The BA Board of Trustees Approves New Projects
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The BA Board of Trustees held its second annual meeting this morning at the Library in Alexandria, following its first meeting yesterday in Cairo under the chairmanship of H. E. President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi. The Board members started their meeting by thanking H. E. the President for his constant keenness to meet with them, despite his busy schedule, and for his attempt to keep abreast of the latest developments regarding the cultural and intellectual projects carried out by the Library. They also thanked him for the continuous support provided by the State agencies to ensure that the Library plays its historical and cultural role, and that it remains Egypt’s window on the world and the world’s window on Egypt.
Prof. Ahmed Zayed said that the Board of Trustees reviewed the topics that were raised during the meeting with H. E. the President, as well as his directives, which the Library is translating into practical plans and policies. It also discussed the projects that were completed over the course of a year, and was briefed on the developments and the new projects plan.
He added that the Library has already completed the preparation of a series of awards that will be launched imminently, namely an international award bearing the name of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina, an award to encourage reading in a new and innovative way, and an award for childhood creativity. He also referred to what has been achieved in the “Heritage of Humanity Series for Young People.”
The Board approved a number of projects, events, and cultural activities, in accordance with the directives of President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, including the establishment of the "Bibliotheca Alexandrina House for Innovation and Knowledge" on land owned by the Library in Borg El Arab, the establishment of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina Complex for Culture and Arts under the name "Irtiqaa" on land belonging to it in Abis, as well as the establishment of a "Digital Innovation Center" and another center for media training.
The BA Board of Trustees includes a host of prominent Egyptian and international figures, most notably Dr. Magdi Yacoub; Dr. Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, former Secretary-General of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation; Ms. Louise Moushikiwabo, Secretary General of the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie; Mr. Miguel Moratinos, the UN Under-Secretary-General and its High-Representative for the Alliance of Civilizations; Dr. Mohamed Benaissa, former Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Culture; Shaikha Mai bint Mohammed Al Khalifa, Chair of the Board of Trustees of Shaikh Ebrahim bin Mohammed Al Khalifa Center in Bahrain; Ms. Amina Mohammed, former Kenyan Minister of Culture; Ms. Samia Nkrumah; Dr. Moufid Shehab; Eng. Hani Azer; and Mr. Mohamed Salmawy, former President of the Egyptian Writers Union.
Dr. Farouk El-Okda, former Governor of the Central Bank of Egypt; Dame Mary Archer, Chair of the Board of Trustees of the National Science Museum Group (UK); and Dr. Ana Olga Mocumbi, Professor of Cardiology (Mozambique) also participated in the meeting via Zoom.