![Ruler of Sharjah honoured by the Jagiellonian University [Video]](/documents/81541894/143535755/szejk300.jpg/485203e1-e246-4746-8196-0c154fc43620?t=1571156741077)
On 15 October 2019 the Jagiellonian University was visited by His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, the ruler of the Emirate of Sharjah in the United Arab Emitates, member of the Federal Supreme Council of this country. His Highness was awarded with the Plus Ratio Quam Vis medal for his achievements in the field of research and culture and his role in building bridges between cultures.
The visit began with a short tour of the Jagiellonian Library, where the Ruler of Sharjah saw the exhibition “Oriental treasures of the Jagiellonian Library” and was shown the most valuable items from the library collection. Then His Highness went to Collegium Novum, where he met with the Rector of the Jagiellonian University Prof. Wojciech Nowak. The conversation focused on the prospects of further development of collaboration between the Jagiellonian University and the Emirate of Sharjah, especially in the field of Arabic and Islamic studies.
The meeting in the Rector’s office was followed by the Plus Ratio Quam Vis medal award ceremony, which was opened by the JU Rector, who stressed that the motto “Plus Ratio Quam Vis” (“let reason prevail over force”) reflects the core values of the oldest Polish higher education institution and the medal is awarded to eminent individuals who serve as moral and intellectual models, and that the today’s award recipient is precisely this kind of person.
In the laudatory address, the Head of the JU Institute of Oriental Studies Prof. Barbara Michalak-Pikulska pointed to the award recipient’s extraordinary research achievements, especially in the area of the Persian Gulf region history, his literary work and his dedication to promoting cultural and scholarly endeavors, both in the UAE and internationally.
“His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi embodies the most important scholarly virtues and values, as his work and research have been charactersised by great truthfullness and integrity”, said the JU Rector Prof. Wojciech Nowak, who also stressed that the medal recipient greatly contributed to building bridges between the Eastern and Western civilisations.
Expressing his gratitude, the Ruler of Sharjah praised the Jagiellonian University, and especially the JU Institute of Oriental Studies for its role in establishing positive relations between different cultures. He also pointed to the significance of this university unit’s cooperation with the Emirate of Sharjah, which started last year, and pledged his dedication to continue and expand the academic partnership between his emirate and the Jagiellonian University.
The visit by the Ruler of Sharjah marked the 100th anniversary of the establishment of the JU Institute of Oriental Studies.
