Khaulah Abdulkadir | Project Coordinator: The Urban Heritage Regeneration Accelerator, Kenya

Which workshop(s) did you attend?

Conservation Workshop I & II, and Digital Tools for Heritage Management.

Was the training an opportunity to enhance your connection with your peers?

Yes. I met inspiring professionals who not only guided me throughout the course discussions but also introduced me to membership in key heritage organizations I hadn’t known about before. I also built lasting bonds, a professional with restoration experience will visit Lamu [island in Kenya]soon to support my project. He has been instrumental in amplifying my work and helping me refine my research writing. 

Has the training contributed towards the improvement of your career?

The conservation training taught me to frame a clear restoration mission, highlight Lamu Old Town’s significance, and communicate its conservation infrastructure effectively. With the guidance and trust of my team, I successfully applied to and was selected for the Urban Heritage Regeneration Accelerator initiative, which I now coordinate. I am also honored to be selected for support from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Scholarship Program for Heritage Managers in Africa, through which I hope to continue learning and achieve even greater impact in heritage conservation.

Do you feel that your ability to perform relevant tasks has improved?

Yes. I gained skills in assessing and articulating heritage values & significance, addressing authenticity issues, aligning with international charters, and developing a documentation strategy for Lamu’s buildings. Presenting my project during the workshops, and receiving strong peer support and selection as a case study, greatly boosted my confidence. This encouragement motivated me to explore the historic urban landscape approach further, which strengthened my case study presentation at the UNESCO Headquarters and enabled meaningful engagement in the forum.

Following the completion of the training, has your project benefited?

Absolutely yes. The final assignment of Conservation I provided the framework to clearly communicate the project’s mission, global significance and the urgent need to conserve the Lamu Old Town, which I believe contributed to its selection into the Accelerator initiative. Furthermore, it has helped me and my team in identifying the necessary kind of resources for its success and is now seeking support for that. It also helped me identify the most suitable communication strategies and the right organizations to partner with, strengthening support.

Would you recommend this training to others?

Definitely! The trainings are ideal for emerging professionals seeking foundational knowledge and opportunities to grow in the heritage field. Engaging sessions and supportive lecturers and organizers further fuel passion, build expertise, and deepen understanding of heritage conservation practices.

Dr Mohamed Bashir | Assistant Professor, Department of Archaeology, University of Khartoum 

Which workshop did you attend?

I had the privilege of attending the following workshops:
1. ‘Summer School Engaging Communities in Cultural Heritage’, held from June 18 to June 30, 2024.
2. ‘Successful Fundraising for Heritage Managers: Strategies and Best Practices’, conducted from March 17 to
March 19, 2023.
3. ‘Interpreting Heritage and Engaging Communities for Climate Change’, took place from December 1 to
December 3, 2023.
4. ‘Introduction to Heritage Interpretation for Site Managers’, held from November 25 to November 27, 2022.

 

Has the training contributed towards the improvement of your career?

Yes, it has enhanced my ability to engage professionally with the cultural heritage community. As a result, I have been able to work autonomously and have recently published two articles related to cultural heritage management and community engagement, one in the African Archaeological Review in 2025 and another forthcoming in Sudan & Nubia, the bulletin of the Sudan Archaeological Research Society of the British Museum.

Do you feel that your ability to perform relevant tasks has improved?

Certainly, I now feel well-prepared to address topics such as cultural heritage, interpretation, management, and community engagement within the contexts of Nubia and Sudanese Archaeology. The knowledge I gained has significantly improved my work, and I am currently developing my own research projects based on these learnings.

“Utilizing the insights gained, I created a questionnaire to gather important perspectives from the local community regarding cultural heritage, their interactions with archaeologists, and their needs for future work. This has led to the development of a research project based on their feedback.”

Following the completion of the training, has your project benefited?

My project centers around an archaeological site in the Nubian region of Northern Sudan called Kedurma, dating back to the Meroitic period from the 3rd century BC to the 4th century AD.

The workshops I attended have greatly influenced my work. I have been able to collaborate more effectively with local communities in my research area. Utilizing the insights gained, I created a questionnaire to gather important perspectives from the local community regarding cultural heritage, their interactions with archaeologists, and their needs for future work. This has led to the development of a research project based on their feedback, and I plan to continue involving them in my future endeavors, offering them a platform to participate and share their viewpoints.

Was the training an opportunity to enhance your connection with your peers?

Absolutely, it provided a valuable opportunity to engage with my peers, learn from them, and establish a network with experts in cultural heritage.

Would you recommend this training to others?

Absolutely, I always make a point to share information about the training with my colleagues and students.