Karachi University gets another research library

Library includes over 100,000 books and manuscripts from Dr Jameel Jalibi's personal collection


Our Correspondent August 15, 2016
Wheelchair-bound Dr Jameel Jalibi, who arrived at KU in an ambulance due to his ailing health, unveils the foundation stone of the new research library being set up by his foundation at the varsity. PHOTO: COURTESY KARACHI UNIVERSITY

KARACHI: Dr Jameel Jalibi did what is perhaps the best anyone can do for the youth - his foundation is setting up a new research library at Karachi University (KU), which has more than 100,000 books and historical academic manuscripts from Jalibi's personal collection.

The Dr Jameel Jalibi Research Library's foundation stone-laying ceremony was held at KU on Independence Day. The foundation stone was laid by Dr Jalibi, who is a renowned researcher, writer, critic, international scholar and an institution in himself.

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The research library will be built by the foundation within a span of eight months and will include books and historical academic manuscripts that belonged to the personal library of Dr Jalibi.

Due to his ailing health, Dr Jalibi, who is wheelchair-bound, came to the inauguration ceremony in an ambulance and laid the foundation stone at the garden beside Mahmud Hussain Library, the main library of the university. The research library will also host a modern resource centre, which will help students in conducting their researches.

"His tenure as KU's vice-chancellor was tremendous and exemplary," said KU's VC, Prof Dr Muhammad Qaiser. He thanked him for taking the pains of attending the ceremony in person despite his ailing health and for providing a great academic gift. According to Dr Qaiser, his donation of books proves his dedication and love for the varsity.

"Dr Jalibi is a role model and the manuscripts he is giving to the university will help the generations to come," said Dr Qaiser. He said that he hoped that the library will help increase the intellect of the students. The library will also have modern and state-of-the-art infrastructure and a resource centre to help meet all the needs of modern day research.

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Jalibi's son, Export Processing Zones Authority chairperson Dr Muhammad Khawar Jameel, said that this was a historic moment as the globally acclaimed scholar of Urdu literature was himself present on the occasion. He said that it was his father's wish to gift his academic and literary material to the university. "I am thankful to the VC for his personal efforts and interest in the fulfilment of this dream," he said. He also lauded the efforts of Prof Malahat Kaleem, the incharge of Dr Mehmood Hussain Library, for her efforts in the project.

The dean of the faculty of pharmacy, Prof Dr Iqbal Azhar, gave the welcome address while the dean of the faculty of management and administrative sciences, Prof Dr Khalid Iraqi, and Dr Moiz Khan were also present on the occasion among other faculty members.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 15th, 2016.

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