DUBAI, 2nd of March 2017: Sponsored by Hamdan Bin Mohammed Heritage Center (HHC), and under the patronage of HE Sheikha Lubna bint Khalid bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Minister of State for Tolerance and President of Zayed University, Zayed University in Dubai organizes the first edition of the UAE heritage research conference entitled ‘Current trends and Future prospects. It will be held in the Convention Center at Zayed University in Dubai on Monday 6th March 2017 from 9.00am till 2.30pm.
The conference affirms the continued pursuit of Zayed University to highlight the academic efforts and scientific research on the heritage of the UAE and HHC’s aim to harness all channels to activate the preservation of intangible cultural heritage and research related to it.
The first part of the conference agenda includes speeches from dignitaries and researchers while the second part includes four educational sessions.
HE Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, CEO of the HHC, said their strategic vision includes supporting academic institutions in research and studies of heritage, history and all activities, conferences and workshops that produce a generation consciously proud of their heritage.
He said: “On the directives of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, the Crown Prince of Dubai, we are committed to conserve the heritage and conduct studies and research to promote national identity. Our aim is to raise the level of heritage and literary culture in the UAE to bridge the generation gap and to inculcate a sense of patriotism in the new generation and create innovation in different spheres so they follow in the footsteps of the founding fathers. We will use all the resources at our disposal to provide all the ingredients for the benefit of young people to serve their motherland through the field of science.”
“We are delighted to sponsor the first edition of the UAE Heritage Research Conference organized by Zayed University, to discern current trends and look forward to the future prospects. The conference’s main themes, both enhances the social responsibility in serving the country through studies and awareness of heritage and contribute to the career development. It also consolidates the spirit of volunteerism and holds specialist programs for the students to provide a real service to the UAE community through scientific research and imbibe a sense of patriotism in the new generation,” he added.
Prof. Dr. Reyadh AlMehaideb, Vice President of Zayed University, said HHC always supports Zayed University in various academic and promotes the heritage of the UAE.
He said: “The conference addresses a key question about the existence of academic approach to heritage through science by experts in the subject, through the adoption of a multi-disciplinary methodology linking the diverse heritage components and its relations with the community in various dimensions. A number of theoretical and applied research in heritage issues will be presented during the conference focused on the United Arab Emirates and its efforts in the study of heritage to this area.”
Media partners
Al Oula Radio is the media partner of the conference and “will shed the light on the future of heritage research and assess the ststus quo” said Mr. Khalifa Al Falasi from Al Oula Radio.
“The agenda of the conference will address many questions and illuminate future horizons. The presence of a group of specialists in the heritage in general and the UAE in particular, will enable us to deliver the message to our listeners”, concluded Al Falasi.
Conference Agenda
The conference has three main themes. The theoretical one which relates to efforts of scientific research on the subject of heritage globally and regionally. The practical aspect through case studies on heritage in the UAE. Thirdly, the future direction of development of scientific research in universities in the UAE.
The conference program will begin with the opening address by HE Abdullah Hamdan Bin Dalmook, CEO of the HHC and Prof. Dr. Reyadh AlMehaideb. The keynote speaker of the Conference will be Prof. Dr. Frauke Heard Bey,a historian and a scientist specializing in the affairs of political and social developments in the Gulf region for over four decades.
On the sidelines of the conference, the winners in The Undergraduate Student Research on UAE Heritage Competition, the annual competition which is officially sponsored by HHC for the second year, will be honoured. Additionally, the second issue of the annual magazine ‘Emirati Flashes’ which specializes in research, and is sponsored by HHC, will be launched with a special edition commemorating the conference. The Committee of the Conference and a number of officials and professors will also be honoured.
The second part of the conference includes four educational sessions and discussion groups led by experts in the field of heritage and cultural research in four separate halls.
Educational Sessions
Discussions and lectures on topics related to heritage and history will be held during the second part of the conference by a panel comprising a group of professors and specialists as follows: Mr. Omar Al Ka’abi, Ms. Maitha Za’abi, Mr. Abdul Rahman Al Nuaimi and Dr. Timothy Power.
