His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, a member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, was awarded the honorary title of President of Exeter University yesterday, during a ceremony attended by His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah and President of the University of Sharjah, and Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi, President of the American University of Sharjah.
This recognition was part of His Highness’s visit to Exeter University, which included receiving the award from Sir Michael Barber, the honorary president of the university, unveiling the Qasimi Building project that will be constructed at the university on His Highness’s initiative, showcasing His Highness’s publications in the library of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, and signing a cooperation agreement between the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Research and Exeter University.
The conferment of the honorary title to His Highness is a testament to his remarkable contributions to education and research, as well as his strong relationship with Exeter University. His Highness is recognized as a pioneer in cultural, scientific, social, and economic development and has played a significant role in promoting cultural interaction and dialogue among countries and civilizations at local, regional, and international levels.
In his speech during the award ceremony at Exeter’s Reed Hall, His Highness expressed, “I am very happy to return to Exeter, this prestigious institution that welcomed me as a student more than forty years ago and has remained deeply rooted in my academic journey and memory.”
His Highness expressed gratitude for the fruitful collaboration with Exeter University over the decades, stating, “I stand before you with profound gratitude for the fruitful path we have walked together, a path that united us in knowledge, partnership, and shared objectives. I take special pride in the enduring cooperation between Exeter University and the Emirate of Sharjah over the past four decades, which has not only withstood the test of time but has also developed into a model of academic excellence. At the forefront of this achievement stands the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, a distinguished center that houses the Arab Document Unit and the Emirati Collection, both vital in preserving and studying our cultural heritage.”
His Highness discussed academic partnerships with Exeter University, noting, “Over the years, this collaboration has led to the establishment of various successful academic partnerships across universities in Sharjah. At Khorfakkan University, a joint marine sciences program with Exeter is advancing research on coastal and marine ecosystems. At Al Dhaid University, cooperation in geology and environmental sciences is fostering a strong academic foundation in earth sciences for students, while the Sharjah Academy of Education has implemented innovative programs in special education, benefiting from Exeter’s extensive academic expertise and experience in inclusive education.”
His Highness emphasized that these initiatives reflect a shared vision for investing in human capital and knowledge, a vision that continues to expand, as evidenced by the unveiling of the Qasimi Building project at the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, representing a commitment to creating inspiring academic environments for future generations.
He expressed appreciation to the leadership of Exeter University and its faculty members for the special honor and for their ongoing dedication to education, research, and international cooperation, urging the continuation of building bridges of understanding, discovery, and progress together.
Dr. Lisa Roberts, President of Exeter University, praised His Highness’s vision, leadership, and support for education during her speech at the ceremony, noting the impact of His Highness on educational facilities he helped establish and the partnerships strengthened with the university, inspiring many scholars and students.
Roberts highlighted the working model established by His Highness across universities and higher education institutions in Sharjah and its substantial positive impact on education and community upliftment.
She also discussed the historic relationship connecting His Highness with the university since the 1980s, resulting in outstanding scientific programs and projects that have fostered significant collaboration between the universities established under His Highness’s patronage and Exeter University, which takes great pride in this fruitful and ambitious relationship and looks forward to its future development.
Martha Holden, an alumnus of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, spoke on behalf of the students and graduates, expressing deep gratitude to His Highness for the support that significantly impacted her educational journey, exposing her to various cultures and helping her understand dialectical differences, thereby opening new horizons and deepening her understanding of the Arabic language.
She described her experience at the university as inspiring, motivating her to pursue her interest in the Arabic language even after graduation, and praised His Highness for his support of her and her peers.
The ceremony featured an artistic performance by a group of Exeter University students and a visual presentation celebrating the strong relationship between His Highness and Exeter University, tracing back to his studies and graduation in 1985, highlighting ongoing academic interactions and partnerships with the university, culminating in His Highness receiving the honorary title.
His Highness received a commemorative gift from Councillor Anne Jopson, the Mayor of Exeter, in recognition of his visit and continued support for Exeter University.
During his visit, His Highness unveiled the Qasimi Building project, an initiative he championed in the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, which he established at Exeter University in 2001 to support researchers and students by providing them with necessary resources and archival documents that facilitate their studies.
His Highness and attendees learned about the project details through several visual presentations showcasing the architectural vision for the building as a distinguished scientific meeting point for students and researchers, reflecting Arabic and Islamic civilization through its beautiful geometric design, ample green spaces, and designated areas for discussions and interaction among visitors. The presentations also detailed the facilities of the building, including classrooms, lecture halls, gardens, offices, and study areas, as well as the services provided to visitors, readers, and researchers.
Additionally, the presentations highlighted significant research outcomes facilitated by the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies in collaboration with various international entities across several scientific fields, such as archaeology and human existence.
During his visit to the library of the Institute of Arab and Islamic Studies, His Highness unveiled a dedicated section for his publications in the library, which includes a complete collection of his works donated to Exeter University, alongside a luxurious copy of the Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language.
His Highness has authored 118 works covering various fields of knowledge, each reflecting his profound vision and enlightened thinking, with many of his publications translated into more than 20 living foreign languages, including English, French, Chinese, Italian, Indian, Russian, Spanish, German, Portuguese, Malayalam, Martian, Urdu, Bengali, Polish, Dutch, Romanian, Persian, Turkish, and Somali.
His publications are characterized by their rigorous research and academic precision, demonstrating his deep interest in the history of the Arabian Gulf, particularly Sharjah and the Gulf in modern times, drawing upon original documents preserved in global archives.
His works are the result of a long intellectual and historical journey that began in the 1980s when His Highness felt the need to correct misleading narratives propagated by colonial forces that distorted the history of the Arabian Gulf. His first book, “The Myth of Piracy in the Gulf,” published in 1985, marked the start of a comprehensive documentation project grounded in original records from British, Ottoman, and French archives. Over the years, His Highness’s writings have expanded to encompass various aspects of Gulf history.
He also authored a narrative memoir entitled “Self-Narration,” blending personal documentation with a national perspective, while translating history to the stage through over twenty plays that reflect Arab issues and their cultural identity. His writing evolved from historical responses to academic and dramatic works, collectively forming a comprehensive cultural project that unites the ruler, historian, and creative thinker.
During his library visit, His Highness reviewed a collection of important historical documents and books, including his PhD thesis presented in 1985 to Exeter University, which earned high honors and titled “The Myth of Arab Piracy in the Arabian Gulf between 1797 and 1820.”
At the Northcott building, His Highness signed a cooperation agreement between the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Research and Dr. Lisa Roberts, President of Exeter University, to implement a leadership training program titled “Leadership Compass: Charting the Future of Responsible Governance in Universities.” This ambitious training program is tailored for the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Research.
The program content aligns with five main objectives in line with the aims of the Sharjah Council for Higher Education and Research, which include enhancing strategic leadership capacity by equipping university leaders with the skills and insights necessary for courageous and clear leadership in the rapidly changing higher education landscape, promoting institutional governance by encouraging responsible resource management and transparent decision-making, aligning operations with institutional missions and values, fostering a culture of inclusivity and excellence by supporting the development of value-based academic environments that prioritize employee well-being, student success, and research integrity, enhancing stakeholder engagement and their impact, building the capacity for effective interaction with internal and external stakeholders, and reinforcing the civic, social, and global responsibilities of universities while promoting reflective and collaborative practices through creating spaces for peer learning, critical reflection, and inter-institutional dialogue to inspire innovation and shared leadership.
The signing ceremony also included discussions on various areas of mutual interest and collaboration within the educational and academic fields, as well as the achievements resulting from the collaboration between higher education institutions in Sharjah and Exeter University.
Alongside His Highness, notable attendees included Mansour Belhoul Al Falasi, UAE Ambassador to the United Kingdom, Sheikh Khalid bin Saud Al Qasimi, Deputy Ambassador to the UK, Abdullah Mohammed Al Owais, Head of the Department of Culture, Dr. Khalifa Mushab Al Tani, Head of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, Dr. Mansour Mohammed bin Nassar, Head of the Legal Department of the Sharjah Government, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Amiri, CEO of the Sharjah Book Authority, Dr. Muhadditha Al Hashimi, Head of the Sharjah Academy for Education, and several officials from government entities and higher education institutions in Sharjah.
British attendees included Lord David Fersden, representative of Her Majesty in Devon, Councillor Anne Jopson, Mayor of Exeter, Sir Michael Barber, honorary president of Exeter University, Dr. Lisa Roberts, and several officials from the university.