Page - 172 - in Radical Solutions and Open Science - An Open Approach to Boost Higher Education

180 R.Y.Hamzah 4. ADynamic, Innovative,andEntrepreneurialEnvironment: tobecomeacompet- itive, efficient and entrepreneurial organization that thrives throughdeveloping an innovationculture through itspeople, policies andsystems. 5. Local Engagement and International Reputation: to enhance local engage- ment and international reputation by becoming a driver for collaboration and partnerships. 6. Bahrain’s Economic Diversification and Growth: to bridge the skills gap and place theuniversityas the leading talentpool in the region. 7. A Transformative Environment: to transform the university to host amodern, inspiringand technology-ledcampus. TheTransformationPlanfocusesoninternationalizationto:createglobalcitizens, develop relationswith industry in order to bemore innovative and entrepreneurial, widenitsacademicspecialties,promote lifelonglearning,andproduceresearch that hasregionalandinternationalimpact.ThePlanfocusesonanumberofareas, includ- ingestablishingaUnit forTeachingExcellenceandLeadership toadvance teaching methods, develop innovative pedagogy, and develop the teaching skills of faculty. Technology is employednotonly toenhance learningand teaching,but also tocre- ate a smart campuspopulatedwith skilled andableprofessionals. Faculty and staff membersalikeareequippedwith thecriticaldigital skills,whichhasbeenenforced by thedevelopmentof aDigitalLiteracyCertificate for allmembers. 11.3 SustainableDevelopmentGoalsandInnovation Thepressureofeconomicgrowthagainstfailingoilpricesanddiminishingresources meansthateconomiesandorganizationsoftheGCCneedtobemoredynamic,agile, andproductive thaneverbefore.TheGCCregionfacesdwindlingnatural resources, stretchedpublic funding,andincreasingpopulations.Thepopulation is increasingly shiftingtolivingincitieswhichconsequentlyisputtingexcessstrainoninfrastructure ofmany cities. The population of theGCChas doubled over the past 20 years to reach51million in2015.TheGCCisoneof themosthighlyurbanizedpartsof the worldwith85%of its populations living incities today, expected to rise to90%by 2050 (PWC,2017). These issuesarecompoundedbytheenvironmentalchallenges that theGCCcur- rentlyfaces.TheMiddleEastandNorthAfrica(MENA)regionasawholecurrently facessignificantenvironmental issues,water shortages,droughtareas, airpollution, climatechange,andrisingenergyconsumption.Thelackofaccesstosufficientclean water threatens inmanywaysmankind,andcan lead to thespreadofdisease.Water scarcityandpollutionthreatenagricultureandfoodproduction.TheArabForumfor Environment andDevelopmentproduceda report discussing thesechallenges tobe facedby the region in thenext tenyears (AFED,2017). Considering these regional environmental issues, universities in the regionneed to comply with international and environmental requirements, including policies