Workshop on “Funding Agencies for Research Projects and Designing Project Proposals”- A report

Workshop on “Funding Agencies for Research Projects and Designing Project Proposals”- A report

“Teachers, Librarians and Professionals at the tertiary level education have greater responsibility in making today’s society an knowledge society by undertaking research which will produce not only real results but also realizable result. The media has a greater role to play in making the public aware of this activity by giving effective publicity for academic and research matters in headline” said Prof. Syed Akheel Ahmed, Vice-Chancellor, Yenepoya University, Managlore, during his inaugural address on a one-day Workshop on “Funding Agencies for Research Projects and Designing Project Proposals” on 19-12-2008 organized by the departments of Library and Research and Development Cell, St.Agnes College in association with Dakshina Kannada and Kodagu Library Association at St. Agnes College, Mangalore. He also added that the management must encourage the librarians, professionals and researchers in their venture, as it is a matter of advance of the present society towards developed society.

Dr. M.S. Moodithaya, Director, Justice K.S. Hegde Institute of Management,Nitte, released the newsletter and proclaimed that knowledge entrepreneurship is of utmost important in order to gain real power to move forward. Dr. Vishala B.K., the Co-ordinator of the programme emphasized the need of the workshop and commended the response by the delegates participated from Dakshina Kannada, Kodagu and Udupi Districts. Dr. (Sr.) Marie Prem D’Souza A.C. Principal of St. Agnes College presided over the function.

Dr. M.K. Bhandi, Librarian of Mangalore University, in his valedictory address expressed the urgency of the librarian becoming torch-bearer in showing direction to the knowledge seekers for research. Dr. Manjunatha K.,President DK&KLA welcomed the gathering and Dr. Purushothama Gowda, Vice-President, proposed vote of thanks.

The workshop was followed by 4 technical sessions on various international, national and regional funding agencies which offer funds to pursue major and minor research and also to develop to designs of project proposals in science and social science by the eminent resource persons – Dr. Krishna Kothai –Director, Rural Development Centre, Manipal University, Manipal, Dr. Kaiser Nikham-Reader,Department of Library and Information Science,Manasagangothri, University of Mysore., Prof. P.L. Dharma.-Dept.of Political Science, Mangalagangothri,Konaje, and Prof. B.K. Sarojini-Dept.of Chemistry P.A.College of Engineering Nadupadavu, Mangalore.

Workshop on Total Quality Library Improvement

Workshop on Total Quality Library Improvement

Mangalore, Mar 15,2008: Prof VG Talavar, vice-chancellor, Mysore University, said that an end reader should be satisfied with the service provided by a librarian. He stressed that providing information is more important than books.He was speaking after inaugurating a one-day seminar on ‘Total Quality Library Improvement’ held at the Conference Hall of St Agnes College on Sunday March 15. The symposium was organized by the Department of College Education, Regional Joint Director’s Office, Mangalore, in association with Karnataka State College Librarians’ Association, Bangalore, and Dakshina Kannada and Coorg Librarians’ Association.

Defining the term ‘quality’ as fitness for purpose, he said that librarians should believe in improving the quality of the library.

“Librarians are professionals but not trade unions”, he added.

He lamented that caste, taste, and accessibility, have become a hindrance to the concept of quality in the present world. “Quality assurance and assessment have come into existence in globalization and the quality control unit has been replaced by the quality assessment cell,” he said.

Prof Talavar opined that e-journals and e-books available in universities through the University Grants Commission (UGC) should also reach regional colleges. “The budget for buying resources should reach at the end of academic year. NAAC accreditation, and UGC criteria of quality are basically based on quantity but not quality. The quality of books is an important factor”, he said.

Prof Talawar and Dr Shanthalakshmi, joint director, department of college education, regional office, were felicitated on the occasion. Principal Dr C Prem M D’Souza, Dr Kaisar M Khan, SLK Mutt, K Mallikarjuna, and Dr Vishal B K were present.