With MoU, GU students can delve into archives for in-depth research

PANAJI: The directorate of archives has long been the guardian of written historical data, safeguarding centuries of records that offer insights into Goan culture, administration, and socio-political evolution. However, the true potential of these archives has largely remained untapped, until now.
In a significant stride towards preserving and unravelling the rich history of Goa, the directorate of archives is poised to sign a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Goa University.Students will have the opportunity to delve into the archives and conduct in-depth research that promises to shed light on previously unknown aspects of Goan history.
“We have Portuguese documents and French literature at the department of archives. Through this MoU, Goa University students pursuing postgraduation in these languages will have access to the 500-year-old documents that are in the department’s custody,” minister for archives and archaeology, Subhash Phal Dessai told TOI.
The synergy between the directorate of archives and Goa University is more than just a bureaucratic collaboration. In this meeting of minds and collective passion for preserving and sharing Goa’s unique heritage, the partnership will contribute to broader historical understanding, enriching the academic community’s knowledge of the region’s multifaceted past.
“It will be a service to society once the (studied and transliterated) documents are in the public domain,” said dean, Goa University Shenoi Goembab School of Languages and Literature, Anuradha Wagle.
The collaboration not only acknowledges the significance of preserving Goa’s history but also highlights the importance of education and research in this endeavour.
“There are some students in the discipline of French and Portuguese who are already doing their dissertation by sourcing materials from the department of archives. The MoU will be a huge boost for the school of languages,” she added.