The Librarian: Vol, 3 Issue, 3, 2016

Report on
Asian Libraries Conference 2016
Department of Libraries, Islamabad and Allama Iqbal
Open University in collaboration with Pakistan
Library Association (PLA) jointly organized two days
Asian Libraries Conference on the topic of “ODYSSEY
FROM C-TABLETS TO E- TABLETS AND BEYOND” on
September 5-6, 2016 at National Library of Pakistan
auditorium, Islamabad. Abstracts and research paper
were called from the researchers to be presented
during the conference. Accepted 28 research papers
were presented during 09 regular sessions of the
conference. Luminaries including Dr. Muhammad
Shahid Soroya, Director General Punjab Higher
Education Commission, Prof. Dr. Kanwal Ameen
C h a i r p e r s o n D e p a r t m e n t o f I n fo r m a t i o n
Management, University o the Punjab, Dr.
Muhammad Ramzan, Director, ITU, Lahore and other
experts from Pakistan chaired different sessions and
a p p re c i a ted s c h o l a r s fo r t h e i r s c h o l a rly
contributions.
A Reception and cultural event was organized in the
honor of the guests on 04 September 2016 in the
evening at National Library of Pakistan. Allama
Iqbal Open University hosted a dinner and
organized Mushaira on 05th September 2016 in the
evening at Of icer Club of the University.
The conference recommended that special efforts
may be made to modernize library services in the
country, programs for capacity building of
librarians may be initiated and library science
education in the country may be standardize in line
with the par with the international practices.
More than 600 participants including Academicians,
Vice chancellors of different universities, Heads of
departments, secretaries, historians, research
scholars, IT experts, and luminaries from all over the
Pakistan attended the conference. Special
delegations comprising of dozens of members from
Baluchistan, Sind, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhah,
Punjab, Azad Kashmir, FATA and Gilgit Biltistan
attended the conference. Federal Secretary for
National History and Literary heritage Division
inaugurated the conference. Prof. Dr. Rai Niaz Ahmad,
Vice-Chancellor, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University,
Rawalpindi was the key note speaker. Ch. Muhammad
Nazir, Director General Department of Libraries
welcomed the participants, paper presenters and
dignitaries in the beginning of inaugural session
whereas Syed Ghyour Hussain, President Pakistan
Library Association paid his thanks to all
stockholders who supported for the organization of
the conference especially National History and
Literary heritage Division, Department of Libraries,
Allama Iqbal Open University and executive body of
Pakistan Library Association.
The conference also recommended a suitable
service structure of librarians at par with the
teaching faculty. Closing session was arranged at
auditorium of Allama Iqbal Open University. Prof.
Dr. Shahid Siddique was the chief guest and
Khursheed Nadeem, a renowned journalist,
columnist was the key note speaker there. Syed
Ghyour Hussain, President Pakistan Library
Association presented recommendations of the
conference at the end of the closing ceremony. Mr.
Muhammad Jawwad Secretary General Pakistan
Library Association Coordinated the session and
special tributes were paid to the Late Raja
Muhamad Ibrahim (Ex-President PLA).
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