UNESCO Chair Offers Research Collaboration with AMU
Aligarh : “The conservation of heritage buildings and materials should be given top priority as it throws light on human civilization, culture, living and other dimensions of life”, said Prof Amareswar Galla, UNESCO Chair on Inclusive Museums and Sustainable Development, Anant National University, Ahmedabad, while addressing the International Webinar on ‘Retrospection of Museum and Conservation Professions’, as the Chief Guest.
The webinar was organized by the Department of Museology, Aligarh Muslim University (AMU), as a part of “Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav”, in collaboration with the International Council of Museums (ICOM)-India, and International Council for Biodeterioration of Cultural Property (ICBCP).
Prof Galla offered research collaboration with the Department of Museology, AMU, in the field of conservation of cultural heritage, which was duly appreciated and accepted by Prof Tariq Mansoor, Vice Chancellor, AMU.
Presiding over the inaugural function Prof Tariq Mansoor appreciated the project works and research works being done by the Department of Museology, AMU, in the field of conservation of cultural property. He offered his full support to the ongoing projects and future endeavours of the Department.
Welcoming the distinguished guests in the webinar, Prof Abduraheem K., Chairperson, Department of Museology, introduced the theme of the webinar. He highlighted the work done by the professionals from AMU in the conservation of Taj Mahal.
“The Department of Museology, AMU has research collaboration with the Czech Republic. Documentation of heritage buildings in Aligarh and Agra ASI Circle has also been taken up by researchers from AMU”, said Prof Abduraheem while highlighting the work done by professionals from AMU.
He also emphasized the role of properly trained professionals in the conservation work.
In his introductory remarks Prof Waseem Ahmad, Dean, Faculty of Life Sciences, AMU appreciated the work done by the Department of Museology and remarkable achievements in the field of heritage conservation.
Felicitation Speeches were delivered by Ms Aparna Tondon, Project Manager, ICCROM- ROM, Italy, Dr Virendra Nath, former Chief Scientist, NBRI, Lucknow, President, ICBCP and Prof Ambika Patel, President, ICOM-India, Head, Department of Museology, M.S. University, Vadodra.
Dr Ameeza Zarrin, Assistant Professor, Department of Museology, AMU proposed the vote of thanks.
Inaugural function was followed by ‘Padma Shri O.P Agarwal Memorial Lecture’ which was delivered by Prof ArunArya, MS University, Vadodra & Vice President, ICBCP on “Problems of biodeterioration and Challenges in Preservation of Valuable cultural heritage”. It was the first memorial lecture after his sad demise, which was presided by Dr Virendra Nath, President, ICBCP.
Delineating the great contributions of late Shri OP Agarwal in the field of conservation and museology, he said: Shri OP Agarwal played a key role in the formation of International Council for Biodeterioration of Cultural Property (ICBCP), NRLC, Lucknow, and INTACH.
The webinar also featured invited talks on Internship, Training, Placements agencies and their programmes, where experts associated with different governmental and non-governmental organizations delivered speeches. The experts included Prof Amareswa r Galla, Dr.Rajkumar Patel, Superintendent, ASI, Agra, Mr. Jairaj, former Conservator, Govt. Museum, Chennai, Mr. Nandan Shastri, Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, California, US, Mr. Anupam Sah, Head of CSMVS Museum Art Conservation Centre, Mumbai, Ms. Rashmi Sharma, former Curator, National Children Museum, New Delhi, Ms. Naaz Rizvi, Director, NMNH, New Delhi, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, Ms. Al Shaz Fatmi, Assistant Director, State Museum Lucknow, U.P.
A Panel Discussion featuring Chairpersons of the Departments of Museology of different universities, including Prof Abduraheem K. Chairperson, Department of Museology, AMU, Prof Usha Rani Tiwari, Head, Department of Museology, BHU, Varanasi, Dr Venugopal, former Director, NMNH, New Delhi & Indian Museum, Kolkata, Prof. Supreo Chanda, head, Department of Museology, University of Kolkata, Prof Ambika Patel, head, Department of Museology, MS University, Vadodra was also held on Retrospection of Museum and Conservation Profession.
At the end a resolution was passed to advocate for the change in old recruitment policies to include post graduations like M.A/ M.Sc. of Museology/ Conservation as essential qualification for museum profession.
An online Alumni Meet of the Department of Museology, AMU was also held where the alumni from different states and countries participated and shared their professional experiences with all the young professionals, students and scholars of the department.