April 2006 - LIS-Forum - ncsi.iisc.ernet.in

[LIS-Forum] Librarians' Duties: - BLOGS, WIKIs, WEBCASTS / PODCASTS, IM, RSS and WEB
by Sukhdev Singh 26 Apr '06

26 Apr '06

What would be the duties of Next Generation Librarians? Definitely it would include the following: --Distribution of content via digital tools such as blogs and wikis for the library system website. --Develop and deliver library instruction through podcasts and multimedia webcasts. --Promote community via new technologies within the library and virtually via IM and other emerging communication mechanisms. --Enhance Library's web presence with current content and methods for distribution such as RSS. --Investigate and implement new technologies that may enhance the Library System's web presence. Well, if you need some evidence to belief what I am talking about then visit the Wayne State University Library System requirements < http://www.ala.org/ala/acrlbucket/candrlnews/caropps/february2006/NextGener… > I can add some more to above: --Establishing and maintaining Open Access Institutional Repositories. --Facilitating Open Access Publishing. SO, ARE YOU READY TEACHERS / STUDENT LIBRARIANS? I keep my hands dirty and tab on these technologies at my Blog at http://sukhdev.blogspot.com --Sukhdev Singh

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Re: RE: [LIS-Forum] "Re: NET relief mooted for MPhil, PhD students"
by Vijay Raghav Tiwari 26 Apr '06

26 Apr '06

Dear Aman I think merit never think in this direction. If one can give five years for getting a Ph.D., six months for NET. Any one who is a sincere in his/her subject can finish the NET just within next six months time. I feel that one who does not have any backing to get a job this gives a good standing amoung others, thats all. regards vrt On Tue, 25 Apr 2006 Aman Jha wrote : >Dear friends, > >I have different opinion. First of all I would like to say that getting PhD degree is a dream of a person. This must be regarded as the highest degree with respect. > >How can you underestimate those who have done only M.Phil/PhD and have no NET/SLET qualification? Do you want to say that you do MLIS and qualify NET/SLET for the Assistant Librarian? Thats it? You don't need to do M.Phil and PhD? Why don't then people recommend UGC to scrap M.Phil and PhD if it is not considered as merits of a candidate? Why do you consider meritorious to only those who have cleared NET/SLET? Achieving Higher qualifications depends on individual to individual. There are numerous examples of scholares who do not possess any M.Phil/PhD/Net/Slet and have proved to be subject expert and possess very good research skills. They have also taught as visiting professors in good universities. > >I think NET/SLET is an imposed qualification on Librarian. Just think about how many years do you need to spend in getting BLIS, MLIS and M.Phil/PhD after achieving excellence in Academics. Do you think that an engineer who has done Associateship from NISCAIR should again qualify NET/SLET just to prove his candidature whether he is meritorious or not? I do not think NET/SLET should be compulsory for those who have done M.Phil/PhD. > > >Rgds, >Aman Jha >Librarian >Confederation of Indian Industry >Plot No 249-F, Udyog Vihar, Phase IV >Sector 18, Gurgaon - 122015 (Haryana) >Tel: 0124-5014060-67 >aman.jha(a)ciionline.org >http://www.ciionline.org > > > > >-----Original Message----- > From: lis-forum-bounces(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in >[mailto:lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in]On Behalf Of Vijay Raghav >Tiwari >Sent: Tuesday, 25 April 2006 9:50 >To: Susmita Chakraborty >Cc: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in >Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] "Re: Contents of LIS-Forum digest...NET relief >mooted for MPhil, PhD students" > > > > >Dear All/Susmita > >I agree with you that NET should remain an eligibility criteria for Assistant Librarian/ College Librarians as it shows a nation wide acceptance. The merit must be honoured. I have done both but still I feel that NET should remain on top as it gives you an equal status as a professional. It subsides the difference of the different universities from where we had passed our M.L.I.Sc., hence I feel that it gives an equal status. Hope that other professinals will agree with me. >regards >vrt > > >On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 Susmita Chakraborty wrote : > >Dear All, > > > > > >Please refer to LIS Forum email message titled "NET relief mooted for > >MPhil, PhD students". I would like to share my personal observations > >in this regard. > > > >Firstly, let see who are qualifying UGC-NET/ SLET for Lecturership in > >Library and Information Science (LIS). The Meritorious or Talented or > >Hard-working LIS professionals are mostly qualifying these competitive > >examinations. > > > >On the other hand, let we see who are getting admission into MPHIL/ > >PHD programmes in LIS. Only few full-time MPHIL/ PHD courses are > >available in India as compared to total number of MLIS/AIS/ADIS passed > >outs. These full-time MPHIL/ PHD courses select student on the basis > >of Merit or NET/SLET. But they belong to only a few percent (about > >10%) of total MPHIL passed outs in India. Rest 90% percent students > >are getting admission into MPHIL courses on the basis of ability to > >pay hefty course fee (varies from Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 36,000/-). So, > >these 90% MPHIL/ PHD students are not that much Meritorious/ Talented/ > >Hard-working as compared to UGC NET/ SLET qualified LIS professionals, > >but they have financial capacity to pay the hefty course fee. There is > >also no consistency or transparency in the admission process of PhD > >programmes except for the NET/SLET qualified LIS professionals. > > > >So, if we propose to exempt of UGC NET/ SLET clause from the > >eligibility criteria of college librarians/ university assistant > >librarians/ documentation officers/ lecturers, probably we will > >discourage Meritorious or Talented or Hard-working persons to come > >into LIS profession. Instead, Library Associations, Forums can > >collectively pressurize UGC to produce sufficient numbers of UGC NET/ > >SLET qualified candidates, or to hold GRE type examination for > >admission into MPHIL and PhD programmes. Also, Library Associations > >and University departments can introduce NET/SLET coaching classes to > >address the shortage of qualified manpower and for the greater > >benefits of the society. > > > >Hope, the apex organizations, like, UGC, AICTE, MCI, should set the > >eligibility criteria on the basis of above-mentioned facts, and not > >bypassing the above-mentioned facts. > > > >With regards > > > >S. Chakraborty > >Kolkata > > > >_______________________________________________ > >LIS-Forum mailing list > >LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > >http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum > > >Dr. Vijay Raghav Tiwari > >Librarian > >Harish Chandra Research Institute > >(Department of Atomic Energy, Govt of India) Chhatnag Road,Jhunsi,Allahabad -211 019. > >Phone.91-532-2668302(O), 0532-2274325 (O), 0532-2274064 (R) <vrtiwari(a)mri.ernet.in> > > >DISCLAIMER:The information in this message may be privileged. If you have received it by mistake please notify the sender by return e-mail and delete the message from your system. Any unauthorised use or dissemination of this message in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Any information in this message that does not relate to official business shall be understood to be neither given nor endorsed by the Confederation of Indian Industry. > Dr. Vijay Raghav Tiwari Librarian Harish Chandra Research Institute (Department of Atomic Energy, Govt of India) Chhatnag Road,Jhunsi,Allahabad -211 019. Phone.91-532-2668302(O), 0532-2274325 (O), 0532-2274064 (R) <vrtiwari(a)mri.ernet.in> Dear Aman I think merit never think in this direction. If one can give five years for getting a Ph.D., six months for NET. Any one who is a sincere in his/her subject can finish the NET just within next six months time. I feel that one who does not have any backing to get a job this gives a good standing amoung others, thats all. regards vrt On Tue, 25 Apr 2006 Aman Jha wrote : >Dear friends, > >I have different opinion. First of all I would like to say that getting PhD degree is a dream of a person. This must be regarded as the highest degree with respect. > >How can you underestimate those who have done only M.Phil/PhD and have no NET/SLET qualification? Do you want to say that you do MLIS and qualify NET/SLET for the Assistant Librarian? Thats it? You don't need to do M.Phil and PhD? Why don't then people recommend UGC to scrap M.Phil and PhD if it is not considered as merits of a candidate? Why do you consider meritorious to only those who have cleared NET/SLET? Achieving Higher qualifications depends on individual to individual. There are numerous examples of scholares who do not possess any M.Phil/PhD/Net/Slet and have proved to be subject expert and possess very good research skills. They have also taught as visiting professors in good universities. > >I think NET/SLET is an imposed qualification on Librarian. Just think about how many years do you need to spend in getting BLIS, MLIS and M.Phil/PhD after achieving excellence in Academics. Do you think that an engineer who has done Associateship from NISCAIR should again qualify NET/SLET just to prove his candidature whether he is meritorious or not? I do not think NET/SLET should be compulsory for those who have done M.Phil/PhD. > > >Rgds, >Aman Jha >Librarian >Confederation of Indian Industry >Plot No 249-F, Udyog Vihar, Phase IV >Sector 18, Gurgaon - 122015 (Haryana) >Tel: 0124-5014060-67 >aman.jha(a)ciionline.org >http://www.ciionline.org > > > > >-----Original Message----- > From: lis-forum-bounces(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in >[mailto:lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in]On Behalf Of Vijay Raghav >Tiwari >Sent: Tuesday, 25 April 2006 9:50 >To: Susmita Chakraborty >Cc: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in >Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] "Re: Contents of LIS-Forum digest...NET relief >mooted for MPhil, PhD students" > > > > >Dear All/Susmita > >I agree with you that NET should remain an eligibility criteria for Assistant Librarian/ College Librarians as it shows a nation wide acceptance. The merit must be honoured. I have done both but still I feel that NET should remain on top as it gives you an equal status as a professional. It subsides the difference of the different universities from where we had passed our M.L.I.Sc., hence I feel that it gives an equal status. Hope that other professinals will agree with me. >regards >vrt > > >On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 Susmita Chakraborty wrote : > >Dear All, > > > > > >Please refer to LIS Forum email message titled "NET relief mooted for > >MPhil, PhD students". I would like to share my personal observations > >in this regard. > > > >Firstly, let see who are qualifying UGC-NET/ SLET for Lecturership in > >Library and Information Science (LIS). The Meritorious or Talented or > >Hard-working LIS professionals are mostly qualifying these competitive > >examinations. > > > >On the other hand, let we see who are getting admission into MPHIL/ > >PHD programmes in LIS. Only few full-time MPHIL/ PHD courses are > >available in India as compared to total number of MLIS/AIS/ADIS passed > >outs. These full-time MPHIL/ PHD courses select student on the basis > >of Merit or NET/SLET. But they belong to only a few percent (about > >10%) of total MPHIL passed outs in India. Rest 90% percent students > >are getting admission into MPHIL courses on the basis of ability to > >pay hefty course fee (varies from Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 36,000/-). So, > >these 90% MPHIL/ PHD students are not that much Meritorious/ Talented/ > >Hard-working as compared to UGC NET/ SLET qualified LIS professionals, > >but they have financial capacity to pay the hefty course fee. There is > >also no consistency or transparency in the admission process of PhD > >programmes except for the NET/SLET qualified LIS professionals. > > > >So, if we propose to exempt of UGC NET/ SLET clause from the > >eligibility criteria of college librarians/ university assistant > >librarians/ documentation officers/ lecturers, probably we will > >discourage Meritorious or Talented or Hard-working persons to come > >into LIS profession. Instead, Library Associations, Forums can > >collectively pressurize UGC to produce sufficient numbers of UGC NET/ > >SLET qualified candidates, or to hold GRE type examination for > >admission into MPHIL and PhD programmes. Also, Library Associations > >and University departments can introduce NET/SLET coaching classes to > >address the shortage of qualified manpower and for the greater > >benefits of the society. > > > >Hope, the apex organizations, like, UGC, AICTE, MCI, should set the > >eligibility criteria on the basis of above-mentioned facts, and not > >bypassing the above-mentioned facts. > > > >With regards > > > >S. Chakraborty > >Kolkata > > > >_______________________________________________ > >LIS-Forum mailing list > >LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in > >http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum > > >Dr. Vijay Raghav Tiwari > >Librarian > >Harish Chandra Research Institute > >(Department of Atomic Energy, Govt of India) Chhatnag Road,Jhunsi,Allahabad -211 019. > >Phone.91-532-2668302(O), 0532-2274325 (O), 0532-2274064 (R) <vrtiwari(a)mri.ernet.in> > > >DISCLAIMER:The information in this message may be privileged. If you have received it by mistake please notify the sender by return e-mail and delete the message from your system. Any unauthorised use or dissemination of this message in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Any information in this message that does not relate to official business shall be understood to be neither given nor endorsed by the Confederation of Indian Industry. > Dr. Vijay Raghav Tiwari Librarian Harish Chandra Research Institute (Department of Atomic Energy, Govt of India) Chhatnag Road,Jhunsi,Allahabad -211 019. Phone.91-532-2668302(O), 0532-2274325 (O), 0532-2274064 (R) <vrtiwari(a)mri.ernet.in> http://adworks.rediff.com/cgi-bin/AdWorks/sigclick.cgi/www.rediff.com/signa… http://adworks.rediff.com/cgi-bin/AdWorks/sigimpress.cgi/www.rediff.com/sig…

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Re: [LIS-Forum] Damning indictment of LIS profession
by K.Sankaraiah 26 Apr '06

26 Apr '06

----- Original Message ----- From: "K.Sankaraiah" <sankariahk(a)dataone.in> Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] Damning indictment of LIS profession > Dear Moderator, > I would be most grateful for posting the following mail. > Let me begin by thanking all the professional colleagues for their > comments on the subject. I'm most happy to see Dr Vyasamurthy also > picked up the Hindu article and providing a link to it, felt that some of > the librarians need to be sensitised to the concept of service. > I hope to be permitted to sum up the whole little debate. The comments > varied from a) some users are rude and selfish, try to pull their weight > around b) library is a temple and so access should not be restricted c) we > have not heard the other side of the story and so should not rush to judge > and d) every one should observe rules. In fact d) seems to be the dominant > factor. One cannot the dispute the validity of these claims; but equally > we cannot dispute the suppremacy of service for our profession, as also > for many otherprofessions. How can we forget the basic tenets of > librarianship as enunciated by the greatest library thinker of all times > viz books are for use; every book its reader; every reader his book and > save the time of the reader. Can we afford to take a confrontationist > stand of "them and we" and cry for eye for an eye and tooth for the tooth. > We talk of library marketing today like any commercial enterprize. We > say library user is a customer. Most of the librarians in the West say, by > calling the library user a customer, we have promoted them to a higher > position. > Customers come in all shapes and sizes. There are awkward customers and > difficult customers. But is it not a fact that as long as we are behind > the 'counter' ie the Lakshman Rekha, we cannot think of' tit for tat'. > Even when we know that a particular customer is in the wrong, we cannot > afford to vent our spleen on him or her. In this context, Gandhiji is > often quoted. 'We are in business because of the customer' and not the > other way round. > Yes, there are rules. But rule are there to prevent misuse or abuse and > not to prevent genuine use or user. > I'm very distressed to see my friend, Prof Lakshman Rao saying that rules > have to be followed. He says he was not allowed entry to Bibliotheca > National. But I'm sure he would not have been asked to prove his > bonafides. The library staff there, must have explained the restrictions > in a most polite way. I had a similar experiance. First time I could not > get in to the British Museum Library in London. But the staff there did > every thing possible to enable me to have access to it. They advised me > to get a letter from the British Council, which I did. I could see they > were inspired by the ideals of service. Mr Lakshman Rao is a respected > teacher and trainer of librarians and has been in the field for a long > time and if a teacher takes the stand that he has taken, we need not be > surprised by the attitude of some of us. > In the present case of Ranjit Lal, to me it appears, he wanted to consult > the documents in the National Museum Library. I visited its website which > looks very impressive, claims a stock of two lakh documents. The name of > the librarian (?) given there is one Ms Pratibha Parashar. She might not > have been the staff to attending Ranjit Lal. In the interests of our > profession, could some one in Delhi please find out what had happened. > As I said in my first mail, because of isolated instances like this, the > whole profession is blamed. By and large, librarians are good and > service-minded. Society is changing fast, much faster than any one can > imagine. We have come a long away from preservation to active > dissemination of information ( proactive is the word most appropriate, I > think) and I hope we have long ceased to be policing our possessions. > Social forces like competition are driving us to provide quality service > to our users. Technology is helping us today in ways undreamt of > previously to help us in this noble mission of ours, which ultimately > contributes to personal, individual and national development. > I'm grateful to LIS-FORUM for opportunities to share our views in matters > concerning our profession. You are doing a wonderful service !! Thank > you. > Sankaraiah, K > > ----- Original Message ----- > From: "K.Sankaraiah" <sankariahk(a)dataone.in> > To: <lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in> > Sent: Thursday, April 13, 2006 7:28 AM > Subject: [LIS-Forum] Damning indictment of LIS profession > > >> Dear Moderator, >> Grateful for publishing the following in lis-forum. >> >> I wish to draw the attention of our professional colleagues to an article >> under the Musings, entitled "What are your bonafides?", by Mr Ranjit Lal >> in the Magazine section of the Hindu of 9 April, 2006. I think all of us >> should read this and ponder over the implications. I'm sure many of us >> must have already done so. >> The gist of the article is the author, obviously not a member, >> approached the librarian of the National Museum library in Delhi for help >> and the librarian promptly asked him to prove his bonafides. Ranjit Lal >> contributes articles to the Hindu and probably does so to many other >> renowned newspapers and journals. In any case he told the librarian that >> he uses the Teen Murthi library and the British Council Library in Delhi >> and he is working on a book for which he needs help. According to the >> article, this did not cut ice with the librarian. >> >> This article, I believe, is a damning indictment of the unhelpful and >> bureaucratic attitude of the librarian of one of the premier institutions >> of the country. It should rouse the collective conscience of the LIS >> profession and force us to think if in today's competitive world we can >> afford to have this kind of unhelpful attitude. Even otherwise, isn't >> service to the user at the centre of our profession ?. The aurthor >> rightly says the public pays for librarian's salary, allowances and the >> innumerable cups of tea, justifiable and just righteous indignation!!. >> >> How do we change this attitude?. I was under the impression that things >> have changed and we all swear by service. All the works of SRR >> emphasise this aspect. Because of instaces like this,( I hope they are >> isolated) the whole profession gets the stick. And this is why society >> does not give us the status that an intellectual profession like ours >> deserves. >> >> We need to do something here. >> >> Sankaraiah, K >> Immediate past President of the Madras Library Association (MALA) >> > > > -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- > > >> _______________________________________________ >> LIS-Forum mailing list >> LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in >> http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum >> > > >

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Support for a Village Library
by prafulla tv 26 Apr '06

26 Apr '06

Dear All, We are delighted to report that Gundrampally Library and Information Centre (GLIC) was inaugurated on April 14, 2006 by Shri Chukka Ramaiah, eminent educationist. OPLib acknowledges with grateful thanks the donation of Rs.1000 made by Prof N. Laxman Rao, Dept of Library & Information Science, Osmania University towards the purchase of books for GLIC. New Initiative We are happy to inform you that a village library is being started in Kolamasanapalli Village (Palamaner Mandal, Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh) shortly. This project is being supported by the Organisation for the Protection of Libraries (OPLib), a library advocacy group based in Hyderabad as part of its 100 Village/School Libraries programme. This is the third library that is being started by OPLib (Registered under the Andhra Pradesh Societies Registration Act, 2001 vide no.1502 of 2005)and it would be nurtured by Dr Murali Prasad, Librarian, Bhoj Reddy College of Engineering, Hyderabad and Mr Sreenivas of the National Institute of Fashion Technology, Hyderabad. OPLib appeals to all library lovers to donate generously, either in cash or kind, for the establishment of Kolamasanapalli Village Library. Your donations would be utilized for the purchase of books, newspapers, magazines, steel book racks, office furniture, computer, etc. Address for communication: Dr A Kishore Honorary President Organization for the Protection of Libraries c/o Parma Reddi Building, 9-1-34/30/16/A, Bapu Nagar, Langar House, Hyderabad 500 008 Email: saikishoresvu(a)yahoo.co.in Mobile 92474 28778 Cheques/DDs to be drawn in favour of Organization for the Protection of Libraries (OPLib) and payable at Hyderabad. Thank you very much in advance for your kind support and cooperation to our School/Village Libraries Project. Sincerely T.V. Prafulla Chandra Senior Editor NISC Email: tallurivpc(a)yahoo.com OPLibempowering the masses through better library services at the grassroots level. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge. --Thomas Carlyle __________________________________________________ Do You Yahoo!? Tired of spam? Yahoo! Mail has the best spam protection around http://mail.yahoo.com

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NET Relief not fair
by mouni＠nitt.edu 25 Apr '06

25 Apr '06

Dear members, This has reference to LIS Forum message on NET Relief mooted for M.Phil and Ph.D holders. Since I am one among the candidates cleared the UGC NET/SLET, I would like to bring the followings to all members of the LIS forum. Proposing expemtion of UGC NET/SLET for appoinment as Lecturer/A.L or Librarian as the case may be is unfair as thousands of UGC NET/SLET passed hands are awaiting for their chances or working in self support institutes along with others. Particularly, in Tamil Nadu there are more than 100 hands with UGC NET/SLET awaiting for advertisement but no adds are coming. Few institutions are unable to appoint suitable hands as there are stays. Every year more than 2500 candidates pass the UGC NET/SLET. The UGC's website is the crystal clear evident for this. Now a days M.Phil and Ph.D degrees can also be completed through distance mode and part-time respectively. Any one who has passed the M.L.I.S can get addmitted in to these degrees. Spot admission, admission on the door steps and admission through private study centres are done now a days. Not less than 5000 candates per year complete M.Phil degree through distance mode. It is surprising to note that the candidates who are capable of obtaining M.Phil and Ph.D degrees are unable to clear the UGC NET/SLET but want exmption from this. No doubt that only meritorious candates are clearing the UGC NET/SLET. As suggested by Mr. S. Chakraborty, Kolkata and Anup Kumar Das, New Delhi, the professional associations can work for producing more NET/SLET passed candidates besides requesting the apex body to produce more numbers of the NET/SLET qualifieds instead of exemption. I strongly support the suggestions offered by Mr. S.Chakraborty and Anup Kumar Das. P. Mounissamy Tamil Nadu Message: 2 Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:34:00 +0100 (BST) From: "Prof. N. Laxman Rao." <naglaxman(a)yahoo.com> Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] "Re: Contents of LIS-Forum digest...NET relief mooted for MPhil, PhD students" To: Puna Das <puna_05(a)yahoo.co.in>, lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Message-ID: <20060424133400.90748.qmail(a)web60419.mail.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="iso-8859-1" helo i donot know to wht extent the message is true. but i am associated with net and maharashtra slet. the numbers are very very minimal. maharashta is less than 10. from where these 100s are coming. ? at least i know as an expert at many places, very minimal numbers are coming. any way the report is based on not numbers but due to some other reasons. we are trying to interpret, why cannot our people read the original document available at www.ugc.ac.in laxman rao Puna Das <puna_05(a)yahoo.co.in> wrote: Dear All, Please refer to e-mail message titled "[LIS-FORUM] NET relief mooted for MPhil, PhD students" at LIS Forum dated 21/04/06. I don't know much about south India, but in North India for every single post advertised, there is more than 100 NET/ SLET qualified applicants. Only one person will get the job and rest people will be left behind. The job market is not expanding enough in this sector where the persons will get permanent jobs with a proper UGC scale. So, there is no rationale to exempt NET/SLET clause for College Librarian/ Univ Asst. Librarian/ Lecturer post. Hope, UGC/ AICTE first give opportunities to NET/SLET qualified un-employed LIS professionals, then think of exemptions of non-qualified professionals. Thanking you With regards Anup Kumar Das New Delhi __________________________________________________________ Yahoo! India Matrimony: Find your partner now. Go to http://yahoo.shaadi.com _______________________________________________ LIS-Forum mailing list LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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Review of National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by UGC and UGC-CSIR
by Puna Das 25 Apr '06

25 Apr '06

UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION NET BUREAU University of Delhi, South Campus Benito Juarez Marg, New Delhi 110 021 Subject: Review of National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by UGC and UGC-CSIR (http://www.ugc.ac.in/inside/net_review%20_mungekar.pdf) The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India has constituted a NET Review Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. Bhalchandra Mungekar, Member, Planning Commission, Government of India, to consider its utility, effectiveness and continuity. The Committee has decided to elicit the views of a cross-section of the society regarding utility, effectiveness and continuity of UGC-NET. It is requested to get the required information by sending the questionnaire to all concerned. The duly completed questionnaire (http://www.ugc.ac.in/inside/net_review.doc) enclosed alongwith, may be sent to the Joint Secretary, NET Bureau, at the above-mentioned address within thirty days from the date of issue of the covering letter (Last Date: 09/05/2006). Thank you very much for your overwhelming responses and comments on "UGC NET and SLET in LIS". Hope All LIS Forum Members participate in the above-mentioned Survey and give their valuable comments/ suggestions to the UGC for the further modification of UGC NET. With Regards Anup Kumar Das New Delhi --------------------------------- Jiyo cricket on Yahoo! India cricket Yahoo! Messenger Mobile Stay in touch with your buddies all the time. UNIVERSITY GRANTS COMMISSION NET BUREAU University of Delhi , South Campus Benito Juarez Marg, New Delhi 110 021 Subject: Review of National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by UGC and UGC-CSIR (http://www.ugc.ac.in/inside/net_review%20_mungekar.pdf) The Ministry of Human Resource Development, Government of India has constituted a NET Review Committee under the Chairmanship of Prof. Bhalchandra Mungekar, Member, Planning Commission, Government of India, to consider its utility, effectiveness and continuity. The Committee has decided to elicit the views of a cross-section of the society regarding utility, effectiveness and continuity of UGC-NET. It is requested to get the required information by sending the questionnaire to all concerned. The duly completed questionnaire (http://www.ugc.ac.in/inside/net_review.doc) enclosed alongwith, may be sent to the Joint Secretary, NET Bureau, at the above-mentioned address within thirty days from the date of issue of the covering letter (Last Date: 09/05/2006). Thank you very much for your overwhelming responses and comments on "UGC NET and SLET in LIS". Hope All LIS Forum Members participate in the above-mentioned Survey and give their valuable comments/ suggestions to the UGC for the further modification of UGC NET. With Regards Anup Kumar Das New Delhi Jiyo cricket on http://us.rd.yahoo.com/mail/in/mailcricket/*http://in.sports.yahoo.com/cric… Yahoo! India cricket http://us.rd.yahoo.com/mail/in/mailmobilemessenger/*http://in.mobile.yahoo.… Yahoo! Messenger Mobile Stay in touch with your buddies all the time.

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RE: [LIS-Forum] "Re: NET relief mooted for MPhil, PhD students"
by Aman Jha 25 Apr '06

25 Apr '06

Dear friends, I have different opinion. First of all I would like to say that getting PhD degree is a dream of a person. This must be regarded as the highest degree with respect. How can you underestimate those who have done only M.Phil/PhD and have no NET/SLET qualification? Do you want to say that you do MLIS and qualify NET/SLET for the Assistant Librarian? Thats it? You don't need to do M.Phil and PhD? Why don't then people recommend UGC to scrap M.Phil and PhD if it is not considered as merits of a candidate? Why do you consider meritorious to only those who have cleared NET/SLET? Achieving Higher qualifications depends on individual to individual. There are numerous examples of scholares who do not possess any M.Phil/PhD/Net/Slet and have proved to be subject expert and possess very good research skills. They have also taught as visiting professors in good universities. I think NET/SLET is an imposed qualification on Librarian. Just think about how many years do you need to spend in getting BLIS, MLIS and M.Phil/PhD after achieving excellence in Academics. Do you think that an engineer who has done Associateship from NISCAIR should again qualify NET/SLET just to prove his candidature whether he is meritorious or not? I do not think NET/SLET should be compulsory for those who have done M.Phil/PhD. Rgds, Aman Jha Librarian Confederation of Indian Industry Plot No 249-F, Udyog Vihar, Phase IV Sector 18, Gurgaon - 122015 (Haryana) Tel: 0124-5014060-67 aman.jha(a)ciionline.org http://www.ciionline.org -----Original Message----- From: lis-forum-bounces(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in [mailto:lis-forum-bounces@ncsi.iisc.ernet.in]On Behalf Of Vijay Raghav Tiwari Sent: Tuesday, 25 April 2006 9:50 To: Susmita Chakraborty Cc: lis-forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in Subject: Re: [LIS-Forum] "Re: Contents of LIS-Forum digest...NET relief mooted for MPhil, PhD students" Dear All/Susmita I agree with you that NET should remain an eligibility criteria for Assistant Librarian/ College Librarians as it shows a nation wide acceptance. The merit must be honoured. I have done both but still I feel that NET should remain on top as it gives you an equal status as a professional. It subsides the difference of the different universities from where we had passed our M.L.I.Sc., hence I feel that it gives an equal status. Hope that other professinals will agree with me. regards vrt On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 Susmita Chakraborty wrote : >Dear All, > > >Please refer to LIS Forum email message titled "NET relief mooted for >MPhil, PhD students". I would like to share my personal observations >in this regard. > >Firstly, let see who are qualifying UGC-NET/ SLET for Lecturership in >Library and Information Science (LIS). The Meritorious or Talented or >Hard-working LIS professionals are mostly qualifying these competitive >examinations. > >On the other hand, let we see who are getting admission into MPHIL/ >PHD programmes in LIS. Only few full-time MPHIL/ PHD courses are >available in India as compared to total number of MLIS/AIS/ADIS passed >outs. These full-time MPHIL/ PHD courses select student on the basis >of Merit or NET/SLET. But they belong to only a few percent (about >10%) of total MPHIL passed outs in India. Rest 90% percent students >are getting admission into MPHIL courses on the basis of ability to >pay hefty course fee (varies from Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 36,000/-). So, >these 90% MPHIL/ PHD students are not that much Meritorious/ Talented/ >Hard-working as compared to UGC NET/ SLET qualified LIS professionals, >but they have financial capacity to pay the hefty course fee. There is >also no consistency or transparency in the admission process of PhD >programmes except for the NET/SLET qualified LIS professionals. > >So, if we propose to exempt of UGC NET/ SLET clause from the >eligibility criteria of college librarians/ university assistant >librarians/ documentation officers/ lecturers, probably we will >discourage Meritorious or Talented or Hard-working persons to come >into LIS profession. Instead, Library Associations, Forums can >collectively pressurize UGC to produce sufficient numbers of UGC NET/ >SLET qualified candidates, or to hold GRE type examination for >admission into MPHIL and PhD programmes. Also, Library Associations >and University departments can introduce NET/SLET coaching classes to >address the shortage of qualified manpower and for the greater >benefits of the society. > >Hope, the apex organizations, like, UGC, AICTE, MCI, should set the >eligibility criteria on the basis of above-mentioned facts, and not >bypassing the above-mentioned facts. > >With regards > >S. Chakraborty >Kolkata > >_______________________________________________ >LIS-Forum mailing list >LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in >http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum Dr. Vijay Raghav Tiwari Librarian Harish Chandra Research Institute (Department of Atomic Energy, Govt of India) Chhatnag Road,Jhunsi,Allahabad -211 019. Phone.91-532-2668302(O), 0532-2274325 (O), 0532-2274064 (R) <vrtiwari(a)mri.ernet.in> DISCLAIMER:The information in this message may be privileged. If you have received it by mistake please notify the sender by return e-mail and delete the message from your system. Any unauthorised use or dissemination of this message in whole or in part is strictly prohibited. Any information in this message that does not relate to official business shall be understood to be neither given nor endorsed by the Confederation of Indian Industry.

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Competition to Google Scholar?
by Saiful Amin 25 Apr '06

25 Apr '06

Dear Professionals, Looks like we have a competition to Google Scholar from Microsoft! It looks impressive in the display of information, while supporting standards like RSS and OpenURL. Go to http://academic.live.com to see it yourself. Microsoft Announces Windows Live Academic Search New research tool delivers enhanced search capabilities to the academic community. REDMOND, Wash. — April 11, 2006 — Microsoft Corp. today announced the beta release of its Windows Live™ Academic Search service in seven countries. The new search service is designed to help students, researchers and university faculty conduct research across a spectrum of academic journals. The program is a cooperative effort between Windows Live Search, industry association CrossRef and more than 10 leading publishers. The initial beta release will target the subjects of computer science, electrical engineering and physics, and the company is working with multiple organizations to bring new subjects online in the near future. Windows Live Academic Search will offer peer-reviewed content from leading scholarly societies such as the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM), and leading publishers Elsevier and John Wiley & Sons Inc. Windows Live Academic Search can be found at http://academic.live.com and will provide English-language results in select global markets. Read the full story: http://www.microsoft.com/presspass/press/2006/apr06/04-11WLAcademicSearchPR… Regards, Saiful -- Saiful Amin Information Specialist Edutech India 2/2, Union Street Off Infantry Road Bangalore 560001, India Tel: +91 80 4112 3437 M: +91 93438 26438 Fax: +91 80 4151 7801 www.edutechindia.com "Enhancing knowledge and skills for success, lifelong."

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Re: [LIS-Forum] "Re: Contents of LIS-Forum digest...NET relief mooted for MPhil, PhD students"
by Vijay Raghav Tiwari 25 Apr '06

25 Apr '06

Dear All/Susmita I agree with you that NET should remain an eligibility criteria for Assistant Librarian/ College Librarians as it shows a nation wide acceptance. The merit must be honoured. I have done both but still I feel that NET should remain on top as it gives you an equal status as a professional. It subsides the difference of the different universities from where we had passed our M.L.I.Sc., hence I feel that it gives an equal status. Hope that other professinals will agree with me. regards vrt On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 Susmita Chakraborty wrote : >Dear All, > > >Please refer to LIS Forum email message titled "NET relief mooted for >MPhil, PhD students". I would like to share my personal observations >in this regard. > >Firstly, let see who are qualifying UGC-NET/ SLET for Lecturership in >Library and Information Science (LIS). The Meritorious or Talented or >Hard-working LIS professionals are mostly qualifying these competitive >examinations. > >On the other hand, let we see who are getting admission into MPHIL/ >PHD programmes in LIS. Only few full-time MPHIL/ PHD courses are >available in India as compared to total number of MLIS/AIS/ADIS passed >outs. These full-time MPHIL/ PHD courses select student on the basis >of Merit or NET/SLET. But they belong to only a few percent (about >10%) of total MPHIL passed outs in India. Rest 90% percent students >are getting admission into MPHIL courses on the basis of ability to >pay hefty course fee (varies from Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 36,000/-). So, >these 90% MPHIL/ PHD students are not that much Meritorious/ Talented/ >Hard-working as compared to UGC NET/ SLET qualified LIS professionals, >but they have financial capacity to pay the hefty course fee. There is >also no consistency or transparency in the admission process of PhD >programmes except for the NET/SLET qualified LIS professionals. > >So, if we propose to exempt of UGC NET/ SLET clause from the >eligibility criteria of college librarians/ university assistant >librarians/ documentation officers/ lecturers, probably we will >discourage Meritorious or Talented or Hard-working persons to come >into LIS profession. Instead, Library Associations, Forums can >collectively pressurize UGC to produce sufficient numbers of UGC NET/ >SLET qualified candidates, or to hold GRE type examination for >admission into MPHIL and PhD programmes. Also, Library Associations >and University departments can introduce NET/SLET coaching classes to >address the shortage of qualified manpower and for the greater >benefits of the society. > >Hope, the apex organizations, like, UGC, AICTE, MCI, should set the >eligibility criteria on the basis of above-mentioned facts, and not >bypassing the above-mentioned facts. > >With regards > >S. Chakraborty >Kolkata > >_______________________________________________ >LIS-Forum mailing list >LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in >http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum Dr. Vijay Raghav Tiwari Librarian Harish Chandra Research Institute (Department of Atomic Energy, Govt of India) Chhatnag Road,Jhunsi,Allahabad -211 019. Phone.91-532-2668302(O), 0532-2274325 (O), 0532-2274064 (R) <vrtiwari(a)mri.ernet.in> Dear All/Susmita I agree with you that NET should remain an eligibility criteria for Assistant Librarian/ College Librarians as it shows a nation wide acceptance. The merit must be honoured. I have done both but still I feel that NET should remain on top as it gives you an equal status as a professional. It subsides the difference of the different universities from where we had passed our M.L.I.Sc., hence I feel that it gives an equal status. Hope that other professinals will agree with me. regards vrt On Mon, 24 Apr 2006 Susmita Chakraborty wrote : >Dear All, > > >Please refer to LIS Forum email message titled "NET relief mooted for >MPhil, PhD students". I would like to share my personal observations >in this regard. > >Firstly, let see who are qualifying UGC-NET/ SLET for Lecturership in >Library and Information Science (LIS). The Meritorious or Talented or >Hard-working LIS professionals are mostly qualifying these competitive >examinations. > >On the other hand, let we see who are getting admission into MPHIL/ >PHD programmes in LIS. Only few full-time MPHIL/ PHD courses are >available in India as compared to total number of MLIS/AIS/ADIS passed >outs. These full-time MPHIL/ PHD courses select student on the basis >of Merit or NET/SLET. But they belong to only a few percent (about >10%) of total MPHIL passed outs in India. Rest 90% percent students >are getting admission into MPHIL courses on the basis of ability to >pay hefty course fee (varies from Rs. 10,000/- to Rs. 36,000/-). So, >these 90% MPHIL/ PHD students are not that much Meritorious/ Talented/ >Hard-working as compared to UGC NET/ SLET qualified LIS professionals, >but they have financial capacity to pay the hefty course fee. There is >also no consistency or transparency in the admission process of PhD >programmes except for the NET/SLET qualified LIS professionals. > >So, if we propose to exempt of UGC NET/ SLET clause from the >eligibility criteria of college librarians/ university assistant >librarians/ documentation officers/ lecturers, probably we will >discourage Meritorious or Talented or Hard-working persons to come >into LIS profession. Instead, Library Associations, Forums can >collectively pressurize UGC to produce sufficient numbers of UGC NET/ >SLET qualified candidates, or to hold GRE type examination for >admission into MPHIL and PhD programmes. Also, Library Associations >and University departments can introduce NET/SLET coaching classes to >address the shortage of qualified manpower and for the greater >benefits of the society. > >Hope, the apex organizations, like, UGC, AICTE, MCI, should set the >eligibility criteria on the basis of above-mentioned facts, and not >bypassing the above-mentioned facts. > >With regards > >S. Chakraborty >Kolkata > >_______________________________________________ >LIS-Forum mailing list >LIS-Forum(a)ncsi.iisc.ernet.in >http://ncsi.iisc.ernet.in/mailman/listinfo/lis-forum Dr. Vijay Raghav Tiwari Librarian Harish Chandra Research Institute (Department of Atomic Energy, Govt of India) Chhatnag Road,Jhunsi,Allahabad -211 019. Phone.91-532-2668302(O), 0532-2274325 (O), 0532-2274064 (R) <vrtiwari(a)mri.ernet.in> http://adworks.rediff.com/cgi-bin/AdWorks/sigclick.cgi/www.rediff.com/signa… http://adworks.rediff.com/cgi-bin/AdWorks/sigimpress.cgi/www.rediff.com/sig…

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Fwd: SciDev.Net Weekly Update: 18 - 24 April 2006
by Prof. N. Laxman Rao. 24 Apr '06

24 Apr '06

info(a)scidev.net wrote: Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:56:24 +0100 (BST) From: info(a)scidev.net To: naglaxman(a)yahoo.com Subject: SciDev.Net Weekly Update: 18 - 24 April 2006 THE ITEMS BELOW HAVE BEEN POSTED ON http://www.scidev.net OVER THE PAST WEEK. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF OUR WEBSITE? http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=172752018949 Complete the online survey to help improve the SciDev.Net website and enter a free prize draw for the new BBC book Planet Earth. ======================================== EDITORIALS ======================================== Iran's nuclear standoff: we need a peaceful solution http://www.scidev.net/Editorials/index.cfm?fuseaction=readEditorials&itemid… Any effort to eliminate Iran's nuclear research facilities by force would be both a catastrophe for the region and a major setback for the 'science for development' debate. ======================================== NEWS ======================================== Bird flu update: 24 April 2006 http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2795&langua… A roundup of the latest news on the spread of the bird flu virus and the threat to human health. Protein map raises hopes for schistosomiasis drugs http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2787&langua… Scientists have identified the proteins essential to a parasitic worm that causes schistosomiasis, paving the way for new drugs and vaccines. Brazil and Kenya push for neglected-disease research http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2788&langua… Brazil and Kenya will call for an international fund for research on 'neglected diseases' at a WHO meeting next month. China to build 30 new science and technology parks http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2789&langua… China will build 30 new science and technology parks by 2010 with the aim of encouraging the commercial development of university research. Desertification is 'economic not environmental' issue http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2791&langua… An international conference has heard calls for nations to refocus their efforts to combat the growing problem of desertification. Warning over drug for patients with TB and HIV http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2792&langua… A therapy that the WHO recommends for people with both HIV and TB could increase the spread of drug-resistant TB, say researchers. Botanical gardens not just 'pretty places' http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2790&langua… A report released today urges more support for botanical gardens because of the contributions they make to sustainable development. Top Chinese academic under fire from 'science police' http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2793&langua… A controversial Chinese website dedicated to exposing academic fraud has accused a university vice-president of faking data. A long way to go on bird flu research, say scientists http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2794&langua… Bird flu researchers call for more work on the virus, from drug resistance to studying the mutations that help it jump from one species to another. ======================================== FEATURES ======================================== Making Tamiflu cheap enough for the poor http://www.scidev.net/Features/index.cfm?fuseaction=readFeatures&itemid=513… As production of flu drug Tamiflu gears up, big questions remain over how affordable and effective it will be, reports Martin Enserink. (Source: Science) ======================================== OPINIONS ======================================== How can Iraq's scientists be protected? http://www.scidev.net/Opinions/index.cfm?fuseaction=readOpinions&itemid=491… Researchers respond to the recent call by UNESCO for countries to work together to protect Iraq's academics from a 'campaign of violence'. Science loses in Sri Lanka's debate on standard time http://www.scidev.net/Opinions/index.cfm?fuseaction=readOpinions&itemid=490… Sri Lankan science writer Nalaka Gunawardene is desperately seeking a cheap cloning kit to mass-produce public intellectuals in his country. ======================================== LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ======================================== Traditional medicine must be documented http://www.scidev.net/editorletters/index.cfm?fuseaction=readeditorletter&i… Ayo Onatola argues that before traditional medicine can be protected it must be documented and verified, and its practitioners brought into mainstream medicine. ======================================== EVENTS ======================================== International Conference on Mathematics and Natural Sciences http://www.scidev.net/events/index.cfm?fuseaction=readevents&itemid=900&lan… Location: Bandung, Indonesia Date: 29 - 30 November 2006 International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture for Food and Nutritional Security http://www.scidev.net/events/index.cfm?fuseaction=readevents&itemid=901&lan… Location: New Delhi, India Date: 25 - 27 May 2006 International Conference on University, Industry and Government Linkages http://www.scidev.net/events/index.cfm?fuseaction=readevents&itemid=902&lan… Location: Singapore Date: 16 - 18 May 2007 International Symposium on Immunobiologicals and Human Health http://www.scidev.net/events/index.cfm?fuseaction=readevents&itemid=899&lan… Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brasil Date: 2 - 4 May 2006 ======================================== JOBS ======================================== Health programme coordinator http://www.scidev.net/jobs/index.cfm?fuseaction=readjob&itemid=586&language… Organisation: Save the Children UK Location: Kigali, Rwanda Associate professional officers http://www.scidev.net/jobs/index.cfm?fuseaction=readjob&itemid=592&language… Organisation: Center for International Forestry Research Location: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and Lusaka, Zambia Head of information technology services http://www.scidev.net/jobs/index.cfm?fuseaction=readjob&itemid=588&language… Organisation: The International Rice Research Institute Location: Philippines Research fellow/senior research fellow http://www.scidev.net/jobs/index.cfm?fuseaction=readjob&itemid=593&language… Organisation: The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Location: New Delhi, India Journalism advisor for HIV/AIDS reporting http://www.scidev.net/jobs/index.cfm?fuseaction=readjob&itemid=587&language… Organisation: Internews Network Location: Nairobi, Kenya Science communications officer http://www.scidev.net/jobs/index.cfm?fuseaction=readjob&itemid=590&language… Organisation: International Council for Science (ICSU) Location: Paris, France Health Advisor http://www.scidev.net/jobs/index.cfm?fuseaction=readjob&itemid=585&language… Organisation: Concern Worldwide UK Location: Lao Development Communication Professional http://www.scidev.net/jobs/index.cfm?fuseaction=readjob&itemid=589&language… Organisation: World Fisheries Trust Location: Brazil ======================================== GRANTS ======================================== Global Fund for Women http://www.scidev.net/grants/index.cfm?fuseaction=readgrants&itemid=293&lan… Organisation: Global Fund for Women Closing date: 31 May 2007 Training Fellowships for Women Scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa http://www.scidev.net/grants/index.cfm?fuseaction=readgrants&itemid=285&lan… Organisation: The Third World Organization for Women in Science Closing date: 30 May 2006 Professional Fellowships http://www.scidev.net/grants/index.cfm?fuseaction=readgrants&itemid=287&lan… Organisation: Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan Closing date: 30 April 2006 PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowships http://www.scidev.net/grants/index.cfm?fuseaction=readgrants&itemid=291&lan… Organisation: The United Nations University, Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU/IAS) Closing date: 12 May 2006 ======================================== ANNOUNCEMENTS ======================================== 'Expose Urban Solutions' photo contest http://www.scidev.net/announcements/index.cfm?fuseaction=readannouncement&i… Organisation: International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Closing date: 25 April 2006 SciDev.Net's email alert is available in English, French, Spanish or Chinese, and in html or plain text formats. If you would like to update your details, or unregister from SciDev.Net, please go to http://www.scidev.net/register Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com info(a)scidev.net wrote: Date: Mon, 24 Apr 2006 14:56:24 +0100 (BST) From: info(a)scidev.net To: naglaxman(a)yahoo.com Subject: SciDev.Net Weekly Update: 18 - 24 April 2006 THE ITEMS BELOW HAVE BEEN POSTED ON http://www.scidev.net OVER THE PAST WEEK. WHAT DO YOU THINK OF OUR WEBSITE? http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=172752018949 Complete the online survey to help improve the SciDev.Net website and enter a free prize draw for the new BBC book Planet Earth. ======================================== EDITORIALS ======================================== Iran's nuclear standoff: we need a peaceful solution http://www.scidev.net/Editorials/index.cfm?fuseaction=readEditorials&itemid… Any effort to eliminate Iran's nuclear research facilities by force would be both a catastrophe for the region and a major setback for the 'science for development' debate. ======================================== NEWS ======================================== Bird flu update: 24 April 2006 http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2795&langua… A roundup of the latest news on the spread of the bird flu virus and the threat to human health. Protein map raises hopes for schistosomiasis drugs http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2787&langua… Scientists have identified the proteins essential to a parasitic worm that causes schistosomiasis, paving the way for new drugs and vaccines. Brazil and Kenya push for neglected-disease research http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2788&langua… Brazil and Kenya will call for an international fund for research on 'neglected diseases' at a WHO meeting next month. China to build 30 new science and technology parks http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2789&langua… China will build 30 new science and technology parks by 2010 with the aim of encouraging the commercial development of university research. Desertification is 'economic not environmental' issue http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2791&langua… An international conference has heard calls for nations to refocus their efforts to combat the growing problem of desertification. Warning over drug for patients with TB and HIV http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2792&langua… A therapy that the WHO recommends for people with both HIV and TB could increase the spread of drug-resistant TB, say researchers. Botanical gardens not just 'pretty places' http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2790&langua… A report released today urges more support for botanical gardens because of the contributions they make to sustainable development. Top Chinese academic under fire from 'science police' http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2793&langua… A controversial Chinese website dedicated to exposing academic fraud has accused a university vice-president of faking data. A long way to go on bird flu research, say scientists http://www.scidev.net/News/index.cfm?fuseaction=readNews&itemid=2794&langua… Bird flu researchers call for more work on the virus, from drug resistance to studying the mutations that help it jump from one species to another. ======================================== FEATURES ======================================== Making Tamiflu cheap enough for the poor http://www.scidev.net/Features/index.cfm?fuseaction=readFeatures&itemid=513… As production of flu drug Tamiflu gears up, big questions remain over how affordable and effective it will be, reports Martin Enserink. (Source: Science) ======================================== OPINIONS ======================================== How can Iraq's scientists be protected? http://www.scidev.net/Opinions/index.cfm?fuseaction=readOpinions&itemid=491… Researchers respond to the recent call by UNESCO for countries to work together to protect Iraq's academics from a 'campaign of violence'. Science loses in Sri Lanka's debate on standard time http://www.scidev.net/Opinions/index.cfm?fuseaction=readOpinions&itemid=490… Sri Lankan science writer Nalaka Gunawardene is desperately seeking a cheap cloning kit to mass-produce public intellectuals in his country. ======================================== LETTERS TO THE EDITOR ======================================== Traditional medicine must be documented http://www.scidev.net/editorletters/index.cfm?fuseaction=readeditorletter&i… Ayo Onatola argues that before traditional medicine can be protected it must be documented and verified, and its practitioners brought into mainstream medicine. ======================================== EVENTS ======================================== International Conference on Mathematics and Natural Sciences http://www.scidev.net/events/index.cfm?fuseaction=readevents&itemid=900&lan… Location: Bandung, Indonesia Date: 29 - 30 November 2006 International Conference on Sustainable Agriculture for Food and Nutritional Security http://www.scidev.net/events/index.cfm?fuseaction=readevents&itemid=901&lan… Location: New Delhi, India Date: 25 - 27 May 2006 International Conference on University, Industry and Government Linkages http://www.scidev.net/events/index.cfm?fuseaction=readevents&itemid=902&lan… Location: Singapore Date: 16 - 18 May 2007 International Symposium on Immunobiologicals and Human Health http://www.scidev.net/events/index.cfm?fuseaction=readevents&itemid=899&lan… Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brasil Date: 2 - 4 May 2006 ======================================== JOBS ======================================== Health programme coordinator http://www.scidev.net/jobs/index.cfm?fuseaction=readjob&itemid=586&language… Organisation: Save the Children UK Location: Kigali, Rwanda Associate professional officers http://www.scidev.net/jobs/index.cfm?fuseaction=readjob&itemid=592&language… Organisation: Center for International Forestry Research Location: Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and Lusaka, Zambia Head of information technology services http://www.scidev.net/jobs/index.cfm?fuseaction=readjob&itemid=588&language… Organisation: The International Rice Research Institute Location: Philippines Research fellow/senior research fellow http://www.scidev.net/jobs/index.cfm?fuseaction=readjob&itemid=593&language… Organisation: The International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) Location: New Delhi, India Journalism advisor for HIV/AIDS reporting http://www.scidev.net/jobs/index.cfm?fuseaction=readjob&itemid=587&language… Organisation: Internews Network Location: Nairobi, Kenya Science communications officer http://www.scidev.net/jobs/index.cfm?fuseaction=readjob&itemid=590&language… Organisation: International Council for Science (ICSU) Location: Paris, France Health Advisor http://www.scidev.net/jobs/index.cfm?fuseaction=readjob&itemid=585&language… Organisation: Concern Worldwide UK Location: Lao Development Communication Professional http://www.scidev.net/jobs/index.cfm?fuseaction=readjob&itemid=589&language… Organisation: World Fisheries Trust Location: Brazil ======================================== GRANTS ======================================== Global Fund for Women http://www.scidev.net/grants/index.cfm?fuseaction=readgrants&itemid=293&lan… Organisation: Global Fund for Women Closing date: 31 May 2007 Training Fellowships for Women Scientists in Sub-Saharan Africa http://www.scidev.net/grants/index.cfm?fuseaction=readgrants&itemid=285&lan… Organisation: The Third World Organization for Women in Science Closing date: 30 May 2006 Professional Fellowships http://www.scidev.net/grants/index.cfm?fuseaction=readgrants&itemid=287&lan… Organisation: Commonwealth Scholarship and Fellowship Plan Closing date: 30 April 2006 PhD and Postdoctoral Fellowships http://www.scidev.net/grants/index.cfm?fuseaction=readgrants&itemid=291&lan… Organisation: The United Nations University, Institute of Advanced Studies (UNU/IAS) Closing date: 12 May 2006 ======================================== ANNOUNCEMENTS ======================================== 'Expose Urban Solutions' photo contest http://www.scidev.net/announcements/index.cfm?fuseaction=readannouncement&i… Organisation: International Development Research Centre (IDRC) Closing date: 25 April 2006 SciDev.Net's email alert is available in English, French, Spanish or Chinese, and in html or plain text formats. If you would like to update your details, or unregister from SciDev.Net, please go to http://www.scidev.net/register Send instant messages to your online friends http://uk.messenger.yahoo.com

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