UoB student works on talent incubator

Manama

 After graduating from University of Bahrain (UoB) as an Architecture student, Hanan Al Asfoor has plans to launch a project that would potentially help Bahraini youth “create their own ideas in their own space.”

 With her ImageNATION project, a talent incubator, she aims to provide undiscovered an opportunity showcase their work in a proper environment.

  “Many Bahraini creative designers are practicing in small groups with a loose professional network. This project aims to strengthen that network,” said Hanan.

 As a person with passion in industrial design, she became growingly aware of the presence of many talented youngsters in Bahrain, through social media.

  “They are seldom celebrated, and that was how I started considering Bahraini talent as my core interest,” she said.

 In her research, she found that many local authorities offer opportunities for startups, she realized it was not enough for their works to reach the public.

So she gave her prime focus on providing a platform for direct reach of talent.

 She conducted a survey on 40 designers, and 7 per cent of them agreed that they needed more talent incubators in Bahrain. Eight per cent voiced the need for event podiums and 10 pc complained of lack of educational facilities.

 In her project, she aims to have a social hub combining an inspiring work environment, training facilities, and public open spaces for people with similar interests to converge.

 She said she met people from the creative industries such as Bahrain Business Incubator Center and Riyadat Mall, who were all impressed with her project.