(SIH) Encourages Kalba’s Youth to Preserve National Identity and Share Heritage Digitally

The Sharjah Institute for Heritage organised a lecture entitled “Heritage Through the Eyes of Youth: From Memory to Digital Platforms,” delivered by Dr Khalid Al Shehhi, Director of Academic Administration at the Institute. The lecture was attended by students from Saif Al Ya’arubi School and female students from Zayed Educational Complex in Kalba.

The event formed part of the Institute’s efforts to raise young people’s awareness of the value of cultural heritage and encourage them to document it and pass it on to future generations using modern digital tools, thereby strengthening national identity and fostering a deeper connection with local heritage.

From Memory to Digital Space

Organised by the Institute’s Kalba branch, the lecture explored ways to use digital platforms to preserve, document and promote heritage, highlighting the role of young people in transforming cultural heritage into innovative and engaging digital content. It also examined the potential of mobile phones and modern social media platforms, while emphasising the importance of preserving the authenticity and historical and cultural value of heritage.

Dr Khalid Al Shehhi highlighted the importance of verifying information and its sources before publication, as well as using artificial intelligence tools to present heritage knowledge in contemporary formats that reach diverse segments of society. He also stressed the need to adhere to ethical standards in documentation and publishing and to respect the rights of storytellers, photographers and content creators.

Youth as Partners in Heritage Preservation

The lecture featured practical examples demonstrating how elements of local heritage can be transformed into meaningful digital content that promotes cultural heritage and strengthens its presence in the lives of younger generations. It also underscored the importance of equipping young people with digital documentation skills and enhancing their ability to produce reliable content that combines heritage authenticity with the demands of the digital age.

At the conclusion of the lecture, the Institute honoured Dr Khalid Al Shehhi, followed by a group photograph commemorating this initiative, which aims to strengthen the presence of heritage in young people’s awareness and digital practices.