Al-Janad University takes part in Preparing Taiz’s First Scientific Forum on Heritage Preservation

University Media

Al-Janad University for Science and Technology on Saturday hosted a high-level coordination meeting to finalize logistical and organizational arrangements for the First Scientific Forum on Heritage Preservation in Taiz Governorate, a step reflecting the city’s aspirations to restore its historic role as a center of knowledge and culture.

In his opening remarks, University President Prof. Mohyeddine Al-Qabati welcomed the preparatory team from the General Authority for Antiquities and Museums and the Heritage for Peace–Yemen organization. He affirmed the university’s readiness to mobilize its academic and technical capacities to ensure the success of the forum, describing the initiative as a national and historical responsibility amid mounting threats to archaeological sites and cultural landmarks.

The meeting brought together senior officials and specialists, including Mahboob Al-Jaradi, Director General of the Taiz branch of the General Authority for Antiquities and Museums; Ramzi Al-Damaini, Director of Museums; and Eng. Anis Ghaylan, Head of Heritage for Peace–Yemen, alongside a group of academics and experts. Discussions focused on the forum’s scientific agenda, as well as technical and organizational arrangements, to ensure the event reflects Taiz’s cultural and historical stature.

The session followed an earlier visit by the Antiquities Authority to the university, during which officials toured the Al-Janad Engineering Center, including its laboratories, testing facilities, and specialized equipment. The visit also explored potential academic contributions by the university to heritage preservation efforts, in addition to opening advanced training opportunities for students in engineering disciplines related to the restoration of historic buildings.

The forum—the first of its kind in Taiz—aims to position the city as a launchpad for a comprehensive national program for cultural heritage preservation, with plans to extend the initiative to other Yemeni governorates. Preparatory meetings will continue in the coming days to complete final arrangements.

The event further gains international significance through academic partnerships with leading institutions, most notably the University of Bristol in the United Kingdom and Spain’s National Research Center. These collaborations are expected to contribute to the development of a comprehensive scientific roadmap for the protection and documentation of Yemen’s cultural heritage in line with contemporary international standards.