Project News

Mr. Osama, Executive director of GEM-CC talked about the cooperation between GEM-CC and JICA for capacity development

1. Outcome

The first Symposium of GEM-CC was organized jointly by the Grand Egyptian Museum Conservation Center (GEM-CC) and JICA GEM-CC Project on 26th and 27th February, 2012.

This Symposium focused on widely disseminating the fruits of the JICA training program at GEM-CC and results of the researches and work of GEM-CC to specialists in conservation and archaeology in Egypt. It also aimed to broaden their perspectives through presentation of and communication with external specialists in the fields.

The Symposium was the first public event of GEM and GEM-CC. Many specialists in Egypt gathered. Overall, the Symposium became a great opportunity for GEM-CC staff and external experts in conservation and archaeology to discuss conservation of Egyptian artifacts.

2. Outline

It was attended by the Ambassador of Japan, Chief Representative of JICA Egypt office, directors and heads of conservation of the museums in Egypt, professors from archaeology and conservation departments of universities, foreign archaeology institutes which have office in Cairo, in addition to conservators, scientists and Egyptologists of the Grand Egyptian Museum and staff of JICA GEM-CC project. In total of two days, almost 320 people attended the Symposium.

Many questions and opinions were raised to the key note speech about conservation in Japan by Dr. Kawanobe (Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation, National Research Institute of Cultural Properties, Tokyo)

After the opening remarks by H.E. Ambassador Okuda, Mr. Ikuro, Chief Representative of JICA Egypt office and Dr. Bassir, General Supervisor of GEM, Mr. Osama, executive director of GEM-CC introduced the cooperation between GEM-CC and JICA for capacity development of Egyptian experts. Mr. Hussein, technical director, GEM-CC, explained the facilities, function, and organization of GEM-CC.

In a keynote speech, Dr. Kawanobe (Japan Center for International Cooperation in Conservation, National Research Institute of Cultural Properties, Tokyo) discussed the principle of Japanese conservation using recent conservation and restoration work. Dr. Nadia Lokma (GEM-CC Conservation Consultant) explained conservation work in Egypt, especially at GEM-CC. In the discussion after the two keynote speeches, many questions were raised on the topic, especially about Japanese conservation ethics and work which were rather unique ideas for Egyptian and foreign experts. Comparison was made among Egyptian, western and Japanese conservation and the discussions were excellent time to exchange opinions among the participants.

A keynote speech by Dr. Nadia of Conservation Consultant at GEM-CC

Four staff of GEM-CC gave presentations about their work and research at GEM-CC. Mr. Iman (Head of Inorganic Lab) explained in detail about work process and achievement of conservation labs at GEM-CC. Mr. Nour (Wood Lab) talked about conservation process and treatment of the statue of Ibis. A research on identification and treatment of microorganism on a stone statue outcomes were presented by Mr. Bessim (Special Project Lab) and Ms. Shaimaa (Microbiology Lab).

On the second day, the GEM-CC staff presented what they have learned and been developing as a part of the JICA's training program. Mr. Shaaban (Head of Preparation Room) explained suitable box-making for museums artifacts using materials which are not harmful for the artifacts and storing system to safely store artifacts in the GEM-CC storages. He has learned these in the courses of "Dealing with Artifacts" and "Collection Management". Mr. Said who is responsible for the GEM-CC storage introduced the collection management action plan which was formulated in the"Collection Management" course and its implementation. Mr. Atwa, General Manager of ADD (Archaeological Database Department), talked about the work and responsibilities of ADD. The department revises and develops collection database of GEM and support curators for location management of artifacts at GEM-CC.

Using an example of the GEM-CC lab, Mr. Iman (Inorganic lab) introduced about function and work of conservation lab.

The Symposium attendants from other museums and institutions joined a GEM-CC tour. GEM-CC is usually not open to the public and only those who receive permission can visit it. Divided into small groups, they visited the conservation and science labs as well as storages. The visitors not only were surprised with the great facilities and equipment at GEM-CC but also they discussed over conservation process, treatment materials, and research topics and analysis with the staff.

In the Phase 2 of this project, capacity development plan includes holding and participating international different academic conferences and Symposiums as well as training program. It aims that through these opportunities, the GEM-CC staff presents their achievements in international places to other experts in order to disseminate their work and contribute to the field of conservation at international level. In September 2011, the technical director of GEM-CC and two conservators attended the ICOM-CC (International Council of Museum: Conservation Committee) Triennial Conference in Lisbon, Portugal. It is one of the biggest conferences in the conservation fields and the latest practice and researches were presented and discussed. The attendants from GEM-CC had a chance to meet and exchange their ideas with experts from all over the world. It is expected that some of the GEM-CC staff present a paper at the next conference which is coming in three years.

The JICA GEM-CC project will hold an academic Symposium on conservation every year in cooperation with GEM-CC every year.

Presentations about the responsibilities, work flow and achievements of ADD by Mr. Atwa (General Manager of ADD)

GEM-CC opened to the Symposium attendants to show facility and work

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