In collaboration with ICCROM Regional Centre and the University of Sharjah
September 12, 2024, 10:53 am

فعاليات برنامج ماجستير إدارة حفظ التراث الثقافي للدفعة السادسة

Press Release
In collaboration with ICCROM Regional Centre and the University of Sharjah
The sixth intake of the Master Program in Conservation Management of Cultural Heritage kicks off in Sharjah

A team from ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah and the University of Sharjah received the Master’s students on the first day of the Program

Sharjah, United Arab Emirates, 7 September 2024 – The activities of the sixth intake of the ICCROM Master’s Program in Conservation Management of Cultural Heritage kicked off at the International Organisations Building in Sharjah (UAE). The Program is being implemented in collaboration between the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) and the University of Sharjah, under the generous patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah in the United Arab Emirates.
The ICCROM Master's Program in Conservation Management of Cultural Heritage is an important initiative that aims to develop and preserve cultural heritage in the Arab region to face the significant challenges that the area is witnessing. The program aims to impart knowledge and enable a new generation of heritage specialists, providing them with the knowledge and skills necessary to support efforts to preserve, present, and benefit from heritage in their countries.
On the first day of the Program, the team presented an overview of the ICCROM and its Regional Centre in Sharjah, focusing on its mission, programs, and activities that aim to preserve cultural heritage in the Arab region. The presentation also focused on the training opportunities provided by the centre.
At the beginning of the meeting, Mr. Nasir Al Darmaki, Deputy Director of the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah, stressed the importance of the Master's Program, which represents one of the essential activities implemented by the ICCROM Centre In Sharjah within the framework of the cooperation agreement signed with the University of Sharjah. He also spoke about the Program's objectives, which seek through its research, academic, and practical activities to contribute to qualifying national cadres to support the preservation of cultural heritage in the Arab region and enhance scholarly research. He also praised the role of the Emirate of Sharjah in hosting the center and its Master's Program.
Architect Anwar Sabik, Programme Officer (Training and Field Projects) at the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah, spoke about the ICCROM center's contribution to the Master's Program through the ongoing designing and developing the training program in cooperation with university professors and providing international and regional experts/teachers as visiting lecturers within the Program, whether from the ICCROM staff or its network of global experts.
He also highlighted the contribution of the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah, which provides scholarships to several students to join the Program as part of a disciplined selection process among competing students from the Arab region. This year, (4) students obtained this scholarship (out of 70 competing students) from Bahrain, Tunisia, Egypt, and Palestine.
Dr Monther Jamhawi, the program coordinator at the University of Sharjah, spoke about the importance of the cooperation program that combines the research and applied expertise of the ICCROM Centre with the university's academic expertise. He also referred to the diversity of scientific backgrounds of the participating students and the importance of representing several Arab countries in this Program. He closed by wishing the students would make valuable academic and research contributions.
Since its launch in 2019, the ICCROM Master's Program in Conservation Management of Cultural Heritage has witnessed remarkable local and regional participation. The number of students enrolled in the Program has reached 108 from all over the Arab region. In this season (2024-2025), the Program holds (15) students, including (9) students from the United Arab Emirates and a student from Bahrain, Egypt, Tunisia, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and Iran.
Through 10 training courses implemented over one year, students will learn the most important knowledge, skills, and principles of cultural heritage conservation management. They will be hosted at the training halls provided by ICCROM and the Sharjah Heritage Institute of Heritage at the International Organisations Building in the Emirate of Sharjah. The following year, students will return to their countries to work on their graduation projects.

About the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah
The ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah is a cultural hub generously supported by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the Ruler of Sharjah and member of the Supreme Council of the United Arab Emirates. The office is a powerhouse of cultural heritage knowledge, specially created for widespread adoption in Arabic-speaking countries. Launched in 2012, ICCROM-Sharjah is dedicated to protecting cultural heritage in the Arab region and broadening access, appreciation, and understanding of its rich history.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) at the company’s headquarters in the Seef District.
During the meeting, shareholders approved all items listed on the agenda, including the ratification of the minutes of the previous AGM held on 26 March 2024. The session reviewed and approved the Board’s Annual Report on the company’s activities and financial performance for the fiscal year ended 31 December 2024, and the shareholders expressed their satisfaction with the company’s operational and financial results during the reporting period.
The meeting also reviewed the Independent External Auditor’s Report on the company’s consolidated financial statements for the year ended 31 December 2024. Subsequently, the shareholders approved the audited financial statements for the fiscal year. Based on the Board’s recommendation, the shareholders approved the distribution of a cash dividend equivalent to 10% of the paid-up share capital.
Furthermore, the shareholders endorsed the allocation of a total amount of BD 172,500 as remuneration to the members of the Board for the year ended 31 December 2024, subject to prior clearance by related authorities.
The extension of the current composition of the Board was approved, which includes ten members and one CBB observer, for a further six-month term, expiring in September 2025, pending no objection from the CBB.
The meeting reviewed and approved the Corporate Governance Report for 2024, which affirmed the company’s full compliance with the corporate governance directives issued by the CBB and other applicable regulatory frameworks. The AGM absolved the Board Members of liability for any of their actions during the year ending on 31st December 2024, in accordance with the Commercial Companies Law.
In alignment with regulatory requirements, the session approved the reappointment of Ernst & Young (EY) as the company’s External Auditors for the fiscal year 2025, covering both the parent company and its subsidiaries—Sinnad and Bahrain FinTech Bay. The Board was authorised to determine the external auditors’ professional fees, subject to approval from the CBB, and the meeting concluded with a discussion of any additional issues as per Article (207) of the Commercial Companies Law.
Speaking on the company’s performance, Mr. Mohamed Al Bastaki, Chairman BENEFIT , stated: “In terms of the financial results for 2024, I am pleased to say that the year gone by has also been proved to be a success in delivering tangible results. Growth rate for 2024 was 19 per cent. Revenue for the year was BD 17 M (US$ 45.3 Million) and net profit was 2 Million ($ 5.3 Million).

Mr. Al Bastaki also announced that the Board had formally adopted a new three-year strategic roadmap to commence in 2025. The strategy encompasses a phased international expansion, optimisation of internal operations, enhanced revenue diversification, long-term sustainability initiatives, and the advancement of innovation and digital transformation initiatives across all service lines.
“I extend my sincere appreciation to the CBB for its continued support of BENEFIT and its pivotal role in fostering a stable and progressive regulatory environment for the Kingdom’s banking and financial sector—an environment that has significantly reinforced Bahrain’s standing as a leading financial hub in the region,” said Mr. Al Bastaki. “I would also like to thank our partner banks and valued customers for their trust, and our shareholders for their ongoing encouragement. The achievements of 2024 set a strong precedent, and I am confident they will serve as a foundation for yet another successful and impactful year ahead.”
Chief Executive of BENEFIT; Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi commented, “The year 2024 represented another pivotal chapter in BENEFIT ’s evolution. We achieved substantial progress in advancing our digital strategy across multiple sectors, while reinforcing our long-term commitment to the development of Bahrain’s financial services and payments landscape. Throughout the year, we remained firmly aligned with our objective of delivering measurable value to our shareholders, strategic partners, and customers. At the same time, we continued to play an active role in enabling Bahrain’s digital economy by introducing innovative solutions and service enhancements that directly address market needs and future opportunities.”
Mr. AlJanahi affirmed that BENEFIT has successfully developed a robust and well-integrated payment network that connects individuals and businesses across Bahrain, accelerating the adoption of emerging technologies in the banking and financial services sector and reinforcing Bahrain’s position as a growing fintech hub, and added, “Our achievements of the past year reflect a long-term vision to establish a resilient electronic payment infrastructure that supports the Kingdom’s digital economy. Key developments in 2024 included the implementation of central authentication for open banking via BENEFIT Pay”
Mr. AlJanahi concluded by thanking the Board for its strategic direction, the company’s staff for their continued dedication, and the Central Bank of Bahrain, member banks, and shareholders for their valuable partnership and confidence in the company’s long-term vision.