Tourism and Antiquities Minister Sherif Fathy received Sheikha Hoor bint Sultan Al Qasimi, chair of the Sharjah Museums Authority and president of the Global Studies University in the UAE, during her visit to Egypt to discuss closer cooperation in areas of shared interest.
The meeting examined cooperation in antiquities, museums, training, capacity building and expertise exchange, particularly the use of Egyptian experience in antiquities restoration and the management of museums and archaeological sites.
The two sides also discussed possible temporary exhibitions of Egyptian antiquities in Sharjah, accompanied by workshops and cultural and professional activities. These would introduce ancient Egyptian civilization and highlight the richness and diversity of Egypt’s tourism and archaeological assets.
Sheikha Hoor Al Qasimi emphasized the importance of making museum collections accessible to the public and researchers as living sources of knowledge and study. She highlighted Sharjah museums’ role in connecting art and history with research and contemporary cultural practice and creating spaces for intercultural dialogue.
Professor Salah Mohamed Hassan, director of the Global Studies University, stressed the value of museum and heritage cooperation within the university’s postgraduate humanities and social sciences programmes. He said the Critical Museum and Heritage Studies master’s track offered opportunities to connect academic research with museum practice and exchange knowledge with cultural institutions and museums in Egypt and Sharjah.
The meeting concluded with an agreement to exchange ideas on proposed cooperation between the Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities, the Sharjah Museums Authority and the Global Studies University, ahead of preparing a joint protocol setting out cooperation areas and implementation mechanisms.
