Yogyakarta, August 20, 2025 — UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta reaffirmed its growing international stature this week as it hosted the 9th International Library and Information Science Society (I-LISS) Conference, an event dedicated to rethinking the competencies required for Library and Information Science (LIS) professionals in the age of digital disruption.

The conference opened on Wednesday with a vibrant welcoming dinner at the Faculty of Adab and Humanities, bringing together academics, practitioners, educators, and policymakers from across the globe. In his remarks, Prof. Dr. Nurdin Laugu, Dean of the Faculty, underscored the urgency of collaboration and innovation in navigating global challenges in the information field.

The evening also featured Dong-Geun Oh, Chairperson at Keimyung University, South Korea, President of I-LISS, and Co-Editor-in-Chief of JISTaP. He emphasized the importance of international partnerships in advancing LIS scholarship and practice, while commending UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s active role in convening the global forum.

This year’s theme, “Revisiting Competencies: Preparing the Next Generation of Library and Information Science Professionals,” sets the stage for a wide-ranging dialogue on digital fluency, artificial intelligence, cultural preservation, human-centered leadership, ethics in information practice, and reimagining LIS education for the 21st century.

Organized by UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s Faculty of Adab and Humanities in collaboration with the Association of LIS Lecturers in Islamic Higher Education (ASDIP PTKI), the conference also received support from international partners including Keimyung University, Futurenuri, and Journal of Information Science Theory and Practice (JISTaP).

Beyond intellectual exchange, the program integrates strategic forums such as the Annual Body Meetings of both I-LISS and ASDIP—led by Prof. Dong-Geun Oh and Prof. Nurdin Laugu respectively—charting future directions for the profession globally and nationally.

The conference spans three days: scientific sessions and keynote addresses at UIN Sunan Kalijaga’s Faculty of Medicine on Thursday, a Gala Dinner showcasing Indonesian cultural performances in the evening, and cultural excursions on Friday to immerse international delegates in Yogyakarta’s heritage.

With its blend of academic rigor, cultural diplomacy, and forward-looking agenda, the 9th I-LISS Conference positions UIN Sunan Kalijaga not only as a host but as a catalyst for shaping the next generation of LIS professionals with global vision and digital readiness.