ISLAMABAD, Feb 23: The Higher Education Commission on Monday announced the launching of a national digital library, under which institutions of higher learning will be able to have access to over 11,600 full-text online journals of international publishing houses.

A statement issued by the HEC said it had secured inclusion in the Programme for Enhancement of Research Information (PERI) of the international network for scientific publications (INSP).

In addition, users in Pakistan would have access to many of the world's leading bibliographic and reference databases. All the charges for the purpose would be met by the Higher Education Commission.

The HEC said it was also holding negotiations with INSP to secure participation from additional publishing houses. Public and private sector university departments and libraries, non-profit research institutes and professional bodies/organizations, higher education institutes, colleges, schools, polytechnics, teaching hospitals, indigenous NGOs, civil society organizations, health professionals, researchers and agricultural extension workers working in remote areas will be eligible for access to the library.

The HEC has also decided to conduct a series of workshops to impart training to the master trainers on the use of the digital library. The first of the series was held at the HEC headquarters on Monday.

Dr Sohail H. Naqvi of the commission on the occasion said the workshop would not only provide an understanding of what the PERI programme was and what resources were available through it but would also equip the participants with detailed information on how to use the electronic information resources available through the programme.

In another statement, the HEC said it would strengthen the central library of the University of Engineering and Technology, Taxila, at the cost of Rs35 million.