MS. FRHANA NOOR CHOWDHURY

Deputy Librarian

Port City International University.

Port City International University (PCIU) Library has been developing its facilites from the very outset of its launching in 2013. At present, its name is Ratnagarva Begum Ashrafunnesa Library. Ratnagarva Begum Ashrafunnesa is the mother of Mr. AKM Enamul Hoque Shameem, MP, the Honorable Former Deputy Minister, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Founder of Port City International University (PCIU).

Ratnagarva Begum Ashrafunnesa was born on 10 August, 1945 in respectable Munshi family of Naria Upazilla under Shariatpur District.. In 1958, she got married to Engineer Abul Hashem Mia, the elder son of another respectable Pike family of Sakhipur Thana under Shariatpur District. When her husband, Engineer Abul Hashem Mia, participated actively in the great liberation war in 1971, she also actively participated in the liberation war with her husband and brothers-in-law. It may be mentioned here that there was a camp of freedom fighters at Pike House. Her four children AKM Enamul Hoque Shameem, MP, the Honorable Former Deputy Minister, Ministry of Water Resources, Government of the People's Republic of Bangladesh, AKM Aminul Hoque Swapan, Major General of Bangladesh Army and Director General (DG) of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), Shameem Ara Hoque Kakoli and Dr. Ashraful Hoque Siam have established themselves in their respective fields. For this reason, she was awarded Ratnagarva Mother in 2005.   

She played an important role in the establishment of Charvaga Bangabandhu Ideal Government High School and College, Charvaga Amena Raushan Hafezia Madrasa, Charvaga Pikebari Govt. Primary School and Begum Ashrafunnesa Hashem Ma and Shisu Hospital with 10-bed arrangements, on the land given by her husband at Charvaga in Sakhipur under the Shariatpur District. Begum   Ashrafunnesa  Foundation  was  established in  2008  with a view to providing   scholarship  and   financial  support  for  the  poor and  the meritorious students.  Begum Ashrafunnesa  Foundation  is giving  financial  support  for  the  students at Port City International University, Chattogram and for the students  from  different  schools, colleges and universities in different parts of the country including Shariatpur District. The Foundation has provided about 6123000 thousand taka as scholarships among 1573 students of Port City International University. Begum Ashrafunnesa Foundation is also working to stand beside the destitute people during winter and various natural disasters. She died on 15 May, 2018.

She was the founder member, Board of Trustees of Port City International University.  She contributed to the establishment of the university with her accumulated fund. Considering her great contribution to Port City International University, the University Management took a decision on 01 June, 2018 in the 14th Syndicate meeting and 02 June, 2018   in the 28th Trustee  Board meeting  that the PCIU Library name would be changed as Ratnagarva Begum Ashrafunnesa Library.

Ratnagarva Begum  Ashrafunnesa Library   is   one  of   the  pioneer  libraries  in Bangladesh  in  terms  of  comprehensive  collections,  a  variety  of  services,  enriched  technology,  professionally  skilled  employee,  user friendliness etc. The library is an integral part of the university and has been designed to meet the information, research and curriculum needs of the students, faculties and staff of PCIU.

RESOURCES

A  total  number  of  12,574 printed  textbooks, 591 literary books, 925 periodicals and  bound  journals, 2774 thesis reports, 59 dictionary & encyclopedia, 824 CD ROM, 7113 E-books, 1723 E-journals, 5900 articles (access through UGC_UDL) and 11,580 newspapers.

SECTIONS

 At  present, the library maintains 9 different sections namely - Reference Service, Periodicals, Cyber & Audio-visuals, Newspaper Archive, Study Hall, Faculty Corner, Acquisition &  Processing  and  library  administration to provide better services to its users.

SERVICES

 Currently the library provides lending, reference, reader’s guidance, internet, reading room, news clipping, audio-visual, Selective Dissemination Information (SDI) and Current Awareness Service (CAS) to its users. The broadband internet connections of the library building help the library users to access online resources easily. It has the access of IEEE Xplore Digital Library, Wiley online library and Emerald insight through UGC_UDL.

SERVICE HOURS

Ratnagarva Begum Ashrafunnesa Library remains open 7 days a week from 8:30am to 8:30 pm.  It remains closed only on public holidays and on days determined by the university authority during religion festivals.