Ahlia University (AU) is a private university situated in the heart of Manama, Bahrain. Established in 2001, Ahlia University was the first private university to be licensed by the Government of Bahrain. Ahlia University is an autonomous institution, independently chartered, funded and managed by the private sector. The programmes offered by AU are recognised by Bahrain’s Higher Education Council as well as by universities in the UK and USA. The university was amongst the first Bahraini private Universities to be recognized by the Kuwaiti Ministry of Higher Education.