The UAE’s National Archives and a delegation from Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) discussed ways of cooperation in establishing central historical archives for Dubai city for holding and preserving historical documents.

The National Archives acquaints Dubai Culture and Arts Authority with its experience in the collection and preservation of the Nation’s memory

The UAE’s National Archives and a delegation from Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture) discussed ways of cooperation in establishing central historical archives for Dubai city for holding and preserving historical documents. In addition, they discussed the possibility of drawing on the National Archives’ expertise and of concluding a memorandum of understanding to regulate the cooperation framework.

Such discussions took place during a visit by a delegation from Dubai Culture to the National Archives. In its capacity as the body in charge of all museums and for developing heritage sites, Dubai Culture intends to establish a central historical archive for Dubai city. It looks forward to capitalizing on the National Archives’ expertise in finding out which of Dubai’s government entities have documents of a high historical value. It also seeks to familiarize itself with the international standards followed by the NA in preserving and archiving documents, in paper and electronic forms, and with the NA’s experience in dealing with the government entities. Dubai Culture’s delegation and the NA discussed the methods of evaluating documents, as well as how to access and obtain them.

The NA drew the attention of the visiting delegation to the important provisions of the Federal Law No. (7), 2008 and its executive regulations concerning the National Archives. Moreover, the NA introduced the delegation to documents storage media notably microfilms, which can store documents for a longer period. The NA stressed the importance of document accessibility and confidentiality at the same time, depending on the document subject. The NA and Dubai Culture agreed on the importance of the sources of historical documents in Dubai, such as Dubai Municipality, the Land Department, the Roads and Transport Authority, Dubai Police, the Department of Tourism, Dubai Airport, together with the archives of old photographers, the archives of merchant families and of some old people who are interested in collecting documents.

During the meeting, the Dubai Culture’s delegation and the archivists at the NA’s premises exchanged ideas and views on important archival issues such as documents classification and preservation, and handling methods in addition to the stages during which documents are transferred from current to intermediate archives and then to historical archives.

The guest delegation toured Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Hall, which contains examples of written documents, photographs, maps and electronic albums of the UAE’s leaders and key figures.

The delegation also visited the Emirates Library and examined some of its main acquisitions, including paper and electronic references and sources, books, periodicals and specialized dissertations, and ways of utilizing its holdings.

In Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Virtual Theatre, the guests watched a 3-D documentary about the UAE past and present, and about the NA and its role in preserving the Nation’s memory encompassing the history and heritage of the UAE and Gulf region.

At the end of the visit, Mr. Saleh Al Hammadi, Director of Dubai Museum, and his companions lauded the NA’s cooperation and role in preserving the Nation’s memory by organizing the archives of government institutions and saving historical documents from damage, carelessness and leakage.

In order to deliver its publications to researchers and knowledge seekers, the National Archives maintains multiple outlets for the sale of its history and heritage publications, and uses both the electronic and traditional types of marketing mediums.

National Archives Sells its Publications

Through Various Outlets



In order to deliver its publications to researchers and knowledge seekers, the National Archives maintains multiple outlets for the sale of its history and heritage publications, and uses both the electronic and traditional types of marketing mediums. The NA concluded a contract with Dar Al Hikma Printing & Publishing to market its publications, in addition to the main sale outlet in its headquarters in Abu Dhabi.

The National Archives participates in annual international book fairs held in the UAE, such as Abu Dhabi International Book Fair and Sharjah International Book Fair, to market, through its pavilion, history and heritage publications and periodicals, in addition to participating in other activities and events.

Interested people can obtain these publications by paying in cash or credit cards “Visa or MasterCard.”

In its main application, the National Archives provides the opportunity to purchase a number of publications in electronic form, such as: Zayed: Man Who Built a Nation, the Legal Settlement for The Emirati-Iranian Dispute Regarding The UAE Three Islands, The Prophet’s Letters and Envoys, India and the UAE: In Celebration of a Legendary Friendship, and others. 

The National Archives has launched a number of its publications in electronic form, in both Android and Apple Store, such as: Diaries of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Diaries of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Diaries of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Diaries of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Maktoum. Currently, the National Archives is about to launch the second edition of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan Diaries. Hence, it provides interested people with the opportunity to electronically browse a great number of publications on smart phones and tablets. This application provides the possibility of interacting with the material presented, so the required information sorted by topic, date, or source can be obtained accurately and promptly.

The National Archives has documented the efforts of the wise leadership by issuing distinctive volumes about the march of founding leader Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan. The National Archives has been paying a lot of attention to the historical studies of the United Arab Emirates and the Arabian Peninsula, thus it published valuable books in that filed which won the admiration of researchers, scholars and specialists of the history of the region. These publications serve the National Archives’ objectives and mission in promoting the nation's history and heritage, monitoring the motion of its present, shaping its future and developing researchers’ creativity. The importance of these publications comes from their linkage with the birth of the modern state that had followed the Union.

Special needs in society The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates received a delegation from the Emirates Deaf Association on a scientific trip aimed at learning about aspects of the history and heritage of the UAE.

The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates launched on its website a special page for the "Young Historian Award", which it sponsors in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, and is directed to school students from the sixth to the twelfth stage.

The National Archives launches a web page for the Young Historian Prize 2017



The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates launched on its website a special page for the "Young Historian Award", which it sponsors in cooperation with the Ministry of Education, and is directed to school students from the sixth to the twelfth stage. It aims to enhance belonging, loyalty and national identity, encourage research and study in the history of the Emirates, and also looks forward to making students partners in protecting the UAE's heritage and making it available for generations   Awarding the prize to the winners of its competition in the following categories: oral history, geographical history, economic history, and social history.

The electronic page dedicated by the National Archives for the Young Historian Award on its website included the objectives of the award and its rewards, and defined the targeted educational stage. In the guide for the Young Historian Award, the page presented the goals and topics of the award, which include the study of genealogies, tribes, personalities, oral narrations, poetry, folklore, proverbs, memories, correspondence, and photographs. And ancient collectibles, professions, handicrafts, markets, historical and archaeological sites, traditional architecture, marine life, pearl diving, fishing, folk medicine, research on the centenary of Sheikh Zayed (1918-2018), and about the martyrs of the homeland and what relates to them in social circles, and lessons and lessons in Moral education, while highlighting Emirati personalities known for their wisdom.

The guide also included some details about the categories of the award, documenting the steps for implementing the award program, implementation mechanisms, conditions for accepting written works and oral history interviews. The guide also paid attention to the award program from the date of its launch on November 17, 2016, the evaluation of the participating researches in the last two weeks of next April, and the closing ceremony and honoring the winners in mid-May 2017.

The guide also contained an acknowledgment form that the participating work was not copied or stolen and that it was presented for the first time in the competition for this award. The acknowledgment includes the names of the participating students, the name of the supervisor and the school, in addition to a request for participation for each of the categories participating in the new session of the Young Historian Award 2016- 2017.

It is worth noting that the National Archives urges dear students to seriously participate in the Young Historian Award. To be partners in documenting the memory of the nation in the valuable books and references that will be issued by the National Archives, including the winning research papers similar to the results of previous editions of books that included valuable peer-reviewed research on the UAE and the personality of the founding leader, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, most notably: Book: (Zayed). and Development), the book: (Zayed and the Environment), the book: (Zayed and Education), the book: (Zayed and the Woman) and the book (Emirati Islands and the Usurped Emirati Right... from a Historical Perspective), noting that the date for submitting the participating student works is at the end of March 2017.  

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa commended the national role played by the National Archives of the United Arab Emirates as it collects the memory of the nation, preserving its various historical assets in accordance with the best international practices.

Mohammed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Applauds the National Archives’ national role 

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa commended the national role played by the National Archives of the United Arab Emirates as it collects the memory of the nation, preserving its various historical assets in accordance with the best international practices, transferring it to future generation and making it available to researchers and professionals via advanced technologies. Thus, the National Archives contributes to the national upbringing of generations and promotes loyalty and belonging to the nation.

This came during Sheikh Mohammed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan’s visit to the National Archives’ headquarters, where he was received by His Excellency Dr. Abdulla Mohammed Alraisi, who spoke about the National Archives duties in organizing archives, and preserving documents of ministries and institutions. HE also spoke about the modern and advanced technologies that the NA utilizes when carrying out daily tasks, as well as the NA’s activities in the “Year of Giving”. Furthermore, he discussed the NA’s role in the next phase in promoting and representing innovation in the archival work, indicating its great interest to ensure that NA’s upcoming plans are in line with the aspirations of the UAE Vision 2021. He focused on the excellence achieved by the National Archives, which was demonstrated by winning the 5-Star level of the Recognized for Excellence (R4E). The fact that the NA obtained this international certificate, which is issued by the European Foundation for Quality Management (EFQM), confirms the NA’s high-quality work approach and its leadership in all its activities.

His Excellency categorically attributed all the National Archives’ success and excellence to the significant attention and support of the wise leadership, and of the support of HH Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed , Deputy prime minister, minister of presidential affairs and chairman of the National archives.

Sheikh Mohammed Bin Sultan Bin Khalifa Al Nahyan reviewed Al Bu Falah family tree, which includes hundreds of personalities starting from Yas, to the descendants of the grandsons of Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan’s sons. He also viewed the smart applications of the Sheikhs’ Diaries and of the National Archives. Accompanied by HE Dr. Abdulla Mohammed Alraisi, he further toured the NA’s departments and sections. They started at the Presidential Archives section, which documents the history of the UAE, and is keen to collect and document the march of the late Founding Leader Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and the activities of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Then they watched, in Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Virtual Reality Theater, a three-dimensional high-definition documentary about the UAE history, its present and its future prospects. They reviewed samples of written documents and historical photos and maps at Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Hall. The tour included Emirates Library, which is specialized in the history and the culture of the UAE and the Gulf Region, and considered an important reference for researchers, as it holds important sources and references in paper and electronic forms.

The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates issued the 16th edition of the refereed Journal: Liwa. It is specialized in the history, heritage and archeology of the UAE and the Gulf region, and it is issued bi-annually in both Arabic and English. 

NA organized a Civics Reading workshop for a group of Social Care Institution minors, as part of their tour to NA building.  The young visitors were introduced to many historical documents about the UAE history and culture, and were oriented about the role of NA in conserving the memory of the nation.

NA Organizes Educational Tour and Civics Reading Workshop for Minors

NA organized a Civics Reading workshop for a group of Social Care Institution minors, as part of their tour to NA building.  The young visitors were introduced to many historical documents about the UAE history and culture, and were oriented about the role of NA in conserving the memory of the nation.

The reading workshop aimed at enriching the participants' knowledge about national identity and loyalty, as well as promoting reading among participants, particularly on the history of the country and how it was established by the Founding Fathers, who were great leaders and a great example to the young generations.

The workshop included excerpts from the book "Khalifa; a Journey to the Future".  Excerpts were selected to suit the age of the participants, such as H. H. birth and upbringing, his education and His Highness' role in development, and empowerment.  The book raised the people's slogan "We are All Khalifa"; emphasizing the unlimited loyalty to the President of the UAE.

The discussions that took place during the workshop proved that the participants have gained new knowledge about the developments affected by H. H. Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed, may God protect him, the President of the country.  There was special attention given to the lessons learned; mainly how to become a good citizen.

Mrs. Salama Al Ketbi, Specialized Care Acting Director, accompanied the youth during their visit.  She complimented the reading workshop, as part of NA "2016 Reading Year" and the Institution's "Maylis" interactive events.  Mrs. Al Ketbi said reading helps refine students' personalities, and prepares them to be capable of interacting with their communities.

Members of the Social Care & Minors' Affairs staff toured NA building, and attended a 3D HD documentary film about the history of the UAE in Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Virtual Auditorium.  The group then moved to Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Hall, to view records and other collections, such as historical maps and photographs, showing the different stages of the establishment of the Union.

The National Archives honored the prize winners of the 4th edition of the Students' Historians’ Club competition which targets grades 8 to 11 public and private school students in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. 

The National Archives honors the creative and distinguished students in the Historians’ Club.

Awarding more than 500 creative figures  and entities participating in the 4th edition

The National Archives honored the prize winners of the 4th edition of the Students' Historians’ Club competition which targets grades 8 to 11 public and private school students in Abu Dhabi, Al Ain and Al Dhafra. 

The Student Historians’ Club competition is adopted and sponsored by the NA in collaboration with its strategic partner, The Abu Dhabi Education Council. The competition comes in line with the NA’s endeavors to direct students’ potentials towards considered and addressed National and historical programs that contribute in developing the society, shaping and enhancing students’ characters, and instilling moral values and noble principles.

The NA meant to link the events of the 4th edition of the competition to national values emphasized by our wise leadership. This edition, in some of its topics, responded to the initiative of supporting the curricula by a moral education subject. However, its other topics were in line with the “2017 The Year of Giving” initiative. It also paid interest to the nation’s martyrs who sacrificed themselves to protect their homeland and accordingly became the best role-model for future generations. Furthermore, it also paid special interest to some of the beloved homeland’s landmarks and its ancient historical heritage.

At the onset of the ceremony, H.E. Majid Al Mehairi, the NA’s CEO, delivered a speech welcoming all participants and attendees and congratulating the winners. He pointed out that the participating projects constitute a source of happiness and pride, and reflect the students' creative potentials. He highly appreciated the Student Historian’s Club's national, community, cultural, artistic and literary year round activities, especially the impressive activities characterized by their humanitarian aspect that touches the hearts like the voluntary services, and visits to martyrs’ families and the injured Armed Forces heroic soldiers as well as their keen interest to plant the martyr tree in schools.

Al Mehairi added that the NA’s interest in directing the energy of preparatory and secondary school students towards national programs contributes to instilling good citizenship principles in them, enhancing their sense of loyalty and belonging to the homeland and its wise leadership and establishing their national identity, through which the NA follows the wise leadership’s march, aspirations, and ambitions to build the human being on whom it focuses its interest, especially the youth whom we all agree are the wealth of the nation and the security for its future. 

H.E. the Executive Director thanked ADEC, the strategic partner in this renewed progress and success achieved by the Student Historians’ Club.

The Student Historians’ Club with its activities and events is a pioneering national project adopted and sponsored by the NA, and through which it managed to attract the attention of students at a very critical age to national causes and instill in them the founding fathers' values and the wise leadership's initiatives, with its moral qualities that contribute to the students national education for future generations. Definitely, the objectives the NA aims to achieve through this project, started to materialize in fact through the demonstrated creativity of students and their supervisors in this club's competition which only constitutes a small part of the club’s contributions and its national values instilled in the member students who were distinguished by their national and community activities.

The 4th edition of the historians’ club competition included a number of categories, first of which was the best historical model. Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai was selected due to its being the oldest building in Dubai, the second was the best oral history narrated story selected by students. The third was the best historical magazine and it was about the nation’s devoted martyrs. Finally, the fourth category was the best presentation in the framework of the supreme initiative aimed at supporting the school curricula through “Moral Education”.

The Student Historians’ Club competition has approved 93 projects from 49 schools. During the honoring ceremony of the 4th edition of the competition, more than 500 participating creative figures and entities were awarded. The categories included the winning students of the first, second and third ranks, the coordinators who were the supervising teachers, the winning schools of the first, second and third ranks and parents since a student cannot succeed and excel apart from his/her family.

In accordance with the directives of H.H. President of the UAE on designating the year 2017 as the year of giving, the recent edition of the historians’ club has honored prominent figures in the field of community, national and voluntary activities, which reflect the concepts and aspects of good citizenship and reinforce national values that enhance the sense of loyalty and belonging to the nation. These activities kept historians’ club active and busy all year round. The NA granted appreciation certificates to participants of this year’s  competition.

The works submitted by the participants proved their loyalty and belonging to the nation, their pride of its identity, history and heritage, their keenness on preserving its values and culture, and their pride of the glories and great legacy of the founding leaders. This, in fact, made the content of the students’ national works consistent with the UAE Vision for 2021 and in line with Abu Dhabi Vision for 2030. They also reflect the outstanding educational system, high quality educational services delivered to UAE schools, and students’ belief in the national, behavioral, knowledge and community values, which characterized their participations in the club competition and the rest of its activities with a special touch that brought them close to the hearts of the society members of different segments.

It is worth mentioning that the fourth edition of the Students' Historians’ Club has listed the winning schools that achieved the first rank in each category as follows: As for public schools, Al Maha Girls School was the winner of the best model of “Al Fahidi Fort” while Al Foah Elementary School won an award for the best historical magazine entitled “The Nation’s Martyrs”. Omama Bint Al Harith Secondary School was the winner for the best presentation on the initiative of supporting curricula by “Moral Education”. Qatr Al Nada Secondary School won the best oral history narrated story, which tackled different aspects of life in the UAE in the past.

As for private schools, ADNOC Schools for boys was awarded the first rank for the best model of “Al Fahidi Fort”, and ADNOC Schools for girls attained the first rank for the best historical magazine entitled “The Nation’s Martyrs”. Al Ittihad Girls School in Al Ain won the first rank for the best presentation on “Moral Education”, while Al-Ittihad Girls School in Abu Dhabi reached the first rank of the best “Oral History” narrated story on the life of the founding leader, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and his charitable initiatives that came concurrently with 2017 initiative for The Year of Giving.

Ideal and model families were also among the prize categories as their efforts were apparently reflected through the excellence of their sons and daughters. In accordance with “2017 The Year of Giving” initiative, schools that excelled in community causes and voluntary activities were also awarded. These schools were Emirates National School for girls (Al Nahyan Campus in Abu Dhabi), United, and Al Baya elementary and secondary Schools, and Al Jahili Secondary School.

The heads of both the hosting and organizing committees from Abu Dhabi, Al Ain And Dhafra branches were also honored at the NA and ADEC.

The NA has appreciated the efforts of all students who participated this year in the Students' Historians’ Club competition. Mr. Farhan Al Marzooqi, Director of the NA Corporate and Community Outreach Department, granted appreciation certificates to all participants. 

Two distinctive projects were presented in detail to the attendees and participants. The first on Al Ittihad School in Al Ain's moral education initiative, while the second relating to the oral history field entitled “The UAE Giving Approach” presented by Al Ittihad National Private School.

Participants from schools administrations, parents and students have all appreciated the role of the NA, as a main and essential partner, in the national education of all generations.

The UAE’s National Archives organized a training session in its headquarter in Abu Dhabi for the Environment Agency staff on oral history interviews methods in terms of interviews topics and standards to be considered.

The National Archives organizes a “training session” for the Environment Agency staff on conducting oral history interviews 

The UAE’s National Archives organized a training session in its headquarter in Abu Dhabi for the Environment Agency staff on oral history interviews methods in terms of interviews topics and standards to be considered. A model-training interview was conducted by Shareena Al Qubaisi, Head of Oral History Unit in the NA, with the narrator Zayed Saeed Hareb Al Mansouri, about grazing and natural pastures in past and present Abu Dhabi.

This session enhances the study being conducted by the Environment Agency on this subject to measure the changes occurred in natural pastures and preservation methods to ensure their sustainability.

The session focused on the importance of listening to the narrator, asking precise questions that serve the interview objective, using the narrator’s expressions and terms in the field of grazing, and getting the local terminology clearly explained. It also emphasized the importance of properly checking the devices and cables and using the camera tripod during the interview.

The interview included tens of questions prepared by the NA in cooperation with the Environment Agency, starting with the introduction of the narrator, the importance of camels in the local economy in the past and present, the narrator’s experience in grazing and ownership of camels in the past, natural pastures in Abu Dhabi, types of pastures, camel feed such as sorrel, present grazing methods, participation in camel festivals and races and the support received by camel breeders from concerned authorities in the UAE.

This model-training interview, conducted by the NA in the presence of some of its employees and a delegation from the Environment Agency, will be maintained by the NA as part of the oral history record. The interview was concluded with a number of questions raised by the delegation for the narrator and the specialists at the NA to know details about their studies. The delegation commended the NA’s role in preserving oral history, which complements the written and documented history of the UAE. The delegation expressed their hope to participate in more of these interviews.

The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates has participated in the first session of the UAE Public Policy Forum, which was held under the banner of “Future Trends in Education Policy”.

The National Archives Participates in the UAE Public Policy Forum



The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates has participated in the first session of the UAE Public Policy Forum, which was held under the banner of “Future Trends in Education Policy”. The forum, which was held in Dubai, aims to enhance the education sector in Dubai to ensure that future generations of graduates are able to adapt, develop, and take on leadership roles.

The National Archives participated in this event as part of its mission to enhance national awareness in future generations of students, and to develop their sense of national loyalty, pride, and identity.

As a supporting partner of the event, The National Archives provided the Forum with a selection of historical documents and audio visual productions that document the history of education in the UAE. These were displayed at the education exhibition that was held on the sidelines of the Forum.

The specialist educational programs of the National Archives were also on display and included an exhibit of specialized educational booklets which are produced for the benefit of students, and which summarize three of the most important national publications; those being the books: “Khalifa - Journey Into the Future”, “Zayed: From Challenges to Union” and “Qasr Al Hosn: The History of the Rulers of Abu Dhabi”.

The citation notes that The National Archives is working to enhance the educational environment and fulfill the expectations of the government in this field. It also concentrates on innovation, development, diversity, and smart teaching techniques for children as alternatives to traditional methods of teaching by rote.

To this end, The National Archives is actively offering lectures, workshops, and other educational activities for children. It is also striving to build closer working relationships with the Ministry of Education, the Abu Dhabi Education Council, and other cultural and educational organizations in the country.

The National Archives aims to be a partner with such organizations, and to work with them on initiatives that benefit students and instill in them the concepts and foundations of good citizenship.

Also on display was the illustrated educational booklet “My Nation, The Emirates” (Watani Al Emarat) which is provided by The National Archives to children in two languages, Arabic and English, and both electronically and in hard copy. This book aims to educate children using innovative and interactive ideas in interesting and inspiring ways.

The mission of The National Archives can be summarized as protecting the documented heritage of the nation, providing sound documented information to decision makers as well as the general public, and enhancing the sense of national loyalty, pride, and identity. Its participation in the UAE Public Policy Forum is a reflection of this mission.

The UAE Public Policy Forum is a platform for exploring new horizons of discovery in which decision makers and specialist international speakers gathered to discuss public policy, current challenges, and future policies in support of continued development and progress and the positive impact that would have on the education sector in the UAE.

Targeting the fine-tuning of  archivists’ experiences and upgrading of their skills

The National Archives concludes a specialized course in the field of electronic archiving, and honors the participants.


The National Archives of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs honored participants in the recently concluded specialized training course in electronic archiving and electronic archive management at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi.  A number of employees in Federal government agencies attended this training course, which came within the context of the National Archives’ follow-up on the projects of organizing and developing the archives of government bodies.

Participants commended the training course program, which contained scientific themes that enhance the experience of archives staff in government bodies. The course discussed many topics such as electronic archiving, its objectives, mechanisms and technical procedures in addition to the best programs and technologies used in this field.

Dubai Municipality enriched this training course through illustrating its experience in electronic archiving of the plans and drawings of buildings. The municipality representatives discussed the launch of the project and the difficulties and the challenges faced, as well as the methods of overcoming them. Moreover, they presented a detailed explanation of the practical steps regarding the process of the project and its outcome.

It is worth mentioning that the National Archives aimed, through the specialized training course, at fine-tuning the archivists’ experiences, upgrading their professional skills and qualifying them to organize the archives of government bodies in accordance with the approved state legislations, as well as the international standards and best practices adopted in electronic management of records and archives. This comes in line with directives of our government to electronic transformation in all areas to reach the highest technological sophistication.

The National Archives looks forward to exerting more efforts in this field, as it is planning for advanced programs targeting those specialized in archives in government bodies to upgrade their performance and enable them to keep pace with standard, technical or legal developments in the field of archives. 

NA Showcases History and Heritage

NA Showcases "Memory of the Nation" Through Modern Interactive Screens and Digital Cameras

NA "Memory of the Nation" was the jewel of Sheikh Zayed Festival's crown.  This year, NA presented historical and cultural information recorded on wide screens, using modern digital technology.  NA screens chronicled UAE history, and displayed its own progress and creativity.  NA presented most innovative ideas that were developed in 2016.  NA's "Memory of the Nation" wing simulated Al Muwaiji Fort in Al Ain, and in it, NA presented visitors with their photographs as souvenirs as they arrive to the "Memory of the Emirates" corner.  All the modern digital technologies utilized in the wing express adherence to UAE government's policy and the vision of the leadership to upgrade towards the E-Government.

As soon as the visitors enter the gate to "Memory of the Nation", they come across a huge interactive screen that introduces them to the ten halls within the wing.  The touch screen presents detailed information to visitors about the contents of each hall.

NA devoted a space within the wing for the smart application of Al Bufalah family tree, which is displayed on a huge interactive touch screen.  The family tree contains information about hundreds of personalities beginning with Yas up until the grandchildren of sons of the late Shaikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Al Bufalah family tree smart application orients the visitors about most distinguished personalities, particularly those who ruled the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, with any available pictures.  Rulers that developed Abu Dhabi, and made history.  The family tree displays information about personalities that made Abu Dhabi the strongest force on the coast.  The smart application orients today's generation and the future generations with Abu Dhabi's rulers and shows the lasting deeply rooted achievements they made.  The wisdom of our past leadership and their vision has influenced the present of the country.  NA's mission is to raise the awareness of the public and enhance their sense of identity and loyalty.

In one corner of "Memory of the Emirates", visitors can get their photographs taken with a historical background.  The visitors may have their digital photos sent to Instagram or a personal email.  Visitors may also request a hard copy to keep as a souvenir of their visit.

Another digital camera, (selfie 360VR), is stationed in the wing's courtyard for visitors to use to take their photographs with Al Muwaiji Fort in the background.  The digital photograph can be sent to the visitor's email.  A visitor may choose between a background of the wing with NA logo in the middle, or a panoramic view of the fort.