In Recognition of His Efforts in Supporting Culture
The Dr. Sultan Al Qasimi Centre recalled the honorary doctorate awarded to His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, by the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid — one of Spain’s most prestigious universities, founded in 1968 — during an official ceremony held in Madrid on October 10, 2019.
The ceremony was attended by the university’s president, deans of faculties, and a number of Spanish academic and political leaders, in an international scientific recognition that reflects His Highness’s standing and his prominent role in supporting culture and knowledge.
During the event, held at the university’s headquarters, His Highness expressed his pride in receiving this distinguished academic honor from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, renowned for its excellence among Spanish and European universities.
He highlighted the deep cultural and academic ties between Sharjah and Spain, noting that cooperation dates back to 1996, when the Spanish archaeological mission from the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid began its excavations in the central region of Sharjah in collaboration with the Sharjah Archaeology Authority. These ongoing missions have led to significant discoveries, including architectural remains and archaeological artifacts that paint a vivid picture of a large settlement that flourished during the Iron Age in the first millennium BC.
Among the most notable discoveries was one made in 2002, when the mission uncovered ancient underground irrigation channels designed with an advanced engineering system dating back to the Iron Age. Considered the oldest of its kind discovered to date, this system coincided with the domestication of camels, facilitating travel and trade while enabling agricultural communities to adapt to their desert environment. A facility for producing mud bricks used in permanent housing construction during that period was also discovered.
Marking the 20th anniversary of this joint work, a collaborative exhibition between the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid mission and the Sharjah Archaeology Authority was held in November 2016 at the National Museum in Madrid. The exhibition featured selected artifacts from Sharjah and attracted significant visitor interest.
Looking ahead, His Highness expressed his aspiration for further cooperation, saying:
“We are pleased to continue supporting collaboration between the Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, the Archaeology Authority, and Sharjah’s universities and academic institutions. We invite everyone to work together in all fields to push the boundaries of knowledge and develop applications that lead to the progress and advancement we all seek.”
On this occasion, His Highness also recited verses of poetry he dedicated to the honor.
