November 27, 2008:
Make the Education
System More Interactive and Dynamic:
Prof. R.
C. Sobti, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University said in his Presidential
Address at the Inaugural Session of the XXV IATLIS National
Conference that it is high time that we make our educational
programmes interactive and dynamic. There should be a fair blending
of teaching and learning style and a teacher is required to play the
role of a parent in the formal and informal settings. Earlier, Prof.
Jagtar Singh, the Keynote Speaker and the Dean Faculty of Education
and Information Science, Punjabi University, Patiala said that there
is an immediate need for a shift from rote learning to resource-
based student-centred-learning. The LIS courses must be affordable
and consistent with the emerging job market. He further said that the
faculty must be deeply committed to internalize employable skills
among the students. Prof. S.L. Sharma, the Chief Guest said that the
LIS curricula should be based on the top-down and bottom-up approach.
He further emphasized that there is a need to encourage students to
ask questions and actively participate in discussions. Prof. Ashu
Shokeen, Director of the Conference said that efforts must be made to
make the LIS programmes relevant, effective, innovative and dynamic.
Prof. C. R. Karisiddappa, President of Indian Association of Teachers
of Library and Information Science (IATLIS) explained the mandate and
the activities of IATLIS and said that we must repay the LIS
profession by developing employable manpower. Prof. Ranjana Vohra
welcomed the dignitaries and the participants of the conference as
well as introduced the key speakers. Prof. B.D. Kumbar, General
Secretary, IATLIS proposed the vote of thanks and Mr. Rupak
Chakravarty conducted the stage. About 75 delegates from all over
India and resource persons are participating in this national
conference on “Changing face of LIS Education: Learning Styles
and Teaching Methodologies”.
November 28, 2008
On the Second day of the
XXV IATLIS National Conference being organized by the Department of
Library & Information Science, Panjab University, Chandigarh a
number of papers were being presented on the topic “Emerging
Learning Styles and New Methods of Teaching”, “Symbiosis of
Classroom and virtual Learning” and “Open Distance Learning and
Continuing Education Programmes”. The presenters discussed the new
learning management systems required in today’s IT scenario,
weblogs as learning tools, e-learning initiatives with special
reference to India, Continuing Professional Development for LIS
Professionals etc. Various learning management tools both commercial
as well as open source were highlighted and the need for adopting
them by the institutions of higher learning were stressed. The
sessions were followed by General Body Meeting of IATLIS.
Chandigarh 29 November 2008
The XXV IATLIS National Conference which began here at Panjab University, Chandigarh with the inaugural session with Prof. S.L. Sharma as Chief Guest on 27 November 2008 and concluded today with the Valedictory Session. Prof. B.S. Ghuman, Dean Faculty of Arts said in his Presidential Address said that India is emerging as a knowledge economy and has the demographic advantage of 550 million youth below the age of 25 years. Commercialization and privatization of education is taking place in favour of the elite professions like medicine, engineering and business management, whereas, the social science subjects including library and information science are being pushed to the periphery. There is an immediate need to make our courses relevant to the job market to stay in the main stream. More and more empirical research should be done to generate valuable information to inform social science programmes. He further said that resource crunch will be increasing day by day but this does not mean that we compromise on quality of education and training. Our teaching methods should be based on the blending of traditional teaching methods and ICT-based teaching methods because ICT can help us in the functional areas but not in the basic understanding of the subject. He also emphasized that the relationship between the tradition and modernity should be complementary and not competitive. Speaking at this occasion Prof. C. R. Karisiddappa, President of IATLIS said that the LIS faculty is required to develop the employable skills among the future professionals. He further emphasised that there is an immediate need to change the faculty mindset to strengthen the Indian Association 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 the IATLIS. The faculty must encourage the students to become independent learners and critical thinker. Earlier Dr. Trishanjit Kaur, Rapportaur-General, presented a comprehensive report of the proceedings this three conference. Dr. Ashu Shokeen, Director of the conference presented 8 resolutions based on the discussions during the three days. At the outset Dr. Ranjana Vohra, Organising Secretary expressed her satisfaction upon the deliberations of the conference. Dr. Preeti Mahajan, Co-Orgnanising Secretary presented the vote of thanks and Mr. Rupak Chakravarty, Lecturer in the Department conducted the stage. About 75 delegates from all over India participated in this National Conference. At the Inaugural Session Prof. R.C. Sobti, Vice-Chancellor, Panjab University, Chandigarh in his presidential address emphasised the need to make the LIS education programmes / courses more interactive, dynamic and full of personal 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 based student centred learning to develop independent learners and critical thinkers. Prof. S.L. Sharma, the Chief Guest at the Inaugural Session said that to make the courses acceptable to the employers, all the stakeholders must be involved in the process of curriculum development.
Few of the snaps can be viewed here: click here