International Conference “Kohacon21” Concluded with Theme of Digitization of Libraries in Developing World

Islamabad: 1st ever International Conference “Kohacon21” with a theme of Digitization of libraries in the developing world concluded here.Member of the National Assembly of Pakistan, Ms. Shandana Gulzar Khan,  COO, COMSATS Internet Services Mr. Nasir Jamal Khan and Engr. Qaiser Nawab, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of “THE ” Society International – Together of Health and Education  participated as a Guests of Honour in the closing ceremony.

Mr. Sher Afzal Khan the organizer of the conference shared the details of the sessions and highlighted the outcomes of the conference. Mr. Nasir Jamal Khan COO, COMSATS Internet Services during his speech appreciated the organizers and announced to provide complimentary internet service to the National Library of Pakistan.

Chief Guest Ms Shandana Gulzar shed light on the role of libraries in education and awareness. She highlighted the need of digitization of the libraries so that maximum number of students and learners may have the access to knowledge easily.

Mr. Nasir Jamal Khan briefed the participants about the role of his organization in providing internet services for the customers at cheap rates and fast speed. He said that Internet is the basic thing in digitization. He offered his full cooperation for the libraries of Pakistan.

Mr. Qaisar Nawab urged the youth to take active part in readership for effective leadership to bring sustainability in the world. Today’s world is a world of information and knowledge, therefore the young people must equip themselves with modern digital learning tools and open source technologies. Open Source applications provide easy access to the sources of knowledge. He added

He said that open data movement is one of the major movements of today’s digital age and libraries have a huge potential to integrate with millions of users around the world through modern technologies. He highlighted the role of libraries in national development.

“I am deeply impressed by the activities and issues raised during the plenary sessions of this international conference. These sessions were very relevant to the concept of internationalization of libraries”.

While explaining his personal experience of traveling in different parts of the world, he said: “I always prefer to visit libraries for understanding the intellectual level of citizens. I would like to share my experience here that libraries and development of nations are closely interlinked with each other. The countries whose libraries are full of readers are more developed and innovative. I believe that if one wants to lead one must read. If one wants to place their country amongst the top nations of the world, they need to develop reading culture and to strengthen our libraries with modern digital tools”.

In the end, certificates and shields were distributed among the participants of the conference and a group photograph was taken outside the library building.