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to learn how to manage electronic documents, manage current and intermediate documents, and keep records and historical documents.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.     

Marking the UAE National Sports Day,



The National Archives launched an awareness program to educate its employees on the best methods to maintain good health and physical fitness, as part of the UAE National Sports Day celebration activities. The program included a lecture entitled "Triangles of Life on the Importance of Sports, balanced diet and good Nutrition" in line with the National Archives' interest in its societal responsibility to its employees, and as part of its annual celebration of the UAE national Sports Day; a chance which the National Archives takes to advocate sports and shed light on its importance as a way of life as well as a physical activity for its significant health benefits.

In her presentation of the lecture, Mrs. Mariam Al-Murri, Chief Corporate Communication Officer at the National Archives, stressed the National Archives’ keenness to annually celebrate the UAE National Sports Day, and quoted the words of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the UAE Vice President, Prime Minister, and Ruler of Dubai: “Sports refreshes the memory, strengthens the body, and relieves life burdens".



In his interactive virtual lecture, Dr. Nasser Salem Al Ameri praised and commended the wise leadership's efforts, and interest in the health and fitness of the UAE people and residents, as they facilitated access to well-equipped sports facilities across the UAE. He thanked the National Archives for taking the National Sports Day celebration chance to educate its employees on how to maintain their fitness and good health.

The lecturer reviewed a number of triangles starting with the human being as an equilateral triangle, where equal attention and focus should be given to his body, soul and mind, stressing that those three must be equal in a productive person. He also discussed the causes for wrinkles, osteoporosis, weight gain, heart disease and diabetes through the second triangle which title questioned: "What happens as one grows older? ". He explained that the appearance of these changes or the development of such diseases among people vary from one person to another, and to avoid or prevent them, one must adhere to practicing sports, at least walking which is the simplest of all sports.

The lecturer stressed the importance of following the teachings and guidance of Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) relating to balanced diet and good nutrition as the main principles for good health as expressed and emphasized in his words: “Eating less is the best adopted preventative method or habit against sickness and disease. A few bites or mouthfuls should suffice to sustain the sons of Adam and satisfy their hunger, should they- upon temptation- wish for more, it should be according to equal thirds or shares for their food, drink and breath". Then, Dr. Naser moved to the triangle of fasting, sports and nutrition, indicating the importance of fasting for the body, provided that it obtains adequate amount of food, drink and practices sports, at the right time; either before having breakfast or three hours after it.

The lecture tackled the basic nutrition components, and the needed calories for human body. The lecturer stressed the importance of practicing sports for women and elaborated on the Women, Sports and Society triangle, as he tackled the role of sports in treating and relieving psychological stresses. In the last triangle he discussed the proper and improper exercising methods.



The National Archives also launched a one week sports competition under the slogan "The Challenge 2021", explained its terms and conditions to its employees, and encouraged them to participate through allocating valuable prizes for winners.





The National Archives:

The National Archives of the UAE was initially established in 1968 under the Ministry of Presidential Affairs, upon directives from the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with the aim of collecting and documenting material on 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) for 2008 upon which it became the "National Center for Documentation and Research", entrusted with organizing the UAE government entities' archives. Later, His Highness issued Federal Law No. (1) of 2014 according to which its name changed to be the "National Archives".

Providing an Advanced Device That Enables the Reading of The Memory of  The Nation in Braille

The National Archives Opens a New Channel That Makes Its Publications Accessible to People With Visual Impairment



As the National Archives continues to care for people with visual impairment, it added to its holdings a braille-reading device, named BRAILLENOTE TOUCH PLUS, which enables this segment of society to access and read its publications.

His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Alraisi, Director General of the National Archives emphasized that this care falls within the framework of the National Archive's societal and humanitarian responsibility towards people with visual impairment and providing them with important chapters of the UAE's deep-rooted history and cultural heritage to strengthen their sense of belonging to the homeland and loyalty to its wise leadership.

About this device, His Excellency Abdulla Majed Al Ali, Executive Director of the National Archives, said: “This device constitutes a part of an integrated system, by which the National Archives aims to provide access to its national publications through all means. To benefit people with visual impairment, the National Archives has provided these publications in paper form and in audio books, as well as making them available on smart applications. This comes within its tireless efforts to reach all segments of readers. As for the Braille reading device that has been recently acquired, the National Archives opens a new channel for people with visual impairment by giving them access to its publications in Braille, a tactile reading and writing system. This modern technical device instantly converts texts written in a specific format into embossed Braille letters, through which the National Archives ensures the provision of its national publications to this segment of society.”

It is worth noting that the device, which is similar in design to traditional tablets, can be loaded with the material in WORD files, but in DOC format, which it then translates instantly into Braille letters readable for the visually impaired. The National Archives has allocated a special suitable place for  device users in the Customer Happiness Hall at its headquarters; thus, they are able to use it easily to read the downloaded contents in Braille. The National Archives will spare no efforts to optimally take advantage of this device by using it in the training courses and reading workshops which it organizes for people with visual impairment in book fairs and in other venues.

It should be noted that a few months ago, the National Archives, in cooperation with the Zayed Higher Organization for People of Determination, launched its book (Zayed: From Challenges to Union) printed in Braille to enable this segment of society to read chapters from the rich record of the founding leader Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s achievements.

Prior to this book, which has hundreds of pages, the National Archives had also printed three educational booklets in Braille, namely: “Zayed: From Challenges to Union”, “Khalifa: A Journey to the Future” and “Qasr Al Hosn, 1795-1966”.

The National Archives collaborates with official authorities concerned with people with visual impairment in several areas such as organizing lectures with patriotic content and participating in major events of interest to them.



The National Archives



The National Archives of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs was first established in 1968 upon the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with the aim of collecting documents and information relating to the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region. Forty years later, HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President, issued Federal Law No. (7) of 2008 changing its name to the National Center for Documentation and Research (NCDR), and assigning it to organize the archives of the various UAE government entities. Finally, HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued Federal Law No. (1) of 2014, renaming it the National Archives.

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Including more than 90 events in addition to the Emirates Library’s rich program

The National Archives receives the Month of Reading with a program full of reading events and activities



The National Archives starts the reading Month of March that is celebrated this year under the slogan of “My Family Reads" with several national lectures and readings of its publications pertaining to the UAE history and heritage. The National Archives seizes this opportunity to conduct reading events and activities given its belief that reading is the essential pillar of nations development.

On this occasion, H.E. Abdulla Mohamed Alraisi, Director General of the National Archives, said “The National Archives devotes attention to reading due to its belief that reading is food for thought; it is the foundation for understanding and culture, the introduction to all sciences and the cornerstone of the knowledge-based civilizations. It also believes that reading is the primary source of employees’ qualification and happiness. As they acquire knowledge through serious reading  their productivity increases. In fact, reading the Memory of the Nation publications  fosters awareness and enhances loyalty and belonging to the homeland”.

H.E. Abdulla Majid Al Ali, National Archives Executive Director, said “It is true that we celebrate the Month of Reading in March; however, all months and days should be real occasions for reading. Since the Month of Reading for this year is celebrated under the slogan of “My Family Reads”, we will designate events at the National Archives to ensure that books are available for families to promote serious and fruitful reading among the society members”.

 He added: “The National Archives participates in the Month of Reading with several initiatives that contribute to the achievement of the targeted objectives of this month. We have set an intensive program for reading-related events and activities that are accessible to all society segments. The program of this month includes several lectures, reading workshops, and others to provide researchers, academics and students with easy access to documented information on the UAE history and bring them closer to the National Archives’ publications which document and preserve the memory of the nation for the  next generations.”

It is worth mentioning that the National Archives starts the Month of Reading with a number of reading workshops and national lectures delivered through interactive technologies in an effort to adhere to the precautionary measures to curb the spread of COVID-19. The most important lectures delivered on March 1st, include “Identity, Loyalty and Belonging: Key National Values” and “Genealogy”.

The National Archives is conducting more than 90 reading events on the UAE ancient history and biographies of the leaders whose great achievements are recognized worldwide. There is also a large number of reading workshops that are based on the National Archives publications such as Zayed, 100 Stories, Khalifa A Journey Into the Future book, Zayed From Challenges to Union, The Two Hero Leaders, and Watani Al Emarat which is an educational booklet, in addition to the March Game,

Besides, there are many national lectures namely, The Emirati San’a (Etiquette), The 100th Anniversary of the UAE and Zayed, Quotes and Lessons.

During the Month of Reading, the National Archives will have a remarkable activity which engages students in evaluating the National Identity project, which is a national project designed by the NA pursuant to its role in national education and upbringing.

The National Archives will take its audience in virtual tours of the Emirates Library, Customer Happiness Hall and Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Hall. These facilities are replete with historical documents, documentary films, the National Archives’ publications and historical records of the UAE.

Moreover, the Emirates Library has prepared a varied and wide program on how to search for and facilitate access to information. This program is beneficial for the National Archives’ internal and external readership.

The National Archives educates its employees on "Multilingualism and human languages mapping"

 

The National Archives organized a virtual educational lecture entitled "Multilingualism and Human Languages Mapping ", in strict adherence to adopted precautionary measures to counter and contain Corona-virus. The virtual lecture was delivered by Dr. Saddik Gouhar, Translation expert at the National Archives, and it depicted the prominent role of the UAE in preserving the Arabic language as a national language and an identity symbol. Dr. Saddik praised the UAE's keen interest to promote, and preserve the Arabic language, and enhance its global position, while concurrently using diverse other languages since multilingualism has a clear and significant impact on tolerance promotion among individuals and society.

The lecturer stressed the importance of multilingualism as an essential element of civilized communication, coexistence and tolerance between the various people of the world indicating that all this has been successfully achieved in the UAE which hosts communities of more than two hundred various world nationalities, each of which use their mother tongue to communicate. The UAE usefully employs the different cultures in the field of sustainable development for people's welfare, development and peace. The lecturer reviewed the various languages map at present, indicating that thousands of languages are physically in circulation but cannot be specifically calculated. He then elaborated on the various human languages mapping and political hegemony, and discussed at length the conflict and clash between the different languages in Africa. Dr. Gouhar said that the place most renowned for its language linguistic diversity in the world is the southern African Sahara, where thousands of oral and written languages are in use, a factor which colonial powers utilized to increase differences and gaps in order to divide and control. The African people most likely depended on their memory for recording and registering events, accordingly, oral languages spread, but the colonial languages remained dominant since they allowed local elites to protect their interests and maintain their gains.

The lecturer gave a comprehensive presentation on local languages and multilingualism in the Republic of South Africa, highlighting the conflict and clash there between the Afrikaans and English languages, and the attempts to marginalize the Afrikaans language. Dr. Gouhar also shed light on the linguistic scene in the post-racial era.

 The lecture also depicted “the dominance of the colonial language on the African scene in the post-colonial era”, the primary and secondary local languages, and stressed that the more indigenous languages and local dialects, the more powerful, widespread and dominant the colonial language became, and continued as such until it became deep-rooted in the African land after most African countries became independent in the 1960s and managed to coexist with the main primary or central native languages until colonial languages gradually became a first or second language, and naturally, seekers of distinguished jobs or a prominent positions were keen to learn the dominant language, which proved detrimental to the public interest at the expense of personal interests and gains. In conclusion, the lecture pointed out that some emerging countries tried to issue linguistic practices legislations, and struggled to adopt and use a single official language, as did the countries that obtained their independence, based on the fact that language is an expression of the general spirit and common identity, and is an embodiment of nationalism, and a communication tool that serves the state and its economy.

The National Archives impresses visitors with historical documents that open a window onto the UAE history

The National Archives’ Memory of Nation platform at Sheikh Zayed Festival showcases numerous historical documents, the oldest of which dates back to the 17th century. The National Archives has offered festival visitors, who are interested in these documents because of their great significance in the UAE’s history, the opportunity to view such invaluable holdings using amazing techniques successfully.

Old historical documents were displayed at the Memory of Nation platform due to their significance in writing history and their role in fostering and maintaining the national identity.

Among the most significant historical documents displayed at the platform are: the Preliminary Agreement between Sheikh Shakhbut Bin Dhiab, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, and the British government in 1820, a letter from Sheikh Shakhbut Bin Dhiab Al Falahi in Abu Dhabi to the British political agent in 1821, and an acknowledgment from Sheikh Hamdan Bin Zayed the First, Ruler of Abu Dhabi, to the British government regarding an oil exploration concession in May 1922, in addition to outline drawings of Kalba Fort, which fell under the Portuguese control in 1624, a Portuguese fort built in Khor Fakkan in 1620 and Al Bidiya Fort, which was seized by Portuguese in 1623. They also include many other old historical documents bearing witness to history and events and containing ample information which unveil past events, so they captured the attention of the festival visitors that they took pictures of them.

The National Archives is interested in displaying historical documents at the platform because of their importance to researchers, academics and to those interested in the UAE’s history. It is worth noting that the National Archives’ holdings include historical documents pertaining to the UAE history as well as the Gulf region as researchers take advantage of them to learn about the ancestors’ past and the ancient civilizations.

The National Archives maintains millions of archival materials and historical documents compiled from all over the world, and it continues to collect important documents related to the UAE in order to achieve its main objective of building a modern national archive. It also uses the most recent technologies in preserving and providing accessibility to its unique and important holdings and historical documents, which contain historical information on the most significant events in the UAE and the Gulf region and key information about the UAE areas which witnessed major events and changes. Besides, the documents contain aspects of the biographies of the great leaders and sincere citizens and they highlight the UAE’s unique union experience.

The National Archives maintains diverse historical documents including written correspondences and agreements as well as thousands of photos, maps and multimedia to aid decision makers, and it makes them accessible to researchers to find out about the region’s history and to young generations to draw lessons from them.

The National Archives employs its documentary asset in its historical publications and its photographs and multimedia in the exhibitions it organizes, mainly the ‘Memory of Nation’ platform with which it has participated in Sheikh Zayed Festival for eight years.

The National Archives

The National Archives of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs was first established in 1968 upon the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with the aim of collecting documents and information relating to the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region. Forty years later, HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President, issued Federal Law No. (7) of 2008 changing its name to the National Center for Documentation and Research (NCDR), and assigning it to organize the archives of the various UAE government entities. Finally, HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued Federal Law No. (1) of 2014, renaming it the National Archives.

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