Kuwait Finance House – Bahrain announced the successful completion of the 9th Annual Bahrain Sophia Antipolis Mentorship Programme upon the return of the participants from France. This innovative programme is a joint initiative between Kuwait Finance House-Bahrain and INJAZ Bahrain. Since 2006, it has developed a reputation of excellence throughout the years for the quality of its participants and is now entering in its 9th year. This year’s Edition saw twelve Bahraini students be sent to the Sophia Antipolis Science and Technology Park located in the South of France, which is considered to be the largest and most advanced science and technology park in Europe. They were selected by INJAZ Bahrain based on a criteria of academic excellence, distinctive scholastic track record and personal success in interviews in addition to other high standards that ensure the readiness of the participants to attend this unique Programme. The aim of the Programme is to immerse the selected participants in an innovative environment enabling them to unleash their potential entrepreneurial spirit to ease the transition from academic knowledge to the work place. This intensive mentorship has developed a unique methodology that sharpens skills through a balanced blend of corporate immersion and intensive workshops delivered by the most talented and innovative international leaders. The participants gained the important experience of meeting and interacting with world renowned personalities from scientific and industrial corporations, dedicated to helping the students strengthen their ability to innovate through sharing industry expertise, refine their skills and provide the opportunity for valuable networking. This year’s programme included visiting the most advanced technologies to be found in the world such as a visit to the French company MDI, a highly innovative company designing compressed air car prototypes marketed under the title "the Air car". The life span of the 2014 edition will be extended beyond this year and will be blended with the previous groups of students to maximize longer term learning opportunities. The Mentorship programme envisions to attract other partners from Bahrain to support its innovative eco-system friendly ideas and to benefit more young future leaders. H.H. Shaikha Hessa Bint Khalifa Al Khalifa congratulated the students for completing the Programme successfully, saying that "INJAZ Bahrain aims to prepare and empower young Bahraini’s to become future leaders. Sophia Antipolis Mentorship Programme provides an excellent opportunity to teach youth many essential skills. I would like to thank KFH-Bahrain for their ongoing support for INJAZ Bahrain and for its great efforts in organizing such a unique Programme, which provides a unique experience for youth." “This mentorship program is one of the viable opportunities that are extended by INJAZ Bahrain in conjunction with its partners that allow students to link what they learn in schools with the real work place.” Shaikha Hessa added. Mr. Abdulhakeem Alkhayyat, Managing Director and CEO of KFH-Bahrain commented, “This is a special occasion that makes us proud for having a new batch of diligent and outstanding youth from the 9th Annual Bahrain Sophia Antipolis Mentorship Programme. We are very happy for organizing this Programme, which has supported more than 100 students over the past years by giving them insight to entrepreneurial skills and innovation and the capacity to meet unique experts in these fields. We hope that this Programme would contribute in helping many youth in shaping a more shining future for the Kingdom. A recognition Ceremony will take place before year end” he added. Dr. Philippe Mariani, coordinator of the Programme and Senior Manager at KFH-Bahrain commented “As part of KFH-Bahrain’s Corporate Social Responsibility, we are proud to enable young people of Bahrain to engage in a better understanding of the international corporate world and the potential it carries for enabling our young participants to explore their potential. We are committed to nurturing interaction among alumni and the workplace as sustainable partners and we are proud to have developed such a high level of quality. These relationships will form a valuable network for the future.”