The University of Bahrain (UoB), the island’s preeminent institution for higher education, invited Bahrain-based global communications guru, Vahid Mehrinfar, to address their student body and faculty. Forming an integral part of the university’s ongoing mandate to showcase international talent in Bahrain, this speaking engagement promoted professional and creative enthusiasm amongst the student body.
Vahid Mehrinfar discussed his journey from an accomplished artist in the United States to the region’s communications expert that he is today. Speaking to a packed hall at the UoB, Isa Town campus, Mehrinfar exposed the audience to his groundbreaking concepts in the fields of communication and design, and emphasized the importance of visualizing the future as a key driver to achieving a student’s ambitions and realizing a path to success.
One of the foremost Middle Eastern-based international experts on indigenous branding, Mehrinfar has spoken at various academic institutions worldwide including, most recently speaking at the University of Buffalo, New York, USA and giving a marketing workshop at McGill University, Montréal, Canada. He will also be delivering a one-day exclusive workshop at the “Saudi Brand and Communications Summit, 2010” in Riyadh this June.
Ms. Zeina Al Alami a UoB lecturer in the Department of Interior Design approached Mehrinfar on behalf of Dr. Adnan Al-Tamimi, Chairman, Department of Civil Engineering and Architecture, who extended the invitation to Mehrinfar. Dr. Al-Tamimi, commenting on the lecture said, “Vahid’s topic of choice – “Painting into the Future... Designing Success” – was fitting for this young and ambitious audience, eager to embrace all knowledge on global design thinking.” He added, “It is UoB’s endeavour to engage industry role models with our student body to share first hand experiences through lectures and open dialogue.”
“Throughout my years of involvement with the art, design, and communications industry, and working with one of the most prestigious client lists, globally, I have found that what I share with students is far more rewarding than many of the other successes I have enjoyed throughout my career,” said Mehrinfar. “Knowing that you can be an instrument of their growth, an enabler in helping them paint a clearer picture of what they can achieve, and ultimately inspiring them in designing their success, satisfies me,” he added.
“The Vahid phenomenon – the excitement, the highs and lows of a speaking performance – was quite something. Having been witness to it first hand, I can now attest to the fact that this is an experience that would have definitely changed some minds about what is out there in the professional world,” said Dr. Al-Tamimi. “We need more experiences of this calibre both in Bahrain and regionally,” he declared.
Mehrinfar is a business strategy conceptualist, architectural visualist and brand futurist who promotes communication, and encourages discussion, and development in all areas of design. Apart from inspiring the students by his speech and presentation, Mehrinfar also showcased some of his early artistic work featuring architectural renderings painted in gauche, for which he was highly sought-after during his US career for their near-photographic nature, and which drew spontaneous applause from the audience.
UoB’s Department of Interior Design worked closely with Mehrinfar’s team to prepare the event.
