The National Archives Continues Its Preparations for the Largest Translation Conference in The UAE



The National Archives continues its preparations for the virtual translation conference it organizing under the theme: “Translation in the Digital Age between Modern Technologies and Challenges of the Historical Text” on June 29th. The conference is considered the largest translation conference in the UAE over the past two decades. It brings together about 40 researchers, experts and specialists in the field of translation sciences from the great world universities and the specialized sectors interested in translation affairs. The conference research papers will discuss translation from many languages into Arabic and vice versa. Thus, the conference will attract a large number of senior professors, researchers and experts from globally renowned universities.

The National Archives is keen to hold this conference to affirm the importance of the role that translation plays in bridging the gaps between civilizations and peoples. This what the National Archives has already shown in many of its previous conferences and seminars and in many of its publications that were translated from many languages into Arabic; these publications shed light on chapters of history that are revealed for the first time, or present clarification to previous controversial issues. The National Archives has realized the importance of translation in transferring cultures to and from Arabic and especially within the scope of its interests and its great role in preserving the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region. Therefore, this conference will enable improving the quality of translation and widening its range to translate to and from many other languages.

The National Archives will publish the conference’s research papers in its refereed scientific journal “Liwa”. It will also compile these research papers in volumes that it will issue after the conference in order to support the cultural community and enrich the Arab library.

On this occasion, the National Archives invites those interested in translation and academic students specializing in translation from the UAE and abroad to follow up the events of the conference and its research papers, which will present many creative and innovative ideas. The conference “Translation in the Digital Age between Modern Technologies and Challenges of the Historical Text” will transfer to the audience the experiences of other peoples and cultures in this field denoting the opportunity is available as the conference is virtual and organized via the advanced interactive technologies that makes it possible to be followed from all over the world.

It is noteworthy that the research papers of the conference will be in many languages such as: English, Japanese, French, Spanish, Hebrew, German, Korean and Portuguese.

The participants will be from major universities such as: Harvard University, University of California-Los Angeles, Binghamton University (USA), Queen’s University (Ireland-UK), University of Edinburgh (Scotland-UK), University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), University of Ottawa, Wilfrid Laurier University (Canada), University of Marburg (Germany), Hankuk University (South Korea), University of Baku (Azerbaijan), University of Sydney (Australia), University of Alicante (Spain), University of Mohammed V (Morocco), Cairo University and Ain Shams University in Egypt, United Arab Emirates University, Sorbonne University (Abu Dhabi), Taibah University (Saudi Arabia), University of Buraimi (Oman), Gulf University and Higher Institute of Dramatic Arts (Kuwait)... and others.



The National Archives

The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates, the affiliate of the Ministry Presidential Affairs was founded in 1968 at the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with the aim of collecting and documenting all materials pertaining to the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region. After forty years of its founding, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued Federal Law No. 7 for the year 2008 converting it to the National Center for Documentation and Research, and was entrusted with the tasks of organizing the archives of government agencies in the United Arab Emirates, and more recently its title (National Center for Documentation and Research) as per the above mentioned law - has been modified to (the National Archives), according to Federal Law No. 1 for the year 2014 issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

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        The National Archives Continues Its Specialized Educational Workshops On Updating Its Correspondence Policy and Ways of Managing It.
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        The National Archives continues to provide virtual specialized educational workshops that aim to acquaint its staff with its policy of correspondence, and the updating of the information of the external entities that are being dealt with in order to facilitate the management, preservation and documentation of their correspondence. In this context, Mrs. Noora Al Hamadi (Chief Archives Officer), at the Center’s Archives Section, presented a workshop entitled: Updating the Information of the External Entities, and Mrs. Safeia Al Jefri (Senior Archives Officer), at the Center’s Archives Section presented a workshop entitled: Correspondence Management Policy. The two workshops revealed the most important mechanisms and requirements which were added or updated in the management of incoming and outgoing correspondence upon the keenness of the National Archives on the requirements of a green work environment, facilitation of the follow-up of the communication between internal and external entities and updating, preserving and documenting the correspondence policy.
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        The first part of the workshop shed light on the development of the internal system for automating requests for updating the information of the external entities received from different departments of the National Archives, and linking it to the correspondence management system in cooperation between the Center’s Archives Section and the Information Technology Section; as this system is considered a main means of communication of all official correspondence between all the departments of the National Archives and the external entities. That had necessitated the development of an integrated database that includes the list of external entities and their communication information; by receiving requests for addition or updating or auditing the information and approving and automatically registering them in the correspondence management system by the Center’s Archives Section in the National Archives.
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        The workshop introduced the correspondence management system, its purpose and requirements. It revealed the development of the system with the aim of using it to manage correspondence in the National Archives, and to preserve the correspondence, documents and information they contain in complete confidentiality according to an effective authorization system, in addition to speedy information retrieving.
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        The first part of the workshop also reviewed the basic information required in defining the details of the entity, the basic information in the people’s details, the request’s flow pat and the system’s instructional video.
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        The second part of the workshop (Correspondence Management Policy) presented the objectives of correspondence management policy, and reviewed the context and scope of applying the policy, responsibilities and guiding principles. The end of the second part of the workshop witnessed the interaction of the participants with its pivots which provided answers to all inquiries.
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        The workshop defined correspondence as: a means of exchanging official information with internal communication and the external entities, responding to requests, providing information related to the activities of the National Archives. It described correspondence as one of the important sources of information in the National Archives, similar to other documents. Therefore, it is necessary to establish regulatory controls in order to handle, maintain and benefit from correspondence when needed. That requires issuing a policy for managing paper and electronic correspondence in the National Archives, because using correspondence involves many risks due to the important information it contains. Many problems may occur as a result of wrongful use of the system.
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        The workshop defined correspondence as: a means of exchanging official information with internal communication and the external entities, responding to requests, providing information related to the activities of the National Archives. It described correspondence as one of the important sources of information in the National Archives, similar to other documents. Therefore, it is necessary to establish regulatory controls in order to handle, maintain and benefit from correspondence when needed. That requires issuing a policy for managing paper and electronic correspondence in the National Archives, because using correspondence involves many risks due to the important information it contains. Many problems may occur as a result of wrongful use of the system.
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        This policy includes the provisions related to the establishment, registration, coding, distribution, classification and preservation of correspondence in combination with the rest of the official documents of the National Archives. As the National Archives always seeks to apply the best international practices and develop electronic systems in the field of document and archives management, therefore it has designed an electronic system called “Correspondence Management System”; to facilitate the process of managing and exchanging correspondence internally among its departments.
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        The National Archives
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        The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates, the affiliate of the Ministry Presidential Affairs was founded in 1968 at the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with the aim of collecting and documenting all materials pertaining to the history and heritage of the UAE and the Gulf region. After forty years of its founding, President His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued Federal Law No. 7 for the year 2008 converting it to the National Center for Documentation and Research, and was entrusted with the tasks of organizing the archives of government agencies in the United Arab Emirates, and more recently its title (National Center for Documentation and Research) as per the above mentioned law - has been modified to (the National Archives), according to Federal Law No. 1 for the year 2014 issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

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In its virtual forum organized in celebration of the International Archives Day,

The National Archives Reviews its History, Strategies and Aspirations of the Nation’s Memory

In celebration of the International Archives Day, the National Archives has organized a virtual forum entitled “The Strategic Role of the UAE National Archives in Preserving the Nation’s Memory”. At the beginning of his speech, H.E. Dr. Abdulla Al Raisi, NA Director General, congratulated the UAE’s wise leadership on this occasion.

He assured the importance of the NA role in preserving the UAE documentary assets and of the support it receives from the wise leadership, which enables the NA to excel, overcome all challenges facing the archival work development and cope with the latest technical advancements and the developed international practices.

On the occasion of the International Archives Day, His Excellency congratulated all NA’s employees and thanked them for their efforts to preserve the Nation’s Memory for the next generation as their efforts have made the NA a pioneering institution in the field of archiving and documentation.

At the forum that was attended by a large number of archives managers of official institutions in the UAE, he focused on the fact that the NA copes with artificial intelligence technologies, which will have great impact on archiving and documentation and will save a lot of time and efforts to index, preserve, archive and made the tremendous number of documents accessible. He noted that the NA is in the process to cooperate with ten countries to activate this advanced technology.

His Excellency said that the NA has its own contributions and projects in Arab and foreign countries such as Jeddah Municipality archives organization project in Saudi Arabia. It also helped the Kingdom of Bahrain in establishing its national archives. Moreover, the NA has restored Napoleon Library in Elba, Italy, and contributed to the establishment of Uzbekistan Archives. It also provides advice to Kazakhstan Archives and has some activities in Lebanon, Egypt and others.

Dr. Abdulla highlighted the importance of the resolution transfering the functions of the National Library from the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development to the National Archives since the library serves as an intellectual archive for archiving and safeguarding the intellectual production in the UAE from damage and loss as well as making it available to the public and generations to come.

His Excellency illustrated the significance of the Arabian Gulf Digital Archives (AGDA), which was founded by the National Archives in collaboration with the UK National Archives. The website presents to its visitors more than 500,000 historical document pertaining to the UAE and the Gulf region. He confirmed that another half a million documents, from the UK National Archives and other archives that had historical relationships with the UAE, will be added to the website in the follwing stage.  

Furthermore, he emphasized the significance of personal archives and prompted the UAE families to keep their historical document and records and provide the NA with copies of them because such documents are part of the UAE history.

Dr. Abdulla called students for continuing their higher education in the master’s degree program in Archives and Records Management, which will be launched by the NA in cooperation with the Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi. In this context, His Excellency thanked the university for its constructive cooperation in developing the national cadre in archives and records management as a professional certificate in Archives and Records Management has been launched and followed by a bachelor’s degree in Archives and Records Management. Preparations are now in hand to launch the specialized Master’s degree in Archives and Records Management.

In addition, he appreciated the competent nationals who expressed their pride and interest in their nation’s history as the youths proceeded to continue their academic study in archives specializations at the Higher Colleges of Technology and Sorbonne University. They proved their professionalism at the Center for Preservation and Restoration (CPR) of the NA.

The NA Director General has reviewed the main stages the NA passed through since its establishment as the Documents and Research Bureau under directives by the Founding Father Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan in 1968. After that, it went through stages of development, and it became the Center for Documentation and Studies and then the Centre for Documentation and Research (CDR). Later, it became the National Centre for Documentation and Research (NCDR). In this stage, Federal Law No. (7) for 2008 was issued and accordingly the archives of more than 300 government entities were organized. Since then, started the real awareness about the importance of archives in preserving the Nation’s Memory. He expressed his warmest thanks to media, which has supported the NA in spreading community awareness about the importance of documents and archives, resulting in a real boom in this field.

Moreover, he discussed the distinctive experience the NA had in establishing the Center for Preservation and Restoration under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The centre was established after a visit made to the government entities archives, which were overwhelmed with documents that are at risk of damage and require conservation using scientific and professional methods and restoration to prolong the documents life. The Center for Preservation and Restoration was provided with leading experts, and national employees were provided with relevant qualification. This gave the centre a great start in the Archival Materials Restoration Laboratory, Digitization Laboratory “scanning” and the archival materials preservation storage facilities, which made the centre capable of keeping thousands of kilometers of historical documents.

Mr. Hamad Abdulla Al Mutairi, Director of Archives Department, talked about the international archives and the challenges they face. He also explained the NA’s role in supporting archives organization in the UAE, starting with archives status evaluation, provision of technical consultancies, preparation of specialized human resources, organization of disposal processes and transfer of historical archives. Then, he demonstrated the archival process workflow at the NA and concluded by illustrating the NA future aspirations.

In addition, Al Mutairi explained the main threats to documents on paper and electronically, focusing on the risk of the increasing cyper attacks, which were more than 300 thousand attacks. Such attacks cause considerable damage to electronic archives worldwide, considering expectations of a dramatic increase in electronic archives numbers. Finally, he highlighted the importance of keeping paper archives, in their traditional form, in appropriate environments along with the digital archives.

Prof. Silvia Serrano, Vice Chancellor of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, spoked of preparing and qualifying specialized national cadre in the field of archiving and documentation through a collaboration between Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi with the NA. She started her speech by talking about the importance of archiving and she considered it as the key to nations development. She, then, highlighted the close cooperation between Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and the NA, which has resulted in offering three academic programs: bachelor’s degree in Records Management and Archival Science, professional certificate in Archives and Records Management and master’s degree in Records Management and Archival Studies.

In her speech, Prof. Silvia revealed the membership of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi of InterPARES, a program for developing the necessary knowledge of keeping the records that have been digitally initiated and preserved in the long term, and its membership of the International Council on Archives (ICA).

She stressed the importance of launching the new master’s degree program in Records Management and Archival Studies, which meets labour market needs and contributes to the sustainable knowledge-based economy from a practical perspective. Artificial Intelligence is also a core concept of this program.

Her Excellency has confirmed that all these accomplishments are the fruits of the collaboration between the Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi and the NA of the UAE. She felt optimistic that this collaboration will lead to further achievements in the future.

Khalid Bin Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan Inspects National Archives’ Platform



The National Archives’ Platform Started its Events at the First Day of “Abu Dhabi International Book Fair”



His Highness Sheikh Khalid Bin Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Member of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Office, inspected National Archives’ platform in the 30th edition of Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. His Highness was briefed on the events and activities organized in the platform, which assert the role the National Archives plays in preserving the Memory of the Nation for the Generations to come. The visit took place at the opening ceremony of the present edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair. His Highness was received by His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Alraisi, the Director General of the National Archives and His Excellency Abdulla Majed Al Ali, the Executive Director of the National Archives.

His Highness inspected the different stands of the platform, which were full of qualitative, documented and diverse publications. His Highness reviewed the latest publications that document important aspects of the history of the UAE and the region and saw the photos that document the historical relations between the United Arab Emirates and the Federal Republic of Germany. Such photos highlight the importance of these relations, which were built on strong and solid foundations and witness a growing improvement and prosperity under the wise leadership of the United Arab Emirates.

At the corner of restoration, His Highness listened to a detailed explanation of the role played by the National Archives in the field of preserving and restoring historical documents, to enable the researchers to benefit from them in their writings on the history of the United Arab Emirates, and the efforts the National Archives exerts to enhance the sense of belonging to the homeland and loyalty to the wise leadership and to promote the national identity among the citizens of the United Arab Emirates.

His Highness and the accompanying delegation were briefed on Al-Ittihad newspaper, the National Archives presents it in its platform, which documents the first book fair held in Abu Dhabi in December 1974. That fair showed the interest of the builder and founder, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan in building the educated citizen and his interest in spreading knowledge among all the segments of society. Our wise leadership has followed his path in promoting science and culture.

The events of the National Archives started in the morning of the first day of the fair with a number of virtual reading workshops, the first of which was from the book: “Zayed: From Challenges to Union”, in which Hend Al Zaabi, the Educational Programs Specialist in the National Archives, dealt with the birth and education of Sheikh Zayed, his upbringing and his great efforts to build the great union. She stressed in the workshop, which was followed by a large number of students, that the late Sheikh Zayed will remain the symbol of courage and sacrifice for the noble causes in the memory and the hearts of the UAE generations. Among the events was a virtual tour of the National Archives’ platform in the fair.

On the evening of the first day of the fair, Dr. Seddik Gohar, the Translation Expert in the National Archives, presented a virtual lecture entitled: “The Geography of Languages and Historical Reconciliations in Asia to the European Union” in which the lecturer explored linguistic and cultural diversity in a number of countries in Asia and the European Union through a historical and Linguistic perspective. The lecturer research spoke about the linguistic pluralism in the UAE, which has resulted in a parallel cultural pluralism, where more than two hundred nationalities live in the country, speaking different languages and dialects, who are united by hybrid cultures, of which the culture of tolerance prevails in contemporary UAE society, which embodies the meaning of human coexistence in the civilized societies in the new millennium.

A national initiative launched in the Year of Zayed and continues its activities in the Year of Tolerance

The National Archives continues to launch the stories of the National Initiative (Zayed 100 Stories) at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2019

The National Archives continues to publish the stories of the national initiative (Zayed 100 Stories), which it launched in cooperation with the Ministry of Education in the Year of Zayed; With the aim of acquainting generations of students with more of the exploits of the founding leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan - may God rest his soul in peace - and in this regard, the National Archives launched nine new stories from the initiative (Zayed 100 Stories) in the current edition of the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2019.

The festive atmosphere pervaded the Ministry of Education pavilion at the exhibition. Where the first-place winning students signed their stories and gifted them to the visitors of the exhibition; The stories of this national initiative would enhance moral and patriotic values, qualify students to write sweet stories, encourage them to learn about the history and heritage of the country, and delve deeper into reading the biography of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, from which they draw inspiration from values and governance.

This came with the keenness to organize a signing ceremony for the stories of the national initiative (Zayed 100 stories) amidst an atmosphere of joy and crowds of visitors and participants in the book fair. In order to enhance confidence in students, reward them for their efforts, and encourage other students to follow their example, creativity and excellence.

The National Archives and the (Education) launched the following stories within the same national initiative (Zayed 100 Stories) at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair 2019: (Zayed Hakim Al Arab) for female students: Mahra Fahd, Fatima Hameed, Sarah Hamad, from Al Himma School, (a great personality). ) for students: Salem Al-Khaili, Darwish Al-Rumaithi, Khaled Al-Hamli, Sultan Al-Marzouqi, Abdullah Badr, from Al-Ittihad National School, and (an achievement that changed their lives) for students: Hamad Al-Qubaisi, Khalifa Al-Ali, Zayed Al-Tunaiji, Muhammad Abdul-Hadi, Moatasem Hamdallah, from Al-Ittihad School Emirates National / Abu Dhabi, (Inspirational Childhood) by the student: Hind Muhammad Abdullah Al Hammadi from Sharjah International Private School.

And the following five national stories ((Sheikh Zayed’s childhood (1), Zayed the man of government (2), Zayed and the story of the union (3), Zayed and the achievements of the union (4), Zayed’s sayings and lessons (5)) by the student Hind Muhammad Abdullah Al Hammadi from Sharjah International School private.

It is noteworthy that the National Archives, in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, also launched the first batch of the national initiative (Zayed 100 Stories) at the Sharjah International Book Fair 2018. It consisted of: (The Story of a Knight), (The Green Hand), and (The Conqueror of the Desert). And (I see the future with increasing),

The National Archives has been interested in launching these stories at the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair, to stress, through this national educational initiative, the importance of highlighting the efforts, achievements and values of the builder and founder, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, in order to open new pages of the history of the UAE. And the cognitive and societal values of school students who follow tomorrow’s march in building the country, its renaissance, and preserving its gains.       

The program started in the Year of Zayed and its first class graduated in the Year of Tolerance

The National Archives and the Sorbonne Graduate the First Class in the Professional Certificate in Documents and Archives Management



The National Archives, in partnership with its strategic partner, the Sorbonne University, graduated the first batch of participants in the Professional Certificate in Documents and Archives Management, at the headquarters of the Sorbonne University - Abu Dhabi, in the presence of His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Muhammad Al Raisi, Director General of the National Archives, and His Excellency Ludovic Pouy, the French Ambassador to the UAE. United Arab Emirates, and Professor Eric Fouach, Director of the Sorbonne University, who praised the specialized training program that was able to qualify the participants to learn how to manage electronic documents, manage current and intermediate documents, and keep records and historical documents.

The celebration began with a speech by Professor Fouache, Director of the Sorbonne University, who welcomed all the participants and praised the participants’ commitment to the program’s courses, and thanked the National Archives for its positive cooperation in this initiative and in all joint activities and events.

On this occasion, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Mohammed Al Raisi delivered a speech in which he praised the cooperation with the prestigious Sorbonne University, and expressed his happiness at the success of the intensive training program, and that the graduation of the first batch of the professional certificate in Documents and Archives Management would take place in the Year of Tolerance, expressing his optimism that this program had begun. In the Year of Zayed, he graduated the first batch in the Year of Tolerance, and pointed out that the Year of Tolerance will be the starting point for a bachelor's program in archiving and documentation, and it will be followed by a master's program in the same specialty at a time when the profession of the archivist has become no less important than the profession of the doctor, engineer, and others. It works to preserve and protect national archival treasures.

His Excellency congratulated the graduates, hoping that they would benefit from the knowledge and knowledge they gained in this intensive training program, in order to organize the official and government archives, and this is what the government agencies are keen on in order to preserve and restore the holdings of their archives, and not to destroy or lose them.

His Excellency added: It is fortunate that the graduation of this batch coincides with our celebration next week of launching the Digital Archive for Arab Gulf Documents project, and announcing the logo of the International Archives Congress, which the UAE will host next year 2020, in the meetings of the Executive Office of the International Council of Archives. And the meetings of the National Archives Forum in the world, and they are in the process of preparing for the Congress of the International Council on Archives 2020, the largest gathering of archivists in the world, which will be hosted by the UAE in Abu Dhabi next year.

His Excellency the French Ambassador Ludovic Pouille delivered a speech in which he congratulated the graduates on their fruitful efforts and on their graduation from the Sorbonne University, which was known for its prestigious position among academic institutions globally, and considered the graduates ambassadors of the message of openness and tolerance. He expressed his happiness at the results of the partnership between the UAE National Archives and Sorbonne University - Abu Dhabi. Pointing out the importance of the program in the knowledge and professional fields.

This came in the presence of the first batch graduates, Dr. Fatima Al Shamsi, Deputy Director for Administrative Affairs at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, His Excellency Majid Al Muhairi, Executive Director, Mr. Hamad Al Mutairi, Director of Archives Department, a number of employees and coordinators at the National Archives, and some Sorbonne University employees.

The National Archives and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi virtual graduation ceremony for the fourth batch of Graduates of the Archives and Records Management Professional Certificate 

The National Archives, in cooperation with its strategic partner, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, organized a virtual ceremony to honor the fourth batch of the Archives and Records Management professional certificate graduates. His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Mohammed Alraisi, Director General of the National Archives, opened the ceremony and praised this professional certificate program that has proven very successful and effective, with the graduation of the fourth batch of graduates, stressing that its success is indicated through its graduates gained experience which is in turn reflected in their respective fields of work in the UAE official and Government entities’ archives.

H.E. added: We highly appreciate our fruitful and constructive cooperation with the established Sorbonne University, whether in this professional certificate program, or the Bachelor of Records Management and Archival Sciences, or the Master’s degree in Records management and Archival studies program that will be launched at the beginning of the next academic year, stressing the importance of their mutual scientific, professional and academic integration in terms of developing archival sciences and records management specialized studies and research, and educating generations to understand and value the importance of archives and their role as the memory of the nation, and the sound base for decision-making in any professional field.

In his speech, His Excellency also explained the national role which the National Archives plays in organizing the archives of more than 300 UAE government institutions, and announced the UAE Council of Ministers approved merge between the National Library and the National Archives in the UAE to meet the various knowledge needs. He stressed the importance of using data science and artificial intelligence to develop documentation and archiving processes. He emphasized the significance of the fourth batch, as distinct from previous ones, since it witnessed the Covid-19 challenge and the global measures adopted to counter and contain it, at which stage the University students and staff-members demonstrated their full commitment to overcome this challenge and displayed strict adherence to all necessary preventative and precautionary measures. His Excellency congratulated all the graduates, and encouraged them to apply and employ their gained experience from this program to advance the archives and archival business in their respective workplaces, prove their distinction and excellence.  I would also like to extend special thanks to both the Sorbonne University and the National Archives liaison team in charge of coordination for this professional certificate program, along with all experts and teachers who have spared no effort to support it.

Professor Silvia Serrano, Executive Director of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, said: Today, we are reaping the fruits of the successful cooperation between the National Archives of the UAE and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and we are fully confident that this cooperation will produce generations of qualified experts. We have recently launched a bachelor's program in Records management and archival sciences, and we seek to launch a Master's degree program at the beginning of the next academic year, and to accomplish many research projects in this field Which will, in turn, contribute to developing qualified cadres in charge of archiving process in the United Arab Emirates and the Middle East.

The graduation ceremony included a detailed presentation on the fourth batch of this professional certificate presented by Mr. Hamad Al-Mutairi, Director of the Archives Department, in which he explained that the fourth batch graduates are professional Archivists employed respectively in the: National Archives, Armed Forces, Ministry of Defense, Insurance Authority, and Department of Culture and Tourism. This program began on January 10, 2021, and indicated that the National Archives took great interest in this professional certificate, and provided full support in the Archives and Records Management field, through the following modules:

General Introduction to Documentation and Archiving, Archival Legislation and Archiving Standards, Current and semi-current Archives management, Scientific Processing of Archives, Archival and Conservation buildings, and Electronic Archives management.

The presentation included the total number of graduates of all previous batches, and their respective institutions which enrolled them for this program.

The ceremony took place in the presence of Professor Silvia Serrano, Executive Director of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, Mr. Hamad Al-Mutairi, Director of the Archives Department of the National Archives, Mr. Yann Rodier, Head of the History Department at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, and a number of the program experts and officials, in addition to the participants and alumni graduates of this batch.

The National Archives signs a Memorandum of Understanding with Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre 

In line with its objective to enhance cooperation with various national institutions and entities, the National Archives represented by its Director General, His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Alraisi, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, represented by its Chairman, His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Tamim.

According to this memorandum of understanding, both parties shall jointly organize events, activities, seminars, conferences, workshops and exhibitions, in addition to launching joint community outreach programs that contribute to achieving their respective missions. Such cooperation includes the translation, publication, libraries, oral history, research and studies’ fields. The National Archives shall accordingly provide its advisory services to assist the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre in its "paper and electronic" archives’ organization, management and preservation.

On this occasion, His Excellency Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, said: “The National Archives is an established national entity of which we are greatly proud; it strives to document and preserve the UAE history, i.e. the memory of the nation and contributes to preserving its heritage and identity. The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, looks forward to collaborate with the National Archives to enhance its cultural and literary assets, and benefit from its vast experience in the field of organizing, managing and preserving paper and electronic archives to support our efforts to build an Arabic language reference archive."

For his part, His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Alraisi, Director General of the National Archives appreciated the signing of this Memorandum of Understanding and added: “The Arabic language is an essential constituent of the United Arab Emirates history and identity. And such a specialized center as the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, enhances this language and contributes to its advancement and promotion. There are many areas, including libraries, translation, oral history and research… etc., where we can employ our joint efforts in favor of various UAE community members and institutions. The National Archives expresses its happiness with this agreement and looks forward to this cooperation with Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre’s colleagues." The two parties shall form a joint committee to discuss necessary mechanisms for the implementation of this memorandum’s provisions, and any related issues of common interest to enhance mutual cooperation and achieve the objectives of both the National Archives and the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre.

In its Belief in reading as a strategic choice towards a brighter future, the National Archives achieved great success through its month of reading activities

The National Archives concluded the month of reading after having presented an extensive range of knowledge activities and programs that encourage reading. 

The activities and programs provided great educational and knowledge content for the public of different society segments in general, and for the National Archives employees in particular. The main objective of the programs presented by the National Archives’ Educational Programs and Emirates Library Sections is to promote reading culture as a regular and sustainable practice among the UAE public and various society segments. These programs support future generations’ civic education, enhance the public’s good citizenship, and values of loyalty and belonging to the homeland and its wise leadership.

As part of the National Archives Reading Month educational programs and activities, it organized in March 124 lectures and workshops from which 3,586 followers, from 107 different entities benefitted.

His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali, the National Archives Executive Director, said that The National Archives in the course of realizing its mission has employed reading activities and workshops that utilized a number of its distinguished publications for children, in its keen interest to enhance future generations’ national identity and acquaint them with the UAE glorious history. It strives to establish an intellectual reading community, capable of leading the development process and march.

H.E. added: The National Archives managed to achieve the Reading Month desired goals, namely; to educate the public and promote the national values of loyalty and belonging to the homeland, implement the wise leadership’s national strategy directives, endorse its reading initiatives, and introduce to the public, particularly students and children, the UAE great leaders and their achievements to follow their footsteps and take them as role models, and to raise this important segment of society’s awareness and knowledge of cultural heritage, and ultimately enhance the National Archives corporate brand and image and promote its publications and its knowledge treasures.

H.E. pointed out that the National Archives' month of reading activities focused on the National Archives' publications of summarized stories for children, namely, (Zayed from Challenges to Union, Khalifa, a Journey into the Future, and Qasr Al Hosn, The history of the Rulers of Abu Dhabi).

The reading month activities also reviewed (Zayed a 100 Stories) initiative produced stories, namely: (I perceived the future in Zayed), (The Story of Faris) and (Zayed quotes and lessons), in addition to educational games inspired by the publications of the National Archives and its historical documents, such as: the educational booklet (Watani Al-Emarat) and (the march) educational game.

His Excellency concluded his speech: “With this group of virtual and direct activities and programs targeting a wide audience whether the employees or the public, the National Archives was able to achieve its objective of promoting reading as a regular and sustainable habit, to reflect the reading month slogan (My family reads).

It is noteworthy that the National Archives enhanced and promoted its reading month activities through its concurrent celebrations of: Emirati Children’s Day and International Day of Happiness. The diverse National Archives’ programs’ activities included national lectures, introductory lectures on the National Archives’ role and tasks, as well as reading workshops, that achieved impressive results and enriched students’ knowledge. The National Archives Educational Programs Section’s Experts and Specialists, namely: Dr. Hosnia Al-Ali, Mohammed Ismail Abdullah, Aisha Al-Zaabi, Hind Al-Zaabi, and Maryam Al-Mansoori participated in presenting these activities.

As for the Emirates Library activities in March 2021, His Excellency said: The Emirates Library activities and programs demonstrated the National Archives' keen interest in books and reading since its establishment, due to its Belief that knowledge reflects how civilized and developed any nation is. The Emirates Library has developed a strategic plan which it effectively implemented to promote and encourage reading through various activities. It organized internal reading exhibitions: "A Journey into the World of Reading and perusal", and distributing free books to employees to encourage reading. It also organized an internal reading competition where staff members summarize a book of their choice from the Emirates Library. The library also conducted through interactive social media platforms various virtual lectures, some of which acquainted participants with methods of benefiting from the Emirates Library’s different services, and tackled some of its rare and valuable holdings. The Emirates Library also organized various lectures in cooperation with Specialists from different distinguished entities, namely: a lecture entitled (Digital Technology Serving to Facilitate Access to Legal Information) delivered by Mr. Abdullah Al-Nasiri, a lecture entitled (Documents on the Arabian Gulf Modern and Contemporary History) by Dr. Khaled Al-Saadi, a lecture entitled (How to create a reading motivating home environment) by Dr. Honada Taha, and a lecture entitled (Programs and applications for learning Arabic and encouraging children’s Internet reading) by Habiba Wahdan and Fenan Kilani.

On the Emirates Library and ways to benefit from it: Sharifa Al Fahim, Head of the Emirates Library Section, presented a lecture entitled: (The Emirates Library, the Knowledge seekers haven), whereas other Emirates Library officials conducted various lectures and workshops. Omar Hamadneh delivered two lectures entitled: (the Emirates Library’s rare holdings), and (useful skills for searching through information institutions’ indexes), while Suhail Shaaban highlighted the library’s initiative "Suggest a book of interest to you and we will buy it and make it available to you), Yasmine Al-Hebshi presented three lectures in English, entitled: “Thesis, dessertation, and Emirates Library free access sources ”, “How to use JSTOR databases”, and “Eight reading acceleration and understanding techniques”, and Shamma Al-Awani and Kulthum Abu Bakr introduced the library bulletins and how to benefit from its services. Shamsa Al Qubaisi delivered a lecture on the Emirates Library periodical articles.

It is noteworthy that the National Archives organized, during the reading month, a number of other introductory and awareness-raising virtual lectures, including: “Perceiving the future: Assessment of its Capabilities and Maturity” presented by PDCA Management Consultancy Group, and a lecture entitled “Health and the importance of sports and nutrition” by Dr. Nasser Al Ameri, and “Reflections on happiness and positivity” by Dr. Mansour Habib, and “mental health during crisis” by Dr. Aisha Al Dhaheri, and a lecture on scientific research ethics by Dr. Heba Al Deeb.



The National Archives

The National Archives of the UAE Ministry of Presidential Affairs was established in 1968, upon the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s directives, with the aim of collecting and documenting material relating to the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region. Forty years after its establishment, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE issued Federal Law No. (7) of 2008 changing its name to be the (National Center for Documentation and Research), entrusted with organizing the archives of the UAE government agencies, Later H.H. issued another order to change its name to be the (National Archives) in accordance with Federal Law No. (1) of 2014 issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.  

The National Archives has successfully carried out an evacuation drill at its Center for Preservation and Restoration

In cooperation with Abu Dhabi Civil Defense, Police and Ambulance

The National Archives Center for Preservation and Restoration employees carried out an evacuation drill, under the supervision of the National Archives evacuation team in coordination with Abu Dhabi Civil Defense, Police, and ambulance teams. The drill aimed at raising the employees' readiness level, enhancing their safety and security awareness, and ensuring their adherence to effective safety and security regulations and timely crisis response.



The evacuation drill, which was carried out in a record time, proved the CPR employees' full preparedness to counter any emergency or crisis and their strict implementation of safety requirements and regulations.  Upon ringing the alarm, the Abu Dhabi Police Joint Operations Room “ 'Asif” immediately received a report, accordingly the Abu Dhabi Police, Civil Defense and Ambulance respective vehicles rushed to the Center for Preservation and Restoration, the doors of which automatically opened to secure all employees' quick and safe evacuation then gathering at the designated assembly point in accordance with the instructions of  the assigned evacuation team in their special uniform. All employees eventually returned to their respective places after being so instructed by the Civil Defense team.



The Center for preservation and restoration evacuation drill came in line with the National Archives interest in the safety and security of all its employees and workers in case of emergency, and also in its pursuit for the preservation and restoration of the United Arab Emirates assets of historical records and documents for future generations, as well as of the Preservation stores and restoration laboratory equipment. At the end of the drill, the National Archives extended its thanks to the participating Abu Dhabi Civil Defense, Police, and Ambulance respective teams for their supervision of the evacuation drill. The National Archives also commended its staff and workers for their awareness and full commitment to implement the concerned authorities' instructions and directives.

It is noteworthy that the National Archives takes great interest in ensuring strict adherence to safety and security measures at both its headquarters and the Center for Preservation and Restoration, and spares no effort to support the National Crisis and Emergency Management Authority's plans and regulations, and to provide its employees with the necessary expertise and training to enhance their safety and security chances during disasters and crisis. Accordingly, it successfully managed and achieved the Center for Preservation and Restoration evacuation drill in a record time, as part of the National Archives Integrated Management System (ISO) certification requirements, and in line with its interest in its human resources training and development, and since it spares no effort to safeguard millions of its diverse historical documents.

Finally, the Head of the Civil Defense team supervising the implementation of the National Archives' Center for Preservation and Restoration evacuation drill praised the employees commitment, timely response, and their safety and security awareness indicated through their strict adherence to all security requirements and regulations, noting that the evacuation drill reflects the National Archives' management’s keen interest in its human resources' safety and security in the first place.

Concurrently with the Reading Month

The National Archives Organizes Two Lectures on the Emirates Library and Ways to Access its Collections



Within the series of lectures and activities that the National Archives holds in the Reading Month, the Emirates Library at the National Archives organized two virtual lectures, the first lecture is entitled “Emirates Library, A Resort for Knowledge Seekers”, and the second lecture is entitled “The Electronic Catalog of the Emirates Library”. Both lectures aimed at strengthening the links between the Emirates Library and readers and facilitating access to its holdings to benefit from its collections, resources and references specialized in the history of the UAE and the Arabian Peninsula. Subsequently, the Emirates Library adopts the same goals of the National Archives which documents the memory of the nation for the generations to come.

 The first lecture was delivered virtually by Mrs. Sharifa Al Fahim, Head of the Emirates Library Section at the National Archives. She spoke about the importance of the Reading Month and pointed to the significance of its slogan this year (My Family Reads), which emphasizes the role of reading in building people over the course of their lifetime. She emphasized that the Emirates Library, as it celebrates the Reading Month, exerts all possible efforts to enable readers and researchers to access its collections and provide them with its services throughout the year.

Then, she reviewed the history of the Emirates Library, which was established in 1968, in the same year as the National Archives upon the directives of the Founder and Builder Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Next, she introduced the services and facilities which the library offers such as allowing access to its paper and electronic resources, photocopying and circulation services and the model reading hall designed in accordance with international standards with open shelving system, a number of modern computers, special researcher cabins and  Wi-Fi service.

The lecture focused on the holdings of the Emirates Library, which include thousands of distinctive paper and electronic resources, university references and dissertations, rare books, Arab and foreign periodicals. It also contains a wealth of specialized books dealing with many aspects of the UAE, topics related to the GCC states and a large number of books in all fields in both Arabic and English, in addition to items in other languages including French, German, Persian, Dutch and Portuguese.

The second lecture was delivered by Omar Hammadneh, librarian, who talked about the Emirates Library electronic catalog and  methods for searching by book title, author name, series, or ISBN. He said that researchers can access the library catalog on the National Archives’ website and submit their requests electronically. He also mentioned that the Emirates Library has been providing its services electronically to many researchers in the UAE and abroad.

He explained that the search box at the top of the Emirates Library Catalog enables its visitors to look for the following categories of information:  Articles About the UAE, Subject Guides, Liwa Journal Index ‘the National Archives’ scientific journal’, E-Resources, Rare Books and Napoleon Collection Online.

Both lecturers answered a number of questions about ways of extending circulation periods and other questions.