Sharjah: Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) organised a course titled, ‘Management and Conservation of Cultural Heritage: Sites and Museum Collections’ to highlight the important role of museums in development and preservation of Arab and Islamic culture and civilisation.
SMD director Manal Ataya, delivering the keynote speech on ‘The Role of Museums in an Arab Context — Case Study Sharjah’, sought to explore the vital role that museums play in preserving and promoting the region’s heritage with a specific focus on the highly successful museums currently functioning under the umbrella of the SMD.
“Today, the SMD supports around 16 heritage, history, scientific discovery and art museums in Sharjah, an emirate which is well-known as the region’s cultural hub,” Manal said. She pointed out that the role of museums in the Arab world is becoming an ever-more important topic of discussion as museums offer opportunities for education, knowledge creation and self-development for individuals, communities and societies.
The four-week course, which is jointly organised by Athar Programme and the International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM), aims to introduce professionals working in the Arab region to the field of conservation and management of heritage and museum collections.
“The course is an excellent endeavour to create the much-needed skill pool among young professionals who want to excel in their careers as archeologists, historians and academicians,” said Manal. She added that the course aims to provide a foundation for professionals who wish to develop their knowledge in specialised cultural heritage fields including heritage documentation, presentation and interpretation, preventive conservation of cultural heritage materials, management of heritage areas, cultural tourism, and risk preparedness.
