The British University in Egypt is proud to showcase how its research infrastructure actively works to record and preserve intangible cultural heritage, ensuring the knowledge of prominent Egyptian figures remains accessible for generations. A prime example of this commitment is the BUE Farouk El-Baz Library.

Housed within the university’s BUE Scholar on Digital Commons platform, this digital collection is far more than just an archive; it is a dedicated repository of documents, articles, and drafts authored by and about the renowned Egyptian geologist, Dr. Farouk El-Baz.

Dr. El-Baz’s work represents a unique form of intangible heritage: a vast body of knowledge, scientific tradition, and innovative methodology that spans decades of contributions to space science, geology, and high-tech archaeology. Documents such as his works on “Space-Age divining rods” and “High-tech archaeology” demonstrate the integration of traditional knowledge (like locating water or historical sites) with advanced scientific techniques—a significant intellectual tradition that must be preserved.

The Farouk El-Baz Library, which is a key initiative of the Farouk El-Baz Centre for Sustainability and Future Studies at the British University in Egypt, serves as a crucial mechanism for this preservation. By digitizing and providing open access to this intellectual legacy via its online portal, the University ensures that this critical Egyptian knowledge is not only recorded but is also readily available to inform future research, inspire new generations, and remain part of the global academic dialogue. This project powerfully demonstrates the role of the British University in Egypt as a body dedicated to securing and celebrating the intellectual heritage of its region.