AUC Libraries Signs MOU with Al-Turath Foundation to Innovate Digital Heritage Preservation

As part of their shared commitment to safeguarding and maintaining cultural heritage, The AUC Libraries at The American University in Cairo (AUC) and Al-Turath Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving Saudi as well as Arab and Islamic heritage, 
have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a new initiative aimed at developing innovative digital methods for historical preservation. The MoU was signed by HRH Prince Sultan bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, founder and chairman of Al-Turath Foundation and AUC President Ahmad Dallal.
"The AUC Library and the Al Turath Foundation share a common vision and purpose through the commitment to preserving and safeguarding our rich cultural heritage,” says Lamia Eid ’88, ’92, interim dean of AUC’s Libraries and Learning Technologies. “We are dedicated to the creation, production and dissemination of knowledge, not only at the national and regional levels but also on a global scale.”

Holding a central role in exploring heritage preservation, the partnership will foster collaboration in literature and translation alongside theoretical and field research initiatives, particularly in urban heritage and architectural restoration. 
The initiative also aims to spark community interest, pride and investment into preserving national identity and culture. This will be achieved through enhancing the accessibility of cultural heritage through digital platforms and focusing on their documentation through research, publication, documentary film production and collaborative cultural events.
The impact of this partnership will be appreciated for generations to come: “In an era marked by rapid technological advancement, our collaborative efforts are indispensable for ensuring that our unique and rare collections are safeguarded for the benefit of future generations, particularly through innovative digital approaches,” Eid says.