[3] The appointment came after His Highness Dr. Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, who held the role for 25 years, stepped down to welcome a new generation of university leadership.
Al Qasimi heads Sharjah's efforts to attract investment, create a world-class entrepreneurship ecosystem, and promote R&D.
As Chairperson of the Sharjah Investment and Development Authority, she is solidifying the Emirate's strengths in manufacturing, transport, logistics, education, and the cultural economy.
She is also leading flagship initiatives to attract investment in strategic growth sectors like tourism,[16] healthcare, environmental technology, agritech, and the digital economy.
[20] The publisher of over 500 titles,[20] Kalimat is recognised as an industry pioneer for themes highlighting traditional Arabic culture alongside the modern challenges faced by children.
[25] The Foundation's Ara initiative is establishing accessible (braille, audio, e-text, large print) book standards for the visually impaired and blind in the Middle East and North Africa and supporting publishers to increase the number of accessible books for people with print disabilities.
[36] Reflecting Sharjah's growing stature in the global publishing industry, Sharjah Book Authority's Board of Directors includes notable industry figures like John Ingram, Chairman of Ingram Content Group, Youngsuk 'YS' Chi, Chairman of Elsevier,[37] Markus Dohle, Executive Vice President of the PEN America Board of Trustees,[38] and Gaurav Shrinagesh, CEO India and South East Asia and Member Global Executive Committee, Penguin Random House.
[40][41] A significant legacy initiative of Sharjah World Book Capital 2019 is the iconic House of Wisdom, a state-of-the art showcase library and cultural centre.
ERRA is accredited as an ad hoc non-governmental organisation observer to the World Intellectual Property Organization's Standing Committee on Copyright and Related Rights.
[68] She has leveraged the World Economic Forum's global platform to catalyse action on youth education and employment,[69] female entrepreneurship,[70] small and medium-size enterprise development,[71] expanding funding for the cultural industries,[72] and climate change.