Latest news with #SheikhaBodourAlQasimi
Sharjah 24
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Sharjah 24
DoC releases Issue 334 of Al Rafid Magazine
A landmark historical publication One of the highlights is the encyclopedic work titled The Portuguese in the Sea of Oman: Events in the Annals from 1497 to 1757 , authored by His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah. Spanning 21 volumes and including 1,138 rare documents, the work documents over two and a half centuries of regional history. Advancing education and research The magazine also sheds light on the launch of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Scientific Research, aimed at improving educational quality and aligning it with labor market needs. It further highlights the University of Sharjah's partnerships with global institutions such as the Royal European Academy and its introduction of programs in AI and sustainability. Celebrating international recognition The issue honours Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi for winning the Bologna Ragazzi International Children's Literature Award for her book House of Wisdom , making her the first woman from the Gulf to earn this accolade. It also features Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi's recognition with the Order of Arts and Letters from the French Republic for her role in fostering UAE–France cultural dialogue. Youth, arts, and innovation Coverage includes the 16th Sharjah Children's Reading Festival, held under the theme 'Education through Books,' with 1,024 interactive activities and the launch of the 'Reader of the Century' platform. It also details the success of the third Sharjah International Animation Conference, where 72 global experts discussed the future of animation with a focus on AI technologies. Preserving heritage and supporting Arab poetry The Sharjah Art Museum's 28th anniversary celebration and the launch of the 'Generations Meeting' heritage initiative are featured. The issue concludes with coverage of the sixth Moroccan Poets Festival in Tetouan, which gathered over 40 Arab poets, along with reports on the activities of poetry houses across the Arab world—underscoring Sharjah's continued leadership in supporting Arab cultural dialogue.
Gulf Today
25-05-2025
- General
- Gulf Today
Sharjah's Faya Palaeolandscape advances in its nomination for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List
The UAE has reached another defining moment in its cultural and scientific journey, as Sharjah advances the nomination of the Faya Palaeolandscape for inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Situated in the Central Region of Sharjah, this ancient desert site holds one of the world's oldest and most uninterrupted records of early human presence, dating back to over 210,000 years. Formally nominated in 2024 under the 'Cultural Landscape' category, the Faya Palaeolandscape is now under evaluation by UNESCO World Heritage Center. The property is being recognised not only for its archaeological depth, but for its potential to reshape our global understanding of how early humans lived in arid environments, moved and evolved across Southeast Arabia. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi spearheads global outreach for Faya's UNESCO nomination Spearheading global outreach for Faya's ongoing World Heritage nomination is Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi,who serves as the official ambassador of the nomination file. Her role reflects a collective national effort to elevate the property's international status, reinforcing the UAE's leadership in heritage preservation, cultural diplomacy and scientific advancement. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi commented, 'Faya offers one of the oldest and most complete records of early human presence in Arabia, dating back over 210,000 years - a living archive that deepens our understanding of who we are, where we came from, and how we have learned to survive.' 'The Faya Palaeolandscape's nomination for UNESCO World Heritage status highlights the importance of preserving these ancient sites, not only for their historical value but for their potential to educate future generations. As ambassador, I see this nomination as an opportunity to elevate Faya as a shared inheritance for all people around the world', she added, affirming the significance of this nomination in shaping global heritage discourse. Why Faya matters: A closer look at the landscape While much of the region has been viewed as a mere transit point for early human migration, interdisciplinary scientific research and archaeological discoveries conducted by the Sharjah Archaeological Authority (SAA) in collaboration with the University of Tübingen in prehistory studies and Oxford Brookes University for paleoenvironmental studies, confirmed that the Faya property served as a destination for early human settlement during climatically favourable periods. The convergence of essential resources—water from springs and wadis, stone raw materials like flint for tool-making, and shelter within the jebels—made sustained occupation possible. Over the past 30years, scientists have excavated the Faya site, uncovering 18 distinct layers of earth, each representing a different period of human occupation, and providing unprecedented insights into early human migration and adaptation. These game-changing discoveries offer a fresh understanding of human migration from Faya, which holds the most detailed record of ancient human life in Arabia. From these facets of discovery, which have fully revealed the site's potential to offer a rare and completely intact record of human survival in the face of environmental adversity, Faya's potential Outstanding Universal Value (OUV) has been established. H.E Eisa Yousif, Director of the Sharjah Archaeology Authority (SAA), emphasised: 'The preservation of Faya is deeply anchored in Sharjah's Cultural Heritage Law No. 4 of 2020, which ensures its protection for future generations. Over 30 years of meticulous research and collaboration led by our national mission and experts with international experts have revealed 18 distinct archaeological layers from the Stone Age, bringing to light an intricate history of human evolution, adaptation and survival right here in Sharjah'. 'As we advance Faya's UNESCO World Heritage nomination, it is important to emphasise that our collaborative efforts have made this a global project; one that connects the past with the present more strongly, adding to the rich global corpus of archaeological discoveries. This property, therefore, holds immense value for the world - not just Sharjah and the UAE', he added. The future of Faya The UAE has developed a comprehensive management plan for the Faya Palaeolandscape, which will guide its conservation, research, and visitor engagement from 2024 to 2030. This plan aligns with UNESCO's World Heritage standards, ensuring that the site is preserved while also allowing for continued exploration and education.
Sharjah 24
24-05-2025
- General
- Sharjah 24
Bodour Al Qasimi explores cooperation between Sharjah, Paris
During the visit, both parties agreed to establish new and sustainable avenues for cultural collaboration by developing joint programmes in manuscripts, cultural artefacts, and children's literature. This included potential plans to host 'Sharjah Literary Days' in Paris, a recurring event designed to foster cultural exchange and literary dialogue between Sharjah and the French capital. As a gesture of Sharjah's appreciation for global cultural institutions, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi presented copies of the Historical Corpus of the Arabic Language to both the historic and modern branches of the French National Library in Paris. This act recognised the institution's important role in preserving written heritage and celebrated the collaborative efforts to promote the Arabic language globally. Forging lasting cultural partnerships Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, accompanied by H.E. Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, CEO of SBA, and a delegation from the Authority, was received by Gilles Pécout, President of the National Library of France, along with Madame Marie de Laubier, Director of Collections, and Jean-François Roseau, Director of International Relations. The delegation toured the Richelieu site, where they were briefed on its principal research facilities, rare collections, and the methods used for the preservation and digitisation of documents and manuscripts, in addition to the advanced services provided to researchers from around the world. Commenting on the visit, Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi emphasised that the collaboration represents a significant milestone in Sharjah's ongoing efforts to forge lasting cultural partnerships with leading global knowledge institutions. She said: 'In Sharjah, we believe that libraries are not simply repositories of books, but vibrant spaces for cultural engagement serving as a bridge that connects humanity's memory with the future. We are dedicated to advancing innovative projects that extend the global presence of Arab culture and strengthen Sharjah's position as a conduit between East and West.' She continued: 'The Historical Corpus of the Arabic Language embodies a message of cultural dialogue conveyed through our language. Presenting it to the National Library of France is an open invitation to civilisational exchange. We hold this revered institution in high regard for its integral role in safeguarding written heritage, and we are confident that our collaboration will open new avenues in areas that resonate with the core of human cultural identity.' Collaboration and cultural exchange During the visit, the two sides identified several key areas of potential collaboration, including the organisation of joint exhibitions, both online and on-ground. A central element of this initiative will be the reciprocal loan of rare manuscripts and historical documents, which will be exhibited in both Sharjah and Paris. These exhibitions aim to offer audiences a unique opportunity to engage with a rich and diverse human heritage while deepening the cultural dialogue between Arab and French societies through the shared legacy of books and archival materials. They also agreed to collaborate in children's literature and promote reading in the mother tongue among younger generations. This includes developing specialised programmes to increase the visibility of Emirati and Arab content for children and young adults in France, while also expanding the presence of French children's literature in Sharjah and the UAE. The programme will include workshops, field activities, and reciprocal visits. The agreements further encompassed the launch of high-level professional cooperation initiatives between Sharjah Public Libraries and the National Library of France, focusing on exchanging expertise and collaborative efforts to enhance library infrastructure and promote sustainable knowledge integration between the two institutions. The history of the National Library of France As one of the oldest cultural institutions in Europe and the world, with origins that date back to the 14th century, the library was officially established in its modern form in 1537 under King Francis I. At the time he issued a decree mandating that publishers deposit a copy of every publication with the library, positioning it as one of the earliest institutions to adopt the legal deposit system in history. Today, the library holds more than 40 million items, encompassing books, manuscripts, maps, newspapers, images, and recordings, and spans all branches of knowledge in numerous languages. It is also recognised globally as a premier resource for researchers and scholars, particularly renowned for its rare holdings, including manuscripts, antiquarian books, and historical documents that chart the evolution of human thought. The library also offers cutting-edge digital research services and annually draws thousands of visitors and academics with its architectural fusion of heritage and innovation. SBA's visit underscores its dedication to forming strategic cultural partnerships with leading global knowledge institutions, which is in line with its mission to foster the publishing sector and promote cultural dialogue on an international scale.
Sharjah 24
17-04-2025
- Politics
- Sharjah 24
AUS, Al Akhawayn University partner to advance Arabic scholarship
Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi said: 'The MOU with Al Akhawayn reflects the deep-rooted ties between the Emirate of Sharjah, the UAE and the Kingdom of Morocco, and highlights our shared commitment to advancing higher education and preserving cultural identity. AUS and Al Akhawayn University share a common academic vision—one that values Arabic and Islamic studies, supports research in heritage and identity and embraces innovation in knowledge creation. Through this partnership, we look forward to enriching academic exchange and strengthening collaboration between our institutions and our nations.' His Excellency Abdellatif Jouahri said: 'The memorandum of understanding between American University of Sharjah and Al Akhawayn University represents an additional link in the framework of the historical brotherly relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Morocco. It aims to enable the two universities to develop scientific research and academic cooperation in several areas of mutual interest.' The signing ceremony was also attended by His Excellency Dr. Ahmed Toufiq, Minister of Endowments and Islamic Affairs of the Kingdom of Morocco; and His Excellency Dr. Azzedine El Midaoui, Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation of the Kingdom of Morocco, along with other senior officials from both institutions. Dr. Tod Laursen, Chancellor of AUS, stated: 'This partnership is a powerful expression of our vision for higher education that transcends borders and builds bridges through scholarship. Together with Al Akhawayn University, we are expanding the possibilities for collaborative research, reimagining the future of Arabic studies and contributing ethically to the evolution of artificial intelligence. This agreement reflects the very best of international academic cooperation—deeply rooted in culture, guided by purpose and focused on global impact.' The collaboration's scope includes research on the intersections between Arabic and English language pedagogies, with a particular focus on developing academic and critical literacies. It also encompasses efforts to advance the teaching of Arabic as a foreign language, facilitate translation across scholarly disciplines and promote Arabic liberal arts education. The two universities will explore the potential establishment of a joint center dedicated to pedagogy and digital humanities, providing a shared platform for research in Arab and Muslim literatures, cultural dynamics and communication systems. Dr. Amine Bensaid, President of AUI, said: "We're delighted to launch this partnership with our colleagues at AUS. This new partnership continues the founding vision that has inspired Al Akhawayn University since its inception thirty years ago, combining an anchoring in identity with deep cross-cultural collaboration. Through this ambitious new partnership with AUS, we will launch initiatives to advance collaborative research, reimagine and contribute to the future of Arabic Studies in the era of AI, cross-fertilize with best practices in English Studies and strengthen our shared liberal arts traditions to prepare globally-minded graduates who can bridge technology and cultural understanding in an increasingly interconnected world. It's a privilege for us to have an opportunity to contribute to—and to enjoy— the mutual admiration between the United Arab Emirates and the Kingdom of Morocco." The MoU also provides avenues for cooperation in science, engineering, business, architecture, art, design and archival research. A particularly ambitious objective of the agreement is the development of an open-source Arabic dataset comprising literary works, media content and academic publications that reflect the linguistic and cultural richness of both Morocco and the UAE. By making this resource openly accessible, AUS and AUI aim to promote more inclusive and culturally representative training data for large language models, contributing to the ethical advancement of artificial intelligence. The partnership also paves the way for a wide range of collaborative activities, including faculty and staff exchanges, student mobility programs, shared academic resources, co-developed courses and joint research projects. Opportunities for joint supervision of graduate students, co-hosted conferences, seminars and technical training programs are also envisioned. Both institutions have expressed strong interest in establishing a collaborative fund to support joint initiatives aligned with shared academic priorities. This agreement forms part of AUS' broader commitment to building strategic partnerships with leading institutions around the world. Through such collaborations, AUS aims to expand its global reach, foster innovation across disciplines and contribute to the development of knowledge ecosystems that address regional and global challenges. To learn more about AUS and its partnerships, visit
Zawya
05-04-2025
- Business
- Zawya
4th Sharjah International Booksellers Conference opens Monday with 661 participants from 94 countries
Sharjah: The fourth edition of the Sharjah International Booksellers Conference will commence tomorrow (Monday) at the Sharjah Expo Centre, bringing together over 661 booksellers, publishers and distributors from 94 countries to exchange expertise, explore industry trends, and expand their professional networks. Organised by the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA), this year's conference reflects significant growth in both scale and thematic breadth. Attendees will delve into pressing issues facing the publishing and distribution industries, assess emerging global challenges and opportunities, and participate in discussions to shape the sector's future. The programme also provides a strategic environment for forging partnerships and exploring avenues for innovation and sustainable growth. Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi, Chairperson of SBA, will deliver the opening keynote address. She will reflect on the conference's achievements to date, highlight the importance of international collaboration in shaping the future of publishing, and reaffirm the vital role of distributors in making knowledge accessible across the globe. Insights from leading European experts The opening day will include a panel discussion with Renato Salvetti, CEO, Messaggerie Libri, Italy, with Porter Anderson, Editor-in-Chief, Publishing Perspectives. It will be followed by a session featuring Serban Radu and Nicoleta Jordan, co-founders of Romania's leading bookshop chain, Carturesti. On the second day, the programme will open with a keynote address from Michael Busch, founder of Germany's Thalia bookstores, who will explore the evolution of Europe's publishing and distribution landscape, shifting consumer behaviours, and emerging business opportunities. PublisHer brings women's voices to the forefront of publishing During the event, PublisHer, a platform for promoting and assisting female publishers, will host panel discussions and expert-led workshops focused on pressing issues in the sector. Female leaders will also share their professional journeys and guide the next generation of industry professionals. Ajay Mago, OM Books, India, will lead the "AI for Booksellers: Enhancing Discovery, Sales & Operations" session, exploring how artificial intelligence can support key aspects of the bookselling business. Kristine Pikenena will present "Working with Instagram and Book Bloggers," offering guidance on effective collaboration with social media influencers in the book space. Fernando Pascal will delve into "Data Management for Booksellers," focusing on best practices for handling and leveraging data. Steve Jones will deliver a session titled "Diversifying Your Bookshop's Offerings," examining strategies to broaden a bookshop's product range. Rome Quezada will lead the session "What Are 'Coffee Table' Books and How Can They Build a New Community?" highlighting their potential in engaging readers. Maddalena Fossombroni will speak on "The Literary Festival Effect: Catalyzing Culture and Community," addressing the wider cultural impact of literary events. Rodrigo Larrubia, Libreria Luces, Spain, will conduct the "Workshop on Developing and Managing Book Clubs," offering practical insights for fostering community engagement. Elena Martínez Blanco, Librería Serendipias, Spain, will present "How Bookstores Can Encourage Reading Among Children and Teens," focusing on youth readership initiatives. Harriet Vocking, Supadu, UK, will offer expert advice in "Building an E-Commerce Business: How to Add Value to Your Bookshop and Be Sustainable at the Same Time," while Jeremy Cammy, Rock the Bus Productions, Canada, will lead "Running Successful Events in Bookstores," sharing proven approaches for event planning and execution.
