We are pleased to announce that J. K. Vijayakumar (Vijay) has taken over the role of Library Director at KAUST as of July 1, 2017.
“I want to thank the search committee, chaired by Brian Moran, for their commitment to finding the new Library Director. Vijay has a strong background in librarianship and a comprehensive knowledge of the KAUST Library. I am very excited to be working with him in this new role,” states Vice President for Academic Affairs James Calvin.
Vijay joined KAUST in 2009 and has contributed to the library’s growth in many leadership roles, including Senior Subject Specialist, Research and Reference Manager, Collections and Information Service Manager and Acting Director. As a member of the library management team, Vijay has been engaged in developing strategic plans and policies, and managing services, budget, staff development and assessment initiatives. He has also represented the Library in many prestigious international and regional professional forums and boards.
Vijay has a M.Sc. in Information and Library Studies from Robert Gordon University in the UK, a Ph.D. in Library and Information Science from Bhundelkhand University in India and a Masters in Library and Information Science from Annamalai University in India.
He brings with him 20 years of professional working expertise gained from working at different academic and research libraries from the Middle East, the Americas and India. His research has been published in reputed journals and in many conferences. A leader in his field, he is also a member of several Journal Editorial Boards, Publisher’s Librarian Advisory Boards and IFLA ACD Standing Committee.