The resource persons for the workshop are renowned
personalities who has theoretical and practical experience with
Koha and UBUNTU/LINUX, D-Space.
Christopher Cormack (Kāi Tahu, Kāti Māmoe, Waitaha)
Kaihuawaere Matihiko at Catalyst IT Limited,
New Zealand
Chris Cormack brings over 25 years of experience as one of the original developers of Koha, the world's first open-source library management system. As a technical lead who has helped grow Koha from serving 5 libraries to over 18,000 worldwide, Chris offers unique insights into building sustainable open-source communities while preserving cultural values. Currently serving as Kaihuawaere Matihiko and member of the Senior Leadership Team at Catalyst IT, Chris brings a perspective on incorporating indigenous values into technology leadership and development.
Head, Department of Library and Information Science Banaras Hindu University
Prof. Tripathi is the head of the Department of Library and Information Science at Banaras Hindu University. He has completed his PhD from DRTC, ISI Bangalore, and has over 20 years of teaching experience. He has contributed to courses offered by the Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi, and the University of Hyderabad. Additionally, he has served as a resource person for hundreds of workshops and training programs nationwide. He has also traveled to countries such as Germany, Thailand, and various European countries.
His areas of expertise include multilingual information retrieval systems, design and development of digital libraries, e-learning, website designing, automated indexing, metadata, semantic web, XML, webserver, digital library software, and institutional repository management.
Head, Department of Library and Information Science Kalyani University, West Bengal
Parthasarathi Mukhopadhyay is a Professor in Library and Information Science and Head, Department of Library and Information Science, Kalyani University. Prof. Mukhopadhyay, a recipient of Best Young LIS Teacher award (IASLIC), is an open source enthusiast and worked as a developer and promoter of many open source projects.
He has more than 100 papers in journals and conference volumes, and five books in his beeline. His recent book on Interoperability and Retrieval is published by UNESCO, Paris. Prof. Mukhopadhyay acted as a metadata consultant for the project NDL (National Digital Library) hosted by IIT, Kharagpur.
He is presently a member of the Advisory Committee for National Virtual Library Project of Ministry of Culture, Govt. of India. He developed VidyaOnline as e-learning portal for Vidyasagar University in 2006 and presently running three online courses in SWAYAM platform.Director, Library Services at Semantic Consulting Services Pvt. Ltd.,
Bangalore
Dr. Saiful Amin is a distinguished expert in library automation and digital library systems, currently serving as the Director of Library Services at Semantic Consulting Services Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore. He is also a Visiting Faculty at the Documentation Research and Training Centre (DRTC), Bangalore, a position he has held since 2011.
Dr. Amin holds a Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLISc) from AMU, Aligarh, and an Associateship in Documentation and Information Science (ADIS) from DRTC, Bangalore. He earned his PhD in Library and Information Science from the University of Pune under the guidance of the renowned Prof. A.R.D. Prasad (DRTC).
Dr. Saiful Amin’s dedication to advancing library services and his deep expertise in technologies like Koha and DSpace make him a highly regarded figure in the field.
With over eight years of experience in academic libraries, including his tenure at the Indian School of Business, Hyderabad, Dr. Amin transitioned to focus on library technology solutions. He worked with Edutech India Pvt. Ltd. as a specialist in library automation and RFID systems for nearly eight years.
Dr. Amin is credited with implementing modern library systems at prestigious institutions such as IIT Madras, IIM Indore, IIM Bangalore, and GTRE, Bangalore, among others. His expertise has been sought after internationally, providing training and consultancy services to libraries across India, Singapore, Thailand, Canada, UAE, Qatar, Oman, and Saudi Arabia.
He has authored a book and contributed extensively to international journals and conferences.
Assistant Librarian Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi
Dr. Jamil Ahmed is an experienced library professional with over 14 years of expertise in academic libraries. He has served as Assistant Librarian at prestigious institutions such as Jamia Millia Islamia, Bennett University, and Banasthali University. His specialization lies in the implementation and management of open-source technologies for library automation and services. Dr. Ahmed is proficient in using Koha for library automation, DSpace for institutional repositories, WordPress for designing dynamic library websites, and SubjectPlus for creating subject guides. Throughout his career, he has focused on promoting innovative and cost-effective solutions to enhance library services. He has also organized and conducted numerous workshops and training sessions on open-source technologies, empowering librarians and library professionals to adopt these tools effectively.
Technical Head- ELIBSOL NEW DELHI
With over 8 years of dedicated experience in the library automation field currently serving as Technical Head at ELIBSOL INDIA, Vijay Pratap Singh is a seasoned professional passionate about revolutionizing how libraries manage and share information. He specializes in leveraging open-source technologies to create efficient, cost-effective, and user-friendly solutions that empower organizations to achieve their goals.
Vijay’s expertise spans industry-leading open-source platforms, including Koha for integrated library systems, DSpace for digital repositories, OJS (Open Journal Systems) for managing scholarly journals, and WordPress for dynamic web content management. His ability to customize and seamlessly integrate these tools has enabled libraries and institutions to streamline their workflows, enhance accessibility, and provide better services to their communities.
Over the years, Vijay has contributed to numerous successful projects, earning a reputation for his innovative approach, technical proficiency, and commitment to excellence. Whether implementing a robust library management system, setting up an institutional repository, or creating a dynamic online presence, Vijay ensures that every solution is tailored to meet unique needs and objectives.
Beyond his technical skills, Vijay is dedicated to empowering others through knowledge sharing and training. He takes pride in enabling library staff and teams to maximize the potential of open-source software, fostering long-term growth and self-reliance.
At the heart of Vijay’s work is a vision to bridge the gap between technology and knowledge management, ensuring that libraries and institutions remain at the forefront of the digital age.