The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (ALC) has signed an agreement with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) to advance the status of the Arabic language in scientific domains and strengthen cultural and intellectual dialogue.
Signed by His Excellency Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of ALC, and His Excellency Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC, at it’s headquarters in Dubai, the agreement will see the two entities collaborate to enhance the exchange of knowledge, strengthen cooperation, implement joint projects, programmes and initiatives related to their fields of specialty, and publish a book documenting the landmark achievements of the MBRSC in establishing the UAE as a space science and technology destination.
The ALC will work to bridge the gap between what the UAE has achieved in space exploration and innovation, and the ability to express it in Arabic, thus helping restore the language’s prominence in space sciences and astronomy.
His Excellency Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Executive Director of ALC, said: “We are confident that this special partnership we are establishing with the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre will contribute to our ongoing efforts to support the use of the Arabic language in modern scientific disciplines, and enhance Arabic-language scientific content in the fields of advanced technologies, most notably space sciences.
“The collaboration we have agreed upon in this agreement to produce a book about MBRSC’s experience represents a valuable opportunity to bring this experience closer to new generations, and to introduce them to the scientific and administrative details and significant achievements it includes. We aim to do this using innovative methods that embrace the aesthetics of the Arabic language to spark their imagination and strengthen their innovative and creative abilities.
“With this important partnership, we aim to provide a practical example of the Arabic language’s ability to accommodate contemporary sciences, accurately and eloquently communicating the developments and achievements made in various scientific disciplines, especially the vital space sector, where the UAE is leading the Arab world. This, in turn, enables new generations to think in their native language about all things related to the scientific and intellectual issues of their time, and to contribute meaningfully to today’s civilisation, building on their rich heritage.”
Under the terms of the agreement, the ALC seeks to document the UAE’s space experience as the fifth nation globally, and the first in the Arab world, to reach Mars, and the tenth country to succeed in conducting spacewalk missions, coinciding with the tenth anniversary of the founding of the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre.
His Excellency Salem Humaid AlMarri, Director General of MBRSC, said: “At the Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre, we have always prioritised making our work accessible in Arabic, and engaging to Arabic-speaking audiences. Our partnership with the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre will further enhance our ongoing commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of space sciences within the Arab world and beyond.
“We believe that by enriching Arabic-language content in the fields of science and technology, we can inspire a new generation of Arab youth to pursue careers in STEM fields and contribute to a knowledge-based economy. This partnership is a shared vision to empower our community, elevate the role of Arabic in scientific discourse, and reinforce the UAE’s position as a leader in both space exploration and cultural preservation.”
The agreement, which covers a period of three years, will see the two entities establish a robust framework to enhance knowledge exchange and participation in each other’s annual events, most notably the Abu Dhabi International Book Fair (ADIBF), in addition to exploring opportunities for collaboration in publishing and cultural production. The agreement also calls for cooperation in organising joint workshops and training sessions, and establishing a platform for showcasing the ALC’s books at the MBRSC, sharing scientific expertise, developing human resources, and organising the two entities’ schedules for participating in international events.
