In 2004, Bangor University established a partnership with the Bahrain Institute of Banking and Finance (BIBF), enabling students to start their degree in Bahrain and complete their final year in Bangor. This is now one of the most successful undergraduate programmes in Bahrain. The Bangor University / BIBF Alumnus of the Year award was established to celebrate this partnership and to highlight the achievements of their shared alumni and recognise a graduate of the programme who has achieved professional distinction.
Fatema Bastaki was announced as the fourth Bangor University / BIBF Alumnus of the Year during the annual alumni reunion held in the Kingdom of Bahrain in September. Prof. Andrew Edwards, Dean of College of Arts, Humanities and Business, presented the award to Fatema in front of an audience of over 50 former students of Bangor University.
Fatema is a Marketing, Public Relations and Social Media Specialist and TV News Presenter. She gained her degree in Banking and Finance in 2012 and on her return to Bahrain, held finance roles at Credimax, American Express and Bahrain Bourse before embarking on her career in PR in 2013 as a Public Relations Officer at Bahrain Commercial Facilities Company. As well as managing the PR department, she was Co-Brand Manager for the only female credit card in the Kingdom of Bahrain, ‘Imtiaz For Her’, leading the women empowerment movement. Alongside her main job, Fatema is a TV Presenter and Editor and Business News Presenter (Arabic) for the Ministry of Information Affairs and also works as a Master of Ceremony, Voiceover and IVR Artist in both Arabic and English for a range of clients.
Fatema said, “I’m overwhelmed to be presented with this award. Bangor taught me to be independent and proud of who I am. I wanted to study abroad after high school and the BIBF / Bangor programme offered everything that I was looking for. Bangor gives you an experience like no other. It has great academics, gave me the opportunity to learn about new cultures and become friends with people from different countries. I’m very honoured to be a Bangor and BIBF alumna!”
Prof. Andrew Edwards said, “We are proud of the incredible number of successful alumni who have come through the Bangor / BIBF programme and to be able to mark this special relationship with the Alumnus of the Year Award. Fatema is a very worthy recipient of the 2019 award and we wish her all the best in her future endeavours.”