Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum’s knowledge projects hog limelight in London Book Fair

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

The Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Knowledge Foundation (MBRF) successfully concluded its participation at the London International Book Fair, one of the world’s largest books fairs, which was held from April 18 to 20, 2023. MBRF centred on various activities that highlighted its knowledge projects and initiative globally.

During the three-day London International Book Fair, MBRF’s pavilion witnessed numerous visitors, along with organising a series of knowledge activities and events that included dialogue sessions, discussion panels, workshops, and intellectual and student meetings.

Jamal Bin Huwaireb, CEO of MBRF, said: “The London International Book Fair offered a significant platform for interaction with global partners and stakeholders in the sectors of science, culture, and knowledge. The event gave us a special opportunity to strengthen our position as a preeminent institution in the knowledge sector and to increase our collaborations and connections with the most significant knowledge industry figures globally.”

Bin Huwaireb emphasised the significance of attending and taking part in global exhibitions and forums that offer an opportunity to share experiences, strengthen relationships with key figures in the culture and knowledge industries, stay updated on the most recent knowledge trends, and attract attention to the significant contributions that MBRF makes to promoting knowledge both within and outside of the UAE.

On the final day of the event, MBRF featured a variety of activities, discussions, and events. His Excellency Mansoor Abdullah Abulhoul, UAE ambassador to the United Kingdom, as well as a group from the Trends Research and Advisory visited the MBRF's stand at the exhibition and learned about the organisation's ideas, programmes, and projects.

MBRF hosted a discussion session titled ‘Engaging Fans 2.0: Innovations and Ethics’, as part of the Know Talks series, on the final day of the event. Journalist Layla Maghribi was the session's host and she spoke about podcasting and the opportunities it provides to people and organisations to monetise audio content and reach a broad audience.

Maghribi affirmed that engagement with the audience is a crucial component of the podcast's success and that it can be sustained and enhanced through innovation and adherence to certain ethical principles. She emphasised that basic equipment like computers, microphones, and editing software are needed to create podcasts, but as the industry develops, it will be feasible to upgrade recording equipment to produce better audio.

Maghribi clarified that the content might be text or video and could include questions, comments, polls, lessons, quotes from podcasts, and messages of encouragement from the audience. She outlined the need to take precautions to preserve the truthfulness and integrity of the content and against sending incorrect information. She also warned against consuming high-quality content that contains inaccurate or deceptive information.

The Dubai International Programme for Writing's ‘Scientific Translation... Prospects and Future’ panel discussion was also organised by MBRF. Dr. Ghanem Al-Samarrai, Associate Professor of Comparative Literature and Translation at the University of Sharjah, spoke on the panel on the significance of scientific translation, which calls for expertise beyond simple translation and necessitates a thorough knowledge of both the subject matter being translated and the subject matter itself.

Al Samarrai emphasised the significance of localisation in scientific translation, expressed the need to use clear, understandable language for the translated text, the significance of preserving all information and not reducing it, the necessity of eradicating cultural conflicts between two languages, and the need to disseminate translated terms among the public through newspapers and newsletters.