SILCHAR, June 22 � In a bid to facilitate the creation of a world class innovative, inviting and flexible library system, the National Institute of Technology, Silchar (NITS) has recently signed a memorandum of understanding with University of Illinois, USA.
Prof NV Deshpande, Director, NIT Silchar said that the MOU will help the institute to enhance campus learning, add support to its research activities, and provide community outreach and service in its campus through consultation and collaboration with the university Library at Illinois.
Prof Deshpande who was instrumental in going for the MoU lauded the efforts of Dr Kishore Chandra Satpathy, Librarian at NITS in the initiative. He said that there will be a planned collaborative effort between the two libraries, especially on specific activities including development of a technology roadmap for the upcoming library at NIT Silchar, professional development for staff, exploration of possible exchange of academic staff, support in the development of a community outreach programme, assistance in planning library facilities that support research, services and studying, support in the development of community outreach programme, joint library programmes on research and training, consultation on the design of an online digital library course etc.
�We are happy to have signed the agreement with the University of Illinois. It is one of the top ranking universities in the world and as such the NIT Silchar will benefit immensely from this association. There are plans to introduce a double degree programme which will help the students to study three years at NITS and two years at the University of Illinois. � Prof Deshpande said adding that a consortium of three NITs (Jaipur, Patna and Silchar) will visit the University of Illinois shortly to augment faculty to faculty interaction. Also, the students of NIT Silchar can make use of laboratories there, he said.
Further, he said that there will be an international library workshop to be jointly organised by both the libraries to add fillip to the improved library system and if every thing falls in place there will be a centre of the University Library of Illinois here.
