NZ company leads development of Bahrain polytechnic

New Zealand has played a key role in the development of a world-class polytechnic in Bahrain, designed to enhance the Middle Eastern nation’s economic growth and transform the economy.

NZ company PINZ (Polytechnics International NZ Limited), was selected to work with the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) to design and manage the establishment of the Polytechnic of Bahrain, officially launched in late November by the Crown Prince.

The polytechnic is part of the larger Bahrain National Education Reform Initiative, a government and private sector collaboration to address the skills gap in the region and improve educational standards across the country.

Specifically, the polytechnic has been developed in response to a shortage of industry-ready graduates who are needed to fuel the country’s ambitious growth targets, which include doubling household income by 2030.

Demand for education across the entire Gulf region is growing rapidly, with Bahrain well placed to become a centre of excellence for learning, particularly as this is the only polytechnic to be established within the Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) states.

NZ’s impressive track record in education programmes and reform was an important factor in the Government of Bahrain selecting PINZ through an international tender process.

“While NZ is well recognised for curriculum development, this project reflects much more than that. NZ’s educational and management expertise is at its foundation,” said NZTE education sector director Steve Jones.

“PINZ’s work with Bahrain provides profile and recognition within the Middle East for NZ’s technical and vocational education capability.”