Preserving Champa Culture: A Collaborative Workshop on Manuscript Digitization in Vietnam

Phan Rang-Tháp Chàm, Vietnam – Dreamsea (Digital Repository of Endangered and Affected Manuscripts in Southeast Asia), a program managed by the Center for Islamic and Community Studies (PPIM) at UIN Jakarta, in collaboration with the Cham Cultural Research Center, successfully held a workshop themed “Southeast Asian Manuscript Digitization” in Phan Rang-Tháp Chàm, Vietnam, on August 21-22, 2024. This workshop served as an important platform for academics, researchers, and cultural practitioners from various Southeast Asian countries to deepen their knowledge of manuscript digitization and preserve endangered cultural heritage.

Southeast Asia is known for its rich manuscript heritage with significant historical, literary, and cultural value. However, many of these manuscripts are in poor condition and at risk of being lost over time. Digitization is a crucial solution for preserving these manuscripts and ensuring they can be accessed by future generations.

The workshop aimed to enhance participants’ capacities in manuscript digitization techniques, metadata management, and field documentation. Through intensive training, participants are expected to apply this knowledge in their respective institutions, enabling the high-standard digitization of manuscript collections in the region.

The two-day workshop featured various in-depth and interactive sessions. Abdullah Maulani, Data Manager of Dreamsea, outlined key steps in the manuscript digitization process. He explained the methodologies and challenges faced in this project, as well as the importance of maintaining the integrity and authenticity of manuscripts during digitization.

Ilham Nurwansah discussed the significance of metadata in managing digital collections. Participants learned how to compile complete and accurate metadata to maximize the accessibility and utility of digital manuscripts. Meanwhile, Lilis Shofiyanti, Assistant Data Manager of Dreamsea, provided guidance on writing a “mission diary” as an essential part of the digitization documentation process. She emphasized the importance of narratively recording field experiences to add cultural and historical context to the digitization project.

Participants came from various backgrounds, including researchers, librarians, academics, and members of the Cham community in Vietnam. They showed high enthusiasm in attending each session, particularly in the interactive discussions addressing practical challenges faced in the field.

Le Xuân Lợi, Chairman of the Cham Cultural Research Center, expressed that the workshop provided new insights into the importance of manuscript digitization and marked the first collaboration with Indonesia in digitizing manuscripts. “We have greatly benefited from the knowledge shared here. Digitization of manuscripts is not just about technology, but also about preserving and valuing our cultural heritage; this is our first collaboration with Indonesia in digitizing manuscripts,” he stated.

The workshop concluded with a strong commitment from participants to apply the knowledge gained in their respective institutions. The organizers, Dreamsea-PPIM UIN Jakarta, and the Cham Cultural Research Center also expressed their intention to continue supporting manuscript digitization efforts in Southeast Asia, particularly in Vietnam, through similar activities in the future.

With the success of this workshop, it is hoped that the efforts to preserve manuscripts in Southeast Asia will grow stronger, and cooperation among countries in the region will continue to develop to safeguard invaluable cultural heritage.

Author: Lilis Shofiyani
Editor: Ilham Nurwansah