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The National Library and Archives stresses the importance of its cooperation with New York University, Abu Dhabi to enrich the “Arabic Collections online” project with rare Arabic books.
The National Library and Archives stressed the importance of cooperation with New York University, Abu Dhabi within the framework of enriching the "Arabic Collections online available to internet users on the project’s platform on New York university's website. In this context, the National Library and Archives presented to the University a collection of rare Arabic books from its Emirates Library, selected by experts of this field. The National Library and Archives' participation in this project came as part of a series of participations in many projects promoting cultural diplomacy and cooperation in local, Arab and international projects promoting the dissemination of world heritage thought, and contributing to making it accessible and available to readers.
In the first phase of the project, the National Library and Archives presented to New York University, Abu Dhabi a list of 112 rare books, with various titles and topics, and made digital copies of 90 books, 65 of which were available on the university's website, and work is still underway to publish the rest.
On this project, His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Acting Director General of the National Library and Archives, said: The cooperation between the National Library and Archives and New York University, Abu Dhabi aims to allow researchers around the world access to rare and valuable books to enrich scientific and academic research and knowledge activities.
The National Library and Archives digitizes the rare Arabic books selected from its Emirates Library according to recognized international standards to send them to New York University, Abu Dhabi to avail researchers and readers using its website access to them.
H.E. added: The selected books are among the world’s rare books, and are not available to the "Arab Online Collections" project participating parties. We believe that the accessibility to such rare Arabic books on NYU, Abu Dhabi’s website platform contributes to saving beneficiaries’ time, money and efforts. His Excellency stressed that these rare valuable Arabic books are the nucleus of the National Library and Archives’ Emirates Library’s digital material repository, which is being accomplished to be accessible to interested parties, and pointed out that this international project has gained the National Library and Archives’ Technical
Specialists great experience in rare books digitization and accessibility according to highest quality standards.
Regarding the importance of the "Arabic Collections online" project, and the National Library and Archives' cooperation with New York University, Abu Dhabi - Ron Berry, Senior Director of the University Library, said: "The New York University, Abu Dhabi Library is proud of its fruitful partnership with the National Library and Archives and their joint efforts to provide access to this project’s various books and resources. That project goes a few years back and witnessed a high-level cooperation and valuable contributions from the National Library and Archives.” It is noteworthy that the Emirates Library at the National Library and Archives includes a large number of valuable rare books whose rarity is attributed either to their very old publishing dates, being out of Libraries’ stock, or their distinct subjects. The library plans to digitize these books in the future to preserve them as an intellectual wealth of invaluable scientific value.
The National Library and Archives:
The National Library and Archives of the United Arab Emirates was established under the Ministry of Presidential Affairs in 1968 upon the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with the aim of collecting and documenting information relating to the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region. Forty years after its inception, His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE issued Federal Law No. 7 of 2008 transforming its name to be the National Center for Documentation and Research, entrusted with organizing UAE government entities’ archives. Later, the name was again changed to be the National Library and Archives in accordance with Federal Law No. 1 of 2014 issued by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
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Chaired by Hamad Al-Midfaa
The National Library and Archives’ Board of Directors emphasizes the importance of preserving the documentary heritage and making it available to future generations.
The National Library and Archives’ Board of Directors held its first meeting at its headquarters following the formation of the new board chaired by His Excellency Hamad bin Abdul Rahman Al-Midfaa.
On this occasion, the Chairman of the Board of Directors extended their warmest greetings to the UAE’s wise leadership and people on the 50th Anniversary of the Union, stressing that the major achievements made locally and internationally at this stage enhance the UAE's status, as it maintains its rank in the top 10 for the fifth consecutive year in the Global Competitiveness Reports 2021. His Excellency also wished the UAE’s leadership and people more success and accomplishments in the next 50 years.
H.E. Hamad Al-Midfaa reiterated the firm commitment of the National Library and Archives to carrying out its national mission in the next phase with excellence, under its competent and professional management, guided by the wise leadership’s vision and the ten national principles adopted by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan for the next 50 years.
H.E. Al-Midfaa stressed that the National Library and Archives will continue to collaborate with federal and local bodies as it fulfils its role in collecting the memory of the nation using the latest technologies, making it available and preserving it for generations, in accordance with the words of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan: "The preservation of documents for future generations is an important manifestation of the sovereignty and development of the state."
It is worth noting that the chairman of the National Library and Archives’ new Board of Directors is His Excellency Hamad Abdul Rahman Al Midfaa, and members of the board are His Excellency Muhammad Ahmad Al-Murr, His Excellency Abdullah Muhammad Alraisi, His Excellency Ahmed Alhajj Abdullah Al-Habroush, His Excellency Abdullah Salah Al Maghribi, His Excellency Saoud Abdul Aziz Al-Hosani, Ms. Nawal Othman Al-Shehhi, and His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Acting Director General of the National Library and Archives (rapporteur of the board).
At their meeting, the National Library and Archives ’ board members praised the accomplishments of the National Library and Archives in preserving the memory of the nation, the proper national upbringing of younger generations, and the promotion of belonging to the homeland and loyalty to wise leadership. They also commended the National Library and Archives’ staff and administration for their efforts and outstanding performance.
The board members discussed the final report, the performance reports, the agenda, and the future projects, notably the National Library and the National Library and Archives merger, as the library represents an intellectual archive which records the UAE’s literature and intellectual production, protects it from damage and loss, and makes it available to the public and future generations, which lies at the core of the National Archives’ objectives . This resolution is not only a privilege, but it also denotes a responsibility and duty, and reflects the wise leadership’s full trust in the National Library and Archives.
The board underscored the importance of qualifying the new generation to head confidently and capably towards the next fifty years, which requires bearing the responsibility to maintain the National Library and Archives on a par with the major archives in the developed countries conforming with the UAE’s leading rank in the world. It also noted that this trend in the long-term plan drawn up by the leadership calls for concerted efforts and teamwork driven by national pride.
Caption: Al-Midfaa chairs the meeting of the National Library and Archives’ Board of Directors
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On the 50th UAE National Day
The National Archives participates in exhibitions of historical photographs documenting the establishment of the Union and the development of the UAE.
Celebrating the 50th anniversary of the UAE Union, and showing patriotism and role in promoting the spirit of belonging to the nation and loyalty to its wise leadership, the National Archives organized a number of historical photo exhibitions that feature the role of the Founder and Builder, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al-Nahyan and his fellow founding fathers in the establishment of the Union, and the role of wise leadership that followed their approach to the renaissance, development and prosperity of the UAE.
The exhibitions organized by the National Archives came in collaboration with a large number of official bodies including the Isnaad Department, the Emirates School Establishment, the Sheikh Zayed Desert Learning Centre in Al Ain, Al Ain Sports Club, Al Ain Distribution Company, Ghantoot Club, and the Sharjah Roads and Transport Authority.
All exhibitions were keen to highlight the bright image of the UAE's establishment, renaissance and openness to other cultures, as well as its tireless efforts to build and strengthen friendships with various countries, to nurture Sheikh Zayed's values and exploits in the hearts of generations, and to underscore the UAE’s history, and the ideal model represented by the UAE’s leadership in building and improving the country and the people.
These exhibitions, which witnessed a large turnout from the participants in the celebrations, introduced visitors to the National Archives’ role in collecting the history of the country, preserving it for the next generations and making it available to researchers and users. The historical photographs displayed in the exhibitions are part of the holdings of the Historical Photographs Archive and the Presidential Archive which document the UAE’s history.
The exhibitions organized by the National Archives on these national occasions introduce citizens to their history, and to Sheikh Zayed’s wisdom, exploits, national values from which he set out to build the Union and secure the prominent position which the UAE attains in the world.
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The National Archives celebrates the 50th UAE National Day
The National Archives celebrated the 50th UAE National Day. On this occasion, H.E. Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Acting Director General of the National Archives, confirmed in his speech that the National Archives will make its next stage a golden stage full of achievement and giving in all areas related to its vision, mission, objectives and tasks, in order to relentlessly keep pace with the development and progress witnessed by the international archives, and guided by our with leadership’s visions, and the ten national principles for the next 50 years, approved by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed al-Nahyan.
His Excellency congratulated our wise leadership and the people of the UAE, and renewed commitment to continue giving and achieving so that our precious Emirates remains in the forefront.
His Excellency said: “We will remain one hand in the light of the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Presidential Affairs, and we will continue to enjoy his precious trust”. He praised the follow up of the National Archives’ Board of Directors, chaired by H.E. Hamad Abdul Rahman Al-Madfaa, pointing out that it spares no effort so that the National Archives achieves further success and excellence on the local, Arab and international levels.
He affirmed meeting the challenges of the next phase, which will witness various strategic projects, notably the National Archives and the National Library merger and the emanating new strategies, in addition to other important projects which contribute to the National Archives’ workflow. They include smart empowerment and digital transformation of all services, activation of key tasks in competitive and innovative ways, participation and integration with the government and private sector to implement transformational projects, in addition to preparing cadres, attracting talents, focusing on quality of life, research services and knowledge lectures, providing proactive services, and interacting with the community through different events.
The National Day ceremony was held at the Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Hall at the National Archives in the presence of its departments’ directors, staff members, and a number of guests.
The UAE’s national anthem was played first and then a documentary, which urged action and concerted efforts in the next 50 years so that the UAE can continue its successful march and maintain its outstanding rank among the countries of the world.
Then, Mr. Hamad Al-Mutairi, Director of the Archives Department shed light on the contents of the virtual Exhibition of the UAE’s Establishment, which the National Archives will launch on a special page on the digital portal website of the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive (AGDA). The exhibition showcases three phases: the first of which is the Pre-Union between (1968 -1971), and it includes initiatives that heralded the foundation of the Union. The second phase depicts the Union and contains relevant documents and multimedia featuring flag-raising, conventions and the Founding fathers’ efforts and achievements. It introduces each of those great men, displaying their pictures and profiles.
The third phase of the exhibition extends from 1971- 2021 and contains a chronological order documenting each year with pictures, documents, documentaries, and other archival materials available at the National Archives. The exhibition also includes audio recordings of the Founder and Builder, the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan talking about the union, its goals and aspirations.
The ceremony attendants watched Shaima Al Mughairi, as she created the story of Arqoub Al Sedira in sand drawing, depicting the Union from the beginning up until the development and prosperity of the UAE.
On this occasion, H.E. the Director General of the National Archives honored the staff members who received the Doctoral Degree, the long-serving employees, and the dedicated workers who served the National Archives.
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The UAE National Archives and the Russian Government Archives discuss strengthening cooperation and exchange of experiences.
The National Archives held a virtual meeting with its counterpart the Russian Government Archives, via Zoom, discussing ways of cooperation and the role and tasks of each side, ways to strengthen future relations, and a visit by a delegation from the Russian archives to the UAE soon.
H.E. Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Acting Director General of the National Archives, opened the meeting with a word in which he pointed out his interest in sharing experiences and knowledge in document management and archiving, and to exchange visits to learn about the practices and mechanisms used in organizing and managing archival holdings and methods of long-term historical record-keeping as well as the techniques used to maintain and make them available.
His Excellency pointed out that the UAE National Archives is currently witnessing various developments, the most important of which is the National Archives and the National Library merger. He thanked His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Ahmed Al Jaber, the UAE Ambassador to the Russian Federation, and His Deputy, His Excellency Hamad Al-Habsi, for coordinating this fruitful meeting, stressing the importance of signing a memorandum of understanding between the two archives.
Then, Mr. Hamad Al-Mutairi, Director of the Archives Department of the National Archives, gave a presentation in which he introduced the National Archives, its mission, vision and objectives, and its role in organizing archives in government agencies considering the articles of Federal Law No. 7 of 2008 and its executive regulations, and the role played by the Centre for Preservation and Restoration in preserving and restoring documents. He also pointed out the importance of the Arabian Gulf Digital Archive and its contents, and the cooperation between the National Archives and the Sorbonne University in qualifying archivists, and in academic studies specialized in documents and archiving.
Ms. Larissa Alexandrov, Deputy Head of the Government Archives of the Russian Federation, thanked the Director General of the National Archives for inviting the Russian Archive to visit the UAE, and indicated her interest in learning more about the UAE National Archives. She also stressed the importance of bilateral cooperation and discussion of archiving issues.
Ms. Larissa Alexandrov said that the Russian Government Archives seeks to preserve archival documents for future generations and make them accessible to the public. In her presentation, she shed light on the Russian Archives, noting that it contains seven million historical records, and historical government documents dating back to the 19th century. She pointed out that Law No. 125 issued by the Ministry of Justice regulates the Work of the Russian Archives, which continues its efforts to digitize its contents of which more than 90% have been completed.
She noted that the Russian Archives’ publications are issued in collaboration with federal archives and with scientific and academic institutions, and that it is now working on a project to establish a platform for World War II documents. She also indicated that the large building of the Russian Government Archive contains a reading room and an exhibition hall, and that its repositories are crammed with collections adding that they are in the process of building a new government archive building.
The meeting was attended by H.E. Hamad Al-Habsi, UAE Deputy Ambassador to the Russian Federation, and a large number of officials from the UAE National Archives, the Russian Government Archives and the UAE Embassy in the Russian Federation.
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In preparation for the 50th, the National Archives reviews the success stories of leading digital transformation projects and organizes its first forum on the occasion of International Project Management Day.
The National Archives organized a virtual forum in collaboration with the UAE Project Management Foundation to celebrate the International Project Management Day under the theme "Digital Transformation Projects in Government in Preparation for the 50th, Success Stories and Lessons Learned". The forum is in line with the seventh principle adopted by His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, and calls for the country’s digital, technical and scientific excellence, as its wise leadership aspires to make it the global capital of the future.
His Excellency Abdullah Majid Al Ali, Acting Director General of the National Archives, opened the forum with a speech, in which he emphasized the importance of this forum’s contents in supporting the path of the 50th projects to achieve promising future economic and development leaps in the next 50 years in the country. He also stressed that the forum would support the exceptional role of project management led by the advance of the digital transformation in the UAE, placing it among the world’s leading countries in this field.
His Excellency pointed out that the Global Competitiveness Index shows significant facts, as the UAE ranked first in the list of the best countries in electronic infrastructure in the world, and 13th in terms of digital quality of life in 2020.
He welcomed the participants in the forum and stressed that its role is to highlight the best local practices in the field of digital transformation, which set example in the use of technology and artificial intelligence and its impact on improving the quality of life and providing an integrated experience in the UAE.
The forum began with a word by His Excellency Dr. Mohammed Al Rida, President of the Global Project Management Institute. He said that the UAE is no stranger to excellence, and it is familiar with excellence in the digital project management, and he encouraged majoring in rare academic studies.
His Excellency Brigadier Matar Al-Saadi, Director of Information Technology at the Federal Authority for Identity and Citizenship, Customs and Ports Security, reviewed the success stories, lessons learned and summary of the digital transformation project for the authority’s services. Moreover, he elucidated the study conducted on the project, the challenges, and the sustainable solutions developed by the committees. He touched on the implementation of the project and taking advantage of artificial intelligence techniques. He also pointed out the project value to the of customer service framework. Finally, he spoked about the aspirations of the authority in the next stage.
Lt. Colonel Dr. Nasser Mohammed Al-Saadi, Head of the Development and Change Department, and the Artificial Intelligence Adviser at the Abu Dhabi Police General Command, spoke about the development and change system in the Abu Dhabi Police, the development and change management, their importance and the mechanism of action, innovation and looking ahead.
He concluded by reviewing the most important success stories including the artificial intelligence strategy, the flexible organizational structures, the safe city, the curbing of the Covid-19 pandemic, the decision-making support system, and the social safety and well-being platform.
Dr. Ibrahim Hassan Khaja, Director of Human Resources Department at Abu Dhabi Customs, explained that the strategic transformation of the General Administration of Customs in Abu Dhabi began in 2019 with the development of a vision, mission, values and strategic objectives.
He said: The journey of digital transformation of human resources in the General Administration of Customs in Abu Dhabi plays an important role in enriching the overall strategic transformation of customs.
The forum, organized by the National Archives via video conferencing in accordance with precautionary procedures, concluded with Q&A.