An accomplished education leader for 30 years, Dr. Bradley J. Cook, President of American University of Bahrain, shares his valuable insights on the future of education with STRIDES, reflecting on his personal experiences and the inspirational lessons he learned.

Dr. Bradley J. Cook has spearheaded the American University of Bahrain (AUBH) as President since the summer of 2022. Dr. Cook joined AUBH from Snow College, Utah in the United States, where he served as President since 2019, leading the university through record growth. Dr. Cook has also previously served as Provost at Southern Utah University (SUU), President of Abu Dhabi Women’s College and worked at the American University in Cairo (AUC). Additionally, he served as a Commissioner for the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities. Having spent his formative years in the Middle East, Dr. Cook holds the region close to his heart, earning a Doctorate of Philosophy in Middle East Studies from the University of Oxford, as well as Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from Stanford University.

Dr. Cook, what drove your interest in pursuing Middle East studies and your continued commitment to developing education in this region?

I grew up in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a kid.  My parents were educators and moved their young family from the high deserts of Utah to Dhahran in the 1970’s.  This period of life was very defining as it led to me getting three academic degrees focused on the Middle East, and a career that allowed me work in Egypt, Kuwait, UAE and now Bahrain.  As a result of those formative four-years in KSA, I have been fortunate enough to live, teach, and publish on this remarkable part of the world.  I’ve come to see the Middle East as a second home, and I have a deep commitment to contributing to the economic and leadership development here. My wife, Jen and I, absolutely love living in Bahrain. 

In your opinion, what is the most urgent mission for higher education today?

In my opinion the most important mission of universities and colleges is preparing students for the rapid changes in the job market and advancements in technology. Universities need to adapt to the needs of a 21st century learner and workforce by emphasizing critical thinking, adaptability, creativity, and digital literacy.  Universities need to also do a better job at connecting to industry and offering relevant internships and integrating career readiness programs in the curriculum.  Experiential and inter-disciplinary education is much more impactful on learning than the lecture, a siloed approach that has characterized universities for centuries. Lectures might be an efficient way of teaching, but they are a very ineffective way of learning.  As we know, teaching and learning are not the same thing, so we need to adapt our teaching roles from a “sage on the stage” model to a more of “guide on the side.”

We know that teaching and learning are not the same thing, so we need to adapt our teaching roles from a ‘sage on the stage’ model to a more of ‘guide on the side'.

What do you believe are the transformative drivers for education for the coming years?

I think there are at least seven primary drivers for education right now.

1. Technology Integration: As educators, we are in an exciting, but scary, moment when it relates to technology advancements.  I believe universities will increasingly leverage technology to enhance learning experiences. Technologies like virtual and augmented reality, gamification of learning, and artificial intelligence have the potential to revolutionize learning and can be a very good thing for students.
2. Personalized Learning: Every student learns differently and has different needs.  Students will have more personalized learning pathways tailored to their interests, strengths, and goals. Adaptive learning technologies will track progress and provide individualized support to enhance student success. Intelligent tutoring through technologies like generative AI have the potential of providing a much more personalized education.
3. Competency-Based Education (CBE): I believe there will be much more emphasis on competency-based education in the future, rather than student success measured in contact-time and standardized exams. Competency-based education can be more effective and economical than traditional classroom instruction. Students may be able to finish a course more quickly because they can work at their own pace, cutting down on the time needed to teach the course. Further, because CBE emphasizes competency mastery, students can avoid wasting time and money on material they already know. Competency-based learning prepares students for the future. In today’s evolving job market, employers are seeking workers with specific skills and competencies, rather than just a degree. 
4. Interdisciplinary Programs: Future universities may offer more interdisciplinary programs that combine diverse fields of study to address complex real-world problems. Collaboration across disciplines will be emphasized to foster creativity and innovation. 
5. Modularization of education:  As educators we need to provide opportunities for a broad range of learners. Universities will need to offer more flexible programs, micro-credentials, and upskilling opportunities for both traditional students and working professionals. Earning a four-year degree along with internationally recognised professional certificates is a powerful combination that gives employers better insight into the actual skills of graduates.
6. Experiential Learning: Hands-on, experiential learning opportunities such as internships, research projects, and community engagement will be integral to the future curriculum of universities. Universities will need to have much more focus on developing practical skills and fostering real-world experiences. 
7. Industry Partnerships: Universities will need to forge stronger partnerships with industry to bridge the gap between academia and the workforce. Industry-sponsored projects, mentorship programs, and work-integrated learning opportunities will prepare students for successful careers. 

What aspirations do you have for AUBH for the coming years?

AUBH has a beautiful and unique campus.  Having opened in 2019, we are a new university, with just under 1,000 students now.  I’m looking forward to seeing the student-body grow to our full capacity of 3,500, and experience the vibrance and energy that comes with that number of students.

We also have a goal of becoming the most international university in Bahrain. We now have students from over 30 countries but aspire to having many more nationalities join us.  Along with a more diverse student-body, we want to build on existing international partnerships with universities and centres from around the globe.

Our goals are nothing less than becoming a premier international university, differentiated by our American-model of education, emphasizing career-facing majors and integrating life-long skills sets such as critical thinking, problem solving, collaboration and resilience.

You played corner back in college football at Stanford University, where our sources tell us you had three interceptions in a single game and once intercepted Troy Aikman. What were the most memorable moments of your football career?

Ah, yes.  I loved being a student athlete. I feel so fortunate to have been able to compete at the highest levels of intercollegiate athletics. 

There are so many memorable moments, including the one you mention with UCLA during the Troy Aikman era. But to tell you the truth, the best outcomes for me were life-long lessons on teamwork, discipline, time-management, resilience, and dealing with both victory and defeat; all very powerful and transformative skills that have helped me in every job I have ever had, long after hanging up the cleats.

What has been your most unforgettable experience as an educator?

Given the wide range of powerful experiences we get as educators, the very best memories relate to student success, watching young people self-actualize and become successful professionals and global citizens. A recent milestone that was quite moving was seeing the first cohort of graduates from AUBH last year. Our faculty and staff put so much sacrifice and work into preparing our students, and to see these students complete their degrees and move on to great careers is extremely gratifying. This first commencement was made even more special in that it is the ultimate proof of concept for the university’s vision and mission.