Thirty years as a trainer of Africa’s best librarians
I THINK I have achieved what one would aspire for,†Dr. Syed Ameer Haider Abidi says, leaning over his office table at the East African School of Library and Information Science (EASLIS), Makerere University.
I THINK I have achieved what one would aspire for,†Dr. Syed Ameer Haider Abidi says, leaning over his office table at the East African School of Library and Information Science (EASLIS), Makerere University.
At 62, Abidi exudes the air of an inspirational don. Having started his profession with a certificate from an Indian University, he came to Uganda where he has worked at a career in training librarians that has spanned over half his life.
For the last three decades, Dr. Abidi has been lecturing at the nearly 40-year-old university school of librarianship. He was first enlisted as a senior lecturer in 1971 before assuming the top office of school director in 1975.
“I have been associated with this school since it started offering certificate courses,†he says.
The school was established in the 1960s as a regional institution under the then East African Community (EAC) agreement, which chose Kampala as a springboard for the development of library training.
Today the school, with a population of about 400 students, offers both degree and diploma courses in library and information science.
There are also certificates and diplomas in records management and archival studies, as well as a Masters programme in information science.
Says Abidi: “We have been training library and information professionals from all over Africa — at least from all the English-speaking countries.†Now, he adds, students are drawn from several nationalities.
So how did Abidi fly all the way from the Indian district of Aligarh to teach in Uganda?
“That was the time when they used to advertise positions for Makerere in the Commonwealth countries, so people used to apply from different countries,†recalls the soft-spoken academic.
To prove that he was employed on merit, Abidi has a list of academic papers, including certificates, diplomas and two Masters degrees, all with first class grades, obtained from different universities.
Two of the papers — an MA in Political Science (Agra University, India) and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Library Science (Delhi University) — earned him accolades of the university prize and gold medal respectively.
Quite outstandingly, for his 31 years at Makerere, the father of three has established himself as not only a blackboard man and office administrator, but is also a prolific writer. He has authored six books and edited 30 others encompassing different themes.
In recognition of his contributions to the world of library and information science, Prof. Abidi was awarded an honorary doctorate in Library Sciences from the International University Federation, based in the US.
“I am now writing a book about the Asians in Uganda,†says the son of an Indian politician. Interestingly, he has never acquired full Ugandan citizenship, but remains a “permanent resident.â€
The other literary piece he is working on is about the contribution of different religions toward development.
As the current chairman of Makerere University Press Editorial Board, Abidi has been through the task of editing 13 University Press series; the latest issue being “Business Strategy, an Introduction†(by Geoffrey Bakunda) published last year.
A proud member of several national, regional and international library associations, he has also won recognition from a number of African universities, to which he is external examiner.
Among them are the universities of Zambia, Kenyatta and Dar-es-Salaam, as well as a host of others in India.
Abidi draws high praise from the people he has worked with. Speaking about her interaction with him, the outgoing president of Makerere’s Library Students’ Association says:
“He has been very instrumental in shaping our lives. Any time you need help from him, he is ready to attend to you.â€
Such is the chronicle of a man who started his public service career as Agra District (India) librarian in 1960 and rose to the most senior position in his field at Makerere University.
Although he retired as EASLIS director in November 2000, Abidi still works on contract. Regardless of any hitches, he says the 31 years he worked here have been “a great professional satisfaction.â€
Abidi says that since the school is one of the best, if not the best in sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda has continued to enjoy its advantages.
“This has been one of the reasons why libraries have developed faster here compared with other African countries,†he says. “Our libraries are much better professionally organised.â€
The biggest trophy he can boast of is having seen the East African School of Library and Information Science blossom from 30 to nearly 400 students.
“I have been able to make my modest contribution towards communication and information development,†Abidi says.
“I have great satisfaction because my students are working in several professions.â€
At 62, Abidi exudes the air of an inspirational don. Having started his profession with a certificate from an Indian University, he came to Uganda where he has worked at a career in training librarians that has spanned over half his life.
For the last three decades, Dr. Abidi has been lecturing at the nearly 40-year-old university school of librarianship. He was first enlisted as a senior lecturer in 1971 before assuming the top office of school director in 1975.
“I have been associated with this school since it started offering certificate courses,†he says.
The school was established in the 1960s as a regional institution under the then East African Community (EAC) agreement, which chose Kampala as a springboard for the development of library training.
Today the school, with a population of about 400 students, offers both degree and diploma courses in library and information science.
There are also certificates and diplomas in records management and archival studies, as well as a Masters programme in information science.
Says Abidi: “We have been training library and information professionals from all over Africa — at least from all the English-speaking countries.†Now, he adds, students are drawn from several nationalities.
So how did Abidi fly all the way from the Indian district of Aligarh to teach in Uganda?
“That was the time when they used to advertise positions for Makerere in the Commonwealth countries, so people used to apply from different countries,†recalls the soft-spoken academic.
To prove that he was employed on merit, Abidi has a list of academic papers, including certificates, diplomas and two Masters degrees, all with first class grades, obtained from different universities.
Two of the papers — an MA in Political Science (Agra University, India) and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Library Science (Delhi University) — earned him accolades of the university prize and gold medal respectively.
Quite outstandingly, for his 31 years at Makerere, the father of three has established himself as not only a blackboard man and office administrator, but is also a prolific writer. He has authored six books and edited 30 others encompassing different themes.
In recognition of his contributions to the world of library and information science, Prof. Abidi was awarded an honorary doctorate in Library Sciences from the International University Federation, based in the US.
“I am now writing a book about the Asians in Uganda,†says the son of an Indian politician. Interestingly, he has never acquired full Ugandan citizenship, but remains a “permanent resident.â€
The other literary piece he is working on is about the contribution of different religions toward development.
As the current chairman of Makerere University Press Editorial Board, Abidi has been through the task of editing 13 University Press series; the latest issue being “Business Strategy, an Introduction†(by Geoffrey Bakunda) published last year.
A proud member of several national, regional and international library associations, he has also won recognition from a number of African universities, to which he is external examiner.
Among them are the universities of Zambia, Kenyatta and Dar-es-Salaam, as well as a host of others in India.
Abidi draws high praise from the people he has worked with. Speaking about her interaction with him, the outgoing president of Makerere’s Library Students’ Association says:
“He has been very instrumental in shaping our lives. Any time you need help from him, he is ready to attend to you.â€
Such is the chronicle of a man who started his public service career as Agra District (India) librarian in 1960 and rose to the most senior position in his field at Makerere University.
Although he retired as EASLIS director in November 2000, Abidi still works on contract. Regardless of any hitches, he says the 31 years he worked here have been “a great professional satisfaction.â€
Abidi says that since the school is one of the best, if not the best in sub-Saharan Africa, Uganda has continued to enjoy its advantages.
“This has been one of the reasons why libraries have developed faster here compared with other African countries,†he says. “Our libraries are much better professionally organised.â€
The biggest trophy he can boast of is having seen the East African School of Library and Information Science blossom from 30 to nearly 400 students.
“I have been able to make my modest contribution towards communication and information development,†Abidi says.
“I have great satisfaction because my students are working in several professions.â€