The National Archives Promotes Loyalty and Sense of Belonging, and Enhances National Identity amongst Students

“Memory of a Nation”; Sheikh Zayed Festival Receives Hundreds of Students through School Educational & Recreational Trips

The National Archives Pavilion in the current edition of Sheikh Zayed's Heritage Festival in Al Wathba received 1,800 students in four days, as part of the educational and recreational school field trips.  Attendees were from different level classes. Hundreds of students continue to visit on daily basis, to learn about stages of the UAE history, and the life of the founding leader, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

In order to provide students with historical information, the National Archives relies on modern and exciting technologies, which help promote loyalty, sense of belonging and national identity, in line with the directives and vision of the wise leadership of the country.

Students' visits are the efforts of close coordination between the Department of Education and Knowledge, and the Organizing Committee of Sheikh Zayed Heritage Festival. Students first browse the many historical documents, photographs and films in the exhibit, to acquaint themselves with Sheikh Zayed’s vision and the UAE history, which reflects ideas of tolerance.

“Memory of a Nation” exhibit enriches students’ knowledge of history and heritage of the UAE, and the legacy of Sheikh Zayed. As they approach the exhibit, students admire its impressive cultural design, decorated with quotations from Sheikh Zayed’s sayings, which present the late Sheikh's ideas and principles of preserving and cherishing history, and making it the basis for the movement of development in the UAE society.

Students tour “Memory of a Nation” exhibit to learn about the different eras of the history of the UAE, watch the smart interactive application of Al Nahyan Family Tree that gives synopses of the most prominent figures of Al Nahyan, the ruling family of Abu Dhabi.  Students then watch a collection of rare films, depicting Sheikh Zayed’s efforts in development and agriculture, and his inspection tours of the various projects.

Via a number of modern technologies, “Memory of a Nation” exhibition provides student visitors with main turning points of the journey of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan: The first stage is the period he spent in Al Ain as the Representative of the Ruler of Abu Dhabi from 1946 to 1966.  Al Ain is in the Eastern Region of Abu Dhabi.  Sheikh Zayed had vested interest in education, health and agriculture. The second stage is the period of his rule of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, from 1966 until the establishment of the Union in 1971, showing his efforts in development in all fields. The third stage is his rule of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and his election as the President of the UAE, from 1971 to 2004, reflecting his accomplishments and insight and vision.

The National Archives enriches the Education Corner with more information on the life of the late Sheikh Zayed, which shows a lot about his generosity, principles, values and achievements.