Today's Edition
AMEINAH ALZEYOUDI (ABU DHABI)
Zayed National Museum and West Dean College of Arts, Design, Craft and Conservation have partnered to create a new conservation certificate that will groom the next generation of conservation experts while bolstering the UAE’s cultural preservation competence.
Supported by Mubadala Investment Company via the Mubadala Foundation, the Associate Conservator Diploma integrates academic study with hands-on experience in several cultural institutions around the United Arab Emirates.
Fatima Mansoor Al Tamimi, the museum’s Conservation Unit Head at the Curatorial & Collection Management Department, told Aletihad that the programme has been designed not only to provide academic training, but also to create meaningful pathways into professional practice through direct engagement with cultural institutions across the country.
She explained that the diploma’s combination of theoretical instruction and practical experience allows learners to acquire skills that are in line with national and international conservation standards, while also gaining knowledge of the cultural assets and collections of the United Arab Emirates.
A four-week placement in various UAE cultural institutions forms a key part of the programme, giving students the chance to put what they’ve learned into practice in expert museum and heritage settings.
According to Al Tamimi, the programme’s integrated approach sets it apart from other courses, as it integrates academic research, practical conservation experience, and scientific understanding within the framework of the UAE’s cultural setting.
The diploma programme uses a hybrid learning approach that blends online self-directed study, practical internships, and in-person instruction at Zayed National Museum.
Al Tamimi said: “This structure allows participants to engage with collections and conservation challenges that are regionally relevant while also applying what they learn directly within professional museum and heritage environments.”
She pointed out that the programme is based on both the unique circumstances and preservation requirements of heritage collections in the UAE, in addition to global best practices.
Al Tamimi explained how environmental factors might affect the preservation of cultural heritage, especially in areas where artifacts may be impacted by temperature and humidity over time.
“The training directly addresses these challenges by providing participants with the technical skills and critical understanding required to care for collections in accordance with professional conservation standards and ethical frameworks.”
Through scientific theory, hands-on workshops, and institutional training, participants will learn about long-term collection maintenance and preventive conservation techniques, which will help them gain both technical proficiency and contextual awareness.
Beyond the certification itself, the programme seeks to promote participants’ ongoing academic and professional development, enabling them to pursue employment in conservation practice or further education.
Al Tamimi noted that there is already interest in supporting upcoming cohorts over the next two years and described the diploma as a significant first step in bolstering conservation training opportunities in the UAE.
Additionally, she emphasised the value of international cooperation in cultural education and knowledge sharing, stating that the connection with West Dean College offers chances for ongoing education and career advancement in the UAE’s heritage sector.
“The programme has the potential to contribute to wider discussions about conservation training, specialised heritage education, and future collaborations that further strengthen the UAE’s cultural and conservation landscape as it develops,” she stated.
Year one of the programme will run from August to January 2027. Recruitment is open until June 2026.
