On Tuesday, 25th February, 2025, His Excellency HeonSang Koo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Bahrain, and Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin, CEO of Bahrain Polytechnic, inaugurated the “King Sejong Institute Manama” at Bahrain Polytechnic. The institute, accredited by the government of the Republic of Korea, serves as an overseas center for Korean language and culture.
This initiative follows the strategic memorandum of understanding signed between Bahrain Polytechnic and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in September 2024, aimed at fostering linguistic and cultural exchange between the two nations.
On this occasion, Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin emphasized that establishing the King Sejong Institute at Bahrain Polytechnic is a significant achievement for the institution and its students, providing a platform for knowledge transfer and cultural exchange. He highlighted Bahrain Polytechnic’s commitment to expanding students’ intellectual horizons and offering opportunities to study diverse languages.
Professor Ó Catháin also praised the strong strategic relations between the Kingdom of Bahrain and the Republic of Korea, acknowledging the esteemed academic reputation of Korean universities and institutions, which attract students, engineers, and programmers while driving high-quality technological industries. He noted that the launch of this institute paves the way for expanded cooperation in academic and creative fields, the implementation of joint programs with higher education institutions in Korea, and a deeper understanding of Korean language and culture. This, in turn, facilitates smooth cultural exchange, enhances students’ global awareness, and equips them with essential linguistic and cultural skills, opening new opportunities for their future.
In turn, His Excellency HeonSang Koo, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Bahrain appreciated the University’s support and arrangements for the launch of the King Sejong Institute Manama at Bahrain Polytechnic, which will be another milestone in the journey of the two countries’ friendship. Underscoring the Institute’s vital role in fostering mutual exchange of culture and ideas, he held out hope that this momentum will not only deepen cultural and academic collaboration but also facilitate future cooperation of comprehensive areas between the two countries.
