Speakers

H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz Almusallam

Chairman of Sharjah Institute for Heritage

H.E. Dr. Abdulaziz Almusallam

Chairman of Sharjah Institute for Heritage

Abdulaziz Almusallam (b. October 27, 1966, Sharjah, UAE) is a distinguished Emirati poet, writer, and cultural heritage expert known for his dedication to preserving the UAE’s rich cultural legacy. He holds a Ph.D. in History and Cultural Heritage from Hassan 2nd University in Morocco (2017), a Higher Diploma in History and Islamic Civilization from the University of Sharjah (2007), and a BA in History from Beirut Arab University (2000). Almusallam has been the Chairman of the Sharjah Institute for Heritage since 2014, leading efforts to safeguard intangible cultural heritage. In 2021, he became Chairman of the UNESCO-recognized International Centre for Capacity Building in Intangible Cultural Heritage and joined the Board of the Sharjah Book Authority in 2023. In 2017, he established Kalamon Publishing to promote Arabic literature and has served as a Visiting Professor at universities in Tunisia and China. Throughout his career, Almusallam has been recognized with numerous awards, including the Golden Narrative Award from the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre (2024), the Arab Heritage Personalist Award (2023, Berlin), and the Al Owais Creativity Award for Best Children’s Book (2015). His work reflects a lifelong commitment to preserving the UAE’s heritage and fostering a global appreciation of Arab culture and intangible heritage.

Abdullah Alhammad

Heritage Consultant, Avesta Group

Abdullah Alhammad

Heritage Consultant, Avesta Group

Abdullah serves as a Heritage Consultant at Avesta, coordinating with stakeholders, conducting heritage inventories and managing public relations with potential stakeholders and governmental organisations. Graduate with a Bachelor’s degree in Heritage Management from King Saud University, Abdullah specialises in Heritage, Cultural Tourism, and Cultural Events. His expertise lies in living heritage, but he also harbors a deep passion for the development, preservation, and protection of local antiquities and built heritage. Throughout his professional journey, he has collaborated with the Saudi Heritage Preservation team on culinary arts commission projects in Riyadh, Al Ahsa, Hail, and Al Qassim. Additionally, he has conducted inventories of traditional dishes and culinary art in the Eastern and Central regions of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, working closely with local communities and NGOs. At Avesta Abdullah leads the Maritime Living Heritage Project for the Ministry of Culture (MoC), notably organising awareness sessions on living heritage with local communities and promoting adherence to the UNESCO Convention.

H.E. Aisha Deemas

Director General, Sharjah Museums Authority

H.E. Aisha Deemas

Director General, Sharjah Museums Authority

H.E. Aisha Deemas is Director General of Sharjah Museums Authority since June 2023. She formerly held the position of Director of Executive Affairs at Sharjah Museums Authority where she participated in long-term planning and overall management of the services provided to all Sharjah museums under SMA. H.E. Aisha Deemas holds an MBA and a Bachelor of International Studies degree from the American University of Sharjah. She has 15+ years of experience in museums management.

Prof. Dr. Amr Al-Azm

Director of ATHAR Project, Professor of Middle East History and Anthropology, Shawnee State University

Prof. Dr. Amr Al-Azm

Director of ATHAR Project, Professor of Middle East History and Anthropology, Shawnee State University

Amr Al Azm received his doctoral degree in 1991 from the Institute of Archaeology (UCL) in the UK. He was the founder and Director of the Scientific and Conservation Laboratories at the General Department of Antiquities and Museums (1999-2004) and taught at the University of Damascus until 2006. Amr Al-Azm is a tenured Professor of Middle East History and Anthropology at Shawnee State University in Ohio. He also teaches in the Gulf Studies program at Qatar University and in the Foreign Service School at Georgetown University-Qatar. Amr Al-Azm is a keen follower and commentator on current events in Syria and the Middle East in general. He has written articles in numerous journals, and major media outlets including guest editorials for the New York Times, Time Magazine, Foreign Policy and Foreign Affairs. Furthermore Amr Al-Azm is a founder and board member on The Day After project (TDA) and currently coordinates the Heritage Protection Initiative (TDA-HPI) at the TDA. He is also a co-Director of the Antiquities Trafficking and Heritage Anthropology Research (ATHAR) Project.

Eiman Saleh AlShamari

Manager of the IFLA Regional Office for MENA

Eiman Saleh AlShamari

Manager of the IFLA Regional Office for MENA

Eiman Alshamari is a PhD researcher in Libraries and Information Sciences at Sheffield University, focusing on libraries’ roles in societal development and sustainability. In 2022, she represented the university at the UN Climate Change Conference (COP 27) in Sharm El-Sheikh, Egypt, highlighting libraries as hubs for climate education and advocacy, aligning with global sustainability goals. Currently, Eiman is the Acting Manager of the National Collection at Qatar National Library (QNL), where she has conducted over 70 workshops to empower youth and promote environmental awareness. She also leads the IFLA MENA Regional Office, advancing library development across the Middle East and North Africa. With experience on four research-funded projects in social studies and oral history, Eiman’s work reflects her multidisciplinary expertise. Previously, she served on the IFLA MetLib Section’s standing committee (2018–2023) and presented at prominent conferences like IFLA and National Libraries Now. She holds a Master’s in Library and Information Studies from UCL-Q, where she earned the UCL Academic Excellence Award (2017) and the Platinum Medal in the Education Excellence Day (2016). Eiman is also the author of Samuel Smiles Road, a self-help book, and a recognized advocate for libraries and education.

Dr. Emad Abu Eid

Library & CSR Expert, Consultant, Department of Municipalities, and Transport

Dr. Emad Abu Eid

Library & CSR Expert, Consultant, Department of Municipalities, and Transport

Dr. Emad Abu Eid is an expert in libraries and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) with a Ph.D. from UTM University in Malaysia. He is a certified Lead Auditor in ISO 9001 and a Certified Trainer from the American Management Institute. With extensive experience in libraries and project management, Dr. Abu Eid has successfully implemented CSR initiatives in Abu Dhabi Municipality and the Department of Municipalities and Transport. He has authored two books and published over 35 research papers, making significant contributions to the field. Driven by his passion for sustainable development, Dr. Abu Eid continues to inspire others with his expertise in libraries and CSR and commitment to positive social impact.

Eman Abushulaibi

Director, Sharjah Public Libraries Sharjah Book Authority, IFLA MENA RDC Vice-Chair

Eman Abushulaibi

Director, Sharjah Public Libraries Sharjah Book Authority, IFLA MENA RDC Vice-Chair

Eman Abushulaibi is the Director of Sharjah Public Libraries, with over 13 years of experience in organizational development and transformation. Under her leadership, the library system has achieved significant milestones, including a 50% recovery in digital membership and a 70% increase in registered members from over 50 nationalities. Eman has a proven track record in strategic planning, innovation, and sustainability, driving impactful change across the library’s six locations. She holds an Executive MBA and is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Business Administration at the University of Sharjah. Eman is also an active member of several professional organizations, including serving as the Vice-Chair of the Middle East and North Africa Regional Division for the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA).

Ertuğrul Çimen

Library Director, Chair Europe Regional Division Committee, IFLA

Ertuğrul Çimen

Library Director, Chair Europe Regional Division Committee, IFLA

Ertuğrul Çimen has a BS from Hacettepe University Faculty of Literature, Librarianship Department and a MA from Kadir Has University, Social Sciences Institute, Finance, and Banking Program. His current position is the library director of MEF University. His professional interests are academic library management, library consortiums, license agreements for e-resources, library collaboration, resource sharing, document delivery, lifelong learning, and staff exchange programs for librarians. He has an active role in NGOs and professional organizations at the national and international levels. He is the former president of the Anatolian University Libraries Consortium (ANKOS) and a former executive board member of the Turkish Librarians Association (TLA). He is also the former Information Coordinator, the Secretary of the IFLA Document Delivery and Resource Sharing Standing Committee, and the former Information Coordinator of the Freedom of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression (FAIFE) Advisory Board. Currently, he is the Chair of the Europe Regional Division Committee and a member of the Regional Council of IFLA, and Research Library Association (UNAK) Sustainable Libraries Standing Committee Coordinator. He is the editorial board member of the Information Discovery and Delivery Journal (Emerald Publishing). He has articles, presentations, book chapters, and research papers published in different languages, such as English, Italian, Japanese, as well as Turkish.

Dr. Eslam Nofal

Assistant Professor, Department of Architectural Engineering, University of Sharjah

Dr. Eslam Nofal

Assistant Professor, Department of Architectural Engineering, University of Sharjah

Eslam Nofal is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Architectural Engineering at the University of Sharjah (UAE) and is also affiliated with Assiut University (Egypt). He serves as a consultant for the Museum Commission (KSA), specializing in e-learning programs within the museum sector. Previously, he worked as a Postdoctoral Researcher in Digital Heritage at Maastricht University (The Netherlands). Dr. Nofal’s research interests lie in digital heritage, human-computer interaction, and emerging technologies such as tangible interaction, augmented reality, and virtual reality. His work focuses on designing, implementing, and evaluating interactive systems that enhance users’ understanding of heritage and engage museum visitors in meaningful ways. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Architectural Engineering from Assiut University, a joint Master’s degree in Management of Cultural Landscapes (Université Jean Monnet, Università Federico II, Universität Stuttgart), and a PhD from KU Leuven (Belgium) in Architecture and Digital Heritage. During his PhD, he developed the concept of “Phygital Heritage,” which explores the simultaneous and integrated use of physical and digital means to communicate heritage information.

Etienne Bonnet-Candé

France Museums, Deputy Director - Abu Dhabi

Etienne Bonnet-Candé

France Museums, Deputy Director - Abu Dhabi

Etienne Bonnet-Candé graduated from the École Normale Supérieure, Sciences Po Paris, and NYU. He is a high-ranking civil servant specializing in cultural public policies. As the General Administrator of Lille’s Palais des Beaux-Arts (PBA), he led one of France's most innovative museums over the past decade. He is now focused on international cultural cooperation, managing France Museums' activities in Abu Dhabi. France Museums, a French private company, has played a pivotal role in the development of the Louvre Abu Dhabi from its inception, collaborating with DCT to oversee the transfer of expertise and content production for the progressive realization of the first universal museum in the Arab world. Since its opening, France Museums has acted as the delegated producer of its internationally renowned exhibitions and continues to overlook the strong structural ties with its French partner institutions, including the Louvre, Orsay, Pompidou, Quai Branly, and Guimet, notably in the development of collections. On behalf of DCT, France Museums launched "Museopro" last year, one of the region’s most ambitious training programs for museum and heritage professionals, designed to benefit all DCT staff.

Farah Al Bastaki

Board Member of ICOM UAE

Farah Al Bastaki

Board Member of ICOM UAE

Farah’s achievements in the field of Museums and Culture include a 2021 Master in Strategic studies from the National Defense College in Abu Dhabi, a 2014 Master in History of Arts & Museums from Paris Sorbonne University in Abu Dhabi, along with 2011 Training workshops in Museum Management in Emirates Foundation & Berkley. She has also established Atelier Lantana for Arts & Culture in Abu Dhabi and completed training at the Louvre Museum in Paris as well as research about preserving collections at storage. She has also participated in the established of several museums in the UAE and has organized exhibitions &cultural events in the GCC, Italy, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Morocco, Tunisia, Albania, Kosovo, amongst others. Farah is also a founding member of the Architectural Heritage Society in UAE and is Head of the Arab regional office for Arts & traditional crafts, Arab League.

Kanat Kutluk

President, Dubai and Northern Emirates Turkish Business Council

Kanat Kutluk

President, Dubai and Northern Emirates Turkish Business Council

Kanat Kutluk, is a Corporate and Social Entrepreneur wearing multiple hats in the chemistry and food industries while also participating in significant social and community programs. A graduate of the INSEAD Global Executive MBA Program, Kutluk holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science and International Relations from Istanbul University, and a master’s degree in Economics from Marmara University. His master’s thesis focused on “The Impact of Globalization on the World Economy and Societies.” Kutluk strongly believes that communication and coordination are the keys to driving any team toward success, and he has built his career over the past 25 years across Africa, the Middle East, Central Asia, Türkiye, and the Indian Subcontinent. During this time, Kutluk has held local, regional, and international positions at companies such as Borusan, Ecolab, Selamlique, Smartworld, and Voti in Türkiye and the United Arab Emirates. Residing in Dubai since 2006, Kutluk served as vice president of the council for two terms and has been serving as its president since June 2023. He is married and the father of two daughters.

Kristina Trubinova

General Director of the A.A. Bakhrushin State Central Theatre Museum

Kristina Trubinova

General Director of the A.A. Bakhrushin State Central Theatre Museum

Graduated from the Moscow Architectural Institute in 2014. In 2024, she defended a master’s thesis in scenic art at the Russian Institute of Theatre Arts. Kristina began her career in the cultural sphere. She acquired in-depth professional experience in administration, the Dept. of the General Secretary, and the Chief Information and Computer Centre of the Russian Ministry of Culture (2012–2015). In 2015, joined the Directorate of the Saint Petersburg International Cultural Forum, becoming a project manager in its business programme. Between 2019–2021, she served as First Deputy General Director of the A.A. Bakhrushin State Central Theatre Museum before becoming its General Director on 23 June 2021. Under her leadership, a grandiose project which brings together 6 buildings of the museum’s Main Estate and its 12 branches in Moscow, Zaraysk and Tula, was elaborated and implemented. The project’s core shall be the Bakhrushin Museum-Theatre Quarter located in the heart of Moscow. She’s president of the Association of Theatre Museums, founded in 2023 at her initiative. Association members include 100 theatres with museums and other organizations with theatre collections in Russia and the Russian diaspora. The Bakhrushin Museum is preserving the best traditions of its founder by expanding its collection with new interesting materials, organizing exhibitions projects at the museum, in old and new Russian regions and abroad, designing expositions for theatre museums across Russia.

Marijana Stanković

Director of the "Kragujevac October" Memorial Park, Curator - Historian

Marijana Stanković

Director of the "Kragujevac October" Memorial Park, Curator - Historian

Marijana Stanković was born in 1978 in Kragujevac (Serbia). She graduated History at the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade. After graduation she worked on international projects as a history professor and project manager in non-governmental organization. She then acquired the title Curator and worked as an external associate-researcher on the project “Victims of the Second World War 1941-1945ˮ, and then as a curator-historian at the Kragujevac National Museum. She currently works as the director of the Memorial Park „Kragujevacki October” in Kragujevac. Apart from being a director, she works as researcher and curator as well, in themes of World War II.

Dr. Mona Rashid Al Ali

Vice Chair, ICOM UAE

Dr. Mona Rashid Al Ali

Vice Chair, ICOM UAE

Dr. Mona Al Ali, Vice Chair of ICOM UAE, is a distinguished professional with extensive expertise in museum, education, management, research, and cultural development. Currently serving as an Assistant Professor in Emirati Studies at Rabdan Academy, Dr. Al Ali has held multiple leadership roles, including managing the Badiri Education and Development Academy, advising on strategic affairs at the UAE Ministry of Defense, and leading research initiatives at the Sharjah Museums Department. With a PhD in Museum Studies from the University of Leicester and a Master’s in Education from Auckland University, Dr. Al Ali is known for her analytical insight and commitment to excellence. Her skills in strategic planning, project management, and fostering collaboration have made her a respected leader in her field.

Nasser Abdullah

Curator, former Chairman of the Board of the Emirates Fine Art Society (EFAS), Chief Editor of Al Tashkeel Magazine

Nasser Abdullah

Curator, former Chairman of the Board of the Emirates Fine Art Society (EFAS), Chief Editor of Al Tashkeel Magazine

Nasser Abdullah is an Emirati curator Based in UAE. He has curated several exhibitions including an “Intima’a” an Exhibition by UAE Unlimited, 2020 in NYU Abu Dhabi, “From Barcelona to Abu Dhabi” an exhibition by ADMAF, and the Barcelona Museum of Contemporary Art, 2018 in Manarat Al Saadiyat, The 25th and the 35th Emirates Fine Art Society’s annual exhibition, 2006 and 2018 in Sharjah Art Museum. Nasser is a former Chairman of the Board of the Emirates Fine Art Society, a position he was elected from 2014 to 2018. The Society aims to raise awareness and continue to develop Fine Art in the UAE. He has also contributed, significantly, to several publications focusing on the pioneers of the Emirati Arts movement, besides being the Chief Editor of AlTashkeel Magazine.

Nenad Karamijalković

Director of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Institute Kragujevac, The MA in Ethnology and Anthropology, Archivist, Conservator Scientist and Museum Curator

Nenad Karamijalković

Director of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Institute Kragujevac, The MA in Ethnology and Anthropology, Archivist, Conservator Scientist and Museum Curator

Nenad Karamijalković was born in 1979 in Kragujevac (Serbia). He has a Master’s degree in Sociocultural Anthropology from the Faculty of Philosophy in Belgrade and the titles of Archivist, Conservator Scientist and Curator (only one in Serbia with all these titles). Hi is a member of the International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMOS), the International Council of Museums (ICOM), as well as societies of Serbian anthropologists, conservators and historians. He also received the City of Kragujevac highest award in the field of social sciences. Nenad currently works as the director of the Cultural Heritage Preservation Institute in Kragujevac.

Noor Al Suwaidi

Artist, Curator

Noor Al Suwaidi

Artist, Curator

Noor Al Suwaidi is an artist, curator, and cultural producer with nearly 20 years of experience in the arts and creative industries. Born in Abu Dhabi, she earned a bachelor’s degree in studio art from American University in Washington, D.C. in 2004 and a master’s degree in curating contemporary design from Kingston University, London, in 2009. Renowned for her abstract, figurative painting, Al Suwaidi’s distinctive visual language and exceptional use of color set her apart. Her artwork has been exhibited in major cities including London, Berlin, Istanbul, Kuwait, and Washington, D.C., as well as across the UAE. Her first solo exhibition, Like Coral, I Create Clouds, debuted in 2011 at Cork Street Gallery in London’s Mayfair. She became the first female contemporary Emirati artist to have her work selected for auction by Christie’s. Her pieces are part of notable collections such as the Barjeel Art Foundation, Abu Dhabi Music and Arts Foundation, and the private collection of His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, among others. In 2012, Al Suwaidi was nominated for the Emirates Woman Award in the Artist category and received the L’Officiel Artist of the Year Award. Over the past decade, she has participated in four international residencies across the USA, Europe, and North Africa, which have enriched her practice and cultural understanding. Her collaborations include working with Swatch to celebrate Expo 2020 in Dubai. Most recently, she held her first solo exhibition in the USA at Aicon Contemporary in New York.

Nuno Gonçalves Fontarra

Architect-Partner, Mecanoo

Nuno Gonçalves Fontarra

Architect-Partner, Mecanoo

Graduated from MArch Faculdade de Arquitectura da Universidade do Porto (FAUP); Registered with the Bureau Architecten Register (NL). Highly creative, innovative and flexible, he has propelled the conceptualisation and design development of complex iconic buildings, including Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi and the National Kaohsiung Centre for the Arts is Taiwan. He believes that the spirit of a place is a fundamental aspect of human experience, and that the built environment should be designed to enhance and enrich this experience. In his view, architecture should not only respond to functional and technical requirements, but also to the emotional, spiritual, and cultural needs of the people who will inhabit it. Nuno actively contributes to the scope and quality of Mecanoo’s portfolio of work, having engaged in numerous award-winning cultural projects and competition entries in Europe and Asia. With a knack for placemaking and urban integration, Nuno led the winning scheme for the Longgang Cultural Centre, Shenzhen in China. His unique approach to performing arts centres balances reason and emotion in a holistic analysis of the essence and elements of a building and its context. This methodology stems from a profound comprehension of the intricacies involved in designing performing arts centers, coupled with an open-minded international perspective gained from Nuno's extensive experience worldwide.

H.E. Dr. Obaid Al Ketbi

Owner of "Museum1185", former UAE Diplomat/Ambassador, former member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Military General, Chief of Logistics-UAE Armed Forces

H.E. Dr. Obaid Al Ketbi

Owner of "Museum1185", former UAE Diplomat/Ambassador, former member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, Military General, Chief of Logistics-UAE Armed Forces

His Excellency Dr. Obaid Al Ketbi, a notable academic scholar to a former UAE Diplomat and Ambassador, former member of Abu Dhabi Executive Council, a Military General, Chief of Logistics in the UAE Armed Forces, to the Deputy Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police. His Excellency holds a PhD in International Transfer and Anchorage of Technology in the UAE, from the University of London. He also holds a BBA, MBA in Business Administration from the University of South-Eastern, Washington, MSc in National Resource Management Strategy from the National Defence University (NDU) Washington D.C. as well as, BSc, MSc in Electronic Engineering from the University of Paris VI – France. His distinguished service record over 44 years to the UAE, started when he graduated from Zayed Military Academy in 1977 and had a track record rising to the rank of Major General. His Excellency maintains an outstanding record of accomplishments and positions and awards for his work and achievements. Additionally, Dr. Al Ketbi has a strong interest in academic research and has published in various fields. Most recently, Dr. Al Ketbi has created a personal history museum, open to the public, that tells the story not only of an individual, but of a nation and its leaders, who supported and inspired his growth. The "Museum1185", is an inspiration to present and future generations, of what they may accomplish within the UAE with the support of UAE’s leaders and government.

Odyssée Bouvyer-Choukair

Head of Development & Partnership, Cultural Strategy & Funding Expert, Avesta Group

Odyssée Bouvyer-Choukair

Head of Development & Partnership, Cultural Strategy & Funding Expert, Avesta Group

Odyssée is Avesta Group’s Head of Development & Partnerships, leading the efforts to expand the company’s footprint in developing cultural markets, extend its service offering to respond to market needs, and solidify partnerships to widen its reach across the culture sector value chain. Having previously worked as a senior consultant at Avesta Group, where she became a confirmed cultural project manager with a focus on strategy and economic sustainability, Odyssée is ideally positioned to understand the challenges presented by the culture sector and to pinpoint the opportunities offered by the rich tapestry of expertise within Avesta Group’s teams. She has a rich background working with esteemed cultural institutions, including the Doge’s Palace Museum in Venice, which she guided in venturing into temporary exhibitions to attract repeat visitors. In the past, Odyssée collaborated with Culturespaces, a French exhibitions, events and digital arts agency operating internationally where she spearheaded new partnership and fundraising initiatives by leveraging a cultural network of museums and heritage sites. Odyssée supports emerging artists and is passionate about contemporary creation and global art market mechanisms. She regularly recommends strategies for increasing culture sector sustainability and outreach while deepening community impact.

Dr. Olivier Bobin

Co-founder & CEO, CIRAM Laboratory

Dr. Olivier Bobin

Co-founder & CEO, CIRAM Laboratory

Dr. Olivier Bobin is graduated with a master's degree in chemistry in 1996 and a doctorate in physics of archaeomaterials in 2001 from the University of Bordeaux, France. In 2005, he founded the CIRAM laboratory with Richard Chéret. He is now its president and scientific director. CIRAM is a private laboratory that analyses and dates archaeological artifacts and heritage objects, with different technics as C14 Radiocarbon, Thermoluminescence, Stone & Metal analysis... More than 4,000 samples are analysed each year. Our last development was to use radiocarbon technic to offer a new service for industry in order to analyse, quantify and authenticate biobased industrial materials. Radiocarbon analysis quantifies the biobased part versus the fossil part.

Dr. Ona Vileikis

Documentation and Data Analytics Unit Head - Historic Environment, DCT Abu Dhabi

Dr. Ona Vileikis

Documentation and Data Analytics Unit Head - Historic Environment, DCT Abu Dhabi

Dr. Ona Vileikis is an architect and heritage specialist, with ample work and research experience abroad regarding heritage documentation, digital technologies and the 1972 World Heritage Convention. Ona is currently unit head of Documentation and Data Analytics at the Historic Environment, DCT - Abu Dhabi. Dr. Vileikis holds a PhD in Civil Engineering, University of Leuven and MA in World Heritage Studies, BTU Cottbus-Senftenberg. She was also researcher at University College London, and Carleton University. At ICOMOS, Ona is Secretary-General of CIPA Heritage Documentation, and representative of the SDG Working Group. Ona has been actively serving as advisor to the UNESCO Silk Roads World Heritage nominations, and as trainer at the UNESCO Digital Heritage Initiative Dive into Heritage in the Arab Region.

Rashad Bukhash

Chairman of UAE Architectural Heritage Society

Rashad Bukhash

Chairman of UAE Architectural Heritage Society

B. Arch. (Syracuse Uni., USA) 1986, M. Phil. Arch. (Manchester Uni., UK) 2011, Leadership Program, Mohammed Bin Rashid School of Government, 2007 Rashad has the experience of 37 years in the fields of planning, directing, managing, supervising of modern architectural projects, conservation of historic buildings, museums designing, and landscaping projects. With his background in both architecture and conservation of historic buildings, he supervised the conservation of more than 215 historic buildings in Dubai and the Emirates. He also supervised the design and execution of more than 200 modern buildings including universities, colleges, public buildings, parks and community facilities. Rashad supervised the design and execution of 14 museums in Dubai, among them, Dubai Museum, Sheikh Saeed Al-Maktoum house, heritage house, Al-Ahmadiya School, the Falcon Museum, and Sarooq Al-Hadid Archaeology Museum. He wrote and supervised more than 35 books on architecture, history and traditional architecture of Dubai and the U.A.E. Rashad won many prizes such as the best employee of Dubai government 1998, Rashid prize for scientific Excellency 2002, the champion of sustainability in Gulf States 2008, the U.A.E Excellency award 2008 in architecture, and the best architect of the year in the Arab region from Arab cities organization in 2010, Prince Sultan bin Salman prize for architectural heritage 2016, pioneer engineer in GCC countries 2022. He has specialty in architecture, conservation, museums, history, and sustainability.

Saif Al Jabri

CEPS Library Director Sultan Qaboos University & IFLA MENA RDC Chair

Saif Al Jabri

CEPS Library Director Sultan Qaboos University & IFLA MENA RDC Chair

Saif has more than 25 years of experience in library management. He has worked in different levels of library management and administration. He has an optimistic vision of library development and its future role and he always encourages young people in the Arab region to enter the field and join the world of knowledge professionals. Beside his duties in library administration, he teaches in the Business communication department and the Information Studies department. Currently, he chairs the MENA Regional Division Committee, IFLA and play an active role in the in the LIS field in the MENA region, as well as serving as a member of the Literacy and Reading Standing Committee. Saif is one of the founders of the BSLISE (Building Strong Library and Information Science Education) working group when he was chairing the IFLA Section on Education and Training (SET) standing committee. He chaired the SAL/AGC (Special Library Association/ Arabian Gulf Chapter) twice and was a member of the AFLI (Arabic Federation for Library and Information) board for two terms.

Sami Çebi

CEO, SICPA TÜRKİYE

Sami Çebi

CEO, SICPA TÜRKİYE

Sami Çebi graduated from the Department of International Relations at Bilkent University in 2010. Having received his master’s degree in Conflict Analysis and Resolution from Sabancı University, Mr. Çebi has served in various private and governmental institutions throughout his career. In the period 2012-2018, positions held by Sami Çebi were the advisor of Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister of National Defense. He was later appointed in 2019 as the advisor to the Board of Directors in Akfen Holding where he supported international investments and governmental projects. Mr. Çebi also took on managing positions in Infosec Global between 2018 and 2019 as General Manager and Erciyes Anadolu Holding between 2020 and 2022 as Director of Corporate Affairs. As of March 2022, Sami Çebi is the CEO of SICPA Türkiye.

Shirin Frangoul-Brückner

Founding Partner & Managing Director, Atelier Brückner

Shirin Frangoul-Brückner

Founding Partner & Managing Director, Atelier Brückner

Shirin Frangoul-Brückner, born in 1967 in Baghdad, is the visionary architect and founding partner of ATELIER BRÜCKNER. She established the company in 1997 alongside Uwe R. Brückner, transforming it from a small laboratory for scenography and architecture into a globally recognized leader in museum planning and exhibition design. Guided by the principle of "making the impossible possible," Shirin excels in new business, contracts, and management, but still being involved in the design process of various projects. In 2024, Shirin is proudly honored as a SEGD Fellow, an international recognition for visionary leaders and trailblazors whose work sets the gold standard in design excellence and leadership. Additionally, she is one of The Power 10 of the prestigious Blooloop 50 Museum Influencer List 2024. The firm operates with 130 employees across its Stuttgart and Seoul offices, working on both temporary and permanent projects worldwide. Faced with extraordinary challenges like the Grand Egyptian Museum in Giza and the Museum of the Future in Dubai, Shirin and her team continue to push the boundaries of exhibition design, creating interactive and engaging spaces. The exceptional storytelling and multi-sensory design methods have significantly shaped the fields of museum and exhibition design. Current projects of ATELIER BRÜCKNER include the UAE Pavilion for Expo 2025 in Japan, the Al Fahidi Fort in Dubai and the Mukaab in Saudi Arabia.

Taha Alhindi

Business Development Manager, ERCO Dubai

Taha Alhindi

Business Development Manager, ERCO Dubai

Taha Alhindi is a seasoned Architectural Lighting Specialist with over a decade of experience in the industry. Having earned his Bachelor of Engineering in Electronic and Communications Engineering from London, he initially worked as an electrical engineer before transitioning to the world of architectural lighting. After a brief stint as an electrical engineer, Taha transitioned to the architectural lighting sector. He has spent the last 9 years at ERCO, collaborating closely with lighting consultants, architects, interior designers, and electrical engineers on a diverse range of projects across the MENA region and beyond. Passionate about the transformative power of light, Taha is committed to enhancing architecture and society through innovative lighting solutions. He is particularly interested in exploring the impact of light on our daily lives in various spaces and its environmental implications. In his current role as Business Development Manager at ERCO, he is dedicated to expanding the company's market presence in the MENA region.

Dr. Tobias Horn

M.A., M.Sc., Heritage Conservator

Dr. Tobias Horn

M.A., M.Sc., Heritage Conservator

Tobias Horn has worked for over two decades on behalf of the German Archaeological Institute, as well as numerous universities and museums, serving as a monument conservator, building researcher, and trainer at archaeological sites across the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. His work has primarily focused on designing and implementation of conservation measures at archaeological sites, with an emphasis on integrating scientific fieldwork, practical building maintenance and considerations for tourist development. He currently serves as a research assistant in the Building Department of the Klassik-Stiftung Weimar (Germany), where he is responsible for conserving buildings that are part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site “Classical Weimar.” A trained stonemason and stone sculptor, he commenced his career contributing to the reconstruction of the Dresden Frauenkirche. He later pursued a master’s degree in art history and geology at the University of Jena, followed by a second master’s degree in building research and monument conservation at the Technical University of Berlin. His doctoral thesis focused on the conservation and restoration of a Byzantine basilica in Syria, offering a comparative analysis of protective measures for archaeological sites in similar contexts.

Dr. Youssef El Khoury

Head of Permanent Galleries and External Artwork Unit, Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum

Dr. Youssef El Khoury

Head of Permanent Galleries and External Artwork Unit, Louvre Abu Dhabi Museum

Dr. Youssef El Khoury is an architect since 2001 with a specialization degree in conservation of historic monuments and archeological sites since 2003. His main design practice was based in Berlin, focused on exhibition design as well planning and refurbishment of archeological sites. In addition to restoration and modern adaptive reuse, designing and building on existing fabric, he also worked and teached on building archeology in the context of traditional and vernacular architecture. In 2015 he received his doctoral degree from the Technische Universität Berlin, Institut Bauforschung und Denkmalpflege (Technical University of Berlin, Institute of Building Archeology and Heritage Preservation) the title of his work is: ‘A House of many Faces - Additions and Interventions by Architects on Vernacular and Traditional Domestic Architecture in Mount-Lebanon from the 1920s until Today’. Beyond the historic and geographic context, the focus of the work is how interventions on existing buildings and spaces change and affect them. Youssef was employed as researcher and exhibition designer at the Pergamon Museum in Berlin, Museum of Islamic Art since 2009, until he joined the LAD team in March 2020 as Permanent Galleries and External Artwork Unit Head.

Y. Burak Dolu

Architect, M.Arch., Founder, Koop Architects

Y. Burak Dolu

Architect, M.Arch., Founder, Koop Architects

Yusuf Burak Dolu, an award-winning architect, specializes in conservation and cultural projects. A graduate of Yıldız Technical, Istanbul Technical, and Athens Technical Universities, he founded KOOP in 2013, focusing on historic buildings, adaptive reuse, and museums, combining conservation with modern design. His Seddülbahir Fortress project earned the 2024 Turkish Association of Architects Special Jury Award, the Chamber of Architects XIX National Architecture Exhibition Building Award, and was a finalist for the 2024 World Architecture Festival (Culture, Best Use of Stone) and Architizer A+ Awards. In 2023, it was a finalist for the International DOMUS Award for Restoration and Preservation. Other achievements include second prize in the 2023 Konya Alaeddin Hill II. Kılıçarslan Mansion Competition, first prize for the 2020 Halil Kaya Grave project, and the 2019 Turgut Cansever Award for Taraklı Town Square. His Akçakocabey Mosque was recognized at the 2018 National Architecture Awards and the 2015 Arkitera Turkey Architecture Annual. Dolu’s work reflects a strong commitment to blending heritage with innovation.

Dr. Zaki Aslan

DCT Abu Dhabi Advisor & Professor of Practice at American University of Sharjah

Dr. Zaki Aslan

DCT Abu Dhabi Advisor & Professor of Practice at American University of Sharjah

Dr. Zaki Aslan, Advisor at the Culture Sector of the Department of Culture and Tourism, Abu Dhabi, and Professor of Practice at the American University of Sharjah (College of Architecture, Art and Design), is an architect, planner, educator, and specialist in the cultural and heritage fields. He served for 21 years as the founding director of the ICCROM-Sharjah Regional Conservation Centre in the UAE when he led programs for the Arab region from Rome, Italy (2003–2011) and later from Sharjah, UAE (2012–2023). He previously advised several GCC and Arab government, managed projects and provided technical guidance on heritage conservation and management, national planning and policies, World Heritage, and field projects, including public outreach, capacity building, and curriculum development. His work has involved collaborations with UNESCO, the EU, the Getty Conservation Institute (GCI), the British Council, GIZ, USAID, ICOMOS, and other institutions. Dr. Aslan is a member of several advisory and steering committees, including ASOR, EAMENA, the UAE-funded Mosul Project, TERRA 2022/2026, ALIPH, PWC, the Welfare Association, the Saudi Government, and others. He published extensively and has served as a keynote speaker and scientific committee member at various international conferences in the heritage fields. His expertise in Cultural Heritage Conservation is backed by a Ph.D. in Heritage Conservation and Management from University College London (UCL), UK, and an MSc in Conservation of the Built Environment from the University of Montreal, Canada.

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