New Delhi, July 2 (INB) The Jammu and Kashmir Students Association (JKSA) on Wednesday extended its gratitude to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, and the Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, for approving the establishment of a full-fledged Department of Library and Information Science at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI).
It was a long-awaited academic development nearly four decades in the making.
JKSA, National Convenor of the Association, Nasir Khuehami called the move a “historic academic milestone” and a “visionary decision” that will significantly enrich the academic and professional landscape of the country, particularly in the increasingly vital domain of library and information sciences.
“For nearly 40 years, JMI has been offering a Bachelor’s course in Library and Information Science (B.Lib.I.Sc.) without a dedicated department or permanent faculty. This approval by the Ministry of Education, along with the sanctioning of six permanent teaching positions, represents a major academic uplift and structural reform,” Khuehami said.
The Association commended Prof Mazhar Asif, Vice Chancellor of JMI, and Prof. Md. Mahtab Alam Rizvi, Registrar, for their persistent efforts and unwavering commitment towards strengthening the academic infrastructure of the university.
The Association noted that Jamia Millia Islamia, established in 1920, has historically served as a hub of academic innovation and social reform. Its Central Library, also founded in 1920, remains one of the most resource-rich academic libraries in the country.
However, the absence of a structured academic department in Library and Information Science had long limited the university’s potential in this field.
“This landmark step will not only elevate the academic profile of JMI but will also benefit students from diverse backgrounds, including those from Jammu and Kashmir, who aspire to specialize in Library and Information Science and contribute meaningfully to the broader knowledge economy,” Khuehami said.