For the fifth consecutive year, Sharjah Museums Department (SMD) concluded its popular annual ‘Outstanding Guide’ training programme for young people in late June. Organized in collaboration with Sharjah’s Youth and Girls’ Centres, the educational initiative was held at the Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization and aimed at teaching participants how to be an informative and engaging museum guide.

The innovative four-day programme briefed young people between the ages of 12 and 15 on the important role that guides play in Sharjah Museums. Attendees learned how to impart cultural knowledge to visitors by perusing museum collections and by using strategies of engagement that capture their imagination and keep their interest. Participants finished the course with a great appreciation of how important museum guides are in education within both local and international communities.

Guides from Sharjah Museum of Islamic Civilization host the programme, providing hands-on coaching on topics such as the fundamental skills and expertise required, as well as the qualities one should possess to enter this rewarding cultural career. Future guides were given the opportunity to create their own museum tour based on artworks of their choice.

The ‘Outstanding Guide’ programme included various activities and competitions, designed to teach the young museum guides how to pass their knowledge and experience meaningfully on into the future. The course inspired a love of museums among today’s young Emiratis and sow the first seeds for a future generation of outstanding, professional Emarati museum guides.

The initiative forms part of SMD’s commitment to help keep students positively engaged in productive and useful activities during the summer and to encourage them to better invest their leisure time through diverse activities that develop and sharpen their skills and help them acquire new knowledge while having fun.

For more information about Sharjah Museums Department, please visit www.sharjahmuseums.ae

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