LIAZ at the 1st Southern African Regional Universities Association (SARUA) Conference 2025: Libraries Leading the Future of Higher Education

By Ms. Pauline Namulomba Nchemba

Ms. Pauline Namulomba Nchemba

We’re thrilled to announce that Ms. Pauline Namulomba Nchemba, Vice President of the Library and Information Association of Zambia (LIAZ), proudly represented Zambia’s library sector at the 1st SARUA Conference held in Lusaka from 21–23 May 2025, under the theme:

“Innovating Higher Education for Sustainable Development across the SADC: Innovation for Impact”

SARUA is a network of higher education institutions in the SADC region that promotes collaboration, innovation, and policy engagement to strengthen regional academic systems and sustainable development. 

The theme for its 1st conference ‘Innovating Higher Education for Sustainable Development across the SADC: Innovation for Impact’, highlights the urgent need for universities to adapt to economic, technological and social shifts. In a rapidly evolving world, collaboration across sectors, including academia, government, industry and civil society, is essential to drive innovation and tackle complex regional challenges.  It must be realized that Libraries and Library associations are catalysts in attaining the aspirations of higher education.

Ms. Nchemba delivered a powerful presentation titled “Digital Libraries and Library Associations: Catalysts for Transforming Higher Education in the SADC Region.”

Her talk spotlighted how digital libraries are revolutionizing access to knowledge offering 24/7, inclusive, and equitable learning opportunities and how library associations like LIAZ are shaping policy, building capacity, and driving innovation across the region.

 Key Takeaways from Her Presentation:

✅ Digital Libraries as Enablers of Inclusion

Digital libraries break access barriers, offering 24/7 equitable access to knowledge, transforming how students and researchers engage with learning and research.

✅ The Evolving Role of Librarians

Librarians are no longer just custodians of books; they are innovation partners and digital stewards, supporting research, teaching, and digital transformation across institutions.

✅ Cross-Border Collaboration

She emphasized the need for shared platforms, regional knowledge exchange, and collaborative digital infrastructure to overcome fragmentation in the sector and boost sustainability.

✅ LIAZ’s Role in Capacity Building and Policy

LIAZ is leading the way in capacity development on critical topics such as Open Science, Research Data Management, and policy engagement through partnerships with the Ministry of Education and other stakeholders.

Why This Matters

The SARUA Conference is a strategic platform for fostering cooperation and solutions for common challenges in higher education. Through her participation, Ms. Nchemba positioned libraries as vital agents of change in shaping education systems that are resilient, inclusive, and future-ready.

In her words:

“Let libraries lead as catalysts for change. Together, we can build a smarter, more inclusive SADC higher education ecosystem.” Ms. Nchemba

The conference was not only an opportunity to showcase the innovations and leadership coming from Zambia but also to forge new networks and partnerships across SADC universities and sectors. It reinforced LIAZ’s commitment to knowledge equity, regional collaboration, and transformative leadership in higher education.

We thank SARUA for this strategic platform and celebrate the rising visibility of Zambian libraries on the regional stage. We are proud of LIAZ’s growing role in shaping the future of education in Africa! 

Together, let’s continue driving impact where libraries lead, knowledge grows, and education transforms.