ISLAMABAD, Oct 20: Students at Quaid-i-Azam University (QAU) have expressed their concern over the shortage of books, non- availability of internet facility and mismanagement of the central library.

The students complained that lack of facilities in the university were affecting their studies to a great extent.

The central library, named after the university’s vice- chancellor, Dr Siddiqui, is plagued with multiple problems.

The university is a research-based institution, therefore, internet facility at the library could not be ignored as it enables students to have access to different research papers and related sites.

“Unfortunately, we have not been provided with this basic facility”, a student said.

Azhar Iqbal, who is doing his PhD in electronics, said: “As far as access to the latest research papers is concerned, we hardly get that in our library. This library needs to be upgraded to bring it at par with international standards.”

When contacted, chief librarian Sheikh Hanif said the Central Computer Network Cell had provided internet facility to the library, but due to shortage of technical staff, the service could not be started.

“We have written to the vice-chancellor’s office, asking it to provide computer literate staff.”

Although the library has computerized its cataloging, the programme, which is being used, fails to meet the students’ requirements.

Meanwhile, the library staff was critical of the university students. They said majority of the students did not respect them and treated them as servants.

They said the students smoked in the library area despite repeated warnings to them and talked loudly, thus violating the library rules.

In response to a question, an official concerned said: “Students do not return the books to the library on time, thus depriving many other students who want the books. Some students even tear pages from the new books.

“We are trying our best to meet the requirements of our students, but, at times, financial problems make it difficult for us to get all those books required by different faculties.”