Veolia, Terra Academia International (TAI) and the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) has announced the launch of Terra Academia Bahrain, an institution dedicated to ecological transformation, industrial innovation and sustainability.
The establishment of Terra Academia Bahrain aims to create an international centre of excellence for ecological transformation, industrial innovation and future skills development.
With this initiative, the ambition is to create in Bahrain the first university dedicated to ecological transformation in the Middle East, and positioning itself as a regional hub for talent, knowledge and sustainable growth with an ambition to train 5,000 students and professionals by 2030.
The project is envisioned as the development of a dedicated campus bringing together several partner universities, complemented by an online platform providing educational content and learning resources.
Terra Academia Bahrain is designed as a strategic platform for talent development, innovation and knowledge sharing, supporting long-term economic resilience and sustainable growth.
The initiative is fully aligned with the Kingdom of Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and its climate ambitions, including its commitment to net zero by 2060.
As a key local partner, the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF) plays a central role in the launch and development of Terra Academia Bahrain.
As a leading provider of education and professional training for the financial sector in the Kingdom, the BIBF brings its expertise in finance, governance and executive education.
Through this partnership, the BIBF contributes to the integration of sustainability, green finance and climate-related risks into academic and executive programmes, supporting the development of skills at the intersection of ecological transition, finance and public policy.
As an established player in the Middle East and as a local employer in Bahrain, Veolia contributes to the Kingdom’s sustainable economic growth and brings in-depth knowledge of regional labour market needs, where new skills are increasingly required.
Through Terra Academia Bahrain, Veolia with its technical and field expertise will help connect academic training with employment, offering internships and apprenticeships across its sites in Bahrain and the wider region.
In Bahrain, Veolia has been operating Bahrain Bay since 2008 under a 75-year contract for integrated resource management, illustrating its long-term commitment to ecological transformation.
The site includes the country’s largest district cooling plant (150 MW) and a wastewater treatment plant with a capacity of 7,000 m³ per day, serving a strategic area of 1.5 million m².
The launch was marked by a high-level conference held at BIBF Bahrain Bay in the presence of Dr Mohammed Juma, Minister of Education and Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Higher Education Council, Bahrain; Khalid Humaidan, Chairman of BIBF and Governor of the Central Bank of Bahrain; and Éric Giraud-Telme, Ambassador of France to Bahrain.
“This initiative reflects our strong belief that education, skills development and the creation of local jobs in the environmental sector are key enablers of sustainable growth in the Middle East. Through Terra Academia, we aim to contribute to building the talents, innovations and solutions needed to accelerate the region’s ecological transformation.” said Estelle Brachlianoff, CEO of Veolia. Alongside other companies Veolia has ambitions workforce growth targets in the area and the Terra Academia expansion will be a strong accelerator of that.
“With the launch of Terra Academia Bahrain, we are affirming a strong conviction: education is one of the most powerful levers for ecological transformation, economic resilience, and long-term stability. By bringing together public authorities, academia, finance and industry, Terra Academia Bahrain is designed as a platform for action—one that connects knowledge to real-world solutions, and local talent to global challenges. We are honoured to support this journey alongside our partners.” said Jean-Michel Blanquer, Chairman of Terra Academia.
“At the BIBF, we believe that the future of finance and industry is inseparable from sustainability and responsible growth. The launch of Terra Academia Bahrain represents a bold and timely step toward equipping current and future leaders with the knowledge and skills required to navigate climate risks, green finance, and sustainable development. This partnership reflects our commitment to advancing Bahrain’s Economic Vision 2030 and to positioning the Kingdom as a regional centre for excellence in ecological transformation and future-focused education,” said Dr Ahmed Al Shaikh, CEO of the BIBF. -OGN/TradeArabia News Service
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