NEHU to Host Ruby Jubilee International Conference on Information and Knowledge Systems
Shillong | January 18, 2026
The Department of Library and Information Science at North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU) has announced a Ruby Jubilee International Conference to mark 40 years of academic service and scholarship in the field of Library and Information Science. The international conference, titled “The Multifaceted Role of Information, Knowledge Systems, Technologies, and Libraries in Various Socio-Cultural and Academic Environments,” will be held on February 26–27, 2026, at the Multi Use Convention Hall, NEHU campus, Shillong.
The event is designed as a reflective and forward-looking academic platform, bringing together librarians, information professionals, academicians, researchers, educators, and students to examine how information and knowledge systems function within changing social, cultural, and academic realities.
Official Announcement Overview
The announcement issued by the Department of Library and Information Science outlines the objectives of the conference, thematic areas, paper submission requirements, registration procedures, and logistical arrangements. The conference forms part of the department’s Ruby Jubilee celebrations, highlighting its sustained contribution to teaching, research, and professional training since 1985.
Detailed Explanation of the Announcement
The conference aims to analyze how information, knowledge systems, technologies, and libraries interact within complex socio-cultural and academic contexts amid rapid technological advancements and changing knowledge needs. It emphasizes exploring information production, management, dissemination, and consumption across various settings. Discussions will cover knowledge systems that extend beyond conventional academic structures, incorporating formal, informal, local, and global viewpoints.
A key focus is on the influence of technologies in enhancing information access and sharing, including digital tools, innovations, and strategies for equitable and sustainable information ecosystems. Libraries are highlighted as adaptive institutions that preserve knowledge, support lifelong learning, and promote informed citizenship while maintaining core principles like accessibility, inclusivity, and intellectual freedom.
Sub-themes include information literacy in diverse communities, assessing needs and impacts beyond academic groups; preservation and integration of indigenous knowledge through documentation and digitization; library modernization, encompassing technology adoption, collection management, quality evaluation, and professional skills; scholarly communication in India, using metrics like scientometrics and altmetrics, alongside policies such as affirmative action; societal aspects of information in the digital era, addressing media representation, misinformation, and user content analysis; and public library outreach, examining strategies for community engagement, visibility, and equitable access in institutions like state and district libraries.
Paper submissions must align with the main theme or sub-themes. Abstracts provide an overview of objectives, methods, and findings. Full papers require a plagiarism check report with similarity not exceeding 10%. Accepted contributions will be presented in sessions and published in proceedings.
Registration involves scanning QR codes for form and payment or using the provided link and bank details. Fees vary by category and accommodation option, with no refunds mentioned.
Travel information includes access by air via Shillong Airport (35 km from city center, with taxis available), by rail to Guwahati (100 km away, then taxi), or by road from Guwahati (about 2 hours 46 minutes via National Highway 40, with private taxis, shared cabs, or government buses).
The organizing committee includes the Pro-Vice Chancellor as Chief Patron, Dean of the School of Economics, Management and Information Sciences as Patron, Head of Department as Conference Director, and various faculty members and assistants.
Key Details at a Glance
- Institution: North-Eastern Hill University (NEHU)
- Organizing Department: Library and Information Science
- Event: Ruby Jubilee International Conference
- Venue: Multi Use Convention Hall, NEHU, Shillong
- Dates: February 26–27, 2026
Eligibility
- Library and information professionals
- Academicians, researchers, and educators
- Research scholars and postgraduate students from LIS and allied disciplines
Paper Submission
- Mode: Email to [email protected]
- Abstract Length: Up to 300 words
- Full Paper Length: 5,000–8,000 words
- Language & Format: English, Times New Roman, 12-point font
- Referencing Style: APA 7th Edition
- Plagiarism Requirement: Similarity index not exceeding 10%
Registration
- Mode: Online Google Form / QR code
- Form Link: https://forms.gle/Ehn2T5u3SFDqWa9w9
- Payment Options: SBI Collect or direct bank transfer
Important Dates
- Abstract Submission: January 17, 2026 (Extended)
- Full Paper Submission: February 7, 2026 (Extended)
- Final Registration: February 10, 2026
How the Conference Can Benefit Participants
The conference offers meaningful academic and professional value to participants across different career stages. Postgraduate students and research scholars gain an opportunity to present original research, receive scholarly feedback, and understand current debates in information and library studies. This exposure helps strengthen research writing, presentation skills, and academic confidence.
For working professionals and librarians, the conference serves as a space to exchange practical experiences related to library modernization, digital services, user engagement, and knowledge management. Discussions on technology adoption, information literacy, and community outreach provide insights that can be applied directly within institutional and public library settings.
Academicians and educators benefit from interdisciplinary dialogue, enabling them to connect theoretical frameworks with real-world information practices. The inclusion of themes such as indigenous knowledge systems, scholarly communication, and societal information challenges allows participants to broaden their research perspectives and explore collaborative opportunities beyond conventional academic boundaries.
Accepted papers being included in the conference proceedings further add academic value, supporting career advancement, doctoral requirements, and institutional research output.
NEHU’s Role and Contribution to the Academic Field
North-Eastern Hill University has consistently played a significant role in advancing higher education and research in the North Eastern region of India. Established by an Act of Parliament in 1973, the university has focused on inclusive education, regional development, and academic excellence, particularly in disciplines relevant to hill societies and diverse cultural contexts.
The Department of Library and Information Science, established in 1985, has been a pioneering academic unit within the university. It introduced a two-year integrated Master’s programme, later recognized as a recommended model by the University Grants Commission. The department places strong emphasis on balancing theory with practice, using the university’s central library as a hands-on training environment.
Over the decades, the department has produced a large body of trained professionals and researchers, many of whom now serve in universities, colleges, research institutions, government bodies, and private organizations across India. Its academic activities include curriculum development, faculty research, doctoral supervision, seminars, workshops, and conferences that address both national and regional information needs.
By organizing this Ruby Jubilee International Conference, NEHU continues its tradition of encouraging scholarly dialogue, research dissemination, and academic collaboration, reaffirming its commitment to strengthening information and knowledge systems in a rapidly changing digital and social landscape.
