Efforts develop new cultural, academic initiatives
ABUDHABI: The Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities and the National Library and Archives signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance cultural cooperation and facilitate the exchange of expertise and experiences between the two parties.
The terms of the agreement defined the framework and mechanisms for cooperation and the role of each party in implementing them on the ground.
The MOU was signed by Dr. Khaled Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, and Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Acting Director-general of the National Library and Archives.
Under the MOU, both parties have committed to prepare studies and research in common areas of interest, publish articles and research in their journals and publications, establish cultural and scientific activities and community service projects, as well as launch awareness and media initiatives that will lead to strengthening the national identity and inculcate the habit of reading among members of the community.
In addition, the MOU stipulates that the employees of both parties will carry out practical exercises to enhance coordination and exchange educational resources and databases, electronic or otherwise, including publications, books, journals, and research to create a unified index of scientific and academic references to allow easy access for the benefit of both sides.
Furthermore, the MOU paves the way for cooperation in the field of logistics and human and technical resources, including sharing of resources and facilities such as libraries, technical centres, and halls to implement programmes, activities, and events, covering educational, training as well as other areas of cooperation that will be jointly agreed on by and will mutually benefit both parties.
Al Dhaheri added, “It is and privilege for us at the university to be partnering with the National Library and Archives, which is one of the oldest cultural institutions in the UAE, and the largest documentary centre in the Gulf region.”
Abdullah Majid Al Ali affirmed that the MOU with the Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities establishes a new phase of cultural cooperation between the two sides and is a progressive step towards strengthening partnerships between the two parties.
Al Ali noted that both parties have previously collaborated in the areas of publishing book reviews as well as in introducing magazines and journals from prestigious international publishing houses. “This agreement will build on that existing relationship and increase our efforts on developing new cultural and academic initiatives that will benefit not just both parties but the UAE as well.”