Bahrain leads regionally by hosting ARTDO

The Kingdom of Bahrain has again verified its position as the outmost forerunner amongst the Arab countries by becoming the first Arab nation to head the 33rd international HRD Conference and Exhibition of the Asian Regional Training & Development Organisation ARTDO under the patronage of H.H. Shaikh Khalifa Bin Salman Al Khalifa, the Prime Minister.

The Conference and Exhibition, which are to be held during the period of 9th - 12th April 2006 in the Gulf International Convention and Exhibition Centre, will be hosted by the Bahrain Society for Training and Development (BSTD), whose President, Mr. Ahmed Al Banna, is also the first Arab national to hold the position of the President of ARTDO. Under the broad-spectrum theme of delving into 'the Power Within' and examining strategies for maximizing human potential, there are four principle streams the Conference addresses: Leadership, Innovative Learning, Future Shape of Work and Developing 'Self'.

It is estimated that more that 700 delegates will attend the Conference, according to BSTD's Vice Chairperson Ms. Fareeda BuBshait who also confirmed that this number is expected to rise due to the fact that the Conference will provide the opportunity to benefit from the foremost human resource and training gurus of the world. The guests of honour and the key speakers will include the Saudi Minister of Labour H.E. Dr. Ghazi Al Gosaibi, Bahrain Petroleum Company President Dr. Mustafa Al Sayed, the Chief Minister of Penang, Malaysia Dr. Koh Tsu Koon and finally the Regional Director of the Arab States in the International Labour Organisation Dr. Taleb Refai.

The Chief Executive and Advisor of BSTD Mr. Ebrahim Khalifa Al Doseri will chair the CEO Forum which will facilitate a unique opportunity to interact and debate with the CEP panel.

Ms. BuBshait also confirmed that the marketing strategy for the conference has been carefully put and is processing fruitfully and hoped the conference to have prosperous success and thriving outcomes similar to those achieved by the BSTD while hosting the International Federation of Training and Development Organisation in 2002.

BSTD's Vice Chairperson also affirmed that the Conference coincides with BSTD's mission to equip the Bahrainis and encourage them into the areas of training and human resource development by participating in knowledge construction, interacting with the local and regional HRD experts and authorities and by organising conferences, workshops and seminars such as the major IFTDO and the ARTDO events. These efforts aim at endowing the public with the most current and updated practices in the field of training and development.

This uphill struggle of the BSTD to raise public awareness and professional knowledge in addition to its brilliant reputation is what has positioned the BSTD as one of the most incomparable outstanding societies on the island, according to Ms. BuBshait.

Furthermore, the Conference's Public Relations Committee Chairperson Mr. Moh'd Al Oujan tempted all professional concerned with training and human resource development to invest in the various experiences and skills exhibited at the Conference in order to surge in career escalation and knowledge attainment.