The 4th cycle of the ICCROM-Sharjah Award for Good Practices in Cultural Heritage Conservation in the Arab Region 2024 launches
October 5, 2023, 2:26 pm

The 4th cycle of the ICCROM-Sharjah Award for Good Practices in Cultural Heritage Conservation in the Arab Region 2024 launches

إيكروم الشارقة يطلق الدورة الرابعة

ICCROM-Sharjah calls individuals and institutions in the Arab region to participate and compete for the award

02 October 2023 - Sharjah (United Arab Emirates): ICCROM’s Regional Office for the Conservation of Cultural Heritage in Sharjah (ICCROM-Sharjah) announces the launch of the fourth cycle of the ICCROM-Sharjah Award for good practices in cultural heritage conservation and management in the Arab Region 2023-2024. The award, held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council, Ruler of Sharjah, aims to honour and reward outstanding work that contributes to the protection and vitality of tangible cultural heritage in the Arab world.

In this cycle, a Grand Award will be presented for Good Practices in Cultural Heritage Conservation and Management in the Arab Region. Additionally, two Honorary Awards for Community Engagement and Conservation and Innovation will be granted to recognize exceptional exemplary projects. The Award will highlight the good practices in conservation and management of cultural heritage in terms of technical skills employed as well as social and economic impacts of the project on local communities. The vitality of the cultural heritage project will be assessed through its positive impact on the social and economic context.

The award program reflects the commitment of ICCROM-Sharjah to help protect movable and immovable cultural heritage in the Arab region; promote good practices in the field of preservation and protection of cultural heritage; facilitate the international exchange of knowledge and experiences in cultural heritage conservation and management; and stimulate public awareness of the importance of cultural heritage.

The award recognizes projects that demonstrate excellence in preserving and revitalizing cultural heritage, while also promoting sustainable development, community involvement, and knowledge exchange. It encourages individuals, organizations, and institutions to showcase their best practices in the field of heritage conservation. By highlighting successful projects, the award aims to inspire others and create a network of professionals dedicated to preserving cultural heritage in the Arab region.

“This is the 4th edition of the ICCROM-Sharjah Award, after the great success it has achieved over the past years in highlighting many distinguished projects and practices in preserving cultural heritage in the Arab region”, says Dr. Zaki Aslan, Director of the Regional Office for Cultural Heritage Preservation (ICCROM - Sharjah).

“The projects that receive the ICCROM-Sharjah Award exhibit several key features that set them apart as exemplars of cultural heritage conservation. They demonstrate a holistic approach to conservation, considering both the tangible and intangible aspects of cultural heritage; they also prioritize community involvement, engaging local stakeholders in decision-making processes and ensuring the long-term sustainability of the projects; and additionally, award-winning projects often employ innovative technologies and methodologies, blending traditional craftsmanship with modern conservation practices. They also focus on capacity building, empowering local communities with the knowledge and skills necessary for heritage conservation”, he added.

It is worth noting that individuals and institutions can submit their entries and apply for the award by filling out and sending the official entry form along with the required documents via email until March 31, 2024. Every entry received will be considered valid and legal only if received by the deadline, eligible and complying with the criteria, submitted using the official entry form and accompanied by the requested documentation in the official format.

The nominated projects eligible for the award, which will be selected by an independent jury of experts in the Arab region and the world, will be announced in September 2024, while the winning projects will be announced during a ceremony to be held in Sharjah, UAE, in November 2024. The forms and documents required to participate can be found through the link: https://ar.iccromsharjahawards.org/how-to-apply/

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”