Sharjah, UK deepen ties in culture, education and creative sectors
Focus on joint educational programmes between British universities and the emirate
SHARJAH recently welcomed a high-level British Embassy delegation for a strategic meeting hosted by the Department of Government Relations (DGR) at the House of Wisdom, focusing on enhancing partnerships across culture, education, and the creative industries.
The meeting aligned with Sharjah’s 2025 development agenda and explored opportunities to bolster institutional ties with UK-based counterparts.
The session brought together key officials, led by Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi, Chairman of DGR, and Edward Hobart, British Ambassador to the UAE. Joining them were Sarah Mooney, British Trade Commissioner for the Middle East and Pakistan; Sheikh Majid bin Abdullah Al Qasimi, Director of DGR; Stacy Keating, Second Secretary (Political Affairs) at the British Embassy in the UAE; Amanda Buckley, Cultural Affairs Officer; and Martin Daltry, Country Director for the British Council in the UAE.
Shared vision
The dialogue centred on strengthening bilateral cooperation across cultural diplomacy and academic exchange. Sheikh Fahim Al Qasimi underscored the emirate’s long-standing commitment to building international bridges through intellectual collaboration. He said that Sharjah, under the vision of Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, views knowledge and cultural engagement as vital foundations for sustainable global partnerships.
“Our meeting with the British Embassy delegation is an extension of this vision and a reflection of a deep-rooted belief that knowledge-based partnerships are the foundation of such engagement,” he noted. “These partnerships have already fostered a thriving cultural and intellectual movement within the emirate.”
Academic partnerships
Education was a central theme during the discussions. Delegates explored potential collaboration between Sharjah-based institutions and British universities to develop joint academic programmes, particularly in fields such as media, engineering, and humanities. The initiative aims to cement Sharjah’s growing role as a regional education hub and facilitate knowledge exchange across borders.
By aligning curricula and resources, both sides seek to open new opportunities for students and researchers, strengthening the educational ties between the UAE and the UK.
Creative economy boost
Creative industry development was also high on the agenda. The British delegation was briefed on Sharjah’s efforts to support arts, design, digital media, and content creation. A notable focus was on the newly established Sharjah Creative Quarter (SCQ), launched in January 2025, which serves as a platform to nurture cultural entrepreneurs and enhance the creative economy.
The SCQ's vision includes launching joint cultural events, encouraging artistic innovation, and creating pipelines for shared expertise and collaboration. Both parties identified multiple areas of alignment where British and Sharjah-based institutions could combine efforts to advance cultural dialogue and economic innovation.
The meeting further highlighted Sharjah’s capability to host impactful collaborations thanks to the integration of its creative economy within its broader infrastructure. The British delegation expressed interest in pursuing long-term cooperation strategies and exploring shared priorities outlined in the UK’s 2025 programme objectives.