The Southeast Asia Libraries of the Future Summit 2025

Join us in Bangkok for an inspiring exploration of trends, technologies, and sustainable practices that will enable Southeast Asia’s libraries to thrive as academic and community cornerstones in a digital-first world.

2025 Southeast Asia Libraries of the Future Summit

Venue: Renaissance Bangkok Ratchaprasong Hotel, Bangkok, Thailand Date: 25 June 2025 Time: 9.00am - 4.40pm (Registration starts at 8.00am)

*Please note that any costs related to travel and accommodations in Bangkok will be covered by the event attendees.

Advancing Excellence: Libraries as Champions of Innovation and Institutional Success

Organised by Elsevier and supported by Thailand’s Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation (MHESI), the SEA Libraries of the Future Summit returns for its third edition. After two highly successful editions in Surabaya and Penang, this year’s summit continues its mission of bringing together leading librarians and thought leaders across Southeast Asia.

In an era of rapid digital transformation, librarians play an essential role in advancing academic excellence and supporting the mission of their institutions.

This summit will delve into how libraries can leverage Artificial Intelligence to create smarter, more personalized services while embracing sustainable collection development practices. From optimizing digital resources to ensuring the longevity and accessibility of knowledge assets, the summit will empower libraries to build collections that meet the needs of today and tomorrow.

Please note that slots are limited and will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.

Why Attend?

As universities embrace digital transformation, libraries are at the forefront of enabling academic excellence, research impact, and student success. This summit will equip library leaders with the strategies and insights to:

Leverage Artificial Intelligence to enhance library services and user experience
Implement sustainable collection development that aligns with institutional goals
Optimize digital resources to support teaching learning, and research excellence

How this Summit Supports your Institution’s Goals

Gain actionable insights from experts on AI, big data, and digital strategies for libraries
Engage in high-level discussions with peers from across Southeast Asia
Explore cutting-edge technologies to strengthen institutional research capabilities
Expand your professional network and build valuable partnerships

Mark your calendars and be part of this forward-thinking summit that will redefine the role of libraries in the Southeast Asia region and beyond.

Agenda

Time	Program	Presenter
08:00am – 09:00am	Participant Registration
09:00am – 09:10am	Opening remarks	Johan Jang, Strategic Engagement Manager
09:10am – 09:20am	Welcome remarks	Omar Malik, Regional Director, Elsevier Southeast Asia & ANZ
09:20am – 09:50am	Welcome Remarks	Assoc. Prof. Dr. Prama Sastraruji, Director, UniNet
09:50am - 10:20am	Keynote 1: Building Momentum: Embracing innovation and the Road to Institutional Success	Anders Karlsson, Vice-President of Global Strategic Networks (APAC), Elsevier
10:20am - 10:50am	Session 1: Academic Library: Limited Space for Unlimited Needs	Assoc. Prof. Sarawoot Watechagit, PhD, Director, Mahidol University Library and Knowledge Center, Mahidol University
10:50am - 10:55am	Q&A
10:55am - 11:25am	Morning Networking Break
11:25am - 11:55am	Session 2: Details to be announced	Prof. Ir. Ts. Dr. Ahmad Ziad Sulaiman, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic and International), Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Malaysia
11:55am - 12:00pm	Q&A
12:00pm - 13:00pm	Networking Lunch
13:00pm - 13:30pm	Keynote 2: How academic libraries inspire research development and excellence: The NUS Libraries story	Dr. Natalie Pang, University Librarian & Head, Communications and New Media, National University of Singapore
13:30pm- 14:00pm	Session 3: Cultivating a Shared Library Community: Insights from NUS’ TULLIP This session will explore how TULLIP fosters leadership, innovation, and collaboration by bridging library professionals with the wider academic and research community. Discover how this unique initiative provides experiential learning and builds essential skills, strengthens professional networks, and creates a sustainable platform for knowledge exchange. Through shared partnerships, friendships and collaborations, NUS Libraries aims to nurture a community to thrive as dynamic hubs of learning and research and to develop cultural heritage collections in and of Southeast Asia.	Mrs. Lee Cheng Ean, Advisor and Head of Global Relations, National University of Singapore Libraries
14:00pm - 14:05pm	Q&A
14:05pm - 14:35pm	Keynote 3: The Evolving Role of Libraries in the AI Era: The Case of National Chengchi University Libraries Libraries have long served as knowledge hubs, facilitating access to academic resources, research materials, and community engagement. However, with the advent of artificial intelligence (AI), their role is evolving from traditional repositories of information to dynamic centers of digital transformation, academic integrity, and innovation. At National Chengchi University (NCCU), the university libraries are undergoing a significant transformation, integrating AI-powered tools and modern services to meet the needs of students, faculty, and researchers.	Liao Wenhong, Associate Professor and Librarian, Department of Information Science, National Chengchi University, Taiwan
14:35pm - 15:05pm	Afternoon Networking Break
15:05pm - 15:35pm	Session 4: Championing sustainable development: Advancing the SDG mission through library innovation Explore how libraries can support the university’s research mission and the SDGs through innovative, inclusive, and impact-driven approaches.	Elvira Lapuz, University Librarian, University of the Philippines
15:35pm - 15:40pm	Q&A
15:40pm - 16:40pm	Panel Discussion: Librarians as Champions of Academic Excellence: AI, Skills, and Institutional Impact As academic institutions embrace AI and digital transformation, librarians play a crucial role in shaping research excellence and institutional success. This panel explores how AI-driven and other cutting-edge tools—such as data analytics, digital repositories, open science platforms, and other technologies—are transforming library services. Panelists will share strategies for integrating AI, fostering cross-disciplinary collaboration, and advancing librarianship in the era of intelligent information management.	Moderator: Anders Karlsson, Vice-President of Global Strategic Networks (APAC), Elsevier Panellists: Dr. Fierenziana Getruida Junus, S.S., M.Hum, Library Director, Hasanuddin University, Indonesia Caroline Pang, University Librarian, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore Marian Eclevia, Director of Libraries, De LaSalle Philippines Library Commission Associate Professor Dr. Amorn Petsom, Director of the Office of Academic Resources, Chulalongkorn University Dr.Nida Denphaisarn, Head of Learning Resources Department, Uninet (ThaiLIS)
16:40pm - 16:50pm	Closing Remarks	Omar Malik, Regional Director, Elsevier Southeast Asia & ANZ