CIO & University Librarian's Message

CIO & University Librarian's Message

Welcome back from the Lunar New Year!  At this moment of Spring with still some celebrations for the Year of Ox, I am happy to announce that our Newsletter is now online with a newly designed interface and more attractive visuals.  In the present new normal, this online newsletter just comes in time.

I am also excited to see the commencement of the library renovation project on time in mid-December 2020.  This is the phase 1 and 2 of the project which was planned in 2016 and has sought two rounds of Government funding to make it happen.  We have the vision of transforming the Library into the learning hub and intellectual heart of the University.  Advanced technology will be introduced into the new space.  More learning activities, both formal and informal, will take place in the new facilities.  While we are looking forward to a brand new library that will ultimately benefit all our students and staff, this will not be realized without your extreme patience and understanding of the noises arise from the construction work.

The whole of 1/F has to be totally cleared for building the new pace and a lot of existing constructions including slabs and beams have to be demolished causing nuisances to many of our Faculty members.  We acknowledged all your complaints which are valid, and appropriate measures like requesting the vendor to arrange noisy work in the morning from 8:00 -9:30 a.m. only, changing to work zones that are farther away from classrooms and lecture theatres, and closing the Library on four Saturdays so that all the nosiest work can be completed when no classes will be held, and seeking the help of other units to swap the classrooms were implemented and will be closely monitored to minimize the impact to teaching.  Nevertheless, we have to allow sufficient time for the vendor to complete the construction work as any delay will also have adverse impact on the University.  Therefore, I call for your earnest support to this project.  This will be paid back with a modern library with state-of-the-art facilities and services.