Asia's largest e-library was opened recently in a ceremonial and delightful manner at the Faculty of Business Studies (FBS), University of Dhaka with state-of-the-art facilities and extensive resources. The e-library covering area of over 12,000 square feet has been affiliated with more than 35 overseas universities and international publishers.
Situated in the premises of FBS, Dhaka University, this e-library will benefit more than 6,092 students and 208 teachers of the faculty with its vast collection of national and international books and journals. The e-library has been established with the financial and technical support from Robi Axiata Ltd., Orion Footwear Ltd, Dell and Logic Software. The library is an outcome of a tripartite agreement among Dhaka University, University Grants Commission and Robi Axiata Ltd.
The present world has changed by far and it is students who need to adapt fast to keep pace with the fast changing world. Now-a-days, the concept of e-books is on the rise. The present world itself is turning into an increasingly electronically connected arena. E-library is the latest phenomenon in this regard. Albeit that, young leaders of our country lag far behind in terms of utilising the concept. "The e-library is envisioned in making the future leaders of the country well-equipped and accustomed with latest books and journals of the current business world, "said Professor Shibli Rubayat Ul Islam, Dean, Faculty of Business Studies, Dhaka University. Professor Shibli also expressed his faith that this e-library will place the faculty as well as the university to a new level of academic excellence.
The e-library will enable young learners to gain latest insights of the current business world. They can compete even with the best, both nationally and internationally.
The whole library has been divided into several areas. Silent reading area has been opened so that students can study even without slightest disturbance. For group study purpose, discussion room has been created and even coffee shop is offered to the students for refreshment. There are separate rooms for Phd students and teachers. There are also separate sections for journals and e-books.
The e-library offers more than 5,000 books and 541 journals both from national and international sources. The e-library is open for six days a week, from Saturday to Thursday, from 8 am to 10 pm. Detailed information can be obtained by visiting www.fbs-du.com.
What are the advantages of an e-library? Ferdousy Begum, librarian of this e-library opined that students would be benefited from e-library mainly in two ways. She mentioned, "Say, 20th edition of the books have been released and our students are still studying 9th edition. But, now, students will be able to study international books and journals instantaneously free of cost." Miss Ferdousy also hailed Professor Shibli, Dean of the Faculty for envisioning and implementing such an epoch-making step towards e- learning.    Â
This e-library will surely save both money and time. However, there is still chance for further development. There remains need for both national and international books and journals, particularly printed ones. Professor Shibli urged both national and international publishers to come forward and contribute to nation building process by providing more printed books. There is a possibility to organise a book fair in the middle of October 2015 in the faculty premises. "National publishers will be able to come and hold a stall at faculty premises free of cost. From them, two books will be collected and preserved in the e- library for the use of students," said Professor Shibli.  Â
Dhaka University, which is also known as the Oxford of The East, led the country to glory on several occasions. The academia has been well acclaimed for creating trained and effective human resources who have been successfully contributing both nationally and internationally in diversified areas. Professor Shibli expected that other universities will also come forward to implement e-library concept in the shortest possible time so that students from other universities can also avail such opportunity. He also expressed his confidence that students will utilise the resources by broadening their knowledge horizon and by engaging in deep and extensive research.   Â
The writer is a student of Faculty of Business Studies, University of Dhaka, sadiduddin@gmail.com
Asia's largest e-library opens at FBS, DU
Sadid Uddin | Published: September 09, 2015 18:00:00
Photo shows e-library at Faculty of Business Studies, Dhaka University. Photo: Shaikat Mozumder
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