SRINAGAR: The University of Kashmir (KU) on Monday inaugurated a two-day workshop titled “INFLIBNET: Resources, Services and Facilities for Universities”, organised by the Allama Iqbal Library in collaboration with UGC-INFLIBNET.
The workshop aims to enhance digital literacy, promote ICT-enabled academic engagement, and introduce participants to the latest INFLIBNET-based research support tools.
The workshop has been specially designed for newly recruited faculty members and library professionals to familiarize them with advanced digital platforms, modern-day academic resources, and research facilitation mechanisms available through INFLIBNET, thereby strengthening teaching–learning outcomes across higher educational institutions.
In her message, Vice Chancellor KU Prof Nilofer Khan, impressed upon the newly recruited teachers to take advantage of digital tools, e-resources, and academic platforms offered by INFLIBNET.
She said “Such tools have become crucial for today’s academic ecosystem and faculty members should integrate them meaningfully to enhance their teaching, research and professional competencies so that students and scholars derive maximum benefit.”
Prof Nilofer Khan further reiterated the University’s commitment towards empowering its newly inducted human resource by ensuring that they remain academically updated, technologically competent, and well-versed with the rapidly evolving digital landscape.
In his remarks Dean Academic Affairs, KU Prof Shariefuddin Pirzada, expressed confidence that the workshop would contribute significantly to raising awareness among young teachers about the digital tools and software offered by INFLIBNET, especially at a time when attracting students to classrooms amid abundant digital content remains a major challenge for educators.
Registrar KU, Prof Naseer Iqbal, highlighted the paradigm shift brought about by technology in the overall teaching–learning pedagogy and emphasized that while information is readily available to students today however it is the mentorship and academic handholding provided by teachers that ultimately makes a transformational difference.
Swapnil Patel, Scientist-D, INFLIBNET, gave an overview of the origin and evolution of INFLIBNET and its growing role in supporting universities across the country.
He elaborated on the various initiatives and flagship projects of INFLIBNET—including library automation, data management systems, ShodhGanga repository, e- PG Patshala Project, SWAYAM, and SWAYAM PRABHA—underscoring their importance in strengthening institutional academic frameworks.
Earlier in his welcome address University Librarian, Dr Fayaz Ahmad Lone, said that the workshop has been curated to equip participants with necessary digital competencies and to help them meaningfully integrate these resources into their teaching and research endeavours.
Around 120 participants from various universities and colleges are attending the event. Resource persons and experts from INFLIBNET will interact with the participants during multiple technical sessions, offering hands-on exposure to advanced digital platforms, research facilitation tools, and modern academic services provided by INFLIBNET.