The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies in Saudi Arabia to strengthen research cooperation, facilitate the exchange of expertise between the two entities, and organise joint activities that support the Arabic language and preserve Arab and Islamic cultural heritage.
The MoU was signed during the inauguration ceremony of the UNESCO Chair in Translating Cultures, established by the King Faisal Center with the support of the Saudi Literature, Publishing, and Translation Commission. The event was attended by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha bint Mohammed AlFaisal, the Secretary-General of the KFCRIS; H.E. Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the ALC; Mr. Ibrahim Aldeghaither, the Assistant to the Secretary-General of the KFCRIS; and Dr. Abdullah Hamidaddin, the Assistant Secretary-General for Scientific Affairs of the KFCRIS.
HRH Maha bint Mohammed AlFaisal emphasised that the signing of the MoU with the ALC represents an important step towards strengthening the Centre’s work in expanding knowledge and enriching cultural and intellectual content in the Arabic and Islamic world. HRH also commended the research and scientific and intellectual efforts of the ALC, expressing her hope that this partnership will lead to the synergy of the efforts of the two centres and the utilisation of their joint expertise and capabilities for promoting research activities that serve the Arabic culture and language.
H.E. Dr. Ali bin Tamim said: “This partnership aligns with the ALC’s goals and its efforts to support the scientific research community, and broaden the horizons of knowledge between cultures. It is a significant step towards enriching Arab cultural and intellectual content, promoting inter-civilisational dialogue, and strengthen bridges of understanding and cooperation between through the exchange of ideas and organising joint cultural and scientific events.”
“This collaboration with a prestigious cultural and intellectual institution like the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies offers an opportunity for researchers and relevant cultural institutions to benefit from the knowledge and expertise it has to offer,” H.E. bin Tamim continued. “It will contribute to the development of further research projects, significantly elevating the level of education in the region. Moreover, it will play an important role in supporting translation and translators, preserving cultural and linguistic heritage, and encouraging efforts to document, study, and publish history, literature, and language. This, in turn, will serve to enhance Arab cultural identity, showcasing its beauty and unique traits, and ensuring it is passed down to future generations, to serve as a foundation for their knowledge and future experiences.”
The MoU calls for the promotion of research cooperation between the King Faisal Center for Research and Islamic Studies, the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, and the UNESCO Chair in Translating Cultures. It also supports efforts to compete for the ALC’s annual awards and grants, participate in conferences and events, and organise joint lectures, seminars, and workshops.
Under the terms of the MoU, both parties pledge to support publishing and translation efforts, particularly by participating in research related to the topics of the UNESCO Chair in Translating Cultures, as well as in the research grants offered by the ALC.
Moreover, the MoU calls for increasing the number of contributors to peer-reviewed international journals and periodicals sponsored by both parties, and organising exchanges of scholars, specialists, and experts through the Chair’s Fellowship Programme, the King Faisal Centre’s Translating Cultures Lab (TCL), and the research grants offered by the two centres.
