Nariman Gooranorimi contributes as a Work Study student with the Tavakoli Archives. Nariman is a senior undergraduate student at the University of Toronto, majoring in Human Biology with a double minor in Near & Middle Eastern Civilizations and French Language. Throughout his studies, Nariman has worked as a Research Assistant at the Tavakoli Archives in order to expand on and improve his research skills. Outside of academics, he is a peer mentor at the University of Toronto’s Medical Sciences Student Union, has created and sold numerous profitable businesses, and enjoys volunteering in hospitals during his free time.
“I have been an undergraduate Work-Study student at the Elahé Omidyar Mir-Djalali Institute of Iranian Studies since 2022. In this role, I have been a team member and contributed to the projects at Tavakoli Archive. More specifically, I have actively engaged in the Tavakoli Archive’s projects, primarily as a library and research assistant. My responsibilities have involved cataloging, organizing, and digitizing historical documents and literature, ensuring their preservation and accessibility for future generations.
At the Tavakoli Archive, I have had the privilege of working in a collaborative environment, where we faced various challenges in deciphering and digitizing delicate manuscripts. For instance, obtaining essential data from some old manuscripts required the collective efforts of numerous scholars and researchers due to the complexities of the manuscripts’ languages. Through our collaborative efforts, we developed innovative techniques that significantly enhanced the efficiency and accuracy of our digitization process. This collective dedication resulted in the successful preservation of numerous invaluable texts, thereby enriching the scholarly resources available in Iranian Studies.
Ultimately, my involvement with the Institute has been personally and professionally transformative. Through hands-on experience in archival work, I have honed critical research and organizational skills, which are invaluable for my academic pursuits and future career aspirations. Furthermore, collaborating with esteemed scholars and passionate colleagues has broadened my perspectives and deepened my appreciation for Iranian culture and history. The Institute has not only provided me with practical skills but also fostered a supportive community where I have thrived intellectually and personally.”