The International Master Program in Conservation of Antique Photographs and Paper Heritage will start on (To be defined). The lectures will be held at the EICAP premises, Faculty of Applied Arts (Helwan University) in Doky, Giza.
Egypt is the richest country in Africa and the Middle East for photographic treasures dating back from 1850. Egypt is also well known for its vast library collections, for the significant part in public institutions such as the National Library Dar El Kutub, university libraries, museums, etc. Public and private collections of antique photographs and books in Egypt are in a state of rapid deterioration due to environmental factors.
To address these issues, Catania University and Helwan University, in cooperation with Egyptian-Italian Center for the Conservation of Antique Photographs and Paper Heritage (acronym EICAP), propose a Master in Conservation of Antique Photographs and Paper Heritage.
The University of Catania is the oldest in Sicily and one of the oldest in Europe, dating its foundation back to 1434, when the king of Spain, Alfonso of Aragon authorised the establishment of a Studium Generale with the privilege of issuing legally valid academic titles in the four core disciplines of theology, canonical and civil law; medicine; philosophy and liberal arts (literature). The papal recognition was granted ten years later by Pope Eugene IV. Today, university buildings are spread throughout the city, with a contrast between the modern, hi-tech “University City,” and numerous historical buildings in the old town center. It offers an attractive portfolio of academic titles and is committed to the creation of a “laboratory” where the ancient Mediterranean culture meets the new technologies, to provide advanced training experience.
Helwan University (HU) was established on 1975. The foundation stone was laid in 1975. On 8/1/1985, the contract of the first-phase establishment was concluded. When it was created, the HU faculties began to be brought together within one Campus after long years of being off-Campus in different places. HU comprises 20 colleges, 58 self-sponsored units, and some new facilities. HU is marked by various particular faculties (Applied Arts, Art Education, Music Education) which do not exist in other Egyptian Universities. There are also mother faculties (Fine Arts, Physical Educations for Men, Physical Education for Women, Home Economics) from which related departments in other Universities have emerged.
This International Master Programm is part of a wider initiative, i.e., the establishment of the Egyptian-Italian Center for the Conservation of Antique Photographs and Paper Heritage (acronym EICAP) and the associated conservation laboratory. EICAP has been created with financial support by the Cooperation Development Program of the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The primary objectives of the EICAP initiative are to establish correct guidelines for the conservation of antique photographs and paper heritage and, more in general, bringing to light the vast treasures of private photographic collections that are currently unknown to experts in the field and the public at large. EICAP, hosted by the Faculty of Fine Arts of Helwan University in Zamalek, in the benign and now it organized in Faculty of applied arts, Orman, Doky, Giza, is a unique initiative for the entire Middle East and the Arab Region, especially for what concerns aspects relevant to photographic conservation and restoration. EICAP is also meant to work as a research and educational institute that will offer educational programs and certifications. The main educational program is the International Master in Conservation of Antique Photographs and Paper Heritage, organized jointly by Helwan University (Egypt) and from the University of Catania (Italy). For more information about EICAP, please click here.
The Master in Conservation of Antique Photographs and Paper Heritage will be held at Helwan University, Cairo. The duration of the Master Program is four semesters (two years). The academic curriculum follows the European Credit Transfer System. The Master Program is worth 120 credits (ECTS) organized in 15 courses and a Master Thesis project. More details about the proposed academic curriculum can be found by clicking here.
The Master Program emphasizes fundamental aspects of conservation science, including sciences (physics, chemistry, biology) applied to the conservation of old photographs and antique paper documents and manuscripts, as well as practical conservation skills, to which nearly three-quarters of the academic credits are dedicated. Instructors will be professors of Helwan and Catania universities as well as professional conservation experts (for a list of the Master course instructors, click here).
Students successfully completing the four-semester study program, including the discussion of a master thesis, will be awarded a joint Catania-Helwan Master Degree in Conservation of Antique Photographs and Paper Heritage, equivalent to an M.Sc. university degree in Egypt and a professional master degree according to the Italian and European (Bologna process) system.
The maximum number of students that will be admitted to the first cycle of the International Master Course is 30 students. The minimum number is 20 students. The Master Course will not be activated if less than 20 students apply (for registration fees, deadlines and admission criteria, click here). Please note the deadline for application online and for the request of financial support has been extended to the 30th of November at midnight.
The courses will be held at the premises of EICAP, within the Faculty of Applied Arts of Helwan University in Doky, Giza, with the possibility for students of spending up to one semester in Italy or abroad to complete the thesis project.
The official language of the Master Degree Programm will be ENGLISH.
Pre-registration now open, please click here.
Council of the International Master Program
Members of the Scientific Committee for the Master Program:
- Prof. Maged Negm, representing the President of Helwan University.
- Prof. Enrico Ciliberto representing the Rector of the University of Catania.
- Prof. Filippo Stanco (University of Catania),4. Prof. Franco Porcelli (The Italian Embassy in Cairo).
- Prof. Mokhtar Bakr (Chancellor of International Affairs, Helwan University).
- Prof. Safia Al- Kabany (Dean of the College of Fine Arts, Helwan University).
- Prof. George Nubar (Vice Dean of the College of Applied Arts, Helwan University).
- Prof. Khaled Talat (Project Manager, Helwan University).
- Asst. Prof. Ahmed Belal (Project Coordinator, Helwan University).
- Mrs. Youmna Saad (Representative of Misr El-Kheir Association)
Members of the Board of Directors (BOD) of EICAP:
- Prof. Dr. Maged Negm, BOD Honorary Chairman, President of Helwan University.
- Prof. Dr. Mohamed Wishahi, BOD Coordinator, Chairman of the Visual Culture Heritage Organization.
- Prof. Dr. Mokhtar Bakr, BOD Treasurer, Chancellor for International Affairs, Helwan University.
- Prof. Dr. Franco Porcelli, BOD Secretary- General, Director of the Scientific Office at the Embassy of Italy in Egypt.
- Prof. Dr. Safia Al- Kabany, BOD Member, Dean of the Faculty of Fine Arts, Helwan University.