November 27, 2008: Make the EducationSystem More Interactive and Dynamic: Prof. R.C. Sobti, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University said in his PresidentialAddress at the Inaugural Session of the XXV IATLIS NationalConference that it is high time that we make our educationalprogrammes interactive and dynamic. There should be a fair blendingof teaching and learning style and a teacher is required to play therole of a parent in the formal and informal settings. Earlier, Prof.Jagtar Singh, the Keynote Speaker and the Dean Faculty of Educationand Information Science, Punjabi University, Patiala said that thereis an immediate need for a shift from rote learning to resource-based student-centred-learning. The LIS courses must be affordableand consistent with the emerging job market. He further said that thefaculty must be deeply committed to internalize employable skillsamong the students. Prof. S.L. Sharma, the Chief Guest said that theLIS curricula should be based on the top-down and bottom-up approach.He further emphasized that there is a need to encourag! e students toask questions and actively participate in discussions. Prof. AshuShokeen, Director of the Conference said that efforts must be made tomake the LIS programmes relevant, effective, innovative and dynamic.Prof. C. R. Karisiddappa, President of Indian Association of Teachersof Library and Information Science (IATLIS) explained the mandate andthe activities of IATLIS and said that we must repay the LISprofession by developing employable manpower. Prof. Ranjana Vohrawelcomed the dignitaries and the participants of the conference aswell as introduced the key speakers. Prof. B.D. Kumbar, GeneralSecretary, IATLIS proposed the vote of thanks and Mr. RupakChakravarty conducted the stage. About 75 delegates from all overIndia and resource persons are participating in this nationalconference on Changing face of LIS Education: Learning Stylesand Teaching Methodologies. November 28, 2008 On the Second day of theXXV IATLIS National Conference being organized by the Department ofLibrary & Information Science, Panjab University, Chandigarh anumber of papers were being presented on the topic EmergingLearning Styles and New Methods of Teaching, Symbiosis ofClassroom and virtual Learning and Open Distance Learning andContinuing Education Programmes. The presenters discussed the newlearning management systems required in todays IT scenario,weblogs as learning tools, e-learning initiatives with specialreference to India, Continuing Professional Development for LISProfessionals etc. Various learning management tools both commercialas well as open source were highlighted and the need for adoptingthem by the institutions of higher learning were stressed. Thesessions were followed by General Body Meeting of IATLIS. Chandigarh29 November 2008 TheXXV IATLIS National Conference which began here at Panjab University,Chandigarh with the inaugural session with Prof. S.L. Sharma as ChiefGuest on 27 November 2008 and concluded today with the ValedictorySession. Prof. B.S. Ghuman, Dean Faculty of Arts said in hisPresidential Address said that India is emerging as a knowledgeeconomy and has the demographic advantage of 550 million youth belowthe age of 25 years. Commercialization and privatization of educationis taking place in favour of the elite professions like medicine,engineering and business management, whereas, the social sciencesubjects including library and information science are being pushedto the periphery. There is an immediate need to make our coursesrelevant to the job market to stay in the main stream. More and moreempirical research should be done to generate valuable information toinform social science programmes. He further said that resourcecrunch will be increasing day by day but this does not mean th! at wecompromise on quality of education and training. Our teaching methodsshould be based on the blending of traditional teaching methods andICT-based teaching methods because ICT can help us in the functionalareas but not in the basic understanding of the subject. He alsoemphasized that the relationship between the tradition and modernityshould be complementary and not competitive. Speaking at thisoccasion Prof. C. R. Karisiddappa, President of IATLIS said that theLIS faculty is required to develop the employable skills among thefuture professionals. He further emphasised that there is animmediate need to change the faculty mindset to strengthen the IndianAssociation of Teachers of Library and Information Science (IATLIS)he lementered that only 30 % of the faculty is member of the IATLIS.It is high time that we ask ourselves that what we have given to theIATLIS. The faculty must encourage the students to become independentlearners and critical thinker. Earlier Dr. Trishanj! it Kaur,Rapportaur-General, presented a comprehensive report of thepro ceedings this three conference. Dr. Ashu Shokeen, Director of theconference presented 8 resolutions based on the discussions duringthe three days. At the outset Dr. Ranjana Vohra, Organising Secretaryexpressed her satisfaction upon the deliberations of the conference.Dr. Preeti Mahajan, Co-Orgnanising Secretary presented the vote ofthanks and Mr. Rupak Chakravarty, Lecturer in the Departmentconducted the stage. About 75 delegates from all over Indiaparticipated in this National Conference. At the Inaugural SessionProf. R.C. Sobti, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh inhis presidential address emphasised the need to make the LISeducation programmes / courses more interactive, dynamic and full ofpersonal touch. Prof. Jagtar Singh, the Keynote Speaker and Dean,Faculty of Education and Information Science, Punjabi University,Patiala made a case for a shift from rote learning to resource basedstudent centred learning to develop independent learners and criticalthinkers! . Prof. S.L. Sharma, the Chief Guest at the Inaugural Sessionsaid that to make the courses acceptable to the employers, all thestakeholders must be involved in the process of curriculumdevelopment. Few of the snaps can be viewed here: click here Thanks and Regards Rupak Chakravarty Lecturer-cum-Assistant Librarian Department of Library & Information Science Panjab University, Chandigarh - 160014 INDIA Website: http://libsc.puchd.ac.in Phone # (0172) 2700459(R) (0172) 2534775(O) 9217133380(M) Email: rupak2811@gmail.com -- This message has been scanned for viruses and dangerous content by MailScanner, and is believed to be clean.