First American university to open doors in Bahrain

The American University of Bahrain (AUBH), the first purpose-built American university in the country, is set to open its doors in September.

Built on a 75,000-square-meter plot in the Riffa area, the AUBH campus is designed by the US-based architects Ayers Saint Gross (ASG), who have designed a number of US university campuses. The new AUBH campus will feature modern classrooms and labs, as well as a state-of-the-art auditorium, student commons and athletic facilities.

AUBH has received institutional approval by the Higher Education Council (HEC) of the Ministry of Education in Bahrain and plans to launch its schools of engineering, architecture and design, and business in the 2019-2020 academic year.

The AUBH board selected Dr. Susan E. Saxton, an internationally experienced executive, to lead AUBH as founding president.

“We are very confident in the academic prospects of the Kingdom and look forward to the American University of Bahrain solidifying the country’s position as an education hub in the GCC and wider Arab region,” said Dr. Saxton.

“Higher education plays an integral part in advancing economies by addressing the skills needed for the next generation of workforce. The American University of Bahrain will provide the necessary academia to support the Kingdom’s 2030 vision while enriching students with a holistic university experience,” she added.

“Students enrolling in AUBH will be exposed to a university life that is very much influenced by collaborative learning, critical thinking and technical education in an American style university environment. Beyond the academic education that the students will receive, they will receive mentorship in soft skills and competencies including problem solving, negotiation and creative thinking with the purpose of empowering the next generation with the confidence, leadership and professionalism skills required in the workforce. They will also be able to experience social, athletic and other extra-curricular activities making AUBH home,” said Dr. Saxton.

Prior to joining AUBH, Dr. Saxton was the chief executive officer, Int. and SVP Innovation and Emerging Strategies for the University of St. Augustine, a Laureate Education institution; chief strategy and development officer for the International Baccalaureate Organization in The Hague; and chief strategy officer, chief academic officer and senior vice president for Laureate Education Inc. Global Products and Services Division. Dr. Saxton holds two doctorate degrees in business and human services, as well as a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of Liverpool in the UK, a Master’s of Science in Business Administration (MSBA) from Boston University and a BA from Wellesley College in the US.