Salman Town could soon have a new community hub bringing books, technology, creativity and hands-on learning together under one roof.
The Northern Municipal Council has unanimously approved a proposal to establish a Salman Town Centre for Knowledge, Learning and Innovation, aimed at giving residents a modern community space for education, research, digital learning and creativity.
The proposal, submitted by area councillor Bassem Abu Idrees, was approved yesterday and referred to Municipalities Affairs and Agriculture Minister Wael Al Mubarak for review, including a cost study in co-ordination with the relevant ministries and government agencies.
Mr Abu Idrees said the proposed centre would go far beyond the traditional idea of a public library.
“We aspire to create a modern knowledge landmark that matches Bahrain’s ambitions and invests in its most valuable resource – its people,” he said.
“The centre would bring knowledge, learning and innovation together in one place, giving residents an environment where they can learn, experiment, create and develop skills for the future.”
The proposed facility would be designed as a lively community destination rather than simply a building lined with books.
It could include reading and research areas, digital learning rooms, technology and innovation laboratories, training and educational workshops, as well as cultural and knowledge-based programmes targeting schoolchildren, young people, families and other members of the community.
Mr Abu Idrees
Mr Abu Idrees said the idea was driven by the belief that the development of a modern town should not be measured only by its roads, buildings and services.
“Communities are built not only through infrastructure and services, but also by investing in people, developing their abilities and creating an environment that encourages learning and creativity,” he said.
The centre could also provide opportunities for students to acquire skills outside the classroom, including research, independent learning, creative thinking and the use of modern technologies.
It could work closely with schools, educational institutions and government bodies involved in knowledge, education and innovation, creating a platform for partnerships, workshops and community programmes.
Mr Abu Idrees said Salman Town is a natural location for such a project given its rapid residential and urban growth and the presence of schools and educational facilities in the town and surrounding areas.
“A modern centre for knowledge and learning would be a valuable addition to the educational and social landscape of the area,” he said.
He added that Bahrain already had a strong record in embracing technology and innovation in education, including the Unesco-King Hamad Bin Isa Al Khalifa Prize for the Use of Information and Communication Technologies in Education, established in 2005.
“This proposal is an investment in people before it is an investment in a building,” Mr Abu Idrees said.
“We want a space where knowledge meets experience, education meets innovation, and where the energy of our young people can be transformed into real opportunities for creativity and achievement.”
The councillor said the centre, if realised, could become a community landmark serving Salman Town and neighbouring areas while supporting Bahrain’s wider ambitions to develop a knowledgeable, skilled and innovative society.
He expressed hope that the proposal would move forward following its referral to the ministry and relevant government authorities.
“Our ambition is to see this project become a reality and a beacon of knowledge and learning for the people of Salman Town and the surrounding communities,” he said.
mohammed@gdnmedia.bh
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