On 11-September 2026-year as part of the “Young Orientalists Summer School”  programme, participants visited the al-Biruni Institute of Oriental Studies, Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences. During the visit, the young Orientalists learned about the Institute’s work in preserving, restoring and researching Oriental manuscripts. They visited the Restoration Laboratory, Scanning Room and card catalogue, and explored scholarly publications prepared by the Institute’s researchers.

The visit provided young researchers with an opportunity to gain a closer insight into the Institute’s activities and its role in the study of Oriental manuscripts and historical and cultural heritage.

An important international meeting was held at the Al-Biruni Institute of Oriental Studies, Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences. Accompanied by representatives of the “O‘zarxiv” Agency, a delegation from the Sultanate of Oman, headed by Hamad bin Mohammed Al-Dawiyani, Director General of the Documents and Archives Authority of the Sultanate of Oman, and Ms. Wafa Jabr Nasser Al-Busaidi, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Sultanate of Oman to Uzbekistan, visited the Institute.

During the first part of the visit, the guests were introduced to the history of the Institute of Oriental Studies, its current research activities, and its internationally renowned collection of manuscripts.

The members of the Omani delegation showed great interest in the rare and ancient Oriental manuscripts, historical documents, and works preserved in the collection. The specialists provided detailed information on the ongoing practical processes of preserving, conserving, restoring, and digitizing these valuable sources.

This was followed by a meeting attended by the Institute’s leadership, leading scholars, and researchers.

During the meeting, extensive discussions were held on elevating the historical, academic, and cultural ties between Uzbekistan and the Sultanate of Oman to a new level, as well as creating a platform for mutual exchange of experience.

At the conclusion of the meeting, a film highlighting the Sultanate of Oman’s contribution to the construction of the new building of the Al-Biruni Institute of Oriental Studies, Uzbekistan Academy of Sciences was screened, followed by the presentation of commemorative gifts.

This visit will contribute to establishing joint scholarly research between Uzbekistan and the Sultanate of Oman in the fields of ancient manuscript studies, archival science, and source studies.

The international scientific and practical seminar entitled “Training on the Conservation and Restoration of Manuscripts in the Libraries of Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan,” organized by the al-Biruni Institute of Oriental Studies in cooperation with STERNA Heritage within the framework of the ALIPH 2025–4160 Central Asia Grant and held on May 12–15, 2026, has successfully concluded.

? The project was aimed at studying modern approaches to the preservation, conservation, and restoration of manuscript heritage kept in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, as well as improving the professional skills of specialists in the field.

? The seminar was conducted by international experts – Nil Baydar, Nikolas Sarris, and Konstantina Papavasileiou.

? The seminar served as an important platform for combining theoretical knowledge with practical training, promoting international exchange of experience, and strengthening cooperation among specialists in the field.

✅ The international scientific and practical seminar organized by the al-Biruni Institute of Oriental Studies in cooperation with STERNA Heritage within the framework of the ALIPH 2025–4160 Central Asia Grant, held on May 12–15, 2026, continues its work.

? The project is aimed at studying modern approaches to the preservation, conservation, and restoration of manuscript heritage kept in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, as well as enhancing the professional skills of specialists in the field.

? On the second day of the seminar, discussions focused on binding systems, the structure of manuscripts, book structures and binding components, as well as binding terminology. The sessions were conducted by international specialists – Nil Baydar, Nikolas Sarris, and Konstantina Papavasileiou.

? The second day of the seminar combined theoretical knowledge with practical training sessions and continued the exchange of international experience among participants.