In Collaboration with the Sorbonne - Abu Dhabi

The National Archives Supports the Students of “Records Management and Archival Science” with Specialized Lectures



The National Archives held a series of specialized lectures about methods of preserving, restoring and digitizing historical films and photographs for the students enrolled in the Bachelor’s degree in “Records Management and Archival Science” at the Sorbonne University - Abu Dhabi.

The National Archives held these lectures in collaboration with the Sorbonne University – Abu Dhabi, with the aim of integrating students’ theoretical studies with field and practical practices and help them become fully acquainted with the scientific and practical skills in the field of preserving historical films and photographs of our present time which is witnessing rapid technological changes.

 The National Archives directs attention to the students enrolled in the BA degree in “Records Management and Archival Science” at the Sorbonne University - Abu Dhabi because  it is the university’s partner in this undergraduate program and looks forward to continuing cooperation with it to launch higher academic degrees in the same specialty this year.

Delivered virtually  through interactive technologies in application of the precautionary measures to curb the global spread of Covid-19, the lectures enriched the students' knowledge with detailed information in the field of preservation, restoration and digitization of historical photographs and the old multimedia in the National Archives and other institutions.

The specialized lectures, given by Abdullah Al-Bastaki,  Digital Archives Specialist at the National Archives, included seven themes. It dealt with photographic collections, animated films and videotapes with respect to their types and sizes and the processes and guidelines followed in digitizing documents in the National Archives and other institutions. They also shed light on the equipment for digitization and preservation and the methods of using them. Moreover, the lectures explained the methods of managing, acquiring and organizing collections and setting priorities in  digitization and methods of conservation for each collection and the re-storing process in the National Archives, in addition to  methods of handling fragile elements including photo albums and controlling temperature and humidity.

In the field of building expertise, the lectures focused on how to develop best archival practices based on the specific needs of archives and explained the different professional paths in preservation and restoration and the importance of providing professional advice.

The two day lecture series, held by the National Archives, were  attended by more than 40 students, who actively interacted with the lecturer asking various questions and enquiring about details, which indicated their interest in this important aspect of archival work.

It is noteworthy that the specialized undergraduate program which was launched by the National Archives in collaboration with the Sorbonne University - Abu Dhabi in 2019,  aims to qualify students in the field of documentation and archiving and to keep pace with the requirements of the present time and the labor market in light of the general awareness of archives’ importance in all official bodies and state institutions. The program looks forward to providing students with the highest academic levels in “Records Management and Archival Science” within a professional context.

The scientific, professional and academic integration that connects the National Archives with the established Sorbonne University - Abu Dhabi is very important in developing all aspects related to the specialized study and scientific research in the field of “Records Management and Archival Science”. Moreover, it contributes to preparing a generation that is well aware of archives’ significance as they represent the memory of the nation and form the mainstay of work and decision-making in any professional institution.

The National Archives



The National Archives of the Ministry of Presidential Affairs was first established in 1968 upon the directives of the late Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan, with the aim of collecting documents and information relating to the history and heritage of the United Arab Emirates and the Gulf region. Forty years later, HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the UAE President, issued Federal Law No. (7) of 2008 changing its name to the National Center for Documentation and Research (NCDR), and assigning it to organize the archives of the various UAE government entities. Finally, HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan issued Federal Law No. (1) of 2014, renaming it the National Archives.

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