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Twelve top Bahraini students have returned from an intensive leadership training course at a leading technology park in France.
The two-week annual mentorship programme aims to provide students with an insight into the leading entrepreneurial ecosystem at Sophia Antipolis, which is considered to among the most innovative and fast-paced business environments in the world.
The programme, sponsored by Kuwait Finance House-Bahrain (KFH-Bahrain), gave the youngsters, aged 17 and 18, multiple learning and networking opportunities with private visits, mock exercises and brain-storming sessions.
Al Hidd Secondary Girls' School student, Noora Al Ghurair, 18, said: "The programme has helped boost my confidence. I learned how to interact with international entrepreneurs and it will definitely be of great help to me in the future."
The Sophia Antipolis Mentorship Programme is a joint initiative between KFH-Bahrain, the Young Arab Leaders Organisation (YAL) and InJAz Bahrain. Students are selected based on their academic excellence and distinctive scholastic track records.
Participating students from this year's batch included 17-year olds, Omar Mahri, Khalid Bedaiwi, Abdulrahman Farouq, and Talal Al Sehali from Alhedaya Al Khalifia Secondary School; Abdulrahman Al Rumaidh from Shaikh Abdulaziz Al Khalifa Secondary School, Noor Al Jowdar from Muharraq Secondary Girls' School, Sabeeka Al Shehi from Khawla Secondary Girls' School, Jasim Buhijji from East Riffa Secondary Boys' School and 18-year olds, Sara Majed and Sara Al Zayani from West Riffa Secondary Girls' School and Mooza Rabeea from Al-Ahd Al-Zaher Secondary Girls' School.
The group also made a film that helped them analyse a leadership simulation exercise that involved making crucial decisions related to businesses and organisations.
The youngsters also had an opportunity to take part in a unique exclusive private visit of the Maeght Foundation and discover the exhibition of the pioneering French artist Chagall and also toured a glass factory.
Managing director and CEO of KFH-Bahrain, Abdulhakeem Alkhayyat said that programmes of this nature help young people gain an understanding that could have a long term impact on the country's future. "These young Bahraini high-achievers constitute one of the most important pillars of society and we at KFH-Bahrain look towards those who gained this experience with great expectations," he added.
Dr Philippe Mariani, senior manager at KFH-Bahrain, and co-ordinator of the programme, said: "The experience that these students gained was exceptional and I am confident that will contribute highly towards influencing them into thinking in new and entrepreneurial ways."
