Retired head librarian Ginny Danielson from New York University Abu Dhabi library, which aims to digitise up to 25,000 Arabic books by 2020. Victor Besa / The National
Retired head librarian Ginny Danielson from New York University Abu Dhabi library, which aims to digitise up to 25,000 Arabic books by 2020. Victor Besa / The National

NYU Arabic digital library receives Dh5m grant from Arcadia



A digital library containing great works of Arabic literature has received a Dh4.92million grant from one of the UK’s largest philanthropic organisations.

Arabic Collections Online, an open access project managed by New York University-Abu Dhabi and NYU-New York, has received funding from Arcadia, a charitable fund that supports multiple open access programmes.

The grant will help the digital library reach its goal of digitising 23,000 volumes from NYU and partner institutions by the end of 2020. More than 8,785 volumes of poetry, literature, law, history and economics have been posted on the library's website to date.

“A signature aspect of this project is the extensive copyright research we have done to enable us to bring the greatest possible number of public domain titles into the collection,” said Carol Madel, the NYU libraries dean emeriti, in a statement.

“This generous grant is helping us bring great library collections of Arabic materials to a wider audience – it's free to anyone, anywhere with an internet connection.”

The library is popular at universities with Arabic programmes and secondary education institutes in the Middle East. More than 80 per cent of its users are in the Middle East.

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Read more:

The NYUAD project that is digitizing Arabic books for all to access

Sultan Al Qassemi uses digitlisation to spread the word about Arabic Art

A chance to discover the secrets of the Birmingham Quran

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“Arabic Collections Online has become extremely popular in the Middle East because access to libraries there, especially outside of major cities, can be difficult,” said Ginny Danielson, the recently retired director of the NYUAD library and co-founder of the project.

The National Archives of the United Arab Emirates, and the academic libraries of NYU, Columbia University, Cornell University, Princeton University, American University of Beirut, and American University in Cairo have contributed to the digital collection.

Arcadia was co-founded by Lisbet Rausing, a science historian and philanthropist, and her husband Peter Baldwin.

RESULTS

6pm: Mazrat Al Ruwayah – Group 2 (PA) $40,000 (Dirt) 1,600m
Winner: AF Alajaj, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)

6.35pm: Race of Future – Handicap (TB) $80,000 (Turf) 2,410m
Winner: Global Storm, William Buick, Charlie Appleby

7.10pm: UAE 2000 Guineas – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,600m
Winner: Azure Coast, Antonio Fresu, Pavel Vashchenko

7.45pm: Business Bay Challenge – Listed (TB) $100,000 (T) 1,400m
Winner: Storm Damage, Patrick Cosgrave, Saeed bin Suroor

20.20pm: Curlin Stakes – Listed (TB) $100,000 (D) 2,000m
Winner: Appreciated, Fernando Jara, Doug O’Neill

8.55pm: Singspiel Stakes – Group 2 (TB) $180,000 (T) 1,800m
Winner: Lord Glitters, Daniel Tudhope, David O'Meara

9.30pm: Al Shindagha Sprint – Group 3 (TB) $150,000 (D) 1,200m
Winner: Meraas, Antonio Fresu, Musabah Al Muhairi

Fresh faces in UAE side

Khalifa Mubarak (24) An accomplished centre-back, the Al Nasr defender’s progress has been hampered in the past by injury. With not many options in central defence, he would bolster what can be a problem area.

Ali Salmeen (22) Has been superb at the heart of Al Wasl’s midfield these past two seasons, with the Dubai club flourishing under manager Rodolfo Arrubarrena. Would add workrate and composure to the centre of the park.

Mohammed Jamal (23) Enjoyed a stellar 2016/17 Arabian Gulf League campaign, proving integral to Al Jazira as the capital club sealed the championship for only a second time. A tenacious and disciplined central midfielder.

Khalfan Mubarak (22) One of the most exciting players in the UAE, the Al Jazira playmaker has been likened in style to Omar Abdulrahman. Has minimal international experience already, but there should be much more to come.

Jassim Yaqoub (20) Another incredibly exciting prospect, the Al Nasr winger is becoming a regular contributor at club level. Pacey, direct and with an eye for goal, he would provide the team’s attack an extra dimension.

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Five%20calorie-packed%20Ramadan%20drinks
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The White Lotus: Season three

Creator: Mike White

Starring: Walton Goggins, Jason Isaacs, Natasha Rothwell

Rating: 4.5/5

NO OTHER LAND

Director: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham, Rachel Szor, Hamdan Ballal

Stars: Basel Adra, Yuval Abraham

Rating: 3.5/5

The biog

Name: Salvador Toriano Jr

Age: 59

From: Laguna, The Philippines

Favourite dish: Seabass or Fish and Chips

Hobbies: When he’s not in the restaurant, he still likes to cook, along with walking and meeting up with friends.

Fourth Arab Economic and Social Development Summit

As he spoke, Mr Aboul Gheit repeatedly referred to the need to tackle issues affecting the welfare of people across the region both in terms of preventing conflict and in pushing development.
Lebanon is scheduled to host the fourth Arab Economic and Social Development Summit in January that will see regional leaders gather to tackle the challenges facing the Middle East. The last such summit was held in 2013. Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki told The National that the Beirut Summit “will be an opportunity for Arab leaders to discuss solely economic and social issues, the conference will not focus on political concerns such as Palestine, Syria or Libya". He added that its slogan will be “the individual is at the heart of development”, adding that it will focus on all elements of human capital.

Wonka
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