NewKerala.com

Key Points

Jamia Millia Islamia has received government approval to establish a full Department of Library and Information Science after decades of running the program without permanent faculty. The university's Vice Chancellor, Professor Mazhar Asif, sees this as a crucial step in training the next generation of skilled librarians and contributing to knowledge preservation. This development is particularly significant for the 105-year-old institution, which has had a central library since its founding in 1920. The new department is expected to bring fresh energy and academic depth to the field of library and information sciences.

Key Points: Jamia Millia Islamia Launches Library Science Department

  • - Six teaching posts approved by Union Ministry of Education
  • First permanent faculty for library science program
  • Running since 1985 without permanent staff
  • Department aims to advance Indian Knowledge Systems
2 min read

Jamia Millia gets govt nod to set up Department of Library and Information Science

JMI receives govt approval for new Department of Library and Information Science, marking a significant academic expansion

"Libraries shape the trajectory of research and are central to advancing knowledge - Professor Mazhar Asif, VC JMI"

New Delhi, July 1

The Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) is poised to set up a Department of Library and Information Science following the Union Ministry of Education's recent approval of six teaching posts to the university, said an official on Tuesday.

"This is a remarkable expansion, given that since 1985, JMI has been running the Bachelor of Library and Information Science (B. Lib. I. Sc.) course without permanent faculty members," said Saima Saeed, Chief Public Relations Officer.

Saeed said the sanctioning of these faculty positions will infuse fresh energy and vitality into the much sought-after programme.

Vice Chancellor Professor Mazhar Asif said, "Being a cornerstone of academic life on campus, libraries shape the trajectory of research and are central to advancing knowledge, especially in the information age."

He said his vision is to strengthen teaching in librarianship and information science by setting up a full-fledged department of library sciences to train the next generation of highly skilled and learned librarians.

"Not only will the faculty and students of this proposed department contribute to advancing the study of the Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS), but also its digitisation and preservation for the future," said the Vice Chancellor.

Professor Asif and Registrar Professor Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the Union Education Minister, the Ministry of Finance and the University Grants Commission (UGC) for their support and approval of JMI's proposal to set up a Department of Library and Information Science.

Their unstinting support has been instrumental in enabling this expansion, which will bolster the university's academic offerings and prove to be a milestone in advancing the important and ever-growing discipline of library sciences, they added.

Professor Asif and Professor Rizvi congratulated the JMI fraternity on this major augmentation to the current teaching and skill dissemination in the significant area of library and information sciences.

The CPRO said it is worth noting that this development will give a big boost to the 105-year-old university, whose Central Library was established in 1920 itself, the year of its founding.

- IANS

Share this article:

Reader Comments

P
Priya S
While I appreciate the initiative, I wonder why it took so long? Running a course without permanent faculty since 1985 shows how neglected library sciences have been in our education system. Better late than never though!
R
Rohit P
Digitization of Indian Knowledge Systems is the need of the hour! With AI and tech advancing rapidly, we need skilled librarians who can bridge traditional knowledge with modern tech. Kudos to Jamia for this vision 🚀
S
Sarah B
As someone who studied Library Science abroad, I'm glad to see India recognizing its importance. In the digital age, information management is crucial for research and development. Hope other universities follow Jamia's lead!
V
Vikram M
The Central Library at Jamia is a treasure trove! I spent countless hours there during my PhD. This department will help preserve our rich manuscripts and make them accessible to future generations. Great initiative!
K
Kavya N
Hope they include modern courses on digital archiving and metadata management along with traditional library science. The curriculum should match global standards to make our graduates competitive internationally.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50