H.H. Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, has signed a cooperation agreement between the Sharjah Academy of Performing Arts and the UK's University of Surrey Guildford School of Acting.

The agreement is in line with an initial agreement signed by Dr. Sheikh Sultan last August with the Guildford Academy at the University of Surrey. The agreement includes areas of joint co-operation between the Sharjah Academy of Arts and the Guildford Academy, and the establishment of cooperative relations in the academic and educational framework.

The agreement, which was also signed by Professor Max Lu, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Surrey, aims to enhance co-operation and joint work in the field of administrative formation of the Sharjah Academy of Performing Arts project, training programmes and academic qualification for the artistic talent and human cadres specialised in the performing arts, theatre and cinema.

Co-operation in such fields will help enrich and prop up GCC and Arab arenas with a creative generation that is aware of the important role art plays in conveying and expressing issues and concerns in their communities.

According to the agreement, the first academic programmes in the fields of acting, lyrical acting and directing will be launched in September, 2018, to be followed by more programmes in order to activate the important role of the academy. Theatrical and cinema works of all specialisations are also to commence at the Sharjah Arts Academy.

During the signing of the agreement, H.H. Ruler of Sharjah reviewed the building scheme of the Sharjah Academy of Performing Arts, which will include halls and art and academic facilities that will fully support performing artists and give those working in the field of arts the opportunity to showcase their artistic innovations.