WAM Sharjah, July 1st, 2012 (WAM) -- In a move to enrich the Arabic library with global cultures and highlight Sharjah as an education hub and a cultural destination, a delegation from the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) visited various universities across the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan.

The visit aimed to invite librarians from Jordanian universities to attend the upcoming edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair, scheduled to be held from 7-17 November, which would enrich and supply the libraries of the Jordanian universities with the latest titles offered by the publishing houses participating in the book fair.

The SIBF delegation included Salim Omar Salim, Head of Sales, and Fadil Hussein, Vice Coordinator-General of the Sharjah International Book Fair. They were received by Dr Hamad Karam Al Kaabi, Cultural Consultant at the UAE Embassy, and a number of officials from the diplomatic mission.

The tour included a number of Jordanian universities where the delegation contacted various academic cadres and faculties in these universities in order to familiarise with the SIBF's cultural and academic capabilities and inform them about titles and literary releases that would be available on the shelves of the Sharjah Book Fair.

The delegation visited the University of Jordan, the University of Applied Science, Al Ahliyya Amman University, the University of Petra, Al Zaytoonah University, Al Bayt University, Zarqa Private University and Yarmouk University, in addition to the Middle East University.

On the sidelines of the visits, the delegation also invited various Jordanian universities to participate in the Sharjah International Book Fair, which is held under the generous patronage of H. H. Dr Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah.

The Sharjah International Book Fair is one of the Middle East's largest book fairs, showcasing more than 200,000 titles on various subjects from all over the world. The delegation pointed out that around 900 Arab and foreign publishers from 45 countries will participate in the book fair.

Speaking about the visit, Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Amri, Director of the Sharjah International Book Fair, expressed his pleasure and optimism over the outcomes of the visit and thanked the members of the UAE Embassy and Cultural Attache, for their cooperation and help to facilitate the visit.

"In keeping with the vision of Dr. Sheikh Sultan to extend bridges of cultural communication and enhance exchange of knowledge with the other, we are always keen to invite not only publishing houses, but also any other interested parties, to participate in the book fair in order to benefit from the cultural momentum available in Sharjah," Al Amri remarked.

The SIBF Director General added, "I would like to express our profound thanks to our embassy in Jordan and its cultural attach? for helping us to so easily reach out to all Jordanian universities, and especially for their effort in arranging visits of mutual benefit between all parties." WAM/ES/AM