Hasenkamp partners with Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi to connect students with museum practice

Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) and Hasenkamp Middle East have signed a three-year partnership to give students practical exposure to the cultural heritage and museum sector, combining academic learning with industry expertise.

The collaboration will focus on areas including fine art logistics, collection management, preventive conservation and museum operations. It is aimed particularly at students studying art history, archaeology and related master's programmes.

Under the agreement, Hasenkamp specialists will contribute to university lectures, workshops and masterclasses. The partnership will also provide opportunities for site visits and internships, allowing students to gain direct experience of professional practices within the cultural sector.

Partnership addresses demand for cultural sector professionals

The initiative comes amid growing demand for qualified professionals in museums and cultural institutions across the Gulf region.

Hasenkamp has maintained a presence in the UAE for several years and has contributed to several museum projects, including Louvre Abu Dhabi. Through the partnership, the company will share its specialist knowledge with students preparing for careers in the cultural and heritage sectors.

Robin Eckstein, Regional Managing Director of Hasenkamp Middle East, said the Gulf's cultural and museum landscape was developing rapidly, making it important to introduce young professionals to the practical requirements of the sector early in their careers.

Thomas Schneider, CEO of the Hasenkamp Group, said museums and cultural institutions worldwide faced increasingly complex challenges. He added that combining academic expertise with practical industry experience would create value for the wider cultural sector.

Strengthening academic and industry collaboration

Professor Nathalie Martial-Braz, Chancellor of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, said the partnership reinforced the University's commitment to preparing the next generation of cultural and heritage professionals by bringing academic learning closer to industry practice.

The agreement was signed by Robin Eckstein on behalf of Hasenkamp Middle East and Dr Rose Marie Ferre, Head of the Department of Archaeology and History of Art, on behalf of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi.

Through lectures, practical workshops, site visits and internship opportunities, the three-year initiative aims to strengthen the connection between university education and professional requirements in museums and cultural institutions.