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The Sharjah Institute for Heritage welcomed a delegation of students from the Summer Centers of North Al Batinah Governorate in the Sultanate of Oman, as part of the 2026 Summer Centers Programme held under the theme "Our Summer: Leadership and Creativity." The delegation was headed by Dr. Abdullah bin Saeed Al Busaidi, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Summer Centers in North Al Batinah Governorate. The visit was organized in coordination with the Office of the Governor of North Al Batinah with the aim of introducing students to the Institute's mission and its role in safeguarding and preserving cultural heritage, while familiarizing them with its specialized programmes and initiatives that contribute to broadening their knowledge, strengthening their appreciation of cultural heritage, and fostering pride in their shared legacy.

Tour of the Institute's Facilities

The delegation was received by H.E. Professor Abu Bakr Al Kindi, Director of the Institute, who welcomed the students and guided them on a tour of several of the Institute's key facilities, including the Crafts Centre, the Heritage Library, the Restoration and Manuscripts Department, the International Organizations Building for Cultural Heritage, and the Arab Heritage Centre. During the visit, the students learned about the Institute's efforts in documentation, research, capacity building, and safeguarding intangible cultural heritage, as well as its role in preserving cultural memory and transmitting it to future generations.

An Interactive Heritage Experience

The students explored a collection of heritage artifacts documenting various aspects of authentic Emirati life and received detailed explanations of their historical and cultural significance. They also observed part of the activities of the Al Rawi Summer Camp, where they were introduced to interactive programmes designed to strengthen young people's connection with heritage through innovative educational approaches, making the visit a comprehensive learning experience that combined knowledge with hands-on engagement.

Al Kindi: Investing in Youth Awareness

H.E. Professor Abu Bakr Al Kindi emphasized that the Institute is committed to ensuring that student and youth visits become comprehensive educational experiences that introduce younger generations to the value of heritage and the importance of preserving it. He noted that investing in young people's awareness is the true guarantee of heritage sustainability.

He said: "We firmly believe that investing in youth awareness is the true guarantee of safeguarding heritage. For this reason, we are keen to open the Institute's doors to young people so they can closely witness the efforts devoted to preserving cultural heritage and understand that heritage is not merely a story of the past, but a living identity and a future that we build together. Our mission extends beyond preserving collections to cultivating community awareness. Direct engagement with the Institute's facilities and specialized programmes strengthens a sense of belonging and broadens understanding of heritage as a living human legacy that deserves to be preserved, developed, and passed on to future generations."

UAE–Oman Cultural Cooperation

The visit comes within the framework of cultural cooperation between the Sharjah Institute for Heritage and educational and youth institutions in the Sultanate of Oman, and in response to a request from the Office of the Governor of North Al Batinah to organize a field visit for students of the Summer Centers. The initiative aims to promote the exchange of expertise, spread heritage awareness among young people, and reinforce the values of preserving cultural heritage as a shared civilizational and human legacy.

Head of the Delegation: An Inspiring Experience that Strengthens Heritage Awareness

The visit concluded with a meeting at the office of the Institute's Director, during which Dr. Abdullah bin Saeed Al Busaidi, Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Summer Centers in North Al Batinah Governorate and Head of the Delegation, expressed his sincere appreciation to the Sharjah Institute for Heritage for its warm hospitality and excellent organization. He praised the distinguished initiatives and pioneering efforts the delegation witnessed in the field of safeguarding cultural heritage.

Dr. Al Busaidi stated that the visit provided the students with a rich educational experience that enhanced their awareness of the value of heritage and its importance in strengthening cultural identity. He also commended the Institute's leading programmes and initiatives in preserving cultural heritage and expressed his aspiration for continued cooperation and exchange of expertise between both sides in ways that serve younger generations and further strengthen the presence of heritage in their awareness.