Empowering Knowledge Beyond Space and Time. How Can Physics Meet Culture?
Jaafar Hamza
MBA & MOAR from SBS, DBA student. Award Winning in Creativity. Brand Strategist. Writer and Lecturer in Branding and Creativity
I have always been captivated by its charm, as if stepping into the rabbit hole where space and time bend as you cross the threshold of the Sheikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center for Culture and Research in Muharraq, Bahrain.
The seamless blend of heritage, culture, and art creates an enchanting atmosphere that compels you to surrender to its allure, momentarily setting aside life’s burdens to fully immerse yourself in a unique sensory experience found nowhere else.
It is no wonder that this place has captured the hearts of intellectuals, scholars, writers, and artists alike, serving as a sanctuary where thought and culture intertwine.
A friend recently shared an invitation to a lecture at the center, and what intrigued me most was its title:
“A Good Image: The Role of Brand Management in International Organizations, Particularly at CERN,” by Fabienne Landua, the visionary behind CERN’s brand identity and visual communication strategy.
Brand strategists and visual identity designers often navigate complex challenges, but this time, the subject was not a luxury product or a multinational service. It was the elite realm of science and scientists, specifically in one of the most intricate fields of knowledge: particle physics.
A flood of questions raced through my mind about how branding could be crafted for such a scientific endeavor. But after the lecture, I found myself tumbling into a space-time tunnel, uncovering new dimensions I had previously explored only in books due to my passion for science. This time, however, I was astonishingly close—so close that my awe deepened at the realization that such an encounter had been made possible by a cultural and research center in Muharraq.
Through this, the center revealed yet another dimension of its impact, extending beyond culture and thought to integrate science into the equation of change-making.
My journey there was enriched by the esteemed Dr. Mohammed Yousif, the Scientific Director of the Center, specializing in Elementary Particle Physics—one of the rare Arab scientists whose research has contributed to CERN itself.
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What is CERN?
CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) is one of the world’s leading centers for fundamental physics research. Founded in 1954 by 12 European nations, it now has 24 member states and 10 associate members.
The Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at CERN provides an infrastructure for scientists to deepen our understanding of the smallest building blocks of matter, their interactions, and the origins of the universe. Over 16,000 scientists from more than 110 nationalities work at CERN, representing nearly 70% of the world’s particle physicists. It houses one of the largest scientific accelerators in human history, operating with some of the most sophisticated tools ever developed.
For the Sheikh Ebrahim Center, led by Her Excellency Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, this initiative was far more than a mere exhibition of CERN’s objectives. It was about empowering knowledge, bridging Bahrain with one of the most advanced research institutions in the world, and elevating the intellectual landscape in an unprecedented manner.
A Gateway to Scientific Exploration
Walking through the permanent CERN exhibition at the Sheikh Ebrahim Center is not just a journey through time, space, and science. Though its design, presentation, and interactive experience make it feel like one, more significantly, it serves as a portal for young minds, enabling Bahraini high school and university students to participate in training programs at CERN in France.
Educating researchers is a cornerstone of CERN’s societal impact. Each year, over 2,400 PhD students enroll in CERN programs, with approximately 600 doctoral theses completed annually. The employment rate for CERN graduates is remarkably high across various industries.
The collaboration between the Sheikh Ebrahim Center and CERN has already borne fruit. Bahraini students have secured research fellowships and visits to CERN, while a collaboration between the University of Bahrain and Alba contributed to designing an electric crane for one of CERN’s massive LHC components.
The Innovation and Knowledge Transfer Card
CERN is at the forefront of technological advancements, contributing to developments in 18 fields, including:
? Touchscreen technology innovation
? One of the world’s largest big data producers (WLCG), processing high-energy collisions
? Miniaturized linear accelerators for proton therapy in cancer treatment
? Development of PET scanners for medical imaging
? Precision radiation dosage calculations for cancer treatment and space applications
Beyond its contributions to science, CERN has played a pivotal role in advancing data storage and analysis, collaborating with industry giants such as Intel, Huawei, Oracle, and Siemens.
It also fosters entrepreneurship through nine Business Incubation Centers (BICs), transforming its pioneering technologies into market-ready applications in biotechnology, medical applications, and materials science.
The Astonishing Impact
What left me in awe was not just the Sheikh Ebrahim Center’s ability to introduce this knowledge, but its sustained impact, going beyond lectures and exhibitions to facilitate immersive experiences. Through fellowships, visits, and hands-on exposure, Bahraini students and researchers are living the CERN experience, translating it into academic and career advancements. Some have earned PhDs, while others have secured opportunities with major global corporations.
A Knowledge Portal Unlike Any Other
We are talking about one of the most sophisticated scientific fields, studied at one of the world’s most advanced research institutions, now with a permanent exhibition in Bahrain. The first of its kind in the Gulf, this initiative extends beyond mere displays to offer real-world training and engagement.
The Sheikh Ebrahim Center has redefined knowledge empowerment through a sharp, innovative selection of its initiatives. It has created a time tunnel for Bahraini youth and researchers an intellectual passageway that propels them from the cultural heart of Muharraq to the frontiers of science and discovery.
It is as if the center itself has become a time-speed locomotive, inviting others to board and accelerate their journey into the realms of science and knowledge, seizing the immense opportunities such collaborations offer.
Every visit to the Sheikh Ebrahim Center has always felt like stepping into Alice’s rabbit holean escape into a realm of wonder. But after Fabienne Landua’s lecture and my CERN experience alongside the brilliant Dr. Mohammed Yousif, stepping into the center now feels like entering a space-time tunnel.
That was when I realized how physics and culture could meet. Culture, after all, is an act of thought one that can organically merge with science and experience, much like physics itself.
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