Tag: Issue 06

Syeda Mukta Begum

March 10, 2019

The Library and Information Science (LIS) legend Mr ADM Ali Ahammad, Vice president of Library Association of Bangladesh (LAB); Project Component Lead, British Council Unlimited Project is no more. He died on Sunday, March 3, 2019, at Square Hospital, Dhaka. He had a stroke while taking a training class at the British Council. Since then, he was undergoing treatment at Life Support at Square Hospital. The first namaz-e-janaza of AML Ali Ahammad was held on Tuesday at the Public Library, Dhaka. The 2nd namaz-e-janaza was held in Mymensingh and 3rd namaz-e-janaza was held at his village, Gafargaon. He left his one son and one daughter and wife Anjuman Ara Zakia in his family.

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Md. Rezwanul Haque (Himel), 9 February 2019

CIRDAP Library, CIRDAP, Email:   [email protected]

To celebrate “The National Library Day 2019”, CIRDAP (The Centre on Integrated Rural Development for Asia and the Pacific) organized a National Seminar highlighting “The importance of library in the age of internet” in collaboration with the BALID on Saturday, 23 February 2019 at the CIRDAP International Conference Centre (CICC) in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The seminar was chaired by the Mr Tevita G. Boseiwaqa Taginavulau, DG, CIRDAP. Architect Yafes Osman, Hon’ble Minister, Ministry of Science & Technology, the Govt. of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh was the Chief Guest. Dr Omar Jah, VC, Islamic University of Technology (IUT) and Mr Abdullah Al Hasan Chowdhury, Add. Secretary, Secondary & Higher Education Division, Education Ministry, the Govt. of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh were as special guests.Dr. Mirza Mohd Rezaul Islam, Chairman, BALID was as program coordinator.

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Agriculture is the key driving force of its emerging economy-Dr Wais Kabir, Chair, Asia Open Access, Dhaka -2019

Open Access Dhaka 2019, Inaugural Ceremony: March 6, 2019

Inaugural Speech by the Program Chair, Dr Wais Kabir

Distinguished delegates from home & abroad,

Academicians, Professors from different universities, representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture, NARS and other organizations, Print and electronic media personnel as well as other distinguished participants Ladies and gentlemen,

Very Good afternoon

I feel happy to be a part of this first time gathering here in Bangladesh Asia Open Access 2019 Dhaka.

 

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Inaugural Message by Executive Chairman, Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council

Open Access Dhaka 2019, Inaugural Ceremony: March 6, 2019

Venue: BARC Conference Room-1

Hon’ble Chief Guest Mr Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Hon’ble Minister of State for Information and Communication Technology Division, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, Respected Special Guest, Mr Kamalaranjan Das, Additional Secretary (Research), Ministry of Agriculture, Respected Guest of Honor, Dr Wais Kabir, Executive Director, KGF, Ms Kathleen Shearer, Executive Director of Confederation of Open Access Repositories (COAR), Distinguished delegates academicians, professors from different universities, representatives from Ministry of Agriculture, Member Directors, Directors of BARC, representatives from NARS, DAE, BADC and other organizations, print and electronic media personnel as well as other distinguished participants.

Ladies and gentlemen, Assalaumualaukum and very good morning

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Ahasan, Dhaka, 10 February 2019

Zunaid Ahmed Palak, Hon’ble Minister of State for Information and Communication Technology Division, Bangladesh said “present government has taken several initiatives for making a Digital Bangladesh. The Government electronic portal is open for all and we are the owner of the largest web portal in the world. To create potential human resource government has set up more than nine thousand primary Sheikh Russell Digital Lab and Digital Classroom throughout the country. As a result, students are learning Information Technology from their beginning of education.”

Zunaid Ahmed Palak, was present as the Chief Guest of inaugural session of two days long Asia Open Access, Dhaka-2019 started from 6 March, at conference room Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) which was organized by Bangladesh Agricultural Research Council (BARC) international conference with the support of Centre for Open Knowledge Repositories (COAR) and Asia open Access. The State minister also mentioned four pillars for development. The government has to work for big data, open data, robotics, internet of thinking, blockchain. People now avail of different services from different government offices through automation. At present internet users of our country is nine and a half crore whereas nine years back it was only 55 lac.  In the IT sector 10 lac, people are working. The government also working Union Parishad level also. However, in the response of Ms Kathleen Shearer, Executive Director, COAR regarding traffic issue minister said our young force converted it as a potentiality. Based on it, they launched it several rides sharing. He told the organizer, meet with me again with the workshop output.

Dr M. Baktear, Director, AIC, given the welcome address, Mr Kamalaranjan Das, additional Secretary MoA and Dr Wais Kabir, ED KGF were present as special guests of honour as well.

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“Libraries should have digitised collections and access facilities like other developed nations. And librarians should play the pioneering role in making this happens.” –Ahmed Shibly

 

Mr Ahmed Shibly, Senior Assistant Chief, Ministry of Cultural Affairs, Government of the Peoples’ Republic of Bangladesh has been working in the ministry as a planning professional. His main role includes approval process and monitoring of development projects of Department of Public Libraries besides few other departments. Mr Shibly was a student of Rangpur Cadet College. Then he studied in Public Administration at the University of Rajshahi and obtained Bachelor and Master degree. In the 24 BCS, he was selected for Economic Cadre.

 

The Librarian Times (TLT) team met him in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia during the 84th annual congress of IFLA and spent some time with ‘The Librarian Times’. The team had some discussion on contemporary issues of the public library sector. He talked about his experiences and other several burning issues.

TLT: Tale us something more about yourself, and how long have you been working with the public libraries in Bangladesh?

Mr Shibly: I have been working in the ministry for almost six years. By this time, I had some experience in dealing with some development projects and small-scale skims of the Department of Public Libraries (DPL). In short, these projects were mostly on infrastructure development and capacity development of various libraries.

TLT: The Ministry of Cultural Affairs has been working several projects for the development of Public Libraries in Bangladesh. Would you please share with us about these projects?

Mr Shibly: At present, DPL is implementing three development projects. One of them is on the construction of six public libraries with the necessary equipment in different districts. Except for these six, there are government public libraries in all districts in the country. Another is on modernizing a big and historical library named Muslim Institute at Chattogram. It will be a cultural complex of the city includes almost all related facilities. And the other project is on capacity building of the head office and some other district libraries for management of libraries through online technology.

TLT: What kind of limitations and challenges you have been experiencing in the library sectors and what are the possible solutions to overcome these challenges?

Mr Shibly: This is quite difficult for me to define the challenge as I am not an expert. To my view, libraries may not be meeting the requirements of the new generation. Library users are not increasing remarkably. I think students (school or college level) are now too much engaged with their academic purpose. Though the government is trying to increase facilities to encourage reading participation is not increasing in pace.

TLT: With the Memorandum of understanding (MoU) of Libraries Unlimited (LU) project, Ministry of Cultural Affairs is playing a vital role including LU projects supported by Melinda Gates Foundation, so we are lucky enough for availing this. Do you think it will sustain and our society will get benefit from it?

 

“The project is aimed to convert 25 existing libraries to model libraries. The project is still in the implementation phase. Hopefully, we will get modern
and dynamic libraries after the completion of the project and our society can take more benefits from it.”

Mr Shibly: The project is aimed to convert 25 existing libraries to model libraries. The project is still in the implementation phase. Hopefully, we will get modern
and dynamic libraries after the completion of the project and our society can take more benefits from it.

TLT: You are not library professionals but working with library people. What are your feelings? Do you enjoy working with library people?

Mr Shibly: Libraries are sacred places. Generally, a library is a calm & quiet place. I found people working in libraries are gentle & good. Yes, I do enjoy working with library professionals.

TLT: Tell us any of the success stories on library despite that you were involved from the behind?

 

“Our libraries have been implementing a book reading program which has a positive impact on readers. It is a kind of book review activities.”

Mr Shibly: Our libraries have been implementing a book reading program which has a positive impact on readers. It is a kind of book review activities. Readers have the opportunity to take part in the competition and can know a book more profoundly.

TLT: Please give us your insight on how we the library professionals can play our roles towards “Digital Bangladesh?

Mr Shibly: Insight is a tough word which I don’t have. Libraries play a fundamental role in our society. But, I think, we have to increase participation from the local community. And librarians may think to interact with & involve cultural organizations like Shilpakala Academy so that they can organise some events together. They may find some common platforms. Libraries should have digitised collections and access facilities like other developed nations. And librarians should play the pioneering role in making this happens.

TLT: Thank you for giving time to TLT

Mr Shibly: Thanks. I wish success of TLT.

Mukta, 8th September 2018

“I would like to utilize and share my academic knowledge and professional experiences and excel in the field of academia. I would also like to contribute to the learning process of young minds by providing them with the quality of education”– Mr Emdad.

Md. Emdadul Islam has been recently appointed as a ‘Lecturer’ at Noakhali Science and Technology University (NSTU), Chittagong, Bangladesh. Prior to joining NSTU, he worked as Course Coordinator and Lecturer of Post-Graduate Diploma in Library and Information Science program at New Model Degree College, Dhaka. He completed B.A. (Hon.) and Master degree in Information Science and Library Management from the University of Dhaka and obtained first class. He is also an MPhil Researcher in the same subject at the same university.

Earlier Mr Emdad achieved Dean’s Award as Dean’s Merit List of Honor’ 2016 for his scholastic accomplishments in his M.A degree. He completed a number of training programs including ‘Computer Literacy Program’ organized by VAB-NJ (Volunteers Association for Bangladesh-New Jersey), USA and D. Net (Development Research Network), Bangladesh and ‘ICT-Top Up IT Training Program and ITES Foundation Skills Training’ conducted by Ernst & Young LLP, India under Leveraging ICT for Growth, Employment and Governance (LICT) Project of Bangladesh Computer Council (BCC), ICT Division, People’s Republic of Bangladesh on ‘Web Design’ under NASSCOM IT-ITES Sector Skill Council (SSC) certification, this program is certified by George Washington University, USA. Mr Emdad is also an executive member of Dhaka University Research Society (DURS), Google Educator Group Dhaka South, life member of Library Association Bangladesh (LAB) and also department representative of Dhaka University Innovation and Entrepreneurship Lab.

“As a new faculty of Institute of Information Science in NSTU….. I wish to work passionately to develop my institute along with being a researcher & knowledge scientist. It’s also my desire to work in enriching the working platform of our department. I wish the best wishes from all to approach ahead”– Mr Abdul Karim.

Mr Abdul Karim also has been appointed as a lecturer at NSTU.
Before joining at NSTU, Mr Abdul Karim worked as Lecturer at Institute of Library & Information Science, Mymensingh.

He completed his B.A. (Hon.) and Master degree in Information Science and Library Management from the University of Dhaka with an excellent academic result. Mr Karim also worked at BANSDOC, Dhaka University Library and BRAC-Maya Apa Apps.

 

The Librarian Times congratulates them on their new roles and wishes their future endeavour with great success!

Dilruba Rahman, 7 September 2018, North South University, Dhaka

A day-long workshop on Coding (Computer Programming) was held at District Government Public Library Auditorium, Munshiganj, on 4 September 2018.
Ms Rafia Sultana, Librarian, Department of Public libraries presided over the programme.
We have seen a slogan of the workshop “Let’s learn coding, Get elated in the ecstasy of creation”
Students who are in between 8 to 15 years of old took part in the lively workshop session and learned both coding and computer programming. Indeed, participants were also introduced to the latest education equipments especially used in the United Kingdom and developing nations.
To make the workshop fruitful, several sessions were conducted for two hundred participants by forming six groups.
Libraries Unlimited (LU) Project of British Council set up micro: bit, a pocket-sized computer with features to learn coding. Micro: bit will potentially popularise the context of coding among the young generation of Bangladesh. It will open exciting opportunities to coding, which is one of the fastest growing occupations worldwide with leading to future employment, community engagement, digital leadership and skills development.
LU will establish 30 model public libraries and an e-library network, and scale services to further 39 public libraries. It aims to upgrade ICT facilities and design new layouts to create contemporary multi-usage solutions that provide innovative learning environments.
Technical lead Timothy Grin of British Council, ICT Manager Tamim Mostafa, Component Lead ABM Ali Ahmed attended the workshop. A good number of volunteers were also involved to make the workshops successful.

Ahasan, Dhaka, 8 September 2018

University Grants Commission (UGC) Chairman Professor Abdul Mannan on Thursday said the higher education and research are gaining momentum in Bangladesh as UGC Digital Library (UDL) has been undertaken by the UGC and Education Ministry, reported by Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (BSS).

“Digital library has been immensely contributing to enhancement and excellence of higher education and research by offering access to e-resources to its member institutions over the years,” he said as the chief guest while addressing a knowledge sharing meeting on sustainability of UGC Digital Library (UDL) at UGC auditorium, on Thursday 6 September 2018. He also highlighted the need for raising awareness about the use of e-resources among the students, teachers and researchers of the university. He said the demand of e-resources is growing in the country. UGC members – Professor Dr Md Akhtar Hossain, Professor Dr Mohammad Yousuf Ali Mollah and UGC Secretary Dr Md Khaled also spoke on the occasion.

Professor Yousuf Ali Mollah said the digital library project has been undertaken to keep pace with the globalised world. Highlighting the objectives of UDL, Professor Akhtar Hossain said that Digital Library can enhance the capacity building of the librarians, researchers, students and faculty members. He also urged the librarians to work pro-actively in the area of library management.

At present, 90 organisations including 86 universities of the country are subscribing over 34,000 e-resources through UGC Digital Library, he added. Vice-chancellors, pro-vice-chancellors and librarians from public universities of the country participated in the meeting. High officials from UGC were present at the meeting.

 

Seminar on “A national-level network for agricultural library and information centres in Bangladesh” has been rescheduled for 16 September 2018

Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University Central Library are going to organise a seminar entitled “A national-level network for agricultural library and information centres in Bangladesh” under the HEQEP CPSF 2184. Due to unavoidable circumstances, the seminar date has been rescheduled.

The new date: 16 September 2018.

All invited members are requested to follow the above-mentioned date.

Md. Habibur Rahman
Librarian
Chittagong Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (CVASU)
Chittagong, Bangladesh
Cell # 01711-043546