Sharjah Museums Authority (SMA) is hosting a virtual conference tomorrow, coinciding with International Museum Day, to explore the digitalisation practices in museums and cultural institutions. Titled "The Role of Digitalising Collections in Museums and Cultural Institutions towards the Sustainable Development of our Communities," the conference comprises three sessions focusing on critical aspects of digitisation and preservation.

SMA is also commemorating the international day by offering free admission to all its museums on May 18th.

The conference will commence at 10 am with a keynote address by Manal Ataya, the Director General of SMA.

It aims to examine the latest trends, technologies, and practices employed by cultural institutions in the Arab region and beyond to digitise and archive collections, promote sustainable practices, and engage audiences through digital platforms. Ataya emphasised the importance of utilising new platforms and technologies to safeguard cultural heritage and ensure widespread global access.

She further highlighted SMA's commitment to promoting art and culture in ways that support the sustainable development of the community. Ataya cited the augmented reality project in Khor Fakkan as an example of blending virtual and physical worlds to provide interactive and immersive experiences for visitors.

The first session, moderated by Hazelle Page, Collections Management Manager at SMA, will discuss new platforms and technologies used for digitizing collections and fostering sustainable practices in museums and cultural institutions. The session will cover topics such as blockchain technology for securing and tracking the provenance of digital objects, artificial intelligence and machine learning for automating digitisation processes, and virtual and augmented reality for creating immersive visitor experiences.

Renowned speakers including representatives from The Palestinian Museum, Louvre Abu Dhabi, and ICCROM-Sharjah Regional Conservation Centre will share case studies and address the impact of digital archives on accessing cultural heritage.

The second session, titled "How are different institutions digitising and archiving collections of importance to the Arab region?," will feature presentations by industry experts who will share successful digitisation projects, examine the influence of digital archives on cultural heritage access, and explore the challenges and opportunities associated with new platforms and technologies.

Concluding the conference, the session "Engaging audiences through digital platforms," moderated by Dr. Gokce Okandan from the American University of Sharjah, will focus on utilising emerging technologies like virtual reality, augmented reality, social media, and mobile apps to enhance visitor experiences, promote education, and drive engagement.

The conference will conclude at 2 pm, providing industry professionals with valuable insights into the opportunities and challenges surrounding digitalization in museums and cultural institutions.

As part of the ongoing celebrations, SMA will organise various activities and workshops from May 19th to May 25th. These include Laughter Yoga sessions aimed at promoting a happier and healthier lifestyle, as well as workshops on sustainability topics such as recycling, pottery making, renewable energy, and traditional crafts. Visitors can also explore the mysteries of the UAE's ancient irrigation system, marine ecosystem, palm trees, and decorate paper bags with geometric patterns. Sharjah Aquarium will additionally provide a walk-in meditation room for visitors seeking serenity and tranquility.