Sharjah Museums Authority, ICCROM to support the Conservation Management of Cultural Heritage Master’s programme

Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) and ICCROM-Sharjah Regional Conservation Centre, have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to support the newly launched Master’s programme in Conservation Management of Cultural Heritage (CMCH) at the University of Sharjah.

Under the MoU signed by Manal Ataya, Director General of Sharjah Museums Authority and Dr Zaki Aslan, Regional Representative of ICCROM for the Arab States and Director of ICCROM-Sharjah, SMA will share expertise and knowledge with the programme students through hands on training essential in sharpening their skills.

Available in Arabic language only, CMCH comprises two tracks, Management of Museums (movable heritage), and Management of Cultural Heritage Sites (immovable heritage).

Students of the programme will study a wide range of topics including conservation of built heritage and museum collections, heritage presentation and interpretation, disaster risk management of cultural heritage and world heritage management.

“At SMA we are very excited about the programme, which is the first of its kind in the Arab world, it’s a very important area of study that addresses emerging conservation challenges in the whole region, and integrated approaches to cultural heritage management,” said Manal Ataya.

She added that SMA - being a strategic partner in this programme - will be providing all necessary support, allocating its expertise, and giving students access to Sharjah museums, and different cultural sites that have been converted into museums, as well as museums’ collections and libraries.

Ataya said that under the MoU, they will also be organizing workshops and offer lectures by SMA staff members that provide practical insight into how to manage museums, devise educational programs, care for collections and all other aspects of importance that students need to be successful in the field today. 

“The MoU reflects the complementary roles of SMA and ICCROM which will benefit the programme’s students and, in turn, support the job market with much needed local and Arab talents specialised in the conservation and management of heritage, an area that suffers from the lack of professionals in the region,” said Manal Ataya.

Dr Zaki Aslan said that SMA’s support is essential for the programme’s success since one of its two tracks focuses on museums and their management.

He added that targeting students in the UAE and all ICCROM’s Arab member states and focusing on preserving heritage in this part of the world, the programme is taught in Arabic only.

“The programme being launched in Sharjah, carries a great symbolic significance as the Emirate has a fantastic facilities, institutional expertise and fertile grounds for cultural heritage conservation and management effectively working with the support and guidance from His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah,” said Dr Aslan.

The two-year programme comprises 33 credits, with the first year involving two semesters, while, the second year is dedicated to the Master’s thesis.