducting patient-centred translational research and enhancing public health through community initiatives contributing to the advancement of patient care and healthcare in Bahrain and beyond.