ISIPH Research Lab I Edition Opens with Successful Inaugural Sessions

Goa, November 22, 2025

The I edition of ISIPH Research Laboratories, themed "Exchanging Skills", launched with remarkable success on November 20-21, 2025, as Professor João Paulo Oliveira e Costa from Universidade Nova de Lisboa delivered two opening conference sessions to a audience of over 30 participants at Fundação Oriente in India.

The inaugural sessions attracted a diverse group of attendees from varied academic and professional backgrounds, with participants traveling from both Goa and Mumbai to attend the lectures on "Goa and the Silk Roads" and "Goa and the Eurasian Communications". Professor Oliveira e Costa, coordinator of the UNESCO Chair "The Ocean's Heritage," explored Goa's pivotal role as a communication hub in global maritime circuits from the 16th century onwards, when it served as the capital of Estado da Índia.

The enthusiastic response to these opening sessions sets a strong foundation for the training modules that resume on November 24, 2025. The laboratories will continue with specialized methodological training led by an international faculty:

November 24 | Portuguese Heraldry, Epigraphy and Paleography

• Professor Ernestine Carreira (Aix-Marseille Université, IMAF-CNRS, Cátedra Eduardo Lourenço): Initiation/Practice in Portuguese Paleography and Epigraphy

• Professor Luís Cabral de Oliveira (Universidade de Leiria, CEDIS): Introduction to Indo-Portuguese Heraldry

November 25 | Heritage Interpretation and French Paleography

• Dr. Mónica Esteves Reis (Aix-Marseille Université, Cátedra Eduardo Lourenço): Heritage Interpretation Methodology

• Professor Ernestine Carreira: Initiation/Practice in French Paleography in Goan Collections

November 26 | Field Application with Goan Partners

• On-site training at the Viceroys Gallery (ASI Museum) and heritage walks in Old Goa with Professor Ernestine Carreira

• Dr. Natasha Fernandes (Curator, MoCA Museum of Christian Art): Heritage Dissemination and Promotion

• Closing roundtable with all trainers and local scientific partners including Prof. Anuradha Wagle (Goa University), Dr. Fatima Gracias (Cátedra Eduardo Lourenço), and Prof. Parag Parobo (Goa University)

This pioneering initiative represents a new model of sustained international scientific cooperation between Portugal, France, and India, bringing together research centers including IMAF-CNRS, CHAM, CEDIS, Goa University, and the Chair Eduardo Lourenço.