Professor Shalini Lihitkar of RTMNU’s Department of Library and Information Science received the Best Woman Teacher Award 2025 from IATLI

MUMBAI: Prof. Shalini Lihitkar, a distinguished faculty member from the Department of Library and Information Science (DLIS) at Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU), has been honoured with the prestigious Best Woman Teacher Award 2025.
The accolade was conferred upon her by the Indian Association of Teachers of Library and Information Science (IATLIS) at a national conference jointly organised by IATLIS and the Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) at the TISS campus in Mumbai.
Upon receiving the award, Prof. Lihitkar expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the TISS-IATLIS authorities. “This recognition is a reflection of my passion for education, research, and the vital role libraries play in knowledge dissemination,” she said. She also extended her thanks to the Vice-Chancellor and Registrar of RTMNU, her colleagues, and students for their unwavering support.
“This award motivates me to continue fostering a love for learning and innovation in the field of library science. Libraries are the foundation of an enlightened society, and I remain committed to advancing this discipline,” she added.
The award ceremony was graced by the presence of Prof. Ramesha, President of IATLIS, Mr Narendra Mishra, Registrar of TISS, Prof. Anil Sutar, Dean of the School of Research Methodology at TISS-Mumbai, and Prof. Srinivasa Raghavan from DLIS, Bharathidasan University, Tiruchirappalli, along with other eminent dignitaries.
Prof. Lihitkar’s remarkable contributions to the field of Library and Information Science have been recognised on multiple occasions. In 2024, she was conferred with the Best Researcher Award by RTMNU, the Best LIS Researcher Award at the 12th International Library and Information Professionals Summit, and the Outstanding Contributions to the Library and Information Science Profession award by the Andhra Pradesh Library Association.
An alumnus of RTMNU, Prof. Lihitkar earned a gold medal for securing the top position in DLIS. She began her academic career as an Assistant Professor at RTMNU before moving on to serve as a Professor of DLIS at Shivaji University, Kolhapur. In 2019, she returned to RTMNU as a faculty member and currently serves as a member of the university’s Academic Council.
Her dedication to the advancement of library science continues to inspire students and professionals alike, reinforcing the critical role of libraries in shaping an informed and progressive society.