Shillong, Sept 22: The Information and Library Network (INFLIBNET) Centre, Gandhinagar, Gujarat, in collaboration with the Central Library, North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU), Shillong, organized a “User Awareness Programme on One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) and INFLIBNET Services” on 21st September 2026 at the Multi-Use Convention Hall, NEHU Campus, Shillong.
The day-long event aimed to raise awareness on One Nation One Subscription (ONOS) for journals, a Government of India initiative to provide country-wide access to international high-impact scholarly research articles and journal publications to students, faculty and researchers of all Higher Education Institutions managed by the central government and state governments and Research and Development Institutions of the central government.
Secondly, it was intended to familiarize scholars, researchers, and faculty members with advanced digital academic tools, electronic resources, and institutional research services developed by the INFLIBNET Centre. The programme which saw more than 140 participants representing the central and state ONOS institutions in Meghalaya was hosted by Dr. Manoj Rana, Assistant Librarian, NEHU.
The event commenced with Dr. Abhishek Kumar, Scientist-F(CS), INFLIBNET Centre, UGC IUC who delivered an insightful lecture-cum-demonstration about ONOS scheme and especially its support to researchers on Article Processing Charges (APC) for publishing in selected top-quality Gold Open Access journals.
Dr. F. R. Sumer, University Librarian, NEHU, extended a warm welcome to all dignitaries and participants, following which the dignitaries and resource persons were formally felicitated. Speeches were delivered by the Resource Person Dr. Abhishek Kumar(INFLIBNET Centre), Guest of Honour Prof. B. Panda (Director I/c, IQAC, NEHU), and the Chief Guest Prof. S. K. Barik, Vice Chancellor in charge NEHU.Dr. B. Sten, Information Scientist, NEHU, offered the formal vote of thanks, expressing gratitude to the organizers and resource persons.
In their respective speeches, while Prof. B. Panda congratulated the organizers for facilitating the collaborative partnership between NEHU and INFLIBNET Centre through the programme. He urged the participants to use the facilities provided by the GoI and the INFLIBNET Centre in pursuit of their academic and research goals.
Prof. S. K. Barik, Vice Chancellor in charge, NEHU, in his inaugural address as the Chief Guest, raised pertinent issues and challenges faced by HEIs across the country, especially those in the North East region, regarding Internet bandwidth.
While lauding INFLIBNET Centre for its immense efforts to support the development of research in the country, he put forth key advice for the consideration of INFLIBNET Centre as future plans for the expansion of ONOS and support for the enhancement of Internet bandwidth.
In conclusion, he extended an invitation to the INFLIBNET Centre for more collaborative programmes at NEHU in the near future for the benefit of students, teachers, and researchers, including those in affiliated colleges and ONOS institutions in the state of Meghalaya and the NE region.
The afternoon session featured an interactive lecture-cum-demonstration on INFLIBNET Services led by Shri Hiteshkumar Solanki, Scientist-D(CS), INFLIBNET Centre. He extensively spoke about the VIDWAN and Indian Research Information Network System(IRINS), both flagship initiatives of the INFLIBNET Centre. The session concluded with an open feedback and interactive discussion with the attendees.
The programme served as a major step toward enhancing digital literacy and maximising the utilisation of academic resources for higher education and research communities at NEHU and other regional government institutes in the state of Meghalaya.
