UAEBBY announces establishment of its first board members

The new board includes Noura Al Noman, Director of the Executive Office of HH Sheikha Jawaher Al Qasimi, wife of His Highness the Ruler of Sharjah, and Marwa Obaid Al Aqroubi, Business Development Manager at the Executive Office of Sheikha Bodour Al Qasimi.

It also includes Maitha Al Khayat, a children's book author and illustrator; Qais Mohammed Sidqi, publisher and founder of PageFlip Publishing; Shaikha Al Mehairi, Head of Library Services at the Abu Dhabi Authority for Tourism and Culture; Nasser Ahmed Nasrallah, Vice Chairman of the Emirates Fine Arts Society; and Rashid Al Kous, Project Manager of Knowledge without Borders.

During the meeting, Marwa Al Aqroubi was unanimously selected as the President of the UAEBBY Board Members due to her vast experience in the field and her wide network of professional contacts in children's literature on both the Arab and international levels. The board will serve for a term of two years as of the date of their appointment.

Sheikha Bodour expressed her delight and satisfaction with the establishment of the UAEBBY's first board members, and proclaimed her confidence in its members. She bid them every success in executing their new assignments and wished them the attainment of good results in the near future.

"Since the establishment of the UAEBBY in January 2012, we have been striving to bring about a positive change in children's literature by raising awareness and highlighting the importance of promoting children's literature and fostering a love of and respect for culture among children and young people. We have always been keen to provide tools and lend support to help promote children's literature and culture. To this end programmes and workshops were organized to enhance the concept of having fun through reading, as well as various projects that stimulate and encourage children and young people to read and be creative," Sheikha Bodour said.

She added, "The UAEBBY has contributed to enriching Emirati and Arabic children's literature, and we have previously appointed 12 ambassadors of writers, illustrators and publishers. The most active and interactive ambassadors were selected as members of the first UAEBBY Board, so as to press ahead with our plans and approach to achieve further successes and to create a generation of book lovers and readers. Each member possesses the drive to bring about a real change to children's lives and future through books."

Marwa Al Aqroubi expressed her pride in officially joining the board alongside and elite group of writers and illustrators - and being elected President of UAEBBY Board Members - stressing that the official assignment of board members will better enable the team to formulate and put into action ideas and plans.

"This important step is a step in the right direction, and we will move forward with confidence and composure to achieve the objectives of the UAEBBY," she said.

Al Arqoubi delivered a presentation in which she explained the objectives, assignments and plans of the Board. She also reviewed all the UAEBBY's projects and achievements since its inception, including the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature, the Made in the UAE project, the Sharjah IBBY Fund, and its various international participations.

During the meeting, board members exchanged views and discussed the necessary steps to continue the board's work and function, expressing their sincere desire to continue the forward stride in terms of achievements.

Noura Al Noman said, "We will work devotedly to strengthen the UAEBBY's position and reputation locally through a series of events and innovative and effective initiatives, and then continue our work on a regional and international scale." She called on various government organizations and departments to cooperate with the board to achieve its goals, which ultimately to aid the nation's future generations."

Board members have excellent experiences in the field of children's literature: Noura Al Noman obtained her Bachelor's Degree in English Language and Master's Degree in Translation; she has translated several books and published two books for children with Kalimat publishing house. Ajwan, her first novel for young adults was published in 2012.

Maitha Al Khayat is a children's book author and illustrator who has been passionate about reading and writing since childhood. A graduate of Business Administration, Maitha authored several books, among which is the award-winning My Own Special Way.

Nasir Nasrallah serves as the Vice Chairman of the Emirates Fine Arts Society who has participated in several exhibitions and seminars and also hosted workshops and training courses. He has contributed illustrations to children's books and won the first place at the 30th Emirates Fine Arts session exhibition.

Marwa Al Aqroubi completed her Bachelor's Degree in Information Science at the Zayed University in Dubai. She holds the position of Business Develoment Manager in Sheikha Bodour's Executive Office as well as handling the operations of the The UAE Boards on Books for Young People. She has been involved in the coordination of the Etisalat Award for Arabic Children's Literature. She is also the author of the children's book Ahmed El Helo.

Qais M. Sedki obtained a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Information Systems and a Masters in Business Administration. In 2008, Sedki was able to realise his true passion when he set up PageFlip Publishing house where he published his first title for young adults, The Gold Ring, which has won the Sheikh Zayed Book Award - Children's Literature in 2010.

Shaikha Al Mehairi who holds a BA in Arts, English Language and Literature from UAE University and a Masters in Educational Leadership at Zayed University in 2007. She is currently the Library Services Manager at the TCA National Library and is a City and Guilds, UK, Certified Trainer.

Rashid Al Kous holds a Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration; he served as the head of the Economic Promotion Section at the Sharjah Chamber of Commerce and Industry. He then worked for the Sharjah Radio before joining the Cultural Office of H.E Sheikha Bodour bint Sultan Al Qasimi. He currently holds the post of the Project Manager of Knowledge without Borders

UAEBBY is the National Section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), which was established in Zurich, Switzerland in 1953 and is present in 77 countries around the world. It is a non-profit, non-governmental organization that represents an international network of individuals and institutions that are dedicated to promoting children's literature and the children's book industry, fostering a love of and respect for culture among children and young people in the world.