International museum conference highlights scientific sessions

Observer

19-05-2025

MANAH, MAY 19
The second day of the International Museum Conference at the Oman Across Ages Museum in the Wilayat of Manah on Monday brought forward a series of enriching and varied scientific sessions, delving the roles of museums in areas such as economics, tourism, culture and education.
The day included an insightful lecture on 'Museum Communication in the Contemporary Digital Environment: Global Trends and Future Scenarios", delivered by Prof Dr Abdullah bin Khamis al Kindi, a member of the State Council and head of the Department of Media at Sultan Qaboos University. His talk offered a fresh perspective on the way digital platforms and media have transformed museum communication.
He emphasised that the Internet and social media have reshaped how museums interact with their audiences, urging that museums now have to navigate a vast ocean of data to connect with a younger, more digitally fluent generation. He stressed the need for Oman to harness these changes to enhance its museum ecosystem, ensuring that future generations are engaged through interactivity, inclusivity and sustainability.
Prof Islam Elsayed Hussein Elsayed from Fayoum University, Egypt, talked about event role of museums in achieving sustainable tourism development in light of Egypt's Vision 2030, applied to Greater Cairo Museums, while Dr Ahmed Younis Abdel-Gawad, Lecturer, Department of Geography and GIS, Faculty of Arts, Fayoum University, talked about the spatial transformation of museums and their economic contributions, with a particular focus on Egypt's National Museum of Egyptian Civilisation.
Dr Asma Boukhaoua and Dr Zerouati Mouahib, Setif 1 University-Ferhat ABBAS, Algeria, provided insights into the role of virtual engagement, particularly looking at Algeria's progress from 2015 to 2024, while Hassina Belouadah, Mohamed Boudiaf University M'Sila, Algeria, highlighted how digital innovation could align Omani museums with Oman Vision 2040, proposing that museums become interactive, tourist friendly destinations.
A unique presentation by researcher Ferroudj Zineb, Department of Nutrition Technologies, Faculty of Natural and Life Sciences, Hadj Lakhdar University of Batna, Algeria, and Dr Krarcha Hadda, Earth Sciences and Universe Institute, University Mostepha Benbloulaid Batna, Algeria, examined the growing interest in food museums, suggesting that such attractions can significantly contribute to tourism, as illustrated by an Italian model in collaboration with Algerian universities.
Wadha al Shukaili addressed the contribution of cultural institutions to sustainable tourism, with a focus on how museums can enhance both local and international tourism. Fatma al Alawi from the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism emphasised the importance of service quality in enhancing the visitor experience.
The Nehru Science Centre in Mumbai offered insights into the role of science museums in tourism development. Poornima Sathischandra, Assistant Director, Department of National Museums, Sri Lanka, provided a presentation on sustainable museum investments and underscored their potential to drive both economic and tourism growth.
The final session, chaired by Moza al Wardi, explored the educational and cultural roles of museums. Speakers from across the region presented their work on how museums can function as educational platforms.
Dr Humaid bin Saif al Nofali, representing ALECSO, discussed efforts to support museums in the Arab world, while Dr Mikhail Bryzgalov and Roman Mishin from Russia's National Museum of Music presented the intersection of tradition and innovation in museum digitisation.
Other notable presentations included Dr Shaikha al Mandhari's discussion of language and literature in Omani museums, as well as a collaborative paper by Dr Sawsan Haider Abdullah Khreis and Dr Abuelhassan Elshazly on museums' roles in shaping tourism culture and encouraging community participation.