University to launch digitization of old manuscripts and rare books

A meeting was held between Rector Ilshat Gafurov and Aide to the President of Tatarstan Natalia Fishman-Bekmambetova on August 25.

They were joined by Director of the Institute of History (Tatarstan Academy of Sciences) Alfrid Bustanov, Director of the Institute International Relations of KFU Ramil Khayrutdinov, Director of the Lobachevsky Library Yevgeny Strukov, and representatives of PJSC Tatneft.

Details of the first stage of the digitization project were discussed. First in line are manuscripts of the Eastern department, and after that the turn goes to Russian and European manuscripts.

Rector Gafurov noted that digitization should start in September 2021, and ten new manuscript scanners have been bought for the Section of Manuscripts and Rare Books. Digitization can give access to invaluable sources to the whole world, and it will become possible at KFU thanks to the provincial government of Tatarstan and corporate sponsors from Tatneft.

Natalia Fishman-Bekmambetova expressed her wish to get acquainted with the Institute of International Relations’ educational modules in museology and relic restoration. The programs are available as both postgraduate and advanced training for professionals.

Interdisciplinary courses in artefact evaluation and restoration are taught by leading experts in metallography, crystallography, spectrography, chemical analysis, and other subjects. They are based at KFU’s in-house laboratories and classrooms, as well as at various other partner facilities.

 

Source text: Leisan Zakirova

Translation: Yury Nurmeev