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JULY | AUGUST 2015 BizEd 53 Our second challenge was one of resources. StaŠ at both institutions must devote additional time and eŠort to support the program, as well as commit to working locally in Bahrain when needed. But our staŠ is motivated by the opportu- nity to develop their research profiles, contribute to change and develop- ment in the Middle East, and support women's research on local issues. Our final challenge was to create a product that is not common in business scholarship, which meant we had to build a model for a PhD program without residence ourselves, without the benefit of examples from oth- er schools. We obtained our university's approval for the program by communi- cating its benefits not only to the students in Bahrain, but also to our own institu- tion. We emphasized the opportunity it oŠered us to explore a new blueprint overseas and build capacity in the GCC region. We also worked closely with the British embassy, the British Council, and the U.K. Trade and Investment govern- ment agency to showcase our program in their promotions of British education. Our partnership with Ahlia Univer- sity wasn't set up to generate revenue. It is expensive to devote our staŠ 's time to provide local service in Bahrain, and yet we can charge only £3,995 (about US$6,100) per year, in line with tuition limits in the U.K. But by more intangible measures, the program has delivered valuable benefits to both institutions. For example, the program allows Ahlia University to develop its own re- search agenda, attract high-quality staŠ, oŠer PhD students greater support, and sustain its ability to attract and retain faculty. As a private sector institution in Bahrain, Ahlia cannot award PhDs, so this program helps the school diŠerenti- ate itself from other private universities in the region. The program also promotes dialogue and research between academics in the U.K. and Bahrain. We expect to see these kinds of opportunities increase, espe- cially as more British universities realize One Student's Story EBTESAM AL-ALAWI SHARES HER EXPERIENCE AS A DOCTORAL STUDENT IN BAHRAIN Up until about the age of six, I lived in a large family house in Muharraq, Bahrain. Our family household included both of my grandparents, as well as all of my uncles, aunts, and their children. My immediate fam- ily then moved to Busaiteen, where we had our own house. I stayed there until I got married at 18. My father was a businessman who encouraged me to work from a young age, whether it was selling or doing accounts. When I got older, I took a summer job at the Commercial Chamber of Investments. After graduating with my bachelor of science degree in 1988, I joined Bahrain's Defense Force in the Nursing Department, where I stayed until 1996. I then earned a master of science in occupational health and safety management. I spent a year at the Hospital Quality Assurance Department, before taking a job as a lecturer at the Uni- versity of Bahrain and then a job at the Ministry of Labour. But my passion for teaching took me back to lecturing, first at Bahrain Training Institute and then at the Kingdom University, Bahrain. Once I decided to take a break from my hectic work schedule to help establish the Futoon Beauty School, where I taught health and safety manage- ment. In 2013, I established Beauty Tales Salon and Spa and helped my husband, a medical professional, with his consultations, clinic preparation, and hospital projects. On an average day as a PhD student, I wake up at early dawn and start my PhD work. At this time of the day, the entire house is usually very quiet, which gives me the right frame of mind to work on my research papers. During the day I spend my time at Beauty Tales, managing my employees and insuring that my clients are being looked after. Then, I spend my time with my family and parents. Once my children are all asleep, I start my own reading and PhD writing until it's my time to sleep. Sometimes, I feel a great deal of stress and pressure. My plan is to complete my degree in 2015. But my hope is that women today achieve all of the things men have achieved and will achieve, because women today are not any di–erent from men. They are increas- ingly highly educated and are building up their levels of self-confidence.—We're moving toward equality, and there is evidence of changing attitudes among men in the region. The phenomenon of male-dominated environments is in decline, with women in Bah- rain starting to gain places in the parliament and ministries. What we need, though, is more understanding of women who are working in busi- ness or as entrepreneurs. We must understand their experiences and perspectives, the barriers they can face, the conflicts between their work and family roles, and how they can be better supported so that society can gain more from their contributions. the importance of forming partnerships overseas. Such partnerships can only be positive developments that encourage greater access to education, involve more women in academia, and broaden the reach of important new ideas. Most important, we now have oppor- tunities to build long-term relationships in Bahrain and the wider region, as well as to make true impact on scholarship in the GCC and eŠect social change. We believe these benefits to be well worth the investment. Zahir Irani is the dean of the College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences at Brunel University in London, United Kingdom.