Director, Center for the Revival of Arab Scientific Heritage
The Center for the Revival of Arab Scientific Heritage, established as one of the prominent research institutions of the University of Baghdad, was founded to provide a rigorous platform for the study, preservation, and dissemination of Arab and Islamic heritage. The Center is committed to producing scholarly work characterized by intellectual precision, cultural authenticity, and methodological soundness, thereby supporting Iraqi academic and cultural institutions and furnishing researchers with valuable resources in the domains of history, heritage, science, and related fields. A central concern of the Center is documentation, recognized as a vital tool for safeguarding the nation’s cultural inheritance and transmitting knowledge to future generations. Such documentation encompasses manuscripts, rare books, files, artifacts, and artistic materials, all of which are systematically collected, studied, and preserved. The Center further seeks to provide critical editions of heritage texts, bibliographical indices, and comprehensive studies, while also strengthening scholarly networks by organizing specialized seminars, workshops, and courses. In doing so, it aspires to act as a cultural bridge, linking the University of Baghdad with research institutions across Iraq and the broader world, thereby fostering collaboration and ensuring the preservation and advancement of Arab scientific heritage as a cornerstone of civilizational unity.
Establishment and Objectives
The Center was formally established in 1977 and commenced its activities on February 12 of that year. The University of Baghdad- being the oldest and most prestigious academic institution in Iraq- undertook the initiative of founding a specialized center dedicated to highlighting the intellectual and scientific contributions of Arab civilization. The Center’s principal mission is to illuminate the sources of creativity and originality within Arab-Islamic civilization and to underscore its constructive role in advancing the broader trajectory of human knowledge, with particular emphasis on the scientific and applied sciences.
Among its foundational goals are:
- The scholarly investigation and publication of manuscripts and scientific theses related to Arab intellectual and scientific activity.
- The translation of foundational texts and references, thereby making them accessible to contemporary researchers and fostering a vibrant culture of heritage studies.
- The establishment of partnerships with international museums, universities, libraries, and research centers engaged in the study and preservation of Arab heritage, intending to benefit from their collections and expertise.
- The invitation of distinguished Orientalists and specialists to contribute their expertise, thereby enriching the Center’s scholarly endeavors.
- The organization of national, regional, and international conferences to explore the enduring relevance of Arab heritage and to situate its scientific achievements within global intellectual history.
Vision and Cultural Mission
The establishment of the Center was intended to create a permanent scholarly platform for the revival of civilizational heritage, ensuring the preservation of Iraq’s cultural and intellectual inheritance against the threat of neglect or extinction. Through the publication of rigorous research in the humanities, the organization of symposia and conferences, and the development of a comprehensive archive of Arab and Islamic manuscripts, the Center has become a beacon of intellectual vitality and cultural pride for a nation renowned as the cradle of civilization.
In an era when many nations strive to highlight their cultural legacy as both a source of national identity and an economic resource, the Center has assumed the responsibility of safeguarding Iraq’s heritage and presenting it in its most distinguished form. This effort is grounded in the belief that the advancement of nations is inseparable from the revival of their intellectual and cultural roots. Accordingly, the Center seeks to harmonize the study of heritage with contemporary global approaches to cultural preservation, thereby ensuring that Iraq’s civilizational achievements-both tangible and intangible-continue to inspire present and future generations.
Ultimately, the Center for the Revival of Arab Scientific Heritage stands as a custodian of intellectual treasures, a promoter of scholarly inquiry, and a guardian of national identity. It embodies the collective efforts of generations of scholars, writers, and thinkers whose contributions form the foundation of Iraq’s enduring cultural and civilizational legacy. With ambition and optimism, the Center continues its mission to revive and sustain this heritage, enriching both national consciousness and global scholarship.
Prof. Dr. Laith M. Hussein
