Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities (MBZUH) has launched a master's degree in Emirati Folk Literature, marking a significant milestone in the preservation and academic study of the UAE's cultural heritage. The programme, developed in collaboration with the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, represents the first specialised graduate degree-of-its-kind in the region dedicated to the scholarly examination of Emirati folk literature through contemporary research methodologies and rigorous academic frameworks.
In the presence of Major General Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, and His Excellency Dr Mohammed Rashid Al Hamli, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities, the agreement was signed by His Excellency Abdullah Mubarak Al Muhairi, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, and His Excellency Dr Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of the University. The signing ceremony took place at Al Raha Beach Theatre in Abu Dhabi, coinciding with the third episode of the Million’s Poet programme, and was attended by a number of officials, as well as distinguished writers, poets, and specialists interested in Emirati folk literature.
The collaboration reflects both entities’ commitment to training researchers capable of analysing the cultural and historical contexts of Emirati folk literature, thereby illuminating the inherited values that form an integral part of the nation's identity. Under the terms of the agreement, both parties will promote this distinctive specialisation among Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority staff and cultural heritage enthusiasts, while facilitating knowledge exchange, establishing joint research teams, and organising collaborative cultural and scholarly activities that foster national pride and strengthen Emirati identity.
The master's programme offers an in-depth examination of Emirati folk literature, including its sources, genres, prominent figures, distinguishing characteristics, and artistic evolution. Students will engage in comparative analysis with regional and international folk literature traditions, while conducting critical examinations of Emirati folk texts within their historical, social, and cultural contexts. The programme aligns with the UAE's national vision, which prioritises the strengthening of national identity and cultural belonging.
The curriculum encompasses various forms of Emirati folk literature, including those with roots in global literary traditions as well as those representing uniquely Emirati cultural expressions in poetry and prose. This approach highlights authentic Emirati values and their crucial role in reinforcing social cohesion and strengthening community bonds.
Graduates of the programme are expected to have gained expertise in identifying and characterising diverse sources and genres of Emirati folk literature as well as conducting comparative analyses of Emirati folk literary production with Gulf and international counterparts.
They will also be capable of applying specialised scholarly methodologies to analyse folk texts and integrating research findings into academic scholarship, in addition to leveraging modern digital tools for documentation, analysis, and scholarly authentication of oral folk texts.
His Excellency Abdullah Mubarak Al Muhairi, Acting Director General of the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, stated that the partnership agreement with Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities to launch the Master’s Program in Emirati Folk Literature comes within the framework of joint cooperation in conducting studies and research aimed at preserving the UAE’s cultural heritage and strengthening its presence in both academic and community spheres.
His Excellency Al Muhairi emphasised that Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority attaches great importance to documenting and studying Emirati folk literature as an integral part of the nation’s collective memory and a cornerstone of its cultural identity. His Excellency Al Muhairi noted that this strategic partnership with Mohamed Bin Zayed University for Humanities represents a significant step toward establishing specialised academic studies in Emirati folk literature and enriching the cultural landscape through scholarly research that contributes to transmitting the nation’s heritage to future generations.
His Excellency Dr Khalifa Mubarak Al Dhaheri, Chancellor of MBZUH, emphasised the institution's role as a firm supporter of national initiatives focused on safeguarding cultural heritage and preserving Emirati identity and said: "This partnership with the Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority exemplifies institutional integration aligned with the UAE's recently launched National Identity Strategy. Through distinctive academic programmes, we ensure that Emirati heritage maintains a prominent position in research and education."
His Excellency Dr Sultan Al Amimi, Executive Director of Poetry & Legacy Sector at Abu Dhabi Heritage Authority, described the programme as "a transformative development in humanities education in the UAE. This is the first programme of its kind in the nation's higher education sector and represents a significant scholarly advancement that will serve Emirati heritage and folk literature within a rigorous academic context, elevating research and educational achievements related to Emirati identity and its tangible and intangible heritage."
