Integrated Approach to Islamic Manuscript Conservation: Crafting, Practical Skills, and Sustainable Management. 

This workshop offers a comprehensive and hands-on approach to Islamic manuscript conservation, combining traditional crafting techniques with modern preservation strategies. Participants will gain practical skills in surveying, crafting, treatment, and preventive conservation, while also learning to implement sustainable practices, quality control measures, and project management tools. Designed for professionals and students, this course equips attendees with the knowledge and resources to manage conservation projects effectively and preserve cultural heritage for future generations. 

What are you going to learn in this course?

• Equip participants with end-to-end knowledge of Islamic manuscript conservation, including surveys, and quality control.
• Develop skills in crafting and conservation techniques of Islamic manuscripts, including chemical treatments, preservation, and preventive conservation.
• Introduce participants to tools, databases, and sustainability practices in manuscript conservation.
• Enable participants to access personalized templates, databases, and key performance indicators (KPIs) for their projects. 

Course project

Surveying and Documentation

1. Importance of manuscripts collection documentation and surveying.
2. Creating and using a survey database (Access-based software will be provided for the participants use only – MS Access is required).

Deliverable: Each participant will implement their version of a survey database according to a designed project needs. 

Material Selection and Cost Estimation

1. Using dynamic material calculators for budgeting (Dynamic Excel file will be provided for the participants use only).
2. Choosing conservation materials based on conservation needs. 

Deliverable: Participants will design their own material calculator. 

Crafting traditional Islamic binding. 

1. Hands-on: Drafting Islamic bindings, Othman period bindings, and stitching methods. 
2. Creating wooden decorative tooling patterns.
   Practical: Participants will create Islamic manuscript model and create their own decorative medallion or tooling unit. 

Cleaning, Treatments and Disinfection 

1. Mechanical cleaning and essential chemical treatments and stabilizing manuscripts.
2. Practical: Demonstration of eco-safe quarantine techniques.

Conservation and Restoration Techniques

1. Hands-on: Selection and use of appropriate materials, adhesive, and technique for paper repair and mending.
2. Techniques for conserving Islamic paper and manuscript bindings. Practical: Islamic manuscripts conservation and restoration practices. 

Preventive Conservation and Handling archival materials 

1. Handling, housing, and preventive conservation techniques. 
2. Practical: Designing custom storage boxes for conserved manuscript. 

Sustainability and Cost Reduction

1. Effective material storage and inventory database management (Access-based software will be provided for the participants use only – MS Access is required).
2. Cost-reduction practices through recycling and reusing materials. 

Quality Control, KPIs, and Project Evaluation.

1. Implementing quality control measures and KPIs in conservation projects.
2. Designing examination and quality control and KPI forms.
3. Workshop: Creating and testing customized quality control forms.
4. Workshop: Designing individual KPIs for manuscript conservation mega projects.
   
   

Who is the course aimed at?

Conservation professionals, freelancer conservators, archivists, and students specializing in book conservation and cultural heritage preservation. 

Requirements and tools

Participants will be provided with all necessary equipment except for their personal lab coats. Personal equipment may be brought into the classroom at the discretion of the participant, who releases the company from all liability for any damage or loss of items belonging to him/her.

Travel & Accommodation informations

We will supply documentation to the relevant embassies for students accepted into the course. Travel costs are to be borne by the student. We support you in locating reasonable accommodation in shared apartments.

Funding

We do not offer scholarships or financial aid at this moment, but we can send supporting documents to your institutions for funding, or if you apply for grants.