HEC Digital Library Resources: Its purpose of Usage and Impact on Teaching and Research Activities in the Universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan

The study aimed to evaluate the impact and purpose of using Higher Education Commission (HEC) digital library resources by the faculty members in the universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The population of study comprised of 280 social science faculty members working in the public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Census Based survey method was used to solicit both genders’ views for this study. A quantitative survey procedure was employed for data collection, obtaining 89.2% response rate. Majority of faculty members who were lecturers participated in survey. The study indicates that both male and female respondents have knowledge about the HEC digital library resources. However, male faculty members used these resources more than female. The faculty members between the age group of 31- 40 years were major users of these resources. Among them MS/Phil faculty members use these resources extensively to fulfill their teaching and research needs. The results of the study showed that majority of the faculty members used HEC digital library resources for the purposes of teaching and research, writing articles, updating their knowledge, improving professional competencies, and guiding research students respectively. Results further showed that these resources have a significant impact on respondents’ teaching and research performance. The study suggests that in order to enhance the impact and effectiveness of HEC digital library resources in the public and private sector university of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, it was suggested to make necessary planning to increase its usage among the faculty members which will increase their research and academic outputs

Evaluating Users’ Satisfaction on Academic Library Services and Facilities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan

This study was set out to explore the level of satisfaction of the faculty members working in the south district (Karak) of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa-Pakistan from their college libraries’ services and facilities. In order to achieve the objectives of the study and the real picture of the level of satisfaction of faculty members, census based survey research method was adopted to collect data from the target population. Self-constructed and pilot tested questionnaire was used for data collection. Total 147 questionnaires were distributed out of which 120 filled questionnaires were received back with 81% response rate. The study found that majority of the users was satisfied from general infrastructural facilities but dissatisfied from almost all library services except circulation. The study recommends the provision of necessary library services and facilities for college faculty members to fulfill their educational, research and information needs

University Libraries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

This study was designed to investigate the history and administrative structure, financial management, collection, users and library staff of university libraries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The study covered all those well-established public and private sector universities of the province which were chartered by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and recognized by HEC (Public= 18 and Private = 9, Total 27 universities). The newly established universities which were housed in rented buildings and had no proper library facilities were excluded from the study. Data was collected from the library professionals of universities through structured questionnaire. Results of the study show that University of Peshawar was established following the birth of Pakistan in 1950 and is generally known the “mother of all universities”. After independence in 1947 till 1995, the total number of universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, both in public and private sectors were five which has now reached to 37. Centralized library system is the most dominating in all the private and majority of the public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Budgets are randomly allocated for collection which varies from millions to thousands. The collection of university libraries includes both traditional and electronic resources. However, access to most of the electronic resources is provided through HEC Digital Library. University libraries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa serve a wide range of users including graduates, post graduates, researchers, teaching community, administrative staff and to some extent the external users

University Libraries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan

This study was designed to investigate the history and administrative structure, financial management, collection, users and library staff of university libraries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. The study covered all those well-established public and private sector universities of the province which were chartered by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and recognized by HEC (Public= 18 and Private = 9, Total 27 universities). The newly established universities which were housed in rented buildings and had no proper library facilities were excluded from the study. Data was collected from the library professionals of universities through structured questionnaire. Results of the study show that University of Peshawar was established following the birth of Pakistan in 1950 and is generally known the “mother of all universities”. After independence in 1947 till 1995, the total number of universities in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, both in public and private sectors were five which has now reached to 37. Centralized library system is the most dominating in all the private and majority of the public sector universities of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Budgets are randomly allocated for collection which varies from millions to thousands. The collection of university libraries includes both traditional and electronic resources. However, access to most of the electronic resources is provided through HEC Digital Library. University libraries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa serve a wide range of users including graduates, post graduates, researchers, teaching community, administrative staff and to some extent the external users

Survey of artemisinin production by diverse <it>Artemisia </it>species in northern Pakistan

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>Artemisinin is the current drug of choice for treatment of malaria and a number of other diseases. It is obtained from the annual herb, <it>Artemisia annua </it>and some microbial sources by genetic engineering. There is a great concern that the artemisinin production at current rate will not meet the increasing demand by the pharmaceutical industry, so looking for additional sources is imperative.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>In current study, artemisinin concentration was analysed and compared in the flowers, leaves, roots and stems of <it>Artemisia annua </it>and 14 other <it>Artemisia </it>species including two varieties each for <it>Artemisia roxburghiana </it>and <it>Artemisia dracunculus </it>using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).</p> <p>Results</p> <p>The highest artemisinin concentration was detected in the leaves (0.44 ± 0.03%) and flowers (0.42 ± 0.03%) of <it>A. annua</it>, followed by the flowers (0.34 ± .02%) of <it>A. bushriences </it>and leaves (0.27 ± 0%) of <it>A. dracunculus var dracunculus</it>. The average concentration of artemisinin varied in the order of flowers > leaves > stems > roots.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>This study identifies twelve novel plant sources of artemisinin, which may be helpful for pharmaceutical production of artemisinin. This is the first report of quantitative comparison of artemisinin among a large number of <it>Artemisia </it>species.</p