MIMAR is set to become a regional center of excellence

Madaba –Two events were marked today at the Madaba Institute of Mosaic Art and Restoration (MIMAR) as the students of the 2010/2011 term were officially graduated under the patronage of H.E. Nayef Humeidi Al-Fayez, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, and the foundation stone was laid for a planned expansion of the institute, which is set to become a regional center of excellence in mosaic art and stone restoration. This development is being supported by the USAID Jordan Tourism Development Project (Siyaha) and the Italian Cooperation for Development Office –Embassy of Italy in Amman, which have contributed extensively to the development of the institute and its bid to provide students with the skills needed to help preserve Jordan’s mosaic heritage.

In his speech, H.E. Nayef Humeidi Al Fayez, Minister of Tourism and Antiquities, congratulated the students and explained that, "The institute was founded with the aim of being a center for education, training, research and information on mosaic art and restoration in Jordan and the region. Over the last few years, the institute has gone beyond its academic role to become a tourist attraction in itself, hosting workshops and offering various programs. This adds to the diversity of tourism products, which will attract more visitors to Jordan, increase their length of stay and provide us with an opportunity to showcase our cultural heritage and production." The minister also stressed the need to work hard to preserve Jordan’s cultural heritage.          

"We are proud to see our students graduate each year from this world-class program with the highest standards of skills and capabilities, which will enable them to help preserve our national mosaic heritage. We thank all supporting organizations and entities for their continuous efforts to develop the institute to become a regional center of excellence," said Dr. Adnan Shiyyab, MIMAR Dean.

H.E. the Ambassador of Italy, Francesco Fransoni, congratulated the graduating students, and further reaffirmed the Italian commitment to support cultural development, preservation and enhancement worldwide and sharing of the Italian expertise and excellence in this sector. H.E. Mr. Fransoni recalled Padre Piccirillo, whose commitment and passion for Jordanian culture and heritage enabled the establishment of the original mosaic school, and he also thanked the Ministry of Tourism and the Department of Antiquities for their fundamental support and collaboration in this project, and expressed deep appreciation for the joint action between Italy and the United States of America through USAID, which is  evidence of the close understanding and reciprocal support of the two countries.

“This unique mosaic heritage is a significant part of Jordan’s tourism offering and it is important that Jordanians have the skills to protect the country’s mosaics. MIMAR also offers the opportunity to become a center of excellence and share such knowledge and skills within the region and beyond and USAID is happy to be supporting this important effort,” said Doug Ball, USAID Jordan Deputy Mission Director. He explained, “This is part of our extensive work over several years to support the development of tourism in Madaba.”

Today’s graduates have successfully completed courses at MIMAR, 11 of which have graduated from the two-year diploma in mosaic preservation and restoration offered at MIMAR, which is in line with international best practices. A further 12 students undertook short-term training courses.

Currently MIMAR can offer the diploma program to up to 50 students each term, in addition to the short courses in mosaic production. The plans for expanding and developing the Institute will increase its intake capacity to around 200 students per term in addition to establishing a mosaic research center for the region. The Italian Cooperation for Development and USAID/Siyaha will jointly provide funding for the upgrade of MIMAR, enabling it to introduce new facilities such as classrooms, a theatre, and mosaic labs, in addition to expanding the existing library. Support will also be provided to build both MIMAR’s administrative and promotional capacities, conduct marketing campaigns and establish the research center and research networks with international professionals in the field of mosaic conservation.

Situated in the old city of Madaba, MIMAR was previously the Madaba Mosaic School, which was established in 1992 thanks to the extensive efforts of Father Piccirillo, Director of the Studium Biblicum Franciscanum, and the support of the Italian Cooperation for Development, to conserve and protect the mosaics recovered through decades of archaeological excavations in the city and neighboring areas. Since 2006, the joint action of USAID/Siyaha and the Italian Cooperation for Development has been supporting the institute to enhance capacity, upgrade standards and promote new curricula and education materials. In 2006 an extensive review of the school was completed and a new development strategy was prepared which proposed the upgrade of the high school to a college/applied university status. MoTA, the Italian Cooperation for Development, and USAID/Siyaha thus developed a new management structure and drafted legal by laws to enable the institute to be formed as a public private not for profit entity with independent financing structures. In addition, USAID/Siyaha granted scholarships last year to 17 students to study at MIMAR.

In the past, USAID/Siyaha has supported the development of Madaba as a tourism destination, creating a strategy and helping the development of several tourism-related businesses. Other USAID/Siyaha work in Madaba that continues today includes a project to improve interpretation at the Church of St. George and the Martyr’s Church.