ThinkSmart Connect 2025 Celebrates Partnerships, Innovation, and Future Talent in Bahrain

Biz Bahrain

22-05-2025

In a powerful evening dedicated to collaboration and innovation, ThinkSmart Gulf hosted its annual ThinkSmart Connect 2025, bringing together industry leaders, academic figures, and emerging youth talent to celebrate key milestones and honor impactful partnerships. Under the theme 'Bridging Skills and Futures – Together,' the event highlighted the crucial intersection between education and industry, reinforcing the shared responsibility of shaping a future-ready workforce. In his opening keynote, Ahmed Al Hujairy, Founder of ThinkSmart Gulf and CEO of Gulf Future Business Group, reflected on the event's purpose 'This event is not just a celebration—it's a reflection of how far we've come together. At ThinkSmart Gulf, we believe that partnerships are not merely cooperative efforts; they are the engines that fuel national progress, empower youth, and unlock innovative potential.' 'Every initiative, every training, every collaboration we've built has a single goal—bridging the gap between talent and opportunity. ThinkSmart Connect is a testament to what can happen when the public sector, academia, and industry unite with purpose. Ahmed Al Hujairy added. Aakash Munjal, General Manager of ThinkSmart Gulf, shared how internship and mentoring programs have become game-changers for aspiring professionals, 'Through our internship programs and hands-on learning experiences, we are equipping students with the tools and confidence to thrive in the modern workforce. The success stories we celebrated tonight are a reflection of what happens when students are truly empowered—when they're given access to mentors, opportunities, and environments that challenge and inspire them. Watching our students grow into professionals is the greatest success of all.' Educational leaders set the tone for the evening, underscoring the importance of academia in cultivating future-ready talent. Prof. Mansoor Al Aali, President of Ahlia University, and Prof. Christina G. Georgantopoulou, Dean of Engineering at Bahrain Polytechnic, emphasized the vital role that educational institutions play in preparing students not only for the workforce but for leadership in a digital age. Industry perspectives followed with valuable insights from Khalid Jalal of GARMCO, Jaison Joe from Almoayyed Computers Middle East, and Haitham Al-Issa from D11 Gaming Hub. Each spoke to the significance of real-world engagement and how hands-on collaboration with students helps translate academic learning into impactful career pathways. A key highlight of the event was the awards ceremony, where more than 20 + partner organizations were recognized for their continued dedication to youth empowerment, professional mentorship, and skills development. The evening concluded with a group photo and celebratory dinner, giving attendees the opportunity to network and reflect on shared accomplishments.
ThinkSmart Connect served as a resounding testament to the power of collaboration—between academia, industry, and the public sector—in building a stronger, more innovative Bahrain.