Universities and museums: new platforms for cross-cultural engagement
During a session at Ajman University marking International Museum Day 2026, museum practitioners and students considered the evolving role of museums in connecting communities and confronting contested histories. The event, led by Ludo Verheyen of design firm MTE Studios in collaboration with ICOM UAE, focused on how contemporary exhibitions can foster dialogue, education and cultural exchange within the UAE’s rapidly expanding cultural ecosystem.
Speakers discussed examples from around the world to illustrate how institutions are moving beyond static displays to create immersive, narrative-driven experiences. Cases referenced included the African Museum in Tervuren and the Apartheid Museum in South Africa, as well as MTE Studios’ traveling exhibition Sultans of Science. These projects demonstrate an emphasis on storytelling, interactive technology and visitor engagement as means to broaden public understanding.
From display cases to dialogue
Panelists framed museums as sites for grappling with complexity. Rather than presenting artefacts solely as objects of admiration, newer exhibitions aim to contextualise collections, highlight marginalized perspectives and prompt visitors to reflect on shared histories. This shift aligns with international trends that prioritise community consultation, inclusive narratives and participatory programming.
Immersive design and narrative curation were identified as key tools for making abstract or difficult subjects accessible. Projection mapping, interactive exhibits and multi-sensory storytelling can help institutions translate scholarly research into experiences that resonate with diverse audiences, including younger visitors and international tourists.
Implications for the UAE cultural sector
The discussion at Ajman University also highlighted how the UAE is positioning itself as a regional hub for museum practice and experiential design. With an influx of new institutions, restorations and cultural projects across emirates, there is growing demand for interdisciplinary expertise that bridges architecture, museology, digital technology and education.
For policy makers and cultural managers, the rise of immersive exhibitions raises practical questions about sustainability, operational capacity and professional training. Designing and maintaining technology-rich experiences requires investment in technical staff, regular content updates and visitor accessibility measures. Universities hosting public programming can help bridge the skills gap by integrating museum studies, conservation and experience design into curricula.
Education, tourism and cultural diplomacy
Museums that foreground dialogue and shared narratives contribute to educational aims while also supporting tourism and soft power objectives. In the UAE context, where cultural diplomacy is a growing priority, exhibitions that connect regional heritage with global stories can help attract international audiences and create platforms for intercultural conversation.
At the same time, panelists recognised limits to what exhibitions can achieve. Museums can open channels for conversation that politics or diplomacy sometimes fail to create, but they do not replace those institutions. Instead, museums function as complementary arenas where communities can reflect, learn and negotiate meanings.
MTE Studios’ role and projects
MTE Studios, with offices in Dubai and Cape Town, has been involved in a range of projects across the Middle East and beyond. The firm’s portfolio includes the Science Museum at King Abdullah University of Science and Technology in Saudi Arabia, the Ajman Fort Museum, Masfoot Museum and the Dubai Transport Museum, as well as work on revitalising Dubai’s Al-Fahidi Historical Neighbourhood. These projects reflect a broader industry focus on blending conservation with contemporary visitor experiences.
Speakers at the Ajman University event emphasised the importance of partnerships between cultural consultancies, government entities, heritage bodies and academic institutions to deliver sustainable, educational and inclusive museum programmes.
Looking ahead
As the UAE continues to expand its cultural infrastructure, the models showcased at International Museum Day point to several priorities for the sector: investing in professional training, integrating community voices into exhibition development, and balancing spectacle with scholarship. For universities and museums alike, the opportunity lies in leveraging immersive technologies and narrative frameworks to foster empathy, preserve memory and create spaces for constructive dialogue.
While the approaches discussed at Ajman University are not unique to the UAE, they are increasingly relevant as the country seeks to broaden its cultural offerings and engage both local and international publics. The session underlined that thoughtful exhibition design, paired with institutional collaboration, can help museums serve as effective bridges between cultures.