AFRICA/EGYPT - New Institutes of Coptic Studies are spreading in public universities

Alexandria of Egypt (Agenzia Fides) - With an unprecedented initiative, Egyptian political institutions have decided to invest resources to support the opening of institutes, centers and departments in public universities dedicated to the study and enhancement of the Coptic language and cultural heritage. The first institute of Coptic Studies was already inaugurated at the University of Alexandria, in collaboration with the Coptic Orthodox Church. A similar initiative is being undertaken at the faculty of artistic studies of the University of Damanhour. Even the buildings intended to house these institutions have been designed, inspired by the typical forms of Coptic architecture.
The so-called "Coptic age" is identified by scholars as a time of transition between the era of the pharaohs and that of the Arab-Islamic civilization. And it is referred to as a constitutive element of Egyptian culture and identity. In recent days, during a project presentation conference, Professor Ghada Mousa, Dean of the Faculty of Arts of the University of Alessandria, explained that the Institute of Coptic Studies cultivates the systematic and academic study of Coptic language and literature, of the history of antiquity and of Coptic artistic expressions, taking care of the assignment of specialization diplomas and research doctorates.
Mr. Louay Mahmoud Saied, director of the Center for Coptic Studies at the Alexandrina Library, emphasized that even specialized studies on the Coptic language and culture can give a valuable contribution to safeguarding the plural identity of the Egyptian nation and the coexistence of different religious components. (GV) (Agenzia Fides, 10/7/2019)

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