AIU Library Shines at CONSAL XIX: Fostering Regional Collaboration and Knowledge Inclusivity
ALOR SETAR, 25 June 2025 – Albukhary International University (AIU) proudly celebrates the achievements of its library team at the prestigious 19th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians General Conference and Meeting (CONSAL XIX) held at the World Trade Centre (WTC) Kuala Lumpur from 16 to 19 June 2025. The event was officially launched by the Prime Minister of Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
Held every three years, CONSAL XIX 2025 brought together over 1,200 participants from ASEAN member countries and beyond, making it a key regional platform for professional networking and knowledge sharing. Malaysia was honoured to be chosen as the host country for this significant regional gathering, reflecting its strong commitment to advancing librarianship and regional cooperation. Singapore has been selected as the next host for the 20th CONSAL in 2028. A total of 89 impactful papers were presented by distinguished speakers and experts from various fields, covering librarianship, information technology, education, and community development topics.
Representing AIU were Ms. Syuhada Ali, Chief Librarian, along with Mdm Nurul Izzati Sabri, Mdm Ernadia Wahida Cluny (committee member), and Ms. Rabiatul Adawiyah Zulkifli, who was honoured to be one of the recipients of the CONSAL XIX Participation Grant.
The AIU Library team also played an integral role in the Promotion Committee for CONSAL XIX, contributing to the congress’s outreach, branding, and public engagement efforts. Their commitment behind the scenes helped ensure a vibrant, well-promoted, and widely attended event, strengthening the visibility of CONSAL XIX across Southeast Asia and beyond.
Importantly, the AIU Library has also taken this opportunity to build meaningful connections and expand its professional network with fellow librarians from across ASEAN countries, particularly those from Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, and the Philippines. A total of 1,100 participants joined this event, organised by the Ministry of National Unity through the National Library of Malaysia, reinforcing the collaborative spirit and shared vision of libraries in the region.
Themed “Inclusive Knowledge: Bridging Divides, Empowering All” with the powerful tagline “Leveraging Inclusivity, Empowering Humanity”, this year’s congress brought library professionals, educators, and policymakers across the ASEAN region. Key sub-themes included the evolving role of libraries in fostering inclusivity, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and creating knowledge ecosystems for people with disabilities and those who are marginalised. Other sessions focused on libraries as partners in community development and featured innovative youth voices through the Pecha Kucha Postgraduate Forum.
The Honourable Senator Saraswathy Kandasami, Deputy Minister of National Unity, Malaysia, reflected on Malaysia’s recent ASEAN Chairmanship, emphasising the role of libraries in regional knowledge diplomacy:
“Following Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship, it is time to leverage this platform to create shared frameworks for knowledge diplomacy: regional digital repositories, collaborative preservation of heritage, and inclusive knowledge services for all citizens, urban or rural, young or old.”
In conjunction with the congress, the AIU Library team also participated in library and cultural visits to the Tun Hussein Onn Sunway Library and Bank Negara Malaysia Financial Services Library, gaining valuable insights into managing modern academic and special libraries. These visits further enriched the team’s learning experience by highlighting best practices in space design, digital services, and user engagement.
By participating in this landmark event, the AIU Library reaffirms its commitment to inclusivity, sustainability, and regional collaboration, strengthening its role as a forward-thinking academic library dedicated to empowering communities through knowledge.
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