Category: Sharjah

H.H. began his visit by inspecting the academic projects and the new expansion of the University of Sharjah, Khorfakkan Branch, and examining the progress of work in the buildings, classes and various facilities…. Reports Asianlite News

H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, visited a number of vital, academic and service projects in the city of Khorfakkan on Sunday morning.

During the tour, the Ruler of Sharjah listened to an explanation from Ali bin Shaheen Al Suwaidi, Chairman of Sharjah Directorate of Public Works (SDPW), about the established projects and their workflow, as well as the completion status of the most prominent projects.

H.H. began his visit by inspecting the academic projects and the new expansion of the University of Sharjah, Khorfakkan Branch, and examining the progress of work in the buildings, classes and various facilities. He directed to provide the optimal academic educational environment for students, in line with the development of the level the university has reached.

The new expansion, which was built on an area of 22,000 square metres, include a number of buildings, classrooms, and educational and administrative facilities.

Then Sheikh Sultan went to inspect the tourism and entertainment projects, including the Khorfakkan Square Park project, with an area of 163,000 square metres.

H.H. toured the Khorfakkan Square park and reviewed its entertainment services and facilities, listening to the development plans and the most prominent additional services.

During the tour, the Sharjah Ruler visited the Resistance Monument, which was built to commemorate the sacrifices of the people of Khorfakkan, who made the most magnificent sacrifices to defend their city against the Portuguese invasion that took place in 1507.

He was also briefed on the future facilities and services of the monument building, which include a large hall on an area of 898 metres, which is divided into two halls.

The Sharjah Ruler was accompanied by Sheikh Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Sharjah Ruler’s Office, and a number of officials.

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H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah has inaugurated the House of Wisdom, a new cultural edifice and an iconic architectural marvel situated near the University City of Sharjah, which celebrates the emirate’s year-long tenure as UNESCO World Book Capital 2019.

Reimagined as a library of the 21st century, the newly opened House of Wisdom, HoW, is inspired by modern architecture comprising 15 lobbies and halls spread across two storeys.

Set on an elevated platform spanning 12,000 square metres, Sharjah’s House of Wisdom has been designed as an immersive space for learning, sharing, creating, and accessing knowledge. Key spaces bathed in natural light include an expansive lobby, the Al Rasheed Hall, the Espresso Books, Knowledge Terrace, the Wisdom Vault and the Al Ma’moun Exhibition; the Little Reader, the Wisdom Square, the Ibn Duraid Reading Area, the Al Jazri Lab, the Ladies Diwan, the Al Jarhmi Library, and the Al Khawarizmi Exhibition.

Developed by the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, Shurooq, the new knowledge centre and digital library complex is a hallmark of the libraries of the future – a flexible design that allows the library to grow with the times, vast digital resources, a fabrication lab with 3D printers to build prototypes of experimental projects and cutting-edge technology to print and bind books within minutes. The library’s futuristic suspended private pods for quiet reading and a host of collaborative community spaces are designed in a way that promotes academic and non-academic pursuits, social learning and cultural interaction.

Designed by Foster + Partners, an award-winning architectural firm, the structure also includes lecture halls, reading lounges, exhibition spaces, a dedicated children’s educational area, a central courtyard, a café, a restaurant, and outdoor gardens planted with local varieties of fig, ghaf and palm trees.

Following the inauguration, the Ruler of Sharjah toured the new cultural landmark accompanied by Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of Shurooq; Mohammed Obaid Al Zaabi, Chairman of the Protocol and Hospitality Department, Marwan bin Jassim Al Sarkal, Executive Chairman of Shurooq; and Marwa Obaid Al Aqroubi, Director of the House of Wisdom.

At the library which will be home to 305,000 books, of which 200,000 are in the digital format and 11,000 comprise books in varied languages, the Ruler of Sharjah was briefed on how the futuristic library has been reinterpreted to adapt to the fast-changing world of technology. The children’s library “The Little Reader” houses more than 2,000 books, while another has been set aside for youth with 3,000 titles.

The Sharjah Ruler also viewed the “Book espresso machine” that prints and binds books on demand in minutes, along with the digital self-service station.

Continuing his tour, Dr. Sheikh Sultan visited the Al Jazari Laboratory (Fabrication Lab), named in honour of inventor Badi Alzaman Al Jazari’s (1136 AD – 1206 AD) scientific contributions to the world. The lab is equipped with cutting-edge technologies and state-of-the-art 3D printers, laser and vinyl cutting machines, and Computer Numerical Control tools.

Sheikh Sultan also visited the spaces dedicated to women and children, including the Ladies Diwan, and the library for children between the ages of 3 and 10 years.

The Sharjah Ruler also toured Iraqi-born, New York-based artist Wafaa Bilal’s major solo exhibition titled “168: 01”, showing for the first time in the Arab world. The exhibition is an expression of the historic loss of a priceless cultural heritage that occurred when a fire destroyed more than 70,000 books at the library of the College of Fine Arts at University of Baghdad in 2003.

He stopped at the Al Rasheed Hall, a space for hosting seminars, events, and conferences in HoW and concluded his tour with a walk through the landscaped gardens featuring 331 trees of 12 different species, and which overlooks the Sharjah World Book Capital 2019 monument, “The Scroll” – a 36.5-metre piece of public art created by British sculptor Gerry Judah, inspired by an ancient scroll design that is representative of a celebration of reading and the power of books to unite people.

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The Emirate of Sharjah is all set to host the iconic Sharjah International Book Fair, SIBF even in the pandemic situation by adopting relevant safety measures. The 39th edition of the fair which will be held from 4th to 14th November, 2020, will host hundreds of Arab and international publishers.

This year it promotes the theme “The World Reads from Sharjah”.

One of the top three book fairs in the world, the SIBF has for the first time in its history, adopted a unique online-offline hybrid programming that promises to deliver a memorable mix of literary and cultural activities.

Sharjah Book Authority, SBA, has emphasised that the new format of the fair has audience safety at the forefront, and fully adheres to global health and safety protocols in place to curb the spread of the Coronavirus, COVID-19, pandemic. The SIBF’s cultural programme adopts a fully digital format while publishers will make a physical appearance at the Expo Centre Sharjah, so book lovers across the nation can continue to enjoy the in-person experience of sifting through and buying books this year.

The 11-day event will see participating publishing houses on-site welcome visitors including children, youth, adults, and industry professionals looking to buy new titles and explore new genres of literature.

The SIBF 2020 theme is inspired by Sharjah’s leading position as an incubator of Arab culture and a creative hub that attracts intellectuals, writers and artists to meet and share experiences. In selecting the theme, SBA has affirmed that Sharjah is still welcoming literary leaders, readers, knowledge seekers and learners from across the world.

Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of Sharjah Book Authority, SBA, said, “We believe that cultural activities must not stop even in challenging circumstances as enriching people’s lives through reading, literacy and knowledge is a key driver for social development and prosperity. SBA’s commitment to Sharjah’s cultural legacy is in line with the vision of H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, to build a bright present and promising future for the young generations by fostering knowledge and broadening their horizons through reading.”

“In keeping with our mission of promoting culture and creativity, SBA will deploy the latest technologies in visual communication to successfully host all its virtual events, activities and discussions. By providing a new experience for our audience, we want to reiterate that Sharjah is committed to being a true beacon of culture and knowledge,” Al Ameri said.

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