Fujairah: H.H. Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah, witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation in Fujairah and the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS) University of London at his office in the Emiri Court. This agreement marks the start of an academic collaboration aimed at launching a specialised programme in manuscript arts that merges theoretical study with practical application, adhering to the highest academic standards.
According to Emirates News Agency, the MoU was signed by Dr Esra Al Hamal, Managing Director of the School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation in Fujairah, and Professor Adam Habib, Director of SOAS University of London. H.H. Sheikh Mohammed stressed the significance of cultural partnerships in enhancing the arts and culture sector in Fujairah, promoting the exchange of expertise, and improving creative practices, especially in preserving and promoting Arab-Islamic heritage and its artistic traditions.
H.H. Sheikh Mohammed also acknowledged the support of H.H. Sheikh Hamad bin Mohammed Al Sharqi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Fujairah, for projects that advance cultural work, positioning Fujairah as a leading centre for creativity, arts, and culture. The memorandum outlines collaboration between the two parties to offer two academic degrees: a Postgraduate Diploma in Manuscript Arts and a Master of Arts in Manuscript Arts. The programme allows students to pursue a one-year diploma or continue for a second year for a master's degree, based on their academic goals and progress.
The curriculum includes practical courses on traditional Arabic calligraphy, geometric and floral ornamentation, bookbinding, and miniature painting, along with theoretical courses on manuscript cultures and the Arabic and Islamic history of manuscripts. The programme, exclusively designed for the School of Calligraphy and Ornamentation, will commence in September 2026 in Fujairah.
The initiative aims to preserve manuscript heritage by combining theoretical knowledge with traditional skills, preparing a generation capable of understanding and producing manuscripts according to historical and artistic principles. It also provides a unique opportunity for graduates in fields such as graphic design, advertising, architecture, conservation, library sciences, and Arabic language, offering a deeper understanding of the visual language of manuscripts and pathways for specialisation in this rare discipline.
Beyond academic and practical skills, the programme enhances career prospects, preparing participants to work as professional artists, specialised designers, or to pursue higher education and careers in advertising, library services, language centres, and cultural, media, and heritage institutions related to manuscript arts and visual heritage.
The signing ceremony was attended by Dr Ahmed Hamdan Al Zeyoudi, Director of the Office of the Crown Prince of Fujairah, and a delegation from SOAS University of London.
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