AlMabarrah AlKhalifia Foundation (MKF) held the first edition of “The Takeoff”, an event focused on future careers and local universities, at its new headquarters in Riffa.
The event was attended by Her Highness Shaikha Zain bint Khalid Al Khalifa, Chairperson of MKF’s Board of Trustees; Osama bin Saleh Al Alawi, Minister of Social Development; and His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Ali Al Khalifa, Governor of the Southern Governorate.
Around 120 secondary school students aged 16 to 18 participated in the event, which provided them with opportunities to explore academic and career paths through career guidance, skill development, and an introduction to future oriented specialisations and local universities.
Saba Yousif Seyadi, Chief Executive of MKF, said that the event reflects the Foundation’s commitment to supporting and empowering youth at a critical stage of choosing academic majors and career paths. She noted that the initiative was supported by the National Bank of Bahrain.
Seyadi said the exhibition aims to help students build informed ambitions through scientific and realistic career guidance, offering a knowledge-based and interactive platform aligned with developments in the global economy, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation. She cited the 2024 World Economic Forum report stating that 65% of today’s students will work in jobs that do not yet exist, highlighting the need to prepare adaptable and innovative youth capable of informed decision making.
She added that MKF’s educational and community programmes are based on the belief that investing in youth is the most successful form of investment. The Takeoff, she explained, is part of MKF’s ongoing efforts to equip young Bahrainis with tools to shape their futures.
Noora Shareeda from MKF Connect, MKF’s marketing arm, said the event included three main components. The first was an assessment station, launched in partnership with Education Zone, which provided all participating students with career guidance based on personality traits, interests, talents, and labour market needs in Bahrain and the Gulf.
The second component was a university station featuring eight local universities presenting new academic programmes and specialisations. The third was a series of interactive workshops covering cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, architecture, digital banking, and finance, including a session in partnership with Mubasher Capital. All workshops were delivered by strategic partners under formal agreements with MKF.
The event received positive feedback from students, who appreciated its practical approach and noted the value of such initiatives in helping them make well-informed academic and career decisions.