Dubai-UAE: 25 February, 2018 – Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Silicon Oasis Authority (DSOA), the regulatory body for Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO), the Arabic Electronic Literature: New Horizons and Global Perspectives conference got underway today at the DSO-based campus of Rochester Institute of Technology – Dubai (RIT Dubai).
His Excellency Lieutenant General Dhahi Khalfan Tamim, Deputy Chief of Police and Public Security in Dubai, Sheikh Khaled bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Board of Directors of RIT Dubai and Dr Mohammed Alzarooni, Vice Chairman and CEO of DSOA, attended the conference that is set to run until February 27. The event also drew the participation of senior officials and RIT – Dubai students.
Speaking at the launch, Dr Alzarooni said: "The number of leading influencers in the field of Arabic e-literature attending this conference highlights Dubai's prominent position as a technology hub in line with the directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai."
Stressing the significance of the event amidst the remarkable growth of e-literature across the globe, Dr Alzarooni pointed out the important role that such literature plays in enabling the UAE to achieve its vision of leadership in all areas. Furthermore, he praised the success of RIT Dubai in attracting e-literature experts from around the world to participate in the conference that examines the benefits of e-literature as a new form of communication and its contribution to boosting social networking and creativity.
Dr Zohor Gourram from Mohammed V University in Morocco presented the keynote lecture entitled 'Electronic Literature and Philosophy of Partnership'. The first day of the conference included panel discussions by internationally renowned novelists and technical writers published on electronic platforms.
For his part, Dr Yousuf Al-Assaf, President of RIT Dubai, said the university is proud to host the first-of-its-kind event that will play a contributory role to the Arabic literature and Arab culture at large. He added that RIT Dubai is committed to raising awareness about the role of modern technology in preserving literature, and to promoting the creation and consumption of Arab e-literature.