- Five-year alliance to launch Museum-in-Residence programmes in India and Qatar
- Play-based, museum-led learning to reach schools, anganwadis and communities
- Global expertise from Qatar Museums to enrich NMACC’s education mission
- Partnership champions creativity, cross-cultural exchange and early learning
NE EDUCATION BUREAU
DOHA / MUMBAI, DEC 22
Qatar Museums and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC) have entered into a landmark five-year strategic partnership to develop Museum-in-Residence education initiatives in India and Qatar, marking a significant step in advancing creative, play-based learning through global cultural collaboration.
The agreement was signed at the National Museum of Qatar by Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of Qatar Museums, and Isha Ambani, Director, Reliance Industries Limited. The collaboration aims to bring Qatar Museums’ innovative, child-centric learning models to India through NMACC, while also enabling the co-creation of new education programmes in both countries.
Rooted in a shared belief that education and culture are powerful drivers of creativity and empathy, the partnership will introduce immersive, museum-based learning experiences for young children. While focused on early learners, the initiatives will also equip teachers, volunteers and facilitators with new tools, materials and methodologies to foster imagination and critical thinking in classrooms.
Commenting on the collaboration, Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said, “Qatar Museums and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre share the belief that creativity and cultural exchange are key to shaping a new generation of confident, empathetic young learners. Through this collaboration, led by Ms. Isha Ambani, a legacy of our Year of Culture with India, Qatar Museums will contribute its skills and experiences to the outstanding educational programmes of the Centre’s already robust history and ever-expanding roster providing educational tools and insights, helping them extend their reach in classrooms throughout India.”
In India, NMACC will work closely with the Reliance Foundation to implement the programmes across multiple regions. Specialists from Qatar Museums, including experts from the Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar, will guide the initiative through masterclasses and hands-on mentoring. Each programme will be adapted to local learning environments, reinforcing NMACC’s mission of bringing the best global practices to India while sharing India’s cultural richness with the world.
Isha Ambani said, “We are pleased to partner with Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani and Qatar Museums on this meaningful collaboration focused on children and education. At the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre, we are committed to bringing global ideas to India while sharing India’s rich cultural heritage with the world and creating world-class educational experiences for young people. Both Qatar Museums and the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre believe that culture is where imagination begins, and education is where potential becomes real. Through this partnership, we aim to spark new forms of learning that empower every child to dream boldly and to learn confidently.”
Beyond Museum-in-Residence programmes, Qatar Museums and NMACC will jointly develop additional initiatives designed to nurture creativity, empathy and discovery. These programmes will be rolled out across schools, anganwadis and community centres in India, including rural and underserved regions.
Maha Al Hajri, Acting Director of Dadu, Children’s Museum of Qatar, said, “We are proud to launch this collaboration as part of Dadu’s Museum-in-Residence programme, bringing the Light Atelier to new audiences in India. The Light Atelier, developed for children aged three to seven, creates immersive, hands-on learning environments that reflect Dadu’s commitment to learning through play. As part of our learning-through-play philosophy, this Museum-in-Residence programme allows us to share Dadu’s approach beyond our walls while creating meaningful cultural exchanges with partners like the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre.”
The partnership represents a major milestone in Qatar Museums’ global education and cultural exchange efforts and aligns with Qatar National Vision 2030, which emphasises human and cultural development as pillars of national progress.
