UOS’s Francophonie Center marks Intl Francophonie Day

The celebration drew a distinguished guest list, including His Excellency Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Chairman of Sharjah’s Department of Government Relations, who attended as guest of honour. Joining him were His Excellency Dr. Salem Al Neyadi, the UAE’s Ambassador to the International Organisation of La Francophonie; Sheikha Raad bint Fahim Al Qasimi, Francophonie Relations Executive at the Department of Government Relations; His Excellency Seko Kamara, Ambassador of the Republic of Kenya to the UAE and his deputy; Prof. Yousef Haik, Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; Prof. Adnan Serhan, Dean of the College of Law; and Prof. Rasha Hattab, Director of the Francophonie Center.

In his opening remarks, Prof. Yousef Haik welcomed His Excellency Sheikh Fahim and the audience, underscoring the University of Sharjah’s steady march toward global prominence. He highlighted the University’s comprehensive strategy to bolster its international standing through robust partnerships with academic, research, and cultural institutions worldwide. What sets the University of Sharjah apart, he noted, is its extraordinary cultural diversity noting that it is home to students from over 100 nationalities making it a true crossroads of civilisations and a vibrant platform for intercultural dialogue.

In his turn, His Excellency Dr. Salem Al Neyadi emphasised the significance of this annual occasion in strengthening bonds of friendship and cooperation with the International Organisation of La Francophonie, the world’s second-largest international organisation, uniting 90 member states across five continents. He stressed that cultural and linguistic diversity is fundamental to fostering tolerance, coexistence, and mutual respect. His Excellency Dr. Al Neyadi pointed out that the UAE’s commitment to the Francophone world, since joining the organisation in 2010, reflects the forward-looking vision of its leadership. He also commended the University of Sharjah’s outstanding efforts to promote the French language and to deepen scientific collaboration with Francophone academic institutions, thanks in large part to the pioneering work of the Francophonie Center, the first of its kind in the country.

Guest of honor His Excellency Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi paid tribute to the visionary leadership of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, whose dedication has transformed Sharjah into a beacon of knowledge and culture, open to the world yet firmly rooted in its identity. His Excellency Sheikh Fahim spoke passionately about the power of language, describing it as far more than a tool for communication. “It is a vessel of culture and identity, a bridge to understanding and connection,” he noted. He emphasised that mastering another’s language is the key to grasping the depth of their culture, traditions, and worldview. His Excellency concluded by affirming the vital role of cultural exchange and international cooperation in building bridges of understanding between nations, paving the way for a brighter future for humanity.

In her address to the gathering, Prof. Rasha Hattab, Director of the Francophonie Center, highlighted the University’s growing community of nearly seventy French-speaking or French-learning students. She praised the center’s expanding role in fostering regional academic cooperation, especially following its recent hosting of the Conference of University Presidents in the Middle East. Prof. Hattab noted that the Francophone Student Club embodies a new generation that embraces French as a living, shared culture on campus and beyond. She pointed to the center’s partnerships with Arab and international institutions, which are opening doors to joint programs, promising research, and training opportunities. UoS, she affirmed, is determined to make Sharjah a beacon of Francophone culture in the Gulf.

The festivities featured a vibrant array of activities, including a student exhibition celebrating French culture and history, a dialogue session between students and Sheikha Raad bint Fahim Al Qasimi, and a series of workshops on topics such as international law, Napoleonic legal terminology, women’s suffrage, and the Arabic words and phrases borrowed into French. The event concluded with the announcement of scholarships for French language study at the Vichy Institute in France and at the Alliance Française in Sharjah, rewarding the University’s most promising Francophone students.