The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC), part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the United Arab Emirates University (UAEU) during this year’s Al Ain Book Festival.

The MoU was signed by His Excellency Dr. Ali Bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC, and Prof. Ghaleb Al Breiki, Acting Vice Chancellor of UAEU, in the presence of academics and Arabic language experts.

The MoU is part of the ALC’s effort to expand cooperation with scientific and academic institutions in the UAE and around the world. The agreement will also encourage research in the field of Arabic language studies, supported by the UAEU’s extensive expertise as a leading university in the region.

Organised by the ALC, Al Ain Book Festival 2022 is taking place from 14-20 November across five landmark sites across the city of Al Ain.

H.E. Dr. Bin Tamim said: “We at the ALC are committed to cooperating with leading academic and educational institutions, such as the UAE University, to advance the Arabic language and promote its use through serious academic research and studies. This Memorandum of Understanding will help support studies and research in various linguistic fields, safeguarding the role of the Arabic language as both a marker of national and cultural identity and a bridge between past and present.”

Prof. Al Breiki said: “This agreement will support and empower current Arabic language programmes, firmly positioning Arabic as a cultural and civilisational vessel among international languages, and advancing its status regionally and internationally by developing Arabic language skills among learners and speakers through joint programmes, conferences, seminars, special evenings and book fairs. With this agreement, we will also promote and revitalise Arabic language events, which we consider to be both a national and cultural heritage. This is all supported by the UAEU’s academic expertise and infrastructure in coordinating efforts, promoting constructive teamwork, overseeing the implementation of common national plans, programmes and strategic visions.”

The agreement will support the ALC’s efforts to develop, promote and preserve the Arabic language, and to facilitate its learning across different communities. The two parties will benefit from each other’s academic expertise and advanced resources and facilities, such as the e-library database, as well as promoting the ALC’s book fairs, organising student trips to these events, and participating in their programmes.

The ALC and UAEU will organise academic and creative writing workshops, cultural evenings and events, and joint scientific conferences, including an international tri-annual conference. The UAEU will use its internal newsletter to promote ALC events, in addition to supporting the Centre in the fields of scientific and educational research.

As per the MoU, the two institutions are now officially strategic partners and will work to highlight and implement their joint projects using various channels of communication, by forming a joint task force. Additionally, professors and researchers at United Arab Emirates University will publish in the ALC’s Journal of Arab Studies.

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