Jamia Hamdard Designated As Cluster Centre For Manuscript Heritage By The Ministry Of Culture

Jamia Hamdard (Deemed to be University) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Gyan Bharatam, a flagship programme of the Ministry of Culture, Government of India. The initiative focuses on the preservation, conservation, digitisation, translation, and research of India’s rich manuscript heritage.

The MoU officially designates Jamia Hamdard as a Cluster Centre. The Cluster Centre will manage manuscript-related activities for its own collections and oversee up to twenty Cluster Partner Centres across the country.

The agreement was signed by Shri Inderjeet Singh, Director, Ministry of Culture, and Dr Sarfaraz Ahsan, Registrar (Officiating), Jamia Hamdard. The event was attended by Dr Akhtar Parvez, University Librarian, Jamia Hamdard; Professor Anirban Dash, Project Director; and Mr Bharat Kumar, Under Secretary, Gyan Bharatam, Ministry of Culture.

Following the signing, Dr Akhtar Parvez, Dr Sarfaraz Ahsan, Professor MA Sikandar, Director, Centre for Distance & Online Education, and Prof Riaz Umar, Member of the Executive Council, formally presented the MoU to Prof (Dr) M Afshar Alam, Vice-Chancellor, Jamia Hamdard.

Professor (Dr) M Afshar Alam described the collaboration as ‘a moment of great pride for Jamia Hamdard’. He highlighted that the University’s designation as a Cluster Centre reflects the confidence placed in its institutional capabilities.

Prof Alam emphasised the University’s commitment to preserving, digitising, and promoting India’s manuscript heritage while creating scholarly resources that connect India’s civilisational past with contemporary research.

He also expressed gratitude to Shri Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, for his support. He appreciated the prompt action in recognising Jamia Hamdard as a Cluster Centre for manuscript heritage.

Role of the Cluster Centre

Dr Akhtar Parvez outlined the University’s responsibilities as a Cluster Centre under Gyan Bharatam. These include systematic survey and cataloguing of manuscripts, preventive and curative conservation, capacity-building workshops, and digitisation. They also cover transliteration, translation, preparation of critical editions, research, publications, exhibitions, and outreach programmes.

Jamia Hamdard will integrate its digitised manuscripts with the National Digital Repository, ensuring broader access for scholars and researchers.

This initiative positions Jamia Hamdard at the forefront of manuscript studies, digital humanities, and cultural preservation. The establishment of the Cluster Centre will expand research and training opportunities for students and scholars. It will also make rare and invaluable knowledge accessible nationally and internationally.

The University looks forward to close collaboration with Gyan Bharatam. It aims to safeguard India’s manuscript heritage for future generations and foster a deeper understanding of the country’s rich cultural legacy.

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