Sharjah:H.H. Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, welcomed a delegation of scholars and experts in archiving and documentation from Portugal and India on Thursday morning. The meeting took place in the presence of H.H. Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairperson of the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA).
According to Emirates News Agency, the delegation included Dr Luís Filipe Santos from the Portuguese National Archives, Dr Balaji Shinoy from the Government of Goa, Dr Albano Figueiredo and Dr José Pedro de Matos Paiva from the University of Coimbra, and Dr Rui Carina, an archaeology specialist. The meeting emphasized Sharjah's commitment to cultural exchange and cooperation with global academic institutions, highlighting the role of the Sharjah International Book Fair in promoting intellectual dialogue.
H.H. the Ruler of Sharjah praised the relationships between Sharjah and international documentation institutions, noting the impact on manuscript verification and publication. The discussions covered the significance of scientific collaboration in historical manuscripts and the preservation of history through documentation and archiving.
Dr Albano Figueiredo expressed the delegation's gratitude for the warm reception and ongoing cooperation between Sharjah and the University of Coimbra. He commended the Sharjah International Book Fair's growth and H.H.'s dedication to knowledge and scientific research.
The delegation toured the Dr Sultan Al Qasimi Centre, exploring its historical artefacts and the library's resources. H.H. provided insights into the journey of a historical document, highlighting the process of verification and translation. He also showcased rare Portuguese documents, contributing to historical scholarship on Portuguese presence in the region.
At the conclusion of the meeting, H.H. received books and reference works on archiving and history from the University of Coimbra.