Report on Two Days Workshop on Framing of Syllabus

A Two Days Workshop on Framing of Syllabus for the Master of Library and Information Science Programme has been organised by Assam University, Silchar during February 11-12, 2010.
At the outset Prof. Tapodhir Bhattacharjee, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Assam University, Silchar welcomed all the External Expert Members attending the workshop and also other members and appraised about the genesis and background of the Department of Library Science, AUS. He called upon the Subject Experts (both external and internal) to prepare syllabus integrating both traditional and modern concepts for Master Degree in Library and Information Science to be offered by the Dept of Library Science, AUS. He also suggested to take into consideration of the ICT and its application. Further, he also suggested identifying the requirements / resources necessary for starting the Master degree program. The Hon’ble Vice Chancellor also suggested to make syllabus that suits to meet the needs of the dynamic environment. He also declared that this program will be offered from the academic year 2010-11.
Prof. Goutam Biswas, Hon’ble PVC (H& AD), Assam University, Silchar suggested to prepare the syllabus with an emphasis on application of modern technology.
Prof. G.D. Sharma, Hon’ble PVC (STM) also informed the experts to design the syllabus, which should enable the students to learn the skills and enable them to get suitable jobs after completion of course.
Prof. G.P. Pandey, Dean, School of Information Science, Assam University, suggested to put components that enable the students to handle the tools and techniques in the modern libraries.
Dr. P. Debnath, CoE, Assam University, Silchar explained the guidelines for framing syllabus. He suggested to have 20 papers each of 100 marks with a total of 2000 marks for the whole program i.e. four semesters. He also suggested dividing each paper into five units. Further, he also suggested to divide 100 marks into 25 for Internal Assessment and 75 marks for the University examination. He also pointed out that the syllabus should be designed in such a way that it should be easy to shift the same to the Choice Based Credit System with few open papers which may be offered for the students from other Departments.
Dr. Manoj Kumar Sinha, Reader & Head, Department of Library Science, Assam University, Silchar delivered a power point presentation on Draft Syllabus for discussion and finalization of syllabus.
Amongst the eternal members , four eminent subject experts viz., Prof. N. Laxman Rao, Emeritus Professor, UGC , Dept of Library & Information Science, Osmania University, Hyderabad; Prof. Narendra Lahkar, Department of Library & Information , Gauhati University, Guwahati; Prof. Pijuskanti Panigrahi, Head, Department of Library & Information Science , Calcutta University, Kolkata and Dr. Saptarishi Ghosh , Head, Department of Library & Information Science , North Bengal University, Darjeeling have been invited for framing the syllabus for MLIS Course.
Amongst the internal faculty members/ officers , Prof. G.P. Pandey , Dean , School of Information Science, Department of Mass Communication, Assam University ; Dr. P. Debnath, Controller of Examinations, AUS ; Dr. Bibhash Dev, Deputy Registrar (Academic) , AUS ; Dr. Manoj Kumar Sinha, Reader & Head, Department of Library Science, Assam University, Silchar ; Dr. Mukut Sarmah, Assistant Professor, Department of Library Science, Md. Ziaur Rahman Assistant Professor , Department of Library Science , Dr. Pankaj Dev Sarmah , Head, Department of Computer Science and Sri Jayanta Bhattacharjee , Information Scientist & Deputy Registrar ( Exam ) I/ C have participated in the workshop and contributed a lot for framing of syllabus.
After the continuous efforts, brainstorming threadbare discussion made by all the external subject experts and internal faculty members and officers for two days, the Draft Syllabus for the Two Year Masters Degree in Library and Information Science Programme has been designed and developed and the same has been put forwarded before the Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tapodhir Bhattacharjee for perusal and consideration.
After approval of Syllabus in Board of Post-Graduate Study, and School Board, the Draft Syllabus will be placed before the forthcoming Academic Council Meeting scheduled to be held on April 23., 2010 and the finally before the Executive Council Meeting scheduled to be held on April 30, 2010 for its final approval.

(Reported by Dr. Manoj Kumar Sinha)
Reader & Head,
Department of Library & Information Science
Assam University, Silchar