Bahrain’s skyline represents the launch of BCFC’s Afaq Scholarship Programme to support academically outstanding Bahraini students.

Bahrain Scholarship Afaq Programme Opens New Opportunities

Priyanshu Kumar
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Priyanshu Kumar
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Priyanshu Kumar is a Middle East-focused HR and workplace journalist at StrongYes Media, covering the people, talent and leadership movements shaping Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. His...
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Bahrain Commercial Facilities Company launched the Bahrain Scholarship programme Afaq on September 21, 2026, through a partnership with the American University of Bahrain. The programme will support academically outstanding Bahraini students seeking higher education opportunities. The Afaq Scholarship Programme in Bahrain operates under BCFC’s Environmental, Social and Governance agenda.

The programme began with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between BCFC and AUBH. Abdulla Bukhowa, CEO of BCFC, and Dr Wafa Almansoori, Interim President and Provost of AUBH, attended the signing ceremony.

Afaq scholarship supports Bahraini students

The Bahrain Scholarship initiative will identify high-achieving Bahraini students and support them through their university education. According to BCFC, the programme aims to help eligible students access higher education at leading institutions.

Afaq means “horizons”. Through the programme, students will receive support through to graduation at AUBH. The partnership also links the scholarship with BCFC’s work on national talent development and Bahrain’s human capital priorities.

BCFC launched Afaq as part of its Environmental, Social and Governance agenda. The company said the programme reflects its focus on investing in Bahraini youth and supporting the country’s education journey.

Meanwhile, AUBH said the partnership will provide Bahraini students with access to American-model higher education. The university also highlighted support for national talent as part of the cooperation.

Afaq programme to expand student support

The Afaq Scholarship Programme in Bahrain will progressively expand to support more student cohorts through its partnership with AUBH. The programme will also equip participants with knowledge and educational opportunities linked to the future workforce.

BCFC CEO Abdulla Bukhowa said investment in young people remains at the heart of the company’s ESG agenda. He added that Afaq will support talented Bahraini students through their university journey.

Dr Wafa Almansoori welcomed the partnership and said it creates access to American-model higher education for Bahraini students. The Bahrain Scholarship programme will therefore continue through the BCFC-AUBH partnership as the companies support Bahrain’s ongoing education efforts.


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Priyanshu Kumar is a Middle East-focused HR and workplace journalist at StrongYes Media, covering the people, talent and leadership movements shaping Oman, Kuwait and Bahrain. His coverage spans HR appointments, leadership moves, talent trends, workplace developments, HR news, events and industry conversations, with a strong pulse on the region’s evolving people landscape. At StrongYes, he works closely with the region’s HR ecosystem to surface the stories, leaders and developments that matter to the Middle East’s people and talent community.