The meeting, which was sponsored by GPIC, kicked off with a welcome from Sheikha Hessa Bint Khalifa Al Khalifa, the Executive Director of INJAZ Bahrain in which she said that the organization has established solid bedrock for continued growth, sustainability and excellence through the generous ongoing support received from 20 organizations representing different sectors in Bahrain.
“The steadfast commitment from our board members has given us the confidence to set ambitious plans and aim high. The support we receive goes beyond mere financial support and provision of volunteers, but also includes event and program sponsorship, knowledge and expertise sharing, supplies and materials, incentive plans for volunteers, and provision of valuable mentorship and internship learning opportunities for our students,” Sheikha Hessa, said.
Since inception in 2005, INJAZ Bahrain has been active in engaging the private sector in the human development aspect by partnering with major private sector corporations with the aim of empowering youth to own their economic success.
Top executives from financial, industrial and service entities serve on INJAZ Bahrain Board of Directors. The number of directors, who serve for three-year terms, has nearly doubled since 2005, growing from just 10 to 18. The directors work with leading business people, educators and the community to advance INJAZ Bahrain’s mission and reach a wider base of Bahraini youth through its economic-based programs which instill sound work-readiness culture, financial literacy and entrepreneurship skills.
The INJAZ Bahrain Board of Directors is considered as one of the most powerful and diversified such bodies in the Kingdom. It is comprised of 8 national and international banks representing the banking sector; namely, Bank of Bahrain and Kuwait, Ithmaar, AlSalam, Kuwait Finance House, CitiBank, HSBC, Khaleeji Commercial Bank and Bahrain National Holding Company. Also on the Board are large industrial companies, which include Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC), Bapco, Alba and BANAGAS. The services sector is represented by Batelco, Gulf Air, Gulf Hotel Group and FP7, in addition to Tamkeen, Ernst & Young, Bahrain Journalists Association and Qays H. Zu’bi Attorneys & Legal Consultants.
The Board of Directors has responsibility for the sustainability and expansion of INJAZ Bahrain’s programs within the Kingdom of Bahrain, and ensuring INJAZ Bahrain has the plan and financial and human resources needed required.
This academic year, board members helped to increase the number of total volunteers to 294 volunteers forming 54% of the total target. With this significant number of human support, INJAZ Bahrain has succeeded in reaching over than 16,000 students in all government secondary and intermediate schools, 27% of the primary schools, and a number of private schools and universities.