BIPD Trains Students on Scholarships to be Ambassadors of Bahrain

In concurrence with announcing scholarships abroad, Bahrain Institute for Political Development (BIPD) commences as of Sunday, introducing “Scholarship Recipient Ambassador” in the period from August 21-25, which is aimed to be an annual program. The program targets the students on Ministry of Education scholarships to study abroad.
Dr. Yaser Al-Alawi, Executive Director of BIPD stated: The “Scholarship Recipient Ambassador” program is one of the awareness programs that are closely associated with fulfilling the Institute’s  objectives, and further aims to promote its efforts to nurture political upbringing, and to develop the political awareness of citizens. The program, he added, is a manifestation of the Institute’s interactive role and social responsibility toward the homeland, by means of participating in the nurturing and upbringing of future generations on solid foundations that are based on national affiliation, and the proper democratic principles that were instilled by virtue of the reform project of His Majesty the King.   
Al-Alawi added: Through this program, the Institute seeks to prepare students who are on scholarships abroad to be the best ambassadors of Bahrain, and to fortify their national identity against all attempts of alienation and distortion. It shall also endeavor to protect their own safety and security by guiding their steps in urgent situations, particularly in light of what Bahrain has encountered in recent years in terms of systematic media campaigns of mutilation and deliberate dishonesty. The program shall be a platform to prepare and educate students of the political, legal, media, social, and human rights aspects; in a bid to increase their awareness of Bahrain’s history and modern achievements; as well as to realize their rights and duties in light of the comprehensive democratic and developmental prosperity that paved the way for freedoms and human rights.  
Al-Alawi also said that the program aims to form a general information and cultural database for students prior to leaving Bahrain, which is expected to contribute to preparing a type of students who are aware of their national affairs; to safeguard and improve their political, legal, media, social and human rights knowledge; and to increase awareness of their rights abroad as well as their national role as a mirror to reflect the social reality and the genuine image of the Bahraini society.
Al-Alawi further said: The program will be presented by an elite group of lecturers and themed experts. It will seek to promote bonds between the students on scholarship and their homeland, by instilling national values, bolstering the spirit of belonging and patriotism; all of which will make them preclude the hazards of alienation and negative impacts of cultural exposure, and prevent them from being subjected to any problems or risks abroad.
Al-Alawi added: Bahraini students on scholarships abroad enjoy a special feature in terms of having direct contacts with different cultures. This calls for adequate preparation to provide them with intellectual dialogue skills, and ability to impact the public opinion by means of evidence-based convincing and the art of communication, to underline facts, as well as to respond to any fallacies about his/her homeland; and to identify the thriving reality being observed by the Kingdom of Bahrain at all levels: political, economic, social and cultural.
Al-Alawi noted that BIPD is keen to translate the wise vision of His Majesty the King into purposeful programs and activities, through which the institute endeavors to develop political awareness of society, and prepares them to positively participate in the fulfillment of a promising future in all fields of development; as well as promotes the democratic achievements under his prosperous reign.
The “Scholarship Recipient Ambassador” program entails five essential aspects to prepare students in political, legal, media, social and human rights domains; in order for them to become capable of positively representing the Bahraini society, capable of countering fallacies and malicious rumors being promoted by others about the homeland; and capable of easily adjusting to foreign societies without impacting the originality of social, political and cultural values.
The program first aspect is (constitutional/legal). It aims to introduce the students to the national action charter, constitution of the Kingdom of Bahrain, the laws relevant to political rights and political societies. The second aspect (political) sheds more light on the history of the political system in Bahrain since 1971 to the present, with emphasis on the reform project of His Majesty the King that yielded large strides in establishing the civil state. The third aspect is (media), it focuses on interpersonal skills and other skills to influence the public opinion.
The fourth aspect is (social) that focuses on introducing students to the fundamentals of social crisis management, and the skills of forming and rejuvenating Bahraini civil society organizations abroad. The last aspect is (human rights), which underlines the rights of foreigners and students on scholarships that are embedded in international human rights agreements and conventions; as well as the internal laws regulating the rights and duties of foreigners and such students; in addition to the role of Bahraini embassies abroad in terms of their relations with students on scholarships.
It is expected that a full day will be allocated to each of the five aspects, whereas 25 students on scholarships will take part in each workshop. Each participant will receive a certificate of attendance from BIPD; as well as the “Students on Scholarship Guide” at the end of the program, which is a scientific and technical material relevant to the issues discussed at the program workshops, so as to be a reference for students.  
BIPD is a national institute that aims primarily to disseminate the culture of democracy, supports and instills the concept of proper democratic principles. It was established by virtue of Decree No. (39) of 2005. BIPD endeavors to raise political and developmental awareness; and to further promote the political march in Bahrain. It also works to increase knowledge amongst members of society, and increases their awareness of the political action, duties and rights guaranteed by the constitution, and regulated by the relevant legislations.