Abu Dhabi Women's College organizes UAE Heritage Exhibit

The exhibit, "Our Heritage and Legacy," is a collaboration between ADWC and Dr. Ahmed Khoori, a private collector. Dr. Khoori, who works as a manager at Abu Dhabi Company for Onshore Oil Operations (ADCO), also volunteers as the chair of the College's Business Program Advisory Committee. He provided the College with access to and information about his collection, and with his support ADWC created the exhibit. The inauguration of "Our Heritage" coincided with the week of World Heritage Day, and the exhibit will be open to public viewing at ADWC's Emirates Hall on workdays from 26 April through 7 May.

Over many years, Dr. Khoori has collected items that remind him of old times. "We have such a rich culture," he said. "Appreciating our heritage can keep us grounded amid the many changes in today's world." His passion for preserving the past has led him to many sites around the Gulf region in search of items as varied as those that make up ADWC's heritage exhibit.

Included in the exhibit are items as old as handwritten copies of the Holy Qur'an, preserved over hundreds of years, as well as antiques as "new" as 1920s telephones imported to the Emirates from the UK. Many items will be familiar to residents of the UAE, such as ornate carved doors and silver jewelry. Other items used in the UAE before its oil industry developed, such as a balance scale made out of palm frond baskets, may give viewers a new perspective on life in the Gulf in centuries past.

Dr. Bradley Cook, ADWC's Director, pointed out that UAE national students at the College have been influenced by Western culture and technology while preparing themselves for careers.

"Hosting an exhibit featuring traditional UAE culture can help students, as they look toward their future, to remember the way things used to be, and to value their heritage. Our late president, HH Sheikh Zayed (may God bless his soul) 'Those who do not have a past have neither a present nor a future.' Our president HH Sheikh Khalifa (may God protect him) has said, 'Anyone lacking understanding of their identity is destined to remain in obscurity.' These statements clearly oblige us, as Emirati citizens, to take pride in our culture and heritage even while we build up our country socio-economically."

Abu Dhabi Women's College is part of the Higher Colleges of Technology. All media references to the organization should be noted as the Higher Colleges of Technology's Abu Dhabi Women's College or Abu Dhabi Women's College of HCT.