The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, part of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Germany’s Leipzig University to collaborate on research projects that focus on the Arabic language, as well as to work together to organise events and conferences that promote the language around the world.
The agreement was signed by H.E. Dr. Ali bin Tamim, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre, and Professor Dr. Sebastian Maisel, Director of the Oriental Institute and Professor of Arabic Language and Translation at Leipzig University, in the presence of H.E. Hafsa Abdullah Mohammed Al Ulama, UAE ambassador to Germany and Saeed Hamdan Al Tunaiji, Director of the Creative Content Department at the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre.
H.E. Dr. bin Tamim said: “We take pride in our partnership with Leipzig University, one of Germany’s most prominent institutions that has incorporated the Arabic language into its faculties for decades. This collaboration is another important milestone in our mission of promoting the Arabic language globally as a language of knowledge, culture and creativity, enhancing its presence and use particularly in Germany and Europe. As we aim to advance the Arabic language across all fields, this strategic alliance will bolster its continued development through shared research, leveraging of expertise, and joint projects.”
This agreement aims to define the framework and principles of partnership between the two entities as they partner to develop Arabic language teaching and learning, collaborate on research, and organise conferences to expand the language’s reach.
H.E. Hafsa Abdullah Mohammed Al Ulama, UAE ambassador to Germany said: "The Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre has a track record of forging meaningful strategic partnerships with prestigious local and international entities, and this agreement with Leipzig University comes to reaffirm the depth of the bilateral relations between the UAE and the Federal Republic of Germany – specifically in the field of cultural exchange. This partnership represents an important milestone is reinforcing the presence of the Arabic language and culture in Germany and the European Union at large.”
Professor Dr. Sebastian Maisel, Director of the Oriental Institute and Professor of Arabic Language and Translation at Leipzig University, said: “We are proud of this strategic partnership with the Abu Dhabi Arabic Language Centre – One of the most important organisations in the field of Arabic language development within the Arab region and globally. While this agreement is in line with our mandate and continuous work to promote and develop the Arabic language, we consider this MoU a new starting point for a set of truly distinct cultural, linguistic and academic initiatives, which we hope will make a significant contribution to this field.”
The partnership also allows both parties to benefit from each other’s scientific, academic and practical expertise. Each will be able to leverage the other’s research and academic capabilities, with joint projects contributing to the creation of a fertile environment for the presence of the Arabic language among students and young researchers.