ICCROM Regional Centre, University of Sharjah collaborate in conservation
- 22 Sep 2024
Muhammad Yusuf, Features Writer
The activities of the sixth intake of the ICCROM Master’s Program in Conservation Management of Cultural Heritage, have kicked off at the International Organisations premises in Sharjah. The Program is being implemented in a collaboration between the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah (International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property) and the University of Sharjah, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan Bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the Supreme Council.
The ICCROM Master’s Program in Conservation Management of Cultural Heritage is an initiative that aims to develop and preserve cultural heritage in the Arab region and to develop the skills to face the significant challenges the neighbourhood is witnessing. It aims to impart knowledge and enable a new generation of heritage specialists.
On the first day of the programme, the hosts presented an overview of ICCROM and its Regional Centre in Sharjah, focusing on its mission, strategies and activities. The presentation also focused on the training opportunities provided by the centre.
Nasir Al Darmaki, Deputy Director of the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah, said the Master’s Program represents one of the essential activities implemented by the ICCROM Centre in Sharjah in the framework of the cooperation agreement signed with the University of Sharjah.
He also spoke about the Program’s objectives, which seeks through research, academic and practical initiatives, to contribute to qualifying national cadres to support the preservation of cultural heritage in the Arab region and enhance scholarly research.
He also highlighted the contribution of the ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah, which provides scholarships for students. This year, four of them obtained scholarships (from among 70 students). They hail from Bahrain, Tunisia, Egypt and Palestine.
Dr. Monther Jamhawi, programme coordinator at the University of Sharjah, referred to the diversity of backgrounds of the participating students and the importance of representing several Arab countries in the schedule.
Since its launch in 2019, the ICCROM Master’s Program in Conservation Management of Cultural Heritage has witnessed increasing local and regional participation. The number of students enrolled in the Program has reached 108; they come from across the region. In the current season (2024-2025), the Program has 15 students, including nine from the United Arab Emirates and a student each from Bahrain, Egypt, Tunisia, Palestine, Saudi Arabia and Iran.
The ICCROM Regional Centre in Sharjah is a cultural hub supported by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the Supreme Council. The institution is considered a powerhouse of cultural heritage knowledge, and has been specially created for the widespread adoption of best practices in Arabic-speaking countries.
Meanwhile, ICCROM — Sharjah has also announced the Jury Committee for the 4th Cycle of the ICCROM Sharjah Award for Good Practices in Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management in the Arab Region (2023-2024). Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Ruler of Sharjah and Member of the Supreme Council, the ICCROM-Sharjah Award for Good Practices is a biennial competition that highlights exceptional initiatives that have demonstrated tangible results in addressing challenges faced by cultural heritage professionals and related communities.
