CPISP Newsletter 2013
Crown Prince’s International Scholarship Program
• CPISP
announces 14th
Group of
Scholarship
Recipients
• CPISP works with
BIBF to develop
Candidacy
Program
• Boarding school
scholars leave a
big impact on
campus
Individual
Highlights:
Program updates 2
Internships 3
0213 Graduates 4
Students 5
Sponsors 6
Kingdom of Bahrain
HRH receives 2013 Scholarship Recipients
The CPISP has developed its
application and selection
process, working in
cooperation with the Bahrain
Institute for Banking and
Finance (BIBF) to enhance
the training features of its
Candidacy Program to
further benefit student
applicants and candidates.
The qualifying tests for
applicants have expanded to
include three critical
reasoning tests to assess
verbal, numerical, and
diagrammatical abilities, in
addition to an online English
Proficiency Test.
Based on the results of these
tests and GPAs, a minimum
of 60 students were selected
from governmental and
private schools to take part in
the 2013 Candidacy
Program, which included a
Critical Thinking course and
leadership training with BIBF,
as well as Personality and
Career Path Assessment and
the completion of a Level 3
certificate from the UK-based
Chartered Management
Institute in Team Leading.
Candidates also underwent
preparation courses for the
IELTS and SAT exams, and
the Candidacy Program
culminated in an outdoor
team building day with BIBF
at the Royal Golf Club.
14 / 03 / 2013 - HRH the Crown Prince, Deputy Supreme Commander, and First Deputy Prime Minister Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa welcomes the Program’s 14th Group of scholarship recipients at Riffa Palace, Kingdom of Bahrain.
2013 Recipients (Group 14) Student Name Secondary School School / University
Ahmed Atef Ashour East Riffa Boys School Choate Rosemary Hall, USA
Ali Mohamed Al-Mubarak Al Tawon Boys School Tabor Academy, USA
Ebrahim Faisal Al-Haddad Naim Boys School The Gunnery, USA
Fatema A.Hameed Al-Khanaizi Saar Girls School The Hun School of Princeton, USA
Fatema Ramzi Al-Majed Bahrain Bayan School University of Colorado, USA
Huda Ali Hasan Jidhafs Girls School Shrewsbury School, UK
Khaled Abdulmajeed Abdulkarim Ibn Khuldoon National School
University of Pennsylvania, USA
Samir Ismail Khonji St. Christopher's School Bristol University, UK
Walaa Mohamed Al-Khanaizi Saar Girls School Philips Academy Andover, USA
Yasmeen Essa Zainal St. Christopher's School University College London, UK
CPISP Candidacy Program with BIBF
CPISP Newsletter - 2013 Page 2 of 6
CPISP officials met with
various Ambassadors in
Bahrain and abroad to
discuss educational
opportunities available for
outstanding Bahraini
scholars. Dr. Cynthia
Gessling met with the French
Ambassador to Bahrain, HE
Mr. Christian Testot, the
Japanese Ambassador HE
Mr. Shigeki SUMI, and the
Korean and Russian Cultural
Attaches. She also held
discussions with officials
from the Ministries of
Education and Foreign
CPISP works to gather support for candidates
The CPISP requires
governmental school
scholars to attend boarding
schools in the US or UK for a
period of two years to
complete either their A-
Levels or American High
School Diploma, before
applying to university.
During this period, assigned
guardians residing in the US
and UK help orient the
students to their new schools
and surroundings, and host
them during school breaks
and/or emergencies.
CPISP welcomes new Boarding School Guardians
Affairs, and met with the
Bahraini Ambassador in
Germany, the Bahraini
Ambassador in France, and
the Bahraini Cultural Attaché
in the UK.
Experts and officials were
also invited to give lectures
and join panel discussions
during leadership training for
candidates and included
CPISP scholars Islam
Altayeb, Marwa Aleskafi, and
Mohamed Janahi who
shared their university
experiences with candidates.
Guest Speakers also
included: Mr. Ali Abdulla
(Labor Market Demands),
Ms. Maysoon Sabkar
(Networking and Social
Media), Mr. Ebrahim Al-
Shaibeh (Community
Service), Dr. Tariq Al-
Maadawi (Stress
Management), Chris
Rawlinson (Fitness), and
Nada Jawahery (Health).
A special session on
entrepreneurship included a
panel of officials from
Tenmou, Tamkeen, BDB,
and Batelco Innovation.
runners- up to The top sixty
candidates were selected
from the students who
applied for 2013 scholarships
early this year.
Their training began with
Critical Reading and Critical
Thinking courses, which ran
from March to April.
The Candidate Leadership
Program is taking place for
three weeks in July, and
aims to develop leadership,
communication, and problem
solving skills. It also features
lectures from guest speakers
focusing on various areas of
personal development and
culminates with student team
projects and final
presentations.
This year, sponsors have
been invited to attend two
open days during the
Leadership Program in order
to observe the students in
action and examine the
program’s course material.
The CPISP will also provide
candidates with a SAT and
IELTS Preparation course
before they take both exams
in November.
The final 10 recipients will be
selected next year based on
their GPAs, SAT results,
IELTS results, Critical
Thinking Course score, and
Leadership Training Program
Score.
After serving as official
guardians for the Program’s
boarding school scholars in
the UK since 2000, Dr. Roger
and Dorothy Baxter
announced their retirement in
2013. CPISP Director Dr.
Cynthia Gessling thanked the
Baxters for their support of
the Program, and for their
valuable contributions in
enriching the educational and
cultural experiences of
CPISP scholars.
The CPISP will now be
working with Gabbitas, an
independent education
consultancy, to fulfill the
guardianship needs of
boarding school scholars in
the UK. The company assigns
students to a responsible
guardian family to take care of
them during holidays and
between school terms.
The Program also welcomed
Mrs. Shaikha Buali, a native of
Bahrain, and her spouse Mr.
David Brown as USA
Guardians. They reside in
Philadelphia, PA and both
have a Master’s in Special
Needs Education and teach in
Philadelphia.
Boarding/Prep School scholars graduate
The following scholars from Group 10 (2011) successfully completed their A-Levels or
American High School Diploma and started their first year of university:
Name Prep/Boarding School University Ahmed Adham Bardooli Tabor Academy, USA Tufts University, USA
Esraa Abdulnabi Sabah Loomis Chaffee School, USA Northeastern University, USA
Jannat Aun Alkhanizi Sedbergh School, UK University College London, UK
Mohammed Nabeel Khunji Canford School, UK King’s College London, UK
Saeed Ahmed Al Rahma The Hun School of Princeton, USA Duke University, USA
CPISP meets with
HE Dr. Naser Al-Belooshi in Paris.
CPISP meets with HE Mr. Ebrahim
Mahmood Ahmed Abdulla in Berlin.
“I became more familiar and open to the English culture and people and drastically improved my
English language and social and leadership skills. I also got the chance to try many different new
sports like rugby, rowing, tennis, badminton, soft ball, and golf, and took part in community service
activities and school anniversaries.” - Mohammed Nabeel Khunji
“My Boarding School experience allowed me to look at things from a new perspective and aspire for
different things. Being able to win the school’s mathematics prize for a second year in a row, make
friends from all over the world, start sport hobbies, and develop musical interests are what will make
my time in Sedbergh School always memorable.” - Jannat Aun Alkhanizi
“I owe most of the great moments I had in Loomis to my dorm-mates and the dorm-affiliates; they
truly were a second family to me and provided me with the support I needed throughout the year. In-
fact, during my time at Loomis I never felt homesick, but I did feel severely dorm-sick when I was
back home… I didn’t expect it to be the greatest experience of my life!” –Yousif Alnawakhtha
Sumana Al-Gharbi picks
apples for charities and the
homeless with the Gunnery
Community Service Club.
Shifaa Alsairafi was
awarded the
Katherine Carlebach
Prize for her
distinguished
enthusiasm in
applying herself to
her studies and
extracurricular
activities at Choate
Rosemary Hall, USA.
Jannat Alkhanizi with the stone
mammoth at Barcelona’s Parc de
la Ciutadella during her summer
trip to learn Spanish.
CPISP Newsletter – Summer 2012 Page 3 of 6
Qassim Al-Mansoor, an
undergraduate majoring in
Mechanical Engineering at
Southampton University, UK,
spent an amazing 3 months
this summer interning at
McLaren Automotive in
Surrey, England. Qassim
explains he was a Series
Development intern for the
chassis function group and
worked on two project
proposals related to
developing the McLaren
MP4-12C, which he says will
be implemented on durability
vehicles.
“I was involved in the
development of the MP4-
Qassim Al-Mansoor interns at McLaren Automotive
Elham Yusuf, who is pursuing
a Bachelor’s degree in
International Relations with a
focus on Global Health,
completed a medical
internship in India this
summer with non-profit
organization Child Family
Health International (CFHI).
Elham was given the
opportunity to shadow
doctors and health allied
professionals at various
health camps in Northern
India and at Landour
Community Hospital in
Mussoorie.
Through this internship,
Elham became a certified
Emergency Medical
Technician and completed
Elham Yusuf completes medical internship in India
Fatema Al-Gharbi, who is
pursuing an undergraduate
degree in Mathematical
Computational Sciences at
Stanford University, was
awarded entry into the Bio-X
Undergraduate Summer
Research Program. The
ten-week program allowed
her to focus on her chosen
topic of data mining and
data analysis, conduct
Fatema Al-Gharbi receives Stanford BioX Summer Research Award
“The prospect of
contributing to
cancer research was
very exciting. It was
also valuable
exposure to the
research aspect of
medicine, to discover
how scientific
invention and
breakthroughs work
in harmony with
clinical medicine,”
Ayman Tariq Saeed on
receiving RSCI Award
for Excellence in
Undergraduate
Research.
12C’s brake ducts which
involved designing the ducts
with a cheaper material that
would give the same
performance as the current
carbon fiber ducts,” says
Qassim. “I was also involved
in a cost-down activity for the
fuel tank retention which
involved creating cheaper
features for the system and
studying the feasibility of
their implementation by
measuring the risk involved.”
His responsibilities also
included dealing with
concern reports with regards
to any design, production,
and service issues related to
the MP4-12C chassis
components.
“The opportunity was
incredible; being surrounded
by a wealth of knowledge
and brilliant minds from the
automotive industry, not to
mention a great history of
producing some of the best
cars in the world was an
overwhelming feeling. I am
particularly proud of the fact
that some of my ideas will be
implemented on the car. One
day, whenever I see a
McLaren MP4-12C on the
road, I can proudly say that
there is a Bahraini signature
on the design of that car and
that signature is mine. “
Albright, Sadiqa Basiri
Saleem, Jon Stewart and
Usher!
The students I’ve met at
CGIU are inspiring, driven
and humbling students.
Exchanging ideas with them
has given me insight on how
what works in one country
might not work in another.
This kind of thinking has
brought me closer to
understanding how important
localization is in whatever
developmental initiatives
Bahraini leaders choose to
undertake today, and in the
future.”
over 150 hours of patient
care. She took part in clinical
rotations in Cardiology,
Emergency Medicine, and
OB/GYN. Her duties involved
taking patient vital signs,
assisting patients in routine
morning and evening rounds,
and triaging patients in
Landour Community
Hospital’s trauma
department.
Elham explains that working
with an NGO that focuses on
community development
allowed her to learn about the
needs of rural communities,
and their effects on urban
areas as well. “I traveled with
doctors through multiple
health camps in isolated
villages focusing on primary
care and health issues, and
the needs of rural Indian
communities that lack access
to healthcare.”
“I witnessed different modes
of extreme poverty, and
learned from health care
professionals who are
working to give their
communities educational
resources and opportunities
to live a healthy just life. My
internship challenged me as
an individual and a future
patient-care provider. It
allowed me to reflect on
personal values that will
allow me to serve others
better and live a purpose
driven life.”
hands-on-research, attend
weekly talks given by faculty
mentors, and learn about the
research of other fellow
students.
She explained that her
research focused on writing
an application to visualize the
Dynamics of Bacterial
Communities through a time
course experiment. “The
application turns large
datasets on bacteria records
to graphical networks that
may show interesting
patterns or clusters of the
distinct bacteria in the
dataset. Some researchers
have currently shown interest
in using the application to
find patterns and clusters of
bacteria in the human
mouth.”
I learnt that in order to solve
a problem one needs to be
educated in interdisciplinary
fields, hence I am
encouraging everyone to
Qassim Al-Mansoor helps develop the McLaren MP4-12C during his summer
internship.
“I learnt that in order to solve
a problem one needs to be
educated in interdisciplinary
fields, hence I am
encouraging everyone to
take a few courses that are
not related to their fields and
try new things. That is the
way one can discover and
learn about their hidden skills
and talents.”
Ali Marhoon takes part in the Harvard Talent Show.
CPISP Newsletter - 2013 Page 4 of 6
2013 Graduates (under-graduate degrees)
Name University / Major Currently
Hassan Al-Halwachi
Imperial College London, UK / MEng in Chemical Engineering
Employed at Genesis Oil & Gas Consultants, UK
Khaled Al-Khaja
Edinburgh University, UK / LLB Law and Economics
Completing LLM Law at University of Edinburgh, UK
Mahmood Adel Abdulla
University of Southern California, USA / BSc in Economics with Mathematics & Business Administration
Employed at Economic Development Board, Bahrain
Maryam Alireza
University of Pennsylvania, USA / BA in Economics & Political Science
Seeking employment
Mohammed Al-Sadadi
Purdue University , USA / BSc in Applied Mathematics
Seeking employment
Sarah Ameen
University of Pennsylvania, USA / BA in Political Science & Modern Middle Eastern Studies
Completing Masters in International Affairs at Columbia University, USA
Sharif Al-Sayed
University of Michigan, USA / BEng in Computer Science
Employed Microsoft, Seattle, USA
2013 Graduates (post-graduate degrees)
Name University / Major Currently
Abdulla Saleh Abdulaal
London School of Economics and Political Science, UK / MSc in Economic History,
Pursuing PhD in Economics at SOAS, UK
Fatima Al Rayes
London School of Economics and Political Science, UK / MSc in Management
Employed at Deliotte LLP, London
Fawaz Abdulla University of Cambridge, UK / PhD in Economics
Working on an independent research project in the UK
Maha Ashour
Tufts University, USA / MSc in Economics
Employed at the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI), Washington DC
Mashael Fakhro
Columbia University, USA / MPA in Environmental Science and Policy
Employed at ROC One, New York
Mishal Awadah
University of Pennsylvania, USA / MSc Eng in Computer Science
Employed at Apple Inc., CA, USA
Mohamed Al-Shehab
MSc in Managerial and Financial Economics at HEC Business School in Paris.
Employed at Barclays Bank, London
Noora Al-Sindi Georgetown University, USA / MPP Public Policy
Seeking employment in USA
Rawan Maki
Imperial College London, UK / MSc Eng in Environmental Engineering (Constructive and Water Design Track)
Employed at Bain and Company, Dubai, UAE
Mahmood Adel Abdulla graduates
from the University of Southern
California, USA.
Rawan Maki (center) on a field trip
to Reading Sewage Treatment
Works, UK to learn about water
and energy preservation.
“It was a great journey; I
learned so much and had
many opportunities where I
proudly represented my
country. However, the
journey is not over; I hope to
continue learning and
continue achieving. I would
like to thank everyone who
helped me along the way.”
- Mahmood Adel,
USC graduate
CPISP Newsletter – Summer 2012 Page 5 of 6
Esraa Sabah joined a group
of seven peers from Loomis
Chaffee School, USA on a
school supervised
community service trip to
India. During her two weeks
in India, Esraa spent time at
the capital New Delhi to learn
about the country’s rich
heritage, culture, and history.
She then travelled with her
group to Rajasthan in
western India where they
visited schools to learn about
the challenges facing the
country’s education system.
Esraa Sabah joins school community service trip to India
Kawthar Al-Juffairi, who is
pursuing a MEng Civil
Engineering degree at
Imperial College London, was
selected to be project
manager of an end-of-term
construction project to build a
1:20 scaled version of
London’s landmark “Gherkin”
office building. Proud of her
university’s pioneering role in
introducing team construction
projects referred to as
“Constructionarium,” Kawthar
says that many universities
are now following suit, and
shared her experience
managing the week-long
endeavor.
“I was elected by my team of
19 students to be the project
Kawthar Al-Juffairi oversees construction of mini – Gherkin building
Esraa was able to interact
with students first hand and
experience a rich cultural
exchange where she learned
about their issues and
challenges, as well as share
her own culture and
background.
“In two weeks, I witnessed
the fun, the challenging and
the heartbreaking. I had fun
exploring different foods,
riding a tuck-tuck and playing
with the children. However, I
encountered challenges
doing manual labor to build a
garden and getting sick
halfway through the trip. We
also spent some time in
slum schools in the area,
working with students in
classes and learning more
about their life style. But the
heartbreaking experiences are
what truly resonated in my
mind, especially the innocence
of children who seemed to
always smile despite their
suffering. They truly taught me
a new meaning of happiness.”
manager of the Gherkin
project. We were expected to
construct a scaled down
version of the Gherkin, an
iconic building in London. In
addition to leading a daily
progress meeting with the
team, I regularly had
meetings with the client
(Imperial College staff) and
the consultant. Being the
project manager meant that I
was expected to make big
decisions for the team,
ensure progress was being
made as per our plan and
look out for the welfare of my
team members.”
“This project helped me step
out of my comfort zone and
act on the spot. Working in a
relatively large team gave me
the opportunity to practice
trusting other team members
to accurately complete their
tasks. I also learnt how to be
flexible and to quickly adapt to
changes made to the original
plan. It was a great
opportunity for me to utilize
what I’ve learnt so far in class
and see how it comes
together when applied in a
real construction project. I now
certainly have a much clearer
idea of what Civil Engineering
is about and also the
differences between working
with a consultant and with a
contractor.”
Yusuf Abdulwahab goes on Borneo conservation expedition
Yusuf Abdulwahab took part
in a six-week conservation
expedition to Malaysian
Borneo sponsored by
Durham University, along
with 15 other students. Prior
to their departure, the group
managed to fundraise over
£20,000 which they donated
to three conservation
charities there. Their trip
included being based at a
wildlife conservation center in
the rainforests of Sarawak,
Malaysia for three weeks
where they worked on the
rehabilitation of orangutans,
sun bears, and Bornean
clouded leopards. They also
worked with a tropical
research center on the island
of Pompom in the planting of
artificial coral reefs in areas
damaged by cyanide fishing.
“Not only were we astounded
by the severity of the situation
in the places we visited, but
we were also amazed by the
dedication and resilience of
those doing all in their
capacity to better the situation.
I came back from the
expedition with a better
understanding of issues faced
by conservationists in that part
of the world, what they are
doing to solve them and how
we as students can help. Our
interaction with the local
peoples and exposure to their
distinct cultures also made the
experience truly fascinating.”
Elham Yusuf at Bududa Learning
Center during internship in Uganda
Dana Maki wins 3rd
place at a physical
therapy conference in
Taiwan for a paper on
the translation of a back
pain disability
questionnaire into
Arabic.
Yusuf Abdulwahab is honored for
completing the Duke of
Edinburgh Gold Award Program.
CPISP Newsletter - 2013 Page 6 of 6
SPONSORS
BD 1 million +
Gulf Petrochemical Industries Company (GPIC)
Bahrain Petroleum Company (BAPCO)
Arab Shipbuilding and Repair Yard Co. (ASRY)
BD 500,000 +
Mr. Yusuff Ali M.A.
Y.K. Almoayyed & Sons
Ahlia University
Durrat Al Bahrain
BD 250,000 +
Standard Chartered Bank
United Gulf Bank
Gulf Hotels Group
Securities and Investment Company (SICO)
Ahli United Bank (AUB)
A.M. Yateem Brothers
Mr. Mohammed Dadabhai
Friends
BD 50,000 – BD 250,000
NEW COMMITMENTS:
Mr. Yusuff Ali M. A.,
Managing Director of Emke
Group pledged a personal
annual contribution of BD
50,000 to the Program,
making him the first
individual to become a Silver
Sponsor.
The Crown Prince’s
International Scholarship
Fund was launched in 2006,
with the aim of drawing in
financial support of the
Program from national and
international organizations
and individuals.
In addition to HRH the Crown
Prince’s funding,
contributions from sponsors
have ensured the continued
CPISP Endowment Fund
Sponsor Updates
Established in 1999 by HRH the
Crown Prince and Deputy
Supreme Commander Prince
Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa,
the CPISP provides ten annual
scholarships to outstanding
Bahraini secondary school
students to study at top
international universities.
About Our Organization…
Crown Prince’s International
Scholarship Program
P.O Box 29091 Riffa, Kingdom of Bahrain
PHONE:
(+973) 1765-9999
FAX: (+973) 1766-4451
E-MAIL:
We’re on the Web!
See us at:
www.cpisp.bh
installments of up to five
years. Platinum Sponsors
commit funding of BD 1
million and above, Gold
Sponsors commit BD
500,000 and above, while
Silver Sponsors commit BD
250,000 and above. ‘CPISP
Friends’ is a special fourth
category for contributors
committing amounts from BD
50,000 to BD 250,000.
operation of the Program,
and allowed scholarship
recipients the opportunity to
pursue post-graduate
opportunities and take part in
specialized educational
programs and initiatives.
The Fund offers three main
sponsorship tiers: Platinum,
Gold, and Silver; payable in
one installment or with the
option of paying in annual
SPONSOR RENEWALS:
BATELCO and NBB
renewed their Platinum
sponsorships, committing
another BD 1 million to the
CPISP over the next five
years. On the Friends level,
Standard Chartered Bank
pledged a total of BD 50,000
over the next five years.
“We are also committed
to support HRH the
Crown Prince’s initiative
by offering internships
and job placements to
students who have won
scholarships across the
Bank’s network.”
Hassan Jarrar, CEO
Standard Chartered
Bank
Commitment Amount
Sponsorship Tier
BD 1 million and above
Platinum
BD 500,000 and above
Gold
BD 250,000
Silver