7th SDC NFP Coordinators Meeting held on 28-29 July 2011 at SDC, New Delhi. The meeting was attended by Bangladesh, India, Maldives and Sri Lanka. Mr. Bikash Chandra Saha [Principal Scientific Officer, BANSDOC, Dhaka] attended the meeting on behalf of SDC NFP Coordinator (Bangladesh), Mr. Indra Sen, SDC NFP Coordinator (India) [Sr. Technical Officer(3), NISCAIR, New Delhi], Ms. S. D. I. Arachchige [Planning Assistant (Library), Centre for Development Information, Department of National Planning, Ministry of Finance & Planning, Treasury Building, Colombo] attended the meeting on behalf of SDC NFP Coordinator (Sri Lanka) and Ms. Thifla Umar, SDC NFP Coordinator (Maldives) [National Library of Maldives, Male] attended the meeting. Ms. Thifla Umar attended the meeting via Internet based Video Chat mode. This is the first time in the history of SDC, Internet based Video Chat mode was used. Besides, Dr. Gangan Prathap (Director, SDC), Mrs. Kesang Dechen (Deputy Director, SDC), Mr. Rajeev Kumar (Computer Officer, SDC) and Mr. Ahmed Rasheed (IT Staff, National Libray of Maldives, Male) also attended the meeting. Mr. Ahmed Rasheed attended the meeting via Internet based Video Chat mode. Pakistan and Bhutan sent thier country papers, which were read in the meeting.
The 2-day Seventh Meeting of the SDC NFP Coordinators (SAARC Documentation Centre National Focal Point Coordinators) began with introduction of each of the member present in the meeting by the Mrs. Kesang Dechen, Deputy Director, SDC followed by the welcome of address by Dr. Gangan Prathap, Director, SDC on July 28, 2011 (Thursday) at 10:30 AM. Bangladesh was elected as Chair.
In the meeting, efforts made by SDC to fulfill its objectives was widely appreciated. Several suggestions were given on HRD and Database projects. The Digital Library Service of SDC was discussed and Bangladesh, Maldives and Sri Lanka show there interests to use the service.
The meeting was declared closed by the Chair after vote of thanks proposed by Mr. Indra Sen on 29th July 2011 at 1:30 PM.
SDC NFP Coordinators Meeting 2011 is scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India on 28-29 July 2011.
In order to implement the programmes of SAARC Documentation Center (SDC),effectively, the National Focal Points (NFPs) of the SDC have been established in each SAARC Member State. The functioning of the SDC-NFP is administered by a Coordinator in each NFP. The NFPs also play an important role in popularising the activities and functions of SDC in the respective Member States. The SDC-NFP Coordinators meet to ensure effective coordination in implementing the programmes and activities of SDC.
Following are the National Focal Points of SDC in member states: -
- Afghanistan - under process
- Bangladesh - BANSDOC (Bangladesh National Scientific and Technical Documentation Centre), Dhaka.
>>[Coordinator - Mr. Md. Mijanur Rahman].
- Bhutan - RIM (Royal Institute of Management), Thimpu.
>>[Coordinator - to be nominated, earlier Coordinator Mrs. Kesang Dechen has joined as Deputy Director of SDC on 20th May 2011].
- India - NISCAIR (National Institute of Science Communication and Information Resources), New Delhi.
>>[Coordinator - Mr. Indra Sen].
- Malidives - NLM (National Library of Maldives), Male.
>>[Coordinator - Ms. Thifla Umar].
- Nepal - .., Kathmandu.
>>[Coordinator - Mr. Purushottam P. Tiwari].
- Pakistan - PASTIC (Pakistan Scientific and Technological Information Centre) National Centre, Islamabad.
>>[Coordinator - Mr. Mohammad Aqil Khan].
- Sri Lanka - Centre for Development Information Department of National Planning, Colombo.
>>[Coordinator - Ms. B. I. Hendavitharana].
In the year 2009 and 2010, the SDC-NFP meetings were not held. In the meeting, forthcoming programmes of SDC will be discussed. Entire SDC team is preparing for successful meeting.
