The Visvesvaraya Technological University (VTU), in partnership with IEEE, recently hosted a groundbreaking ‘Consortium Train the Trainer Programme on e-Resources’ for librarians. Held at the university’s Jnana Sangama campus in Belagavi on Thursday, this initiative brought together numerous working professionals and delegates from various colleges at the Shri S.G. Balekundri Central Library and Information Centre.
The primary goal of this immersive program was to equip scholars, faculty, and researchers with cutting-edge resources and tools. This empowerment is crucial for significantly boosting their research output and ensuring seamless access to a vast array of academic materials, according to a university release.
During his presidential address, Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of VTU Consortium, Vidyashankar S., highlighted the increasing significance of e-resources and robust digital access. He emphasized how these elements are vital for cultivating academic and research excellence across all VTU-affiliated institutions, underscoring the program’s strategic importance for both students and staff, especially Ph.D. scholars.
Vidyashankar S. further explained that such advanced resources would empower researchers to publish their work in highly influential journals (categorized as Q1, Q2, Q3). This, in turn, will profoundly enhance VTU’s overall reputation and improve its rankings, including prestigious evaluations like the NIRF. He passionately encouraged young researchers to actively utilize these resources to elevate their personal academic profiles and bolster the university’s research standing.
Adding to this, Registrar (Evaluation) T.N. Sreenivasa underscored the critical need to expand VTU’s digital library ecosystem. He stressed that a broader digital framework is essential for fostering interdisciplinary research and promoting collaborative efforts among academics.
The program featured dynamic technical sessions with illuminating presentations from leading global publishers. Experts from Elsevier (covering Science Direct and Scopus Database), Emerald Publishing (focusing on ICE Resources), Springer Nature, and Taylor and Francis Group shared their insights and expertise.
Ultimately, the event served as an incredibly valuable platform for library professionals. It allowed them to significantly deepen their understanding of modern digital resource management, thereby reinforcing VTU’s steadfast commitment to continuous knowledge enhancement and pioneering academic innovation.
The proceedings commenced with a warm welcome extended to the delegates by Somaraya B. Tallolli, Librarian and Coordinator of the VTU Consortium. The event was skillfully anchored by Assistant Librarian Sameen Afreen Khan, and was attended by Registrar, VTU, Prasad Rampure, alongside other key university officers.