The National Archives and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi sign an understanding that expands the horizons of cooperation and supports academic research


The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates signed a memorandum of understanding with the Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi aimed at building a meaningful and fruitful partnership between the two parties to ensure expansion of horizons of cooperation between them, development and professional training in the management of records and documents in cooperation with academic institutions in France and other international institutes, and the implementation of university programs that grant Bachelor's and Master's degrees in the archives, promoting student scientific visits to the National Archives headquarters for the purpose of academic research, and providing the activities of the National Archives with lecturers and experts from the university within the framework of knowledge exchange.

The Memorandum of Understanding was signed on behalf of the National Archives by His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Mohamed Al Raisi, Director General of the Archives, and on behalf of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, Professor Eric Fouach, Executive Director of the University, at a ceremony held on this occasion on the university campus in the presence of a number of directors and officials from both parties.

At the signing ceremony, His Excellency Dr. Abdullah Mohammed Al Raisi, Director General of the National Archives, said: The memorandum of understanding that we are signing with Sorbonne University represents Abu Dhabi in addition to the National Archives; Because of the global reputation enjoyed by this ancient university in its academic field, in which we look forward to consolidating the position of archival studies in it, especially since the National Archives works to diagnose and organize the archives of the local and federal official authorities in the country. It needs a large number of trained and qualified archivists to perform this noble task that will continue to preserve the history and heritage of the UAE and record its present. Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, in cooperation with the National Archives, can prepare and train archivists, equip them with cultural and historical awareness, and qualify them to fully perform the national role expected of them.

His Excellency added: The cooperation between the National Archives and Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi existed prior to this Memorandum of Understanding. The doors of the National Archives were and still are open to the scientific trips of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi students, who read important pages of the history of the Emirates and the Arabian Peninsula, and we hope that cooperation between the two parties will be strengthened. For the benefit of both of them, and ultimately for the interest of the country.

Dr. Al Raisi expressed his happiness with this cooperation, and expressed his deep thanks to the Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi for its interest in strengthening relations with the National Archives, based on what it sensed of the importance of integration between it as an academic institution and the National Archives, which is concerned with collecting documents of historical value for the state, and for supporting historical scientific research. To make the most important historical documents available to students and researchers locally and internationally through a digital platform, and His Excellency affirmed his keenness to adhere to the terms of the agreement to ensure its success.

For his part, Professor Eric Fouache, Executive Director of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, praised the efforts of the National Archives in preserving the history and heritage of the UAE and making it available to students and researchers. This strengthens the bridges between the National Archives and academic institutions, and given the importance of integration between our university and the National Archives, we welcome cooperation within the framework of this memorandum for the benefit of both parties.

Professor Fawash added: The wealth of the National Archives and its specialization in the history, heritage and civilizations of the Emirates, and the expertise and knowledge it contains in the field of archiving and documentation, is sufficient to provide knowledge support and enhance the exchange of experiences between the two parties. We should not forget that the National Archives has its experience in the field of archival studies, which would add a lot to our projects. future in this regard.



It is worth noting that this memorandum constitutes a comprehensive framework for cooperation between the two sides in many areas, the most important of which is the establishment of cooperation in terms of exchanging experiences, development and training, launching study programs, granting certificates in managing records and documents from the University’s Continuing Education Center, activating the vocational training program, and academic and professional participation. In the archives, developing new bachelor's and master's degrees specialized in archives, and cooperation in the field of academic research.