Manama: The Euro University of Bahrain held the closing ceremony of the Euro Game Jam 2026 gaming and eSports initiative, attended by Dr. Mohammed bin Mubarak Juma, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Higher Education Council.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Dr. Juma stated that such initiatives are a successful example of cooperation between higher education institutions and emerging sectors, providing students and young people with practical opportunities to develop their skills and apply their knowledge in a competitive environment. He noted the council's support for initiatives that help develop higher education in line with global developments and national development priorities, while turning the ideas and creative talents of Bahraini youth into opportunities in technology, innovation, and the digital industries.
The Education Minister commended Euro Game Jam 2026 as a platform that encourages Bahraini youth to use their creative and technical skills. He mentioned that participants demonstrated a high level of ability to keep pace with global developments, while gaining new educational and career opportunities that strengthen their readiness for the labor market and support Bahrain's efforts to build a knowledge- and innovation-based economy.
Professor Andrew Nix, President of the Euro University of Bahrain, highlighted the support of the Ministry of Education and the Higher Education Council for such initiatives, which he believes enhances the quality of education and helps meet future needs. He explained that the initiative builds on developments in government school curricula following the Ministry of Education's launch of the Gaming 100 textbook for secondary school students.
He added that the success of Euro Game Jam 2026 reflects the capabilities of Bahraini youth. Gaming and eSports have become a rapidly growing global industry, offering opportunities in innovation, entrepreneurship, and digital technologies, as well as representing a promising economic sector. The university is working to turn this interest into educational and career opportunities through modern academic programs in partnership with the University of London, helping prepare graduates with the knowledge and skills required by the digital economy.
Dr. Reem Al Buainain, Vice President of the Euro University of Bahrain, said Euro Game Jam 2026 is part of the university's vision to build an integrated system combining education, innovation, and talent development, while strengthening links between higher education and future industries. She explained that the university has strengthened this approach by introducing two new pathways within its University of London-hosted Bachelor of Science in Computer Science program: game development, and machine learning and artificial intelligence. These complement existing pathways in data science and web and mobile application development, giving students the opportunity to study modern fields that combine academic foundations with practical application and meet growing global demand for skills in AI, game development, and digital technologies.
Dr. Juma honored the winners, partners, and supporters of the initiative, highlighting its role in building a national gaming and eSports ecosystem, developing skilled Bahraini talent, and strengthening Bahrain's position as a promising hub for the digital economy and creative industries.