University of Khorfakkan Convenes Distinguished Forum on Maritime Heritage and Marine Innovation
A prestigious gathering of international experts and local scholars explores the vital intersection of cultural preservation and scientific advancement in marine knowledge systems.
The University of Khorfakkan, in partnership with the Emirates Library and Information Association, has hosted the third edition of its annual library forum, bringing together an exceptional assembly of academics, specialists and thought leaders from across the United Arab Emirates and the international community.
Under the evocative theme “Blue Horizons: The Library Between the Tides of Knowledge and the Harbours of Innovation”, the forum assembled a distinguished cohort of contributors, including Professor Ali Hilal Al Naqbi, Director of the University; Dr Mohammed Al Ahmad, Executive Secretary of the Regional Organization for the Protection of the Marine Environment; and Tamsin Vicary, Fisheries Officer at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. University faculty members, administrative staff and students participated alongside these eminent figures, creating a dynamic exchange of expertise and perspective.
The forum’s overarching objective centred upon illuminating the indispensable role that libraries and knowledge institutions play in safeguarding the maritime heritage of the region whilst simultaneously fostering innovation in marine sciences. Through carefully structured discourse, participants explored pathways for enhanced cooperation and the meaningful exchange of specialised knowledge among academic institutions and maritime organisations throughout the UAE and beyond.
Two principal panel discussions formed the intellectual cornerstone of the event. The opening session, conducted in Arabic, examined “Emirati Maritime Heritage: Between Cultural Narratives and Knowledge Preservation”. This discussion traversed the rich tapestry of popular and cultural maritime narratives, the significance of traditional maritime tools and methodologies, and the critical responsibility of libraries and archives in conserving these treasures for future generations. Participants further deliberated upon the contributions that contemporary academic research and scholarly studies bring to the meticulous documentation and preservation of maritime heritage.
The second panel, conducted in English, addressed “The Future of Marine Knowledge: Opportunities and Challenges”. This session examined the expanding significance of libraries within marine education and research domains, the cultivation of specialised collections devoted to marine sciences, and the potential for productive partnerships between library systems and maritime institutions. Participants also contemplated the judicious management and application of marine research data as a resource for societal benefit.
Throughout the forum, attendees engaged with considerable enthusiasm and intellectual rigour, exchanging perspectives that reflected the considerable breadth of expertise assembled. These animated discussions served to enrich understanding of maritime heritage, advance discourse concerning marine knowledge systems, and illuminate pathways toward meaningful innovation in this vital field.
Source: WAM