The AKA scholarship was enabled in honour of the late, Abdul Rahman Jasim Kanoo, to encourage and facilitate the further education of our top graduates at Abdul Rahman Kanoo International School (ARKIS). As a pioneer within education, he saw the importance of continuing one’s education beyond the level of High School within Bahrain. The AKA scholarship is the only available scholarship from a Private or International school for students in Bahrain. It gives ARKIS students the chance to pursue their chosen course of study, in their University of choice, and then bring back their skills and knowledge to contribute to Bahrain society. Now ARKIS have over twelve young graduates who have benefited from this programme and all of which are active within Bahraini society. This annual award will continue and will be adopted within the second school premises Abdulrahman Kanoo School (ARK)- www.arks.edu.bh, in Al Diyar, with the academic year commencing 28th August 2022.
“I have devoted my effort, thoughts and wealth to this school. It is my dream to have a school that provides the country with a generation that is conscientious, open-minded and educated. It is my sincerest hope that they grow into committed citizens of their country and are capable of contributing to and maintaining the interest of this country as well as to confront the challenges of the future.”
Commencing in 2011 with the first recipient being Ms. Noor Marraghi and the 2021 award being given to Redha Aqeel. To date, approximately BD 290,000, just under $1000000, has been spent on a full University Scholarship for over twelve ARKIS graduates. The rigorous application for ARKIS students involves not only academic prowess but following the Pillars and Foundation set by the schools Founding Father, the late Mr. Abdul Rahman Jasim Kanoo. Short listed and interviewed for the final round were three incredible candidates: Miss Alaa Rajab, Miss Yasmeen Hussain and Miss Mariam Madan.
The 2022 winner of the prestigious AKA Scholarship winner went to Miss Mariam Madan, who will pursue Economics and Public Policy in the United Kingdom — either at the University of Glasgow or the University of Sheffield. This will enable Mariam to further her passion for international socioeconomic development at either of these prestigious institutions, and apply all that is learnt to contribute to Bahrain. On being informed she was the winner of the 13th AKA Scholarship Mariam noted, “My journey at ARKIS was life changing, truly shaping me into the person that I am today. This establishment has given me all I have ever wanted and needed out of my education, allowing so many of my dreams come into fruition. It is an absolute honour to be this year’s recipient of the AKA Scholarship. To me, this award is the amalgamation of years of hard work, passion, and ambition — all of which keep me driven towards my goal of uplifting my family from hardship. To venture into the world of higher-education with support from the AKA committee is a privilege that I will forever be grateful for. It would not have been possible without my family, friends, and the remarkable teachers and staff at ARKIS, who have aided in my growth and shaped me into the person I am today.”
On behalf of the school, Ms. Kate Moskwa- School Principal notes, “Mariam is an embodiment of the virtues and skills that we have come to expect from our graduating students- and something the late Founder would be proud of, seeing his legacy being fulfilled through these students. We look forward to welcoming Mariam back after her undergraduate degree and work to making a huge impact to her country.”
End Notes:
Abdul Rahman bin Jasim Kanoo was born in the city of Manama in 1932. He was first enrolled in the Western Elementary School in Manama, then the Secondary School for Boys. He travelled to study in Cairo and was enrolled in the Mohamed Ali School in the Sayida Zainab area, then Khedeyweya Secondary School. After joining secondary school, he enrolled in the American University of Beirut- studying Business. Abdul Rahman Kanoo is one of the seven original founding members of the Yusuf bin Ahmed Kanoo Group (YBA Kanoo). He had a social spirit that is benevolent and a heart that expands the love of all people. He had a prominent role in supporting and developing the social and charitable orientation of this commercial group that gained a prominent position in its society. He was one of the Kingdoms commercial figures who worked to encourage the establishment of many charitable societies and committees in Bahrain. He was the Chairman of Al-Ahli Club for more than twenty years (1979-2000) and is one of the largest sports clubs in Bahrain.
He built and financed, at his own personal expense, the Abdul Rahman Kanoo International School in 1997 in Zinj. The school was then moved in 2005 to the Salmabad Area with a modern fully equipped campus- one of the first private schools in Bahrain. In 1999, His Highness Prince Sheikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa- Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Bahrain, appointed him as a member of the Supreme Council for Youth and Sports. In 1992 he was awarded the State Prize for National Action. He died in 2007 and his legacy continues in the formation of the Abdul Rahman Kanoo Group in which the school is one of many philanthropic activities.
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