The American University in Cairo (AUC) to digitise rare Egyptian manuscripts

The American University in Cairo (AUC) has begun digitising its collections of rare Egyptian manuscripts.

The burning of the historic Egyptian Scientific Institute on 17 December 2011 spurred the AUC to embark on the project, according to a statement released by the university.

The 12-hour fire began during violent clashes between protestors and military police, and resulted in most of the institute's collection of 192,000 books, journals and writings being either destroyed or badly damaged.

The AUC's technical team has already saved many of the university's key rare books collections - including pictures and architectural blueprints - in a digital database.

Authorities at the university said that eventually the digital library will be accessible online. Its highlights will include mediaeval and ancient manuscripts, as well as the library's prized collection of documents relating to Egyptian revolutions during the 20th century. 

 Given its extensive collection, the project is expected to take some time to complete.