On August 21, 2025, I had the privilege of serving as the Conference Chair for the 9th International Conference of the International Library and Information Science Society (I-LISS), hosted by UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta. The conference carried the theme “Revisiting Competencies: Preparing the Next Generation of Library and Information Science Professionals”, a topic that feels increasingly relevant as the profession continues to adapt to rapid technological and societal change.

The conference began the evening before with a welcoming dinner, providing a relaxed space for scholars and practitioners from different countries to meet and reconnect. These informal conversations set the tone for what would become a thoughtful and collaborative academic gathering.

The official opening was led by the Rector of UIN Sunan Kalijaga, Prof. Noorhaidi Hasan, who reminded us that the library remains at the core of the university ecosystem. His remark that “the library is the heart of the university”captured the spirit of the conference and reinforced the idea that libraries are central to knowledge creation, research, and academic integrity.

In my opening remarks, I simply wished to acknowledge the many individuals and institutions that made this conference possible—particularly the Faculty of Adab and Cultural Sciences and the I-LISS community. The strong international participation reflected a shared commitment to strengthening the field of Library and Information Science (LIS)through dialogue and collaboration.

We were fortunate to hear from two keynote speakers, Prof. Dong-Geun Oh, Ph.D. (South Korea) and Dr. P. Rajendran, Ph.D. (India), who offered valuable global perspectives on the evolving competencies required in the LIS profession. The invited sessions that followed brought together speakers from Thailand, India, Indonesia, the Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, and South Korea, each contributing insights drawn from their own academic and professional contexts.

Across the sessions, discussions ranged from digital competencies and cultural preservation to service innovation and new directions in LIS education. Thoughtfully moderated, these conversations created space for critical reflection while also strengthening professional connections across borders.

Looking back, the 9th I-LISS Conference was not only an academic event, but also a reminder of how much the LIS community can achieve through openness, cooperation, and shared learning. I am grateful to have been part of this collective effort and hopeful that the conversations begun here will continue well beyond the conference.

Source: Website of UIN Sunan Kalijaga

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This post was written with the assistance of artificial intelligence (AI) and has been carefully reviewed and edited by the author for publication on a personal blog.

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