Mohamed Ashoor is the 2017 Bangor University /BIBF Alumnus of the Year.
Born and bred in Bahrain, Mohamed gained his diploma in Banking and Finance and Advanced Diploma inIslamic Finance in 2010 from the Bahrain Institute of Banking Finance. He came to Bangor University to complete his BA Hons in Business Studies and Finance in the 2010-2011 academic year and earned an upper second class degree. He saw BIBF's programme with Bangor as a perfect opportunity to build a strong foundation in one of the most reputable educational institutes in Bahrain and also experience a year in the UK. He says that his UK Bachelors' degree, from a course which was becoming increasingly renowned by employers in Bahrain, prepared him for employment back here in Bahrain.
We asked Mohamed to share his memories of Bangor with us. He told us that he found the city lovely and heartwarming. He lived in Neuadd Willis and enjoyed playing football on the natural green grass and cold weather, a complete contract to Bahrain's climate. He says that Bangor taught him how to be more responsible as it was the first time in his life that he lived completely on his own and that he would recommend Bangor to others for its reputation in Finance and because Bangor is friendly and life there is less hectic as it would be in a big city such as London.
On his return to Bahrain, he moved from his banking and finance educational background to public relations, working as a Creative Copywriter and Public Relations Account Executive for Oglivy & Mather. From public relations he moved into digital marketing for companies such as Al Hilal Group and Takaud Savings and Pensions. Now a Google certified digital marketing professional, Mohamed has vast experience in helping a diverse range of companies communicate and reach out to their target audiences.
His most notable work relationship so far is with Liverpool Football Club, the prominent English football team. Mohamed has been working with the club for the last 5 years on their Arabic website and social media channels. He manages a community of 4.5 million Arab fans and all the club's communications to the Arabic-speaking audience. Mohamed is part of Liverpool's international digital team which was short-listed for the British BT Sport Industry Awards 2014 in the "Best use of social media" category.
Mohamed's work sees him building digital marketing strategies and manages campaigns across Facebook, Google AdWords, Instagram, Email Shots and other digital channels to increase brand awareness and generate business leads. His work with Takaud Savings and Pensions and American Express Middle East alone attracted over 7,000 business leads through multiple campaigns for the two companies.
Despite not staying in the field of Banking and Finance, Mohamed tells us that the financial know-how and marketing knowledge he gained during his studies gave him a solid background to help shape him into the professional he is today.