AUD is pleased to announce that three of our Architecture students have been selected to participate in H.H. Sheikha Manal’s Art Exchange Program as part of the delegation going to Hong Kong.
 
As a patron of the arts, H.H. Sheikha Manal Bint Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, President of Dubai Women Establishment and wife of H.H Sheikh Mansour Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs, founded the Sheikha Manal Art Exchange Program to initiate a dialogue through art to foster genuine understanding, respect, and appreciation between diverse cultures. This initiative is a series of educational partnerships with renowned institutions and organizations, whose primary goal is to inculcate and recognize creative in the realm of art and culture.[1]
 
AUD was invited to nominate students from the School of Architecture, Art and Design to take part in H.H. Sheikha Manal’s Art Exchange Program (AEP). The selected students were the crème de la crème in terms of academic performance as well as professional skills. The selected ladies are all known for their high work ethics, passion for their professions and excellent performance.
 
The participants in the AEP were ten young Emirati women artists including three AUD Architecture students; Amna Bin Thaneya, Sara Al Bastaki, and Marieh Sharaf.
 
When in Hong Kong the delegation experienced the Art Basel Fair, some of the most prominent art establishments, and a number of educational institutes, in addition to various visits and meetings with international artists and experts, as well as tours of key historical and cultural locations.
 
“The trip was a great platform for us as students to experience the cultural and artistic side of Hong Kong. It was a once in a lifetime hands on experience to the social and art scene in East Asia, which allowed for a new perspective on my own work. The trip opened up not only my mind but also so many opportunities with influential people in the business” shared Marieh Sharaf.
 
AUD student Sara Al Bastaki adds, “Art has always been part of my life.  It was even more reinforced in university with my architecture pursuit. Art and architecture always coexist together - Sheikha Manal's AEP gave us the opportunity to not only emphasize on that idea but also to have the chance to experience the city and explore its different art and architecture.  It gave us the chance to understand how art can shape us and therefore shape the community as a whole. This program is giving me the chance to highlight the artistic aspect in me and to have the chance to explore it.”
 
The Sheikha Manal Art Exchange Program will culminate with the hosting of a special art exhibition allowing the participants to showcase works of art inspired by this collective creative experience in Hong Kong. The exhibition is scheduled in October 2014.
 
"We were certain our selected ladies would be great ambassadors for AUD. We are proud of their accomplishments and we are thankful to H.H. Sheikha Manal and her esteemed team for the continuous support to the architecture, art and design industries. It is with leaders like Her Highness that these industries are bound to flourish more and more" concluded Prof. Dina Faour, Associate Professor of Advertising.