Today's Edition
SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
The 16th Archival Education Research Institute (AERI) commenced at Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD) on Monday, highlighting the increasing significance of archival research in the UAE.
The event, running until October 11, spotlights collaboration between the National Library and Archives (NLA) and SUAD.
AERI aims to enhance archival studies by building a community of researchers, educators, students, and professionals in addition to improving curriculum development in archival studies at various educational levels.
In her opening remarks, Professor Nathalie Martial-Braz, Vice Chancellor of SUAD, pointed out the alignment of archival research with the UAE’s strategic vision.
Professor Martial-Braz stressed the robust partnership between SUAD and the NLA, which is essential for advancing both research and education in archival sciences.
Following the last edition held in Louisiana, this sector has witnessed positive momentum, she said, adding that the Institute is committed to continuing to foster collaboration and advance research within the community.
In her keynote address, Razia Saleh, Head of Archive and Research at the Nelson Mandela Foundation, stressed the importance of understanding archival principles, stating, “Archiving is a profession on its own and is very different from a library system.”
Saleh highlighted the key focus areas for her foundation this academic season were early childhood development, food security, access to land, justice, public governance, and leadership.
Central to their mission is the preservation of Mandela’s legacy, she said.
“We aim to provide a cutting-edge archive and disseminate robust research on Nelson Mandela,” she said.
Dr. Yann Rodier, SUAD Associate Professor and Head of the History Department, discussed the importance of programmes in Records Management & Archival Science.
He noted the growing demand for professionals in this field across the Gulf region, highlighting the programmes’ comprehensive modules on digital archiving and emerging technologies.
Dr. Rodier outlined the key offerings at SUAD’s graduate and post-graduate programmes on the subject.
Rune Bjerkestrand, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Piql AS, a company specialised in offering data storage and preservation services, highlighted the urgent need to preserve records for future generations.
He was talking during an address titled “Revolutionising Digital Preservation Education.”
He demonstarted his company’s innovative technology designed for secure long-term data storage that is capable of enduring time’s degradation.
Mohamed Shalaby, regional manager at Piql AS, pointed out the gap between academic qualifications and practical skills in the marketplace.
“Many academic programmes do not adequately prepare students for marketplace challenges,” he said, attributing this to negative perceptions of academia, the fast pace of technological change –particularly in AI – and a lack of practical experience.
In her plenary presentation, “Digital Preservation and Inheritance of Aural Heritage from the Archival Perspective”, Yi Chen from Renmin University of China asserted the significance of sensory heritage via virtual communication platforms.
“Preserving sensory heritage benefits future generations by allowing them to engage with cultural experiences more deeply,” she said.
Yi defined aural heritage as the preservation of culturally significant sounds, encircling cultural importance, sound environments, and emotional connections, asserting that it is essential for cultural identity.
Speaking to Aletihad, Dr Forget Chaterera Zambuko, Assistant Professor of History at SUAD, said that Sorbonne University is the only institution in the UAE offering programmes in Records Management and Archival Science.
Discussing the challenges the profession faces in the region, she said that it is still a relatively new field in the UAE, and many organisations, both public and private, lack awareness of what records and archives entail.
“This often makes it difficult for our students to convey the value of their work,” she said.
Pointing out the significance of the conference, she said, “Since its inception in 2009, this conference has primarily been held in the US, with occasional events in the UK and Australia. This marks its first arrival in the Middle East, making it a vital platform for researchers, practitioners, and scholars in archival science to exchange ideas and advance the field of information management.”
