Regional Studies Center

Mr. Ahmed Salem Mohammad, participated in a workshop organized by the General Secretariat of the Central Library for university librarians, titled “From Library to Knowledge and Learning Center: Vision and Objectives”. The session was delivered by Assist. Prof. Dr. Hussam Al-Din Al-Zalbani, UNESCO Capacity-Building Consultant, on July 7, 2025, at the Central Library building.

The workshop aimed to explore ways of developing traditional libraries and transforming them into integrated centers for knowledge and education that keep pace with technological advancements and the evolving needs of users in the digital age. It also addressed mechanisms to enhance the role of libraries in supporting scientific research and lifelong learning.

Several key themes were covered during the session, including the presentation of successful case studies on library transformation, strategies for integrating modern technologies such as artificial intelligence and advanced databases, and discussions on the challenges facing this transformation and potential solutions. The importance of building partnerships between educational and research institutions was also emphasized.

Participants stressed the need for a proactive vision in library development to ensure their evolution into dynamic environments that foster creativity and innovation. They expressed hope that the workshop’s outcomes would be implemented to strengthen the services provided by academic libraries and praised the university’s ongoing efforts to align with global trends in knowledge management.

The workshop achieved several Sustainable Development Goals, most notably: Goal 4 (Quality Education) by enhancing the role of libraries in supporting lifelong learning and providing a modern knowledge environment that keeps pace with the needs of the digital age. It also supports Goal 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) by adopting advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and modern databases, which develops the knowledge infrastructure of educational institutions. It also enhances Goal 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) by focusing on cooperation between libraries, universities, and research institutions to expand knowledge and technical impact.