The Africa Institute has brought to life an idea that was outlined in 1976, which was to set up a dedicated institute for the studies of Africa, its people, and interactions with the Arabs. This was after Sharjah hosted the first symposium on Africa and Arab relations, a groundbreaking conference that led to significant developments in the scholarly field. The government of the Emirate alongside other seasoned scholars never gave up on this idea, and on June 6, 2018, The Africa Institute attained its decree.Talking about what attaining the decree and becoming a fully-fledged institution meant, the Company’s Spokesperson said, “Ideas never die, and it is amazing that decades after there was an agreement amongst respected Africa and Arab scholars to establish an academic research institute, one has been founded. This was to us, a mark that the future holds greater potentials for Africa and the Arab Gulf region that have over the millennia had lots of interactions. We are keen on providing the right pathway by providing scholars with an institute that prepares them to be the new generation of critical thinkers and researchers.”
As a postgraduate institution, the Africa Institute in Sharjah seeks to be a pacesetter when it comes to the research, documentation, study, and teaching of African and African diaspora studies. The goal is to be a model center of excellence that will usher a new era of scholars to unravel the complicated past, present, and future of Africa. The Africa Institute believes that African studies are not restrained to geographical boundaries but a global enterprise that must be given a holistic approach.
Speaking about how hosting events is part of their mandate, the Company’s Spokesperson said, “The aim of researching and teaching about Africa and its global relations is to enlighten all interested parties on these aspects. A suitable channel for reaching out to the general public in the most practical way is by hosting events that make it easier to showcase various aspects of scholarly findings in captivating ways. The rebuilding of the Africa Hall offers the perfect avenue where all these events can be hosted in a space with a rich history.”
The first conference that The Africa Institute hosted in the Africa Hall after it was rebuilt was the Global Africa conference. Held in March between the dates of 12th and 14th, the theme of the conference was African and African studies in the 21st century. It was, therefore, a significant milestone for The Africa Institute as not only did they make the hall bring back memories of the past, but it set a pathway for the future. Most importantly, this conference attracted lots of scholars who provided a channel for future studies.
About The Africa Institute
The Africa Institute was established as the first institute to provide African and African diaspora studies with the vision of uncovering the complicated past of Africa and its people while strengthening the Afro-Arab relations.