Over 300 emirati students to help raise awareness on national history, traditions and culture AT QASR AL HOSN FESTIVAL 2016

Over 300 college student from throughout the Emirate of Abu Dhabi have been chosen to serve as Qasr Al Hosn Festival Ambassadors, and help improve visitors' experience in finding out about Emirati history and heritage throughout this year's annual Qasr Al Hosn Festival, being held from February 3rd to 13th 2016 in Abu Dhabi.

The Qasr Al Hosn Festival-- arranged by Abu Dhabi Tourism & Culture Authority (TCA Abu Dhabi) - celebrates the history of the Fort and centuries of Emirati culture, by bringing people together to experience the history of the UAE through interactive experiences and storytelling and a rich and varied program of motivating activities, live efficiencies and workshops that show various cultural aspects of the Festival's program.

Reem Al Mansouri, Public Engagement Programmer in TCA Abu Dhabi, said: "The Ambassador Programme is a vital effort targeted at working with Abu Dhabi's younger generation to assist raise awareness of the history, traditions and culture of the Emirate going back to the time when Qasr Al Hosn ended up being the very first long-term structure on Abu Dhabi Island. By involving the youth, we are assisting to move the understanding of our rich heritage, and instilling a sense of pride and belonging amongst future generations".

Because its pilot in 2014, the programme has had from attracting 160 in its first year to over 300 students this year.

"We've seen a 25 % boost in participation number and the growing appeal of the Ambassador Programme shows the high level of enthusiasm we see from the university students in finding out more about the UAE's cultural heritage and their commitment to protect it," Al Mansouri included.

A a great deal of students will be on-site throughout the celebration days to direct visitors throughout their see. The students will communicate with the audience in the Cultural Foundation Building and throughout the festival's themed zones and present them to the festival's public program, assisting with activities consisting of dhow building, palm weaving, sea chanting, falconry, tree climbing, and even making Gahwa (conventional Emirati coffee).

Amna Al Zaabi, a student from Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi who took part in last year's programme, stated: "Being an Ambassador at the Qasr Al Hosn Festival is a remarkable and rewarding experience and I had the ability to discover a lot about my heritage. I'm pleased to return this year to share this understanding with others and add to maintaining our culture.".

Students registered in the Ambassador Programme are getting comprehensive training from cultural experts and Festival organisers, where they will find out about the history of the Fort, Emirati heritage, and the various components of the Festival's workshops, cultural activities, standard efficiencies and interactive knowing experiences.

Participating Ambassadors represent 9 universities from throughout the Emirate, consisting of: Zayed University, United Arab Emirates University, the Higher Colleges of Technology, Paris-Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, Al Hosn University, Emirates College for Advanced Education, the Petroleum Institute, Khalifa University, and Abu Dhabi University.