(KPL) T he Library Week for Academic Year 2011-12 took place at the Central Library of the National University of Laos (Dongdok campus) on 27-29 March, to promote knowledge sharing and information access.
"Today a Reader, Tomorrow a Leader" -was the theme of the 5th annual library week co-organised by the National University of Laos and the World Bank in Lao PDR, according to yesterday press release of the World Bank. One of the goals of library week 2012 is to highlight the importance of access to information and optimal use of available information in studies, research, and decision making for all; students, teachers, researchers, journalists, and the public.
This year' s library week will feature the World Bank' s open Data Initiative, a one-stop-shop for data that allows free access and use of the world' s most comprehensive collection of data on developing economies.
By simply logging on to http://data .worldbank.org/, it is possible to get free and easy-to-navigate access to over 2,000 indicators from the World Bank data sets.
This year' s activities encourage participants to make the most use of the wide array of information readily open, accessible, and searchable.
Since its launch, the open data website has had 1.6 million page views and 80,000 download of data globally. Through this library week, we hope that students and teachers take the opportunity to make use of the data and tools introduced to enrich teaching and learning.
"Data on its own is little or no use, the value of data increases exponentially when you share it. This is the main aim of the open data initiative," said Keiko Miwa, World Bank Country Manager in Lao PDR.
The opening ceremony was attended by Associate Professor Dr. Phetsamone Khounsavath, Vice President of the National University of Laos, teachers, students, international organizations, government counterpart as well as mass and youth organisations.
The NUOL and the World Bank have together done various activities including series of seminars, forums, youth activities and library week.
In this regard, the Central Library of the National University of Laos has been working together the World Bank Office to Lao PDR to provide enhanced academic resources and professional library service in the overall effort to meet the increasing educational needs of students, facilities, and other university staff, said Mr Phetsamone.
Library Week is part of a joint cooperation on knowledge sharing and youth initiative between the World Bank and the NUOL, established in 2007.
Deadline for foreign workers registeration set
(KPL) The deadline for the registration of foreign workers with the Department of Labour Management, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare is scheduled on March 31, 2012, according to the Ministry. 
..............Full stories
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chinese company authorised to exploit potash in Vientiane
(KPL) The Beijing Puyer Investment Co., Ltd was authorised to exploit potash ore on 259.4 sq.km in Saythany and Park Ngum districts, Vientiane Capital, on Monday.
..............Full stories
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vietnam NA delegation visits Laos
(KPL) A delegation of the Vietnam National Assembly Council of Ethnic Affairs led by Deputy Head Trieu Thi Nai is on a working visit to Laos from Mar. 24-30.
..............Full stories
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Life force energy treatment centre opened
(KPL) Reiki (life force energy) Treatment Centre of the Lao Disabled Women' s Development Centre was opened last Friday at Ban Dongphosy, Hadsayfong district, Vientiane Capital.
..............Full stories
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Champassak anticipates coffee export reaches over USD 68 mln
(KPL) Champassak province has anticipated that its annual value of coffee export for this year would reach over USD 68 million.
..............Full stories
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Winners of 9th Japanese Language Speech Contest
(KPL) T he 9th Japanese Speech Contest was held at the Lao-Japan Budo Centre in Vientiane Capital last Saturday, March 24, to promote mutual understanding between Lao and Japanese people and Japanese language studying in Laos.
..............Full stories
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thai agrees to purchase 7,000 MW of electricity
(KPL) The government of Thailand has confirmed to purchase 7,000 MW of electricity generating from various dams in Laos till to 2015.
..............Full stories
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Foreign minister inspects 9 ASEM meeting center construction site
(KPL) On 25 March, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Dr. Thongloun Sisoulith, Vientiane Mayor and ministers from line ministries visited the construction sites for the 9 ASEM. These included the hotel construction site, and guest house for state leader and head of the government at South Donechanh island and Ban Pakao and International Conference Center.
..............Full stories
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UXO survivor information centre opened in Xiengkhouang
(KPL) A UXO Survivor Information Centre of the Association for Quality of Life Rehabilitation for People with Disabilities and UXO Survivors was opened last week in Phonsavanh, Xiengkhouang province.
..............Full stories
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lao-Viet Bank finances Namkong 2 Hydropower plant
(KPL) The Lao-Viet Bank has decided to provide a loan to the Hoang Anh Gia Lai to spend on developing the over-85-million-US-dollar Namkong 2 Hydropower Plant in Attapeu province.
..............Full stories
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Vietnam , Laos sign gold mining deal
(KPL) Vietnam and Laos signed a gold exploration contract in Vientiane last weeky, Viet Nam News Agency�s correspondent in Laos has reported.
..............Full stories
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unitel to Surge Ahead
According to the latest analysisreleased in January 2012 by Business Monitor International - anUK based ResearchCompany- Star Telecom , which operates under the brand Unitel, has surpassed its rival Lao Telecom to become number one in Lao telecom market by the end of 2011.
..............Full stories
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lao Brewery Company supports over 300 mln kip to boat racing
(KPL) Lao Brewery Company has supported aid items and prizes worth 374 million kip to the annual boat racing festival in Vientiane Capital.
..............Full stories
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Champassack calls for almost 100 billion kip for road repair
(KPL) The authorities of Champassack province has called for 98 billion kip for the renovation of bridge and road hit by severe flooding and landslide removal.
..............Full stories
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Lao officials join Party organisation course
(KPL) The Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration on September 12 opened a training course on organisational work for 17 key leaders and officials of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LLRP), in Hanoi.
..............Full stories
