RMIT University and Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Exploring Partnership

Between 12-28 January the Fujairah Tourism and Antiquities Authority (FTAA) is hosting researchers from the School of Mathematical and Geospatial Sciences at the RMIT University in Melbourne, Australia. The RMIT research team is comprised of Associate Professor Colin Arrowsmith, Dr David Silcock, Mr Lucas Holden and Mr Mohamed Hassani.

One of the purposes of this visit by the Australians is to explore the possibility of establishing a research partnership that will be of mutual benefit.

The Australian team is equipped and experienced in the use of 3D terrestrial laser scanning which might record heritage landmarks such as the Fujairah Fort or the Bidyah Mosque. The team stated that the accurate reconstruction of cultural, heritage or archaeological sites is very important and is best done by 3D documentation rather than employing the traditional surveying techniques. The terrestrial 3D laser scanning is increasingly becoming the standard tool for the high-resolution 3D documentation of archaeological, cultural, heritage and natural sites.

The team is working with the FTAA to establish three-dimensional models for a number of important cultural and natural tourist features in the emirate of Fujairah.

PhD student Mohamed Hassani’s enrolment at RMIT and subsequent research has been the catalyst for the exploration of this Melbourne—Fujairah partnership. Mohamed’s research, using laser technology, focuses on the impact of climate change on Fujairah’s natural and cultural resources and in turn how these might have an influence on tourism. The 3D technology will, over time, provide accurate measurement of changes which is useful realizing the impact of climatic factors and the potential for earthquakes in the emirate that could put these sites at great risk.

RMIT University, like most universities around the world, is keen to have an impact globally. What is envisaged is not a business deal with a company—client relationship but a research partnership that will give RMIT a fascinating field of study and research for its professors and teachers, while providing a valuable resource in recording Fujairah’s cultural and heritage landmarks.

The team was quizzed on how their research and laser technology might advance tourism in the emirate. Hassani said that Fujairah has much to gain from tourism which provides visitors with an ‘authentic Arabic experience’ and opens up further insights into the lives of people who have lived in this region for hundreds of years. Associate Professor Colin Arrowsmith said that visitors benefit greatly from having learnt something of the country they are about to visit and the 3D models will greatly increase their knowledge and curiosity.

The reconstruction of cultural, heritage or archaeological sites is very important and requires 3D documentation. Traditionally, this has been done using traditional surveying techniques. However in this research project the researchers from RMIT are using terrestrial 3D laser scanning. This will become the future standard tool for high-resolution 3D documentation of archaeological, cultural, heritage and natural sites.

Geoff Pound

More Fujairah news, resources and photos are posted on the Fujairah in Focus Facebook Page.

Take a Look

More photos of the Aussie team can be seen in this photo album.