Training program for editing Arabic manuscripts

The University of Balamand, together with IFPO, Kaslik University, Lebanese University, and the Oriental Library planned a training program for the reading and editing of  Arabic manuscripts.  The program was executed over a period of 3 years, (2011-2012, 2012-2013, and 2013-2014.) All sessions took place in the months of February and June for the duration of 25 hours each month.  The staff were from France, Germany and Lebanon, and the students were from the Univesrity of Balamand, the Lebanese University and IFPO. The students became familiar with the libraries that hold these manuscripts, and where the lessons were held.  The lessons included theoretical sessions in the mornings and practical sessions in the afternoons.  The manuscripts that were studied consisted of historical, literary, poetical, religious, and philosophical ones. There were several lectures about Christian and Moslem documents that may be found in the religious courts and in bishoprics and monasteries. In the afternoon sessions the students within groups that dealt with the cataloging editing and analysis of manuscripts and documents.  10 students graduated in the first year, 8 in the second, and 3 in the third. They were all exempted from one course in their respective institutions as was agreed by all the participating partners.  All programs ended with visits to historical places and to monasteries where students got to know about the places where the original manuscripts were held.
The end products of this program were:
1. Partnership between Lebanese universities, IFPO, and the Orient Institute.
2. 22 students from the University of Balamand got a training in studying and editing of Arabic texts in the fields of philosophy, history and religion.
3. Exams and results were accepted by all participating institutions as credits towards the Masters and Doctorate degrees.​