Jimbaran – Udayana University received a visit from Library Visit Program participants in the framework of the South East Asia Libraries of the Future Summit 2026 which took place at Udayana University. This activity is a forum for exchanging knowledge, experience, and strengthening collaborative networks between libraries and higher education institutions in the Southeast Asia region which takes place in the Udayana University Library Hall, Jimbaran Campus, Friday (12/6/2026).
Representing the Chancellor of Udayana University, Deputy Chancellor for Academic Affairs Prof. Ir. I Nengah Sujaya, M.Agr.Sc., Ph.D., expressed his appreciation for the presence of delegates and participants from various countries in Southeast Asia.
According to him, this visit is a valuable opportunity to strengthen collaboration in supporting the development of library services and a more advanced knowledge ecosystem.
In his speech, Prof. Sujaya emphasized that libraries have a strategic role in supporting the quality of higher education. In the midst of increasingly rapid technological developments, libraries no longer only function as providers of information access, but also as drivers of learning, research, innovation and knowledge creation.
“University libraries must be able to position themselves as locomotives that encourage improvements in the quality of learning, research, innovation and knowledge creation. Through innovative services, digital transformation and development of the knowledge ecosystem, libraries become important partners in realizing academic excellence,” he said.
Furthermore, he emphasized that developments in digital technology, information technology, data-based services, and artificial intelligence (AI) require librarians to continue to improve their professional competence and abilities so that libraries remain relevant, responsive and have a real impact on the academic community.
Meanwhile, Strategic Engagement Manager Elsevier Southeast Asia, Dr. Johan Jang, said that the theme of Gotong Royong raised at this year’s summit reflects the importance of collaboration in facing various challenges and opportunities in the world of higher education.
According to him, various discussions that took place during the summit discussed strategic issues such as the use of AI, improving the quality of research, and the future of higher education. However, there is one main message that is the common thread throughout the discussion, namely that no institution can achieve its goals alone without collaboration.
“The strongest progress can only be achieved when we learn from each other and work together as a community. Therefore, this library visit is designed to encourage the creation of new conversations, new relationships, and new collaborations among the participants,” he said.
Dr. Johan also emphasized that libraries have a central position in the academic ecosystem because they play a role in connecting researchers, students, lecturers and institutional leaders with the knowledge needed to achieve institutional goals. He invited all participants to take advantage of the opportunity of the visit by sharing experiences, exchanging good practices, and building cooperation across institutions and countries.
“When libraries start collaborating, institutions will become stronger. When institutions become stronger, research will have a greater impact. And when research becomes more impactful, the academic community in Southeast Asia will progress together,” he said.
In this activity, there was also a Bali Simbar Dissemination presentation with resource person Cokorda Rai Adi Pramartha, ST., MM.,, Ph.D and a reading of Kekawin. Through this Library Visit Program activity, Udayana University hopes to expand its international partnership network while strengthening synergies between higher education libraries in facing the challenges of digital transformation. It is hoped that the spirit of collaboration, sharing knowledge and innovation built through this forum will be able to produce sustainable partnerships that will provide benefits for the development of higher education and research in the Southeast Asia region.