Intelligent CIO Middle East Issue 54 | Page 48

COUNTRY FOCUS: BAHRAIN Bahrain, like virtually every country in the world, is learning to cope with a new reality. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the way we work and the country is developing strategies to not only cope but thrive in the future. //////////////// Technology transforming Bahrain’s present and future Accelerating innovation and entrepreneurship The country is ensuring its young tech talent is getting a good start to their careers. Brinc Batelco, located in Manama, Bahrain, aims to support Bahrain’s youth by promoting innovation, creativity, entrepreneurship and most importantly, the upskilling of future generations of technology experts. The renewed sponsorship of Brinc in Bahrain by Batelco stems from the telco’s commitment to support education and entrepreneurship and enhance the growth of digitisation. The partnership is structured to drive innovation and creativity within the Brinc Batelco Hub through product design and development initiatives as well as workshops designed to drive entrepreneurial practices, encouraging the generation of new products and services. Brinc Batelco successfully hosted its latest youth-centric event earlier this year with a virtual education-themed hackathon designed to empower students during school closures. The virtual hackathon was organised in support of social distancing measures to curb the COVID-19 pandemic in line with official directives. The hackathon, launched in partnership with InJaz Bahrain and Cleverplay, focussed 48 INTELLIGENTCIO www.intelligentcio.com