we did it and nino is staying independent and keeping its staff. thank you for sticking with this because it shows they really were paying attention to us. ill follow up later with how we make sure they keep their word.
July 9, 2017
Final supporters
Support the independence of NINO and the future of Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies in the Netherlands
NINO (Netherlands Institute for the Near East – www.nino-leiden.nl), based in Leiden, has since 1939 provided a (semi-)independent and vital support for Egyptology, Assyriology, and Ancient Near Eastern Studies at large in both a national and international context. NINO maintains a scientific library of about 43,000 titles which counts among the best in Europe, holds the Böhl Collection (ca. 3,000 cuneiform tablets and other objects), publishes journals and monographs, and has a subsidiary institute in Istanbul (www.nit-istanbul.org).
This spring a plan has been drafted by a sub-committee of the NINO Board and Leiden University, which will transform NINO into an entity without its own staff, while the NINO assets will be controlled by others. The NINO library books will be moved into or next to Leiden University’s central library and will be looked after by University Library staff. The Böhl Collection will be stored in the National Museum of Antiquities (Leiden). The present staff of NINO will be replaced by a “Research School” within Leiden University.
In spite of some apparent positive aspects of this plan numerous examples of similar reorganisations from other contexts demonstrate that such positive effects usually sooner or later fade or disappear, and we believe the fields of Ancient Near Eastern Studies in the Netherlands are better served long-term by maintaining an integrated and independent NINO.
NINO has been able to build up and maintain its library, collections and publications as a counterpart of institutes worldwide, and as a strong foundation to the studies of Egyptology and the Ancient Near East in the Netherlands – precisely because it has been able to function as a specialised institute (semi-)independently from University during the last 78 years.
It is important to note that the proposed plans are at least partly prompted by impending architectural changes at NINO’s long-time host, Leiden University’s Faculty of Humanities. This is indeed a vital time to secure the future of the existing centre of excellence for Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies that NINO has helped to create in Leiden. Generations of Dutch and international scholars and students have benefited from the NINO facilities, at an average of 9,000 visitors per year. The general wish for “added scientific value” for NINO can easily be reached without dramatically dissolving a well-proven structure. The viable alternative is to continue NINO’s independent management, as well as its existing fruitful cooperation with both Leiden University and the National Museum of Antiquities, but not to transfer its assets to them.
We therefore urge you to speak out against this plan that puts in jeopardy the long-term future of Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies in the Netherlands, and we ask you to support the continuation of an integrated and independent NINO by signing this petition.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
June 21, 2017
Reached 100 supporters
June 17, 2017
575 Comments
During my study egyptology I used the library almost every day and enjoyed it very much. Almost every title (book and periodical) is avalible and easy accessable! The NINO is unique and a unmissable institute for research, something to be proud of!
NINO's prestige and intellectual missions are a beacon of responsible enlightenment internationally. Diluting the automony and assets of NINO would be an irreversible act. And it would radically diminish the role of the Netherlands as a center of learnedness.
I don't see any advantage in breaking up a fine scholarly institution with a long tradition into a research school. The success of Egyptology and ANE Studies is also guaranteed by an adjacent library and the combination of teaching and research on actual artifacts.
NINO is too important to the world community of scholars to alter its organizational structure. Peter Der Manuelian Philip J. King Professor of Egyptology Director, Harvard Semitic Museum Harvard University 6 Divinity Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138
Voor een paar schamele euro's offeren deze rekenmeesters een unieke collectie op. Het prachtige gebouw moet ook tegen de vlakte. Wat een kortzichtigheid, wat een kapitaalvernietiging, wat een minachting voor ons culturele erfgoed.
yUAjOPiRLDrw
pXHvWTUZ
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Copy link or share directly
we did it and nino is staying independent and keeping its staff. thank you for sticking with this because it shows they really were paying attention to us. ill follow up later with how we make sure they keep their word.
July 9, 2017
Final supporters
Support the independence of NINO and the future of Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies in the Netherlands
NINO (Netherlands Institute for the Near East – www.nino-leiden.nl), based in Leiden, has since 1939 provided a (semi-)independent and vital support for Egyptology, Assyriology, and Ancient Near Eastern Studies at large in both a national and international context. NINO maintains a scientific library of about 43,000 titles which counts among the best in Europe, holds the Böhl Collection (ca. 3,000 cuneiform tablets and other objects), publishes journals and monographs, and has a subsidiary institute in Istanbul (www.nit-istanbul.org).
This spring a plan has been drafted by a sub-committee of the NINO Board and Leiden University, which will transform NINO into an entity without its own staff, while the NINO assets will be controlled by others. The NINO library books will be moved into or next to Leiden University’s central library and will be looked after by University Library staff. The Böhl Collection will be stored in the National Museum of Antiquities (Leiden). The present staff of NINO will be replaced by a “Research School” within Leiden University.
In spite of some apparent positive aspects of this plan numerous examples of similar reorganisations from other contexts demonstrate that such positive effects usually sooner or later fade or disappear, and we believe the fields of Ancient Near Eastern Studies in the Netherlands are better served long-term by maintaining an integrated and independent NINO.
NINO has been able to build up and maintain its library, collections and publications as a counterpart of institutes worldwide, and as a strong foundation to the studies of Egyptology and the Ancient Near East in the Netherlands – precisely because it has been able to function as a specialised institute (semi-)independently from University during the last 78 years.
It is important to note that the proposed plans are at least partly prompted by impending architectural changes at NINO’s long-time host, Leiden University’s Faculty of Humanities. This is indeed a vital time to secure the future of the existing centre of excellence for Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies that NINO has helped to create in Leiden. Generations of Dutch and international scholars and students have benefited from the NINO facilities, at an average of 9,000 visitors per year. The general wish for “added scientific value” for NINO can easily be reached without dramatically dissolving a well-proven structure. The viable alternative is to continue NINO’s independent management, as well as its existing fruitful cooperation with both Leiden University and the National Museum of Antiquities, but not to transfer its assets to them.
We therefore urge you to speak out against this plan that puts in jeopardy the long-term future of Egyptology and Ancient Near Eastern Studies in the Netherlands, and we ask you to support the continuation of an integrated and independent NINO by signing this petition.
Updates
Reached 1,000 supporters
June 21, 2017
Reached 100 supporters
June 17, 2017
575 Comments
I am an academic based in New York and I do research in France, Egypt, the UK and the Netherlands. The NINO library is one of the main Egyptological libraries in Europe and its collection one of the most accessible. I support a connected and independent NINO
During my study egyptology I used the library almost every day and enjoyed it very much. Almost every title (book and periodical) is avalible and easy accessable! The NINO is unique and a unmissable institute for research, something to be proud of!
NINO's prestige and intellectual missions are a beacon of responsible enlightenment internationally. Diluting the automony and assets of NINO would be an irreversible act. And it would radically diminish the role of the Netherlands as a center of learnedness.
I don't see any advantage in breaking up a fine scholarly institution with a long tradition into a research school. The success of Egyptology and ANE Studies is also guaranteed by an adjacent library and the combination of teaching and research on actual artifacts.
NINO is too important to the world community of scholars to alter its organizational structure. Peter Der Manuelian Philip J. King Professor of Egyptology Director, Harvard Semitic Museum Harvard University 6 Divinity Avenue Cambridge, MA 02138
Voor een paar schamele euro's offeren deze rekenmeesters een unieke collectie op. Het prachtige gebouw moet ook tegen de vlakte. Wat een kortzichtigheid, wat een kapitaalvernietiging, wat een minachting voor ons culturele erfgoed.
yUAjOPiRLDrw
pXHvWTUZ
Share Petition
Don't stop at signing, share the petition link with friends to multiply our impact
Petitions like this
Other petitions you might want to support
Scan to share
Anyone who scans this can sign the petition.
I am an academic based in New York and I do research in France, Egypt, the UK and the Netherlands. The NINO library is one of the main Egyptological libraries in Europe and its collection one of the most accessible. I support a connected and independent NINO