LIAZ 52nd Annual General Conference Pre-Conference Training: by SMART Zambia

 The long-awaited 52nd Annual General Conference of the Library and Information Association of Zambia (LIAZ) officially kicked off yesterday at the magnificent Avani Victoria Falls Resort in Zambia’s tourist capital, Livingstone.

 Running from July 22nd to 25th, 2025, the conference opened on a powerful note, laying the foundation for a transformative and memorable week ahead

Day One featured an impactful Pre-Conference Training session facilitated by the SMART Zambia Institute, setting a dynamic and forward-thinking tone for the rest of the conference. The training focused on Digital Skills Empowerment, with a special spotlight on the CISCO Networking Academy a platform offering free, globally recognized digital skills training to Zambians.

Hosted at David Livingstone College of Education (DALICE), the training was led by a knowledgeable team from SMART Zambia, including Mr. Brian Nawa Nawa, Head of Digital Skills and Capabilities, Mr. Charles Mwanza, Principal Officer, Service Support, and Ms. Chunga Manzi, Senior Officer, Digital Skills and Capabilities

Key Focus Areas of the Training

The session centered around three core areas designed to empower librarians and information professionals:

• Digital Skills and Capabilities

Equipping librarians with essential digital competencies to navigate and support Zambia’s growing digital public infrastructure.

• ZamPortal (Government Service Bus)

Promoting seamless and integrated access to public services across various government departments.

• SMART Office & eRegistry System

Enhancing digital literacy and public service delivery through innovative government systems.

“This programme is part of SMART Zambia’s ongoing efforts to build a digitally literate citizenry capable of accessing, using, and contributing to e-government services,” said Mr. Nawa Nawa.

“Librarians are key partners in this transformation. Their role within communities makes them instrumental in spreading awareness and ensuring access to digital government services.”

SMART Zambia urged librarians, archivists, and information professionals to become digital ambassadors, actively promoting digital literacy and training in their institutions and communities. The session highlighted the profession’s responsibility to remain relevant and proactive in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

“When librarians embrace digital tools, they become drivers of innovation in education and information services,” said a SMART Zambia facilitator.

“We must not just consume digital tools, but become creators and educators in the digital space.”

This initiative reaffirmed SMART Zambia’s commitment to inclusive digital capacity-building and recognized the critical role of information professionals in shaping Zambia’s digital transformation agenda.

The successful launch of the LIAZ 52nd Annual General Conference through SMART Zambia’s pre-conference training set an inspiring tone for the days ahead. Delegates looked forward to more enriching sessions, meaningful discussions, and collaborative opportunities aimed at shaping the future of libraries and information services in Zambia. 

AHILA Congress 2025 Keynote Speaker Spotlight: Dr. Ramya Kumar

Dr. Ramya Kumar

We are excited to announce that Dr. Ramya Kumar from the University of Washington, Seattle, USA will be one of the distinguished keynote speakers at the 18th Association for Health Information and Libraries in Africa (AHILA) Congress 2025, taking place from 30th September to 4th October 2025 at the Mulungushi International Conference Centre, Lusaka, Zambia.

Dr. Kumar is a renowned global health strategist and epidemiologist whose impactful work spans outbreak response, health research, and strengthening health systems in the U.S. and Southern Africa. She is widely recognized for championing fairness and inclusion in health through her training and research initiatives.

Her thought-provoking TEDxLusaka talk, selected as a TED Editor’s Pick, challenges us to rethink whose knowledge counts in global health. Dr. Kumar’s insights have also been highlighted in leading platforms such as Forbes, The New York Times, and Gavi.

Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from one of the bold voices shaping the future of global health. Mark your calendars and join us in Lusaka for a truly transformative congress!

For more information and registration, visit the congress website by clicking the following link: AHILA Congress 2025 website