National Archive of Maldives on Saturday said it is gearing up to commence the digitisation of historical documents.
It is currently undertaking a Public Records Digitisation Project to ensure preservation of State documents and records.
The National Archive is mandated with ensuring the preservation of the state documents, photographs, maps, and other records.
It earlier contracted Sri Lanka-based Sanjeev Pvt Ltd to supply a fully-automated robotic book scanner under the Public Records Digitisation Project, which would see digitisation of public documents, historical books, photos, videos, charts and information. The agency has already acquired equipment and set up a laboratory under its Preservation Programme. It said the fully automated robotic book scanner being acquired, produced by Qidenus Technologies of Australia, would be used in its newly established digitisation lab.
Mohamed Shathir, Chief Executive Officer of the National Archive, said the MVR3 million scanner, which is capable of scanning 2500 pages per hour, is expected to be delivered soon. He said arrangements are now being made to install the state-of-the-art scanner.
Under the Public Digitisation Project, priority would be accorded to State institutions and government offices which have the largest number of documents.