PhD Student — University of Arizona

MD LITON ALI

Information Science Researcher & Digital Library Specialist

Pursuing a PhD in Information Science at the University of Arizona, building on five-plus years of library automation and digital service work at IUT to research misinformation, health informatics, and knowledge management systems.

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MD LITON ALI
Profile

About Me

LIS 020.92 — ALI, M. L.

Md. Liton Ali is an Information Science researcher and PhD student at the University of Arizona, dedicated to modernizing information access and transforming library ecosystems. Starting from his university days, he has spent nearly a decade working across more than 15 library and information institutions in Bangladesh, bridging traditional information management with cutting-edge digital and AI-driven frameworks.

He built much of this foundation at the Islamic University of Technology (IUT), serving as Assistant Cataloguer and Liaison Officer for the International Affairs Office — deploying Koha-ILS, digitizing patron onboarding, streamlining cataloging workflows, and supporting international students through every stage of their integration.

He holds a Master of Arts in Information Science and Library Management from the University of Dhaka (CGPA 3.97/4.00), graduating with the Md. Shahidullah Memorial Gold Medal, the Dean's Award of Honour, and the Provost Award of Excellence. His doctoral research builds on this record, extending into health misinformation and knowledge management, and continuing the zero-budget digital library framework he leads for resource-constrained school and college libraries across Bangladesh — work recognized with the Best Paper Award at IIKM 2025.

📍 University of Arizona, Tucson, USA

PhD Student University of Arizona
10 Years Library & Information Science
15+ Institutions Libraries Served Nationwide
Chair-Elect ASIS&T SIG-AVC (2025–2026)
15+ Awards & Honors
4+ Publications
100K+ Resources Managed
15+ Awards & Honors
4+ Publications
3.97 Masters CGPA
01/04

PhD Researcher

  • PhD in Information Science, University of Arizona
  • Researching health misinformation and knowledge management
  • Extending doctoral-level inquiry into library practice
02/04

Academic Excellence

  • Masters & Bachelor's in Information Science from University of Dhaka
  • Mohammad Shahidullah Memorial Gold Medal recipient
  • Dean's Award of Honour and Provost Award of Excellence
  • Multiple scholarships including UGC and Mitsubishi UFJ Foundation
03/04

Technical Expertise

  • Deployed Koha-ILS and RFID systems at IUT
  • Contributed to 15+ library automation projects across Bangladesh
  • Expert in DSpace, SLiMS, Greenstone, and web technologies
  • Leading a zero-budget digital library framework initiative
04/04

Research Focus

  • AI in Academia & Information Retrieval
  • Health Informatics & Misinformation Studies
  • Peer reviewer, Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication
  • Best Paper Award at IIKM 2025
Capabilities

Skills & Expertise

Library Systems

KOHA DSpace SLiMS DocuDex Cataloging Classification Dublin Core MARC/RDA Automation Digitization

Technical Skills

HTML CSS JavaScript R Programming Database Management Web Design Networking Documentation Web Archiving Web Scrapping

Research & Analysis

Literature Review Data Analysis Academic Writing Citation Management SPSS R VOSViewer NVivo Quantitative Qualitative
Academic Background

Education

University of Arizona UA
Fall 2026 — Present

PhD in Information Science

University of Arizona, USA

Current
University of Dhaka DU
2020 — 2021

Masters in Information Science & Library Management

University of Dhaka

CGPA 3.97 / 4.00
University of Dhaka DU
2015 — 2019

Bachelor in Information Science & Library Management

University of Dhaka

CGPA 3.90 / 4.00
KHC
2015

Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)

Kaliganj Haat Degree College, Rajshahi

GPA 5.00 / 5.00
DAB
2013

Secondary School Certificate (SSC)

Dr. Abu Bakar High School, Rajshahi

GPA 4.81 / 5.00
Research Output

Selected Publications

Exploring university students' perceptions and attitudes toward associated factors of electronic learning during the COVID-19 pandemic
Advances in Online Education, 2024
2024
View PDF
Knowledge and information sharing practices among multidisciplinary university dormitory residents: exploring the influence of gender, academic discipline, and degree level
Journal of Information and Knowledge Management (JIKM), 2023
2023
View PDF
Webometric analysis of alternative access to scholarly publication: special reference to LibGen and Sci-Hub
International Journal of Information and Knowledge Studies, 2023
2023
View PDF
Perceptions and behaviors of academic library users towards ethical use of library resources and services: reference to university students
Under Review
2024
Pending
Career

Professional Experience

Assistant Public Relation Officer (In-Charge)
International Affairs and External Communication Office, IUT
2025 - Present
  • Ensure smooth coordination and support for international students, from admission to graduation.
  • Serve as the primary contact for international student inquiries, services, and documentation.
  • Facilitate communication between international students and university departments.
  • Assist with visa processing, accommodation, orientation programs, and cultural integration.
  • Coordinate with embassies, partner institutions, and government bodies on student-related matters.
  • Maintain up-to-date records and provide reports on international student affairs.
  • Promote a welcoming and inclusive environment for international students.
Assistant Cataloguer
Islamic University of Technology (IUT)
2022 - Present
  • Led the modernization and implementation of the library's digital presence, including designing a new library website, developing Koha database, integrating barcode-based circulation and automated email notifications.
  • Managed 100,000+ reading materials across multiple institutions, integrating department-wise textbook lists, e-resources and trained 10+ staff members in web-based library organization and automated all library sections to reduce manual work.
Research Assistant
Land Administration Training Center, Ministry of Land
2022 - 2024
  • Completed projects on public perception of land management digitization and assessing training impact.
  • Designed and implemented comprehensive surveys and interviews across 08 divisions of Bangladesh.
  • Utilized statistical software for data analysis, presented findings in detailed reports, and improved training programs based on data-driven insights.
Research Assistant
University of Dhaka
2021 - 2022
  • Completed two research projects on building a knowledge-based society and post-independence village life transformation based on Rajshahi district.
  • Coordinated a 30-member research team, conducted fieldwork in 24 villages, and facilitated data collection through surveys and interviews.
  • Analyzed qualitative and quantitative data, developed reports, and presented findings to academic peers and community representatives.
Field Engagement

Field Projects

Toward Designing a Zero-Budget Digital Library Framework for School and College Libraries of Bangladesh

Most school and college libraries in Bangladesh lack digital services, including basic library websites — and the primary barrier is insufficient funding. This ongoing project designs a framework that enables libraries, especially in developing and least-developed countries, to build and maintain digital services at zero cost, using free resources and requiring only minimal technical skill.

Automation & Digitization Projects Across Libraries

Beyond this research, Liton has led or contributed to library automation and digitization work at the following institutions:

Tairunnessa Memorial Medical College & Hospital Library

Project Coordinator Jan 2024 – Aug 2024

University of Skill Enrichment and Technology Library

Project Executive Jan 2020 – Mar 2020

Bangladesh Police Staff College Library

Project Executive Jan 2019 – Mar 2019

Bangladesh Foreign Service Academy Library

Project Executive Feb 2017 – Dec 2019

Government Madrash-E-Alia Library

Project Executive Sep 2017 – Sep 2018

Bangladesh National Parliament House Library

Project Executive Apr 2018 – Jun 2018

Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Library, DU

Project Executive Jan 2018 – Mar 2018

Quazi Nooruzzaman Memorial Library

Project Executive Apr 2017 – Mar 2018

Bangladesh Supreme Court Bar Association Library

Project Executive Jun 2017 – Sep 2017

Department of Zoology Seminar Library, DU

Project Executive Feb 2017 – Mar 2017

Dept. of Communication Disorders Seminar Library, DU

Project Executive Jan 2017 – Mar 2022

International Mother Language Institute

Project Member 2021 – 2022
Recognition

Awards & Honors

Best Paper Award at International Conference on Information and Knowledge Management

Mohammad Shahidullah Memorial Gold Medal (Masters)

Dean's Merit List of Honour (Masters)

Dean's Merit List of Honour (Undergraduate)

Provost Award of Academic Excellence

Book Grant from University of Dhaka for brilliant success in Masters

University Grants Commission Undergraduate Scholarship

Merit Scholarship from University of Dhaka

First Place of the Internship at Dhaka University Library

Mitsubishi UFJ Foundation Scholarship

First Place of the Internship at BANSDOC

ISLM Alumni Association Scholarship

Dhaka University Alumni Association Scholarship

Blood Donor Recognition from Badhon (for donating blood more than 12 times)

Continuing Education

Training & Courses

2026
Strategic Science Communication: Building Bridges between Scientists and Journalist for Knowledge Advancement.
COMSTECH - OIC
2025
Library Automation and Digitization Software 'SLiMS' with 'RDA'
BALID Institute of Information Management (BIIM)
2025
E-Book preparation and Management
Bangladesh National Scientific and Technical Documentation Center (BANSDOC)
2024
Modern Library Management
Bangladesh National Archives and Library
2024
Statistical Analysis with R Programming
DataScape
2019 (Jan-Apr)
Web Designing Using HTML, CSS & JAVASCRIPT
IIT, DU
2019 (Mar 16-20)
KOHA Installation & Customization
Daffodil International University
2017
Old Manuscript Reading and Translating
Dhaka University Library
2016 (Jan-Mar)
Computer Fundamentals & OS Basics
ISLM, DU
2023
Paper-based Research Learning
CHINTA Research Bangladesh
2021
HTML5, CSS3 & Bootstrap 4 For Web Development
Shikho Technologies
Affiliations

Professional Memberships

Association for Asian Studies (AAS)
Library Association of Bangladesh (LAB)
Bangladesh Association of Librarians, Information Scientists and Documentalists (BALID)
Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T)
Association for Library and Information Science Education (ALISE)
Bibliotheca Alexandrina Information for Africa (BAIFA)
Association of Computing Machinery (ACM)
Community

Volunteer & Services

Chair-Elect SIG-AVC Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T)
Reviewer Global Knowledge, Memory and Communication, Emerald Publishing
Communication Officer SIG-VIS Association for Information Science and Technology (ASIS&T)
President Information 71 (Dhaka University Based Students Association)
Education Secretary Ratoil Social Welfare Organization, Tanore, Rajshahi
Executive Member University Students Association of Tanore
Tourism Affairs Secretary Rajshahi Students Association of Dhaka University
Organizing Volunteer International Symposium on Empowering LIS Professionals for Achieving SDGs
Volunteer Badhan — A Blood Donor Organization
Amanuensis Anirban — An Organization to Support Blind Students
Rapporteur Intl. Conference on the Role of LIS Professionals in the 4IR, LAB
Campaign Volunteer Sondhani — A Blood Donor Organization
Event Organizing Volunteer Librarians Times Bangladesh
Social Work Volunteer Dhaka University Alumni Association (DUAA)
Event Organizer Directorate of Public Libraries and Biswashahitya Kendro
Get In Touch

Let's Collaborate on Research

Get In Touch

litonali@iut-dhaka.edu
+8801797709873
www.litonali.com
Islamic University of Technology, Dhaka, Bangladesh

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