The Need Project by the AIU Centre of Reference, in collaboration with UiTM Student, Eduserve 5E, hosted an inspiring educational program at SK Dato' Shaari. The event, held from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., welcomed 60 students eager to learn through engaging activities and valuable lessons. The program was designed to spark curiosity and equip students with essential skills through five engaging modules. “Modul Pusat Sumber sebagai Kunci Khazanah Ilmu” introduced the role of resource centers in learning, “Modul Literasi Maklumat: Pencarian Sumber Maklumat di Perpustakaan” taught students how to search for information effectively, “Modul Cara Merekod NILAM” guided them on maintaining accurate NILAM records, “Modul Celik Kewangan” provided basic financial literacy skills, and “Modul Asas Membuat Poster” encouraged creativity through poster design. Each session offered practical knowledge and hands-on experiences to support the student's growth and development. This program also included an explorace session, a big hit among the students. This fun activity encouraged teamwork, problem-solving, and applying what they had learned in a lively and competitive setting. The teachers and staff of SK Dato' Shaari were delighted by the program's success. “This has been such a wonderful experience for our students. They gained valuable knowledge and truly enjoyed every activity. We are deeply grateful to AIU and UiTM for this initiative and hope this partnership grows stronger, bringing even more opportunities for our students in the future,” the principal said. In addition to the educational program, the AIU Centre of Reference made a meaningful contribution by donating a bookshelf and books to the SK Dato' Shaari resource center. This donation will help enhance the learning environment and provide better student access to resources. The students’ enthusiasm and active participation showed how much they enjoyed the program. This collaboration strengthened the bond between AIU, UiTM, and the school, proving that working together can create meaningful opportunities for young learners. By the end of the day, the program made a big difference for the students and created a strong connection for future teamwork to support education in the community.
The AIU & AIUIS Annual Dinner 2024 was a night to remember, an evening of elegance, recognition, and celebration of excellence across Albukhary International University. Among the many highlights of the evening, the AIU Centre of Reference stood out as a beacon of community spirit and professional dedication. The Centre proudly received the Certificate of Excellence in Community Engagement 2024, a prestigious award granted for the impactful and transformative work carried out under The Need Project. This award is a testament to the Centre’s unwavering dedication to outreach, inclusivity, and meaningful service to the community — values that lie at the heart of the library’s mission. In addition to the team recognition, the night sparkled even brighter when Mohd Dzairil Azhar bin Che Darus, one of our most committed and passionate librarians, was honoured with the President Award 2024. This highly esteemed accolade was presented in recognition of his exceptional contributions, professional excellence, and relentless commitment to the advancement of library services and support for the AIU community. The celebration marked a proud moment for the AIU Centre of Reference, reminding us all that dedication, teamwork, and a genuine heart for service are the keys to creating a lasting impact. As we continue our journey, let this recognition inspire us to reach even greater heights. Congratulations to all award recipients, and may the Centre of Reference keep shining as a pillar of excellence within the AIU community.
The Centre of Reference (COR), Albukhary International University, successfully held its fifth session of the CORPY Talk series titled “From Dawn to Dusk: Voices & Experiences from Alumni.” The one-hour session, held at Level 1 of the Library Building, brought together inspiring stories and reflections from AIU alumni, aiming to motivate and guide current students through personal experiences and professional journeys. The session featured Balqis Darus and Masrani Awang as speakers, with Fauziyya Ahmed as the moderator. The talk provided attendees with insightful perspectives on life after graduation, the transition from university to the working world, and how their time at AIU shaped their current paths. Corpy Talk continues to be a meaningful platform initiated by the Centre of Reference to explore diversity and celebrate lived experiences within the AIU community.
In the spirit of Ramadhan and community care, the Centre of Reference at Albukhary International University (AIU), in collaboration with the AIU Library and Albukhary International School (AIUIS), successfully organized The NEED Project: Let’s Donate Your Book – Ramadhan Care at Sekolah Kebangsaan Tunku Habsah, Baling. This heartfelt outreach initiative brought warmth and happiness to the school community as 50 packs of essential household items were distributed to students from asnaf families. The donation aimed to lighten their burden and bring smiles to their faces during the holy month of Ramadhan. The event was warmly received by the school’s teachers, students, and parents, creating a meaningful connection between AIU and the local community. It also reflected the core values upheld by The NEED Project — Nurturing, Educating, Empowering, and Developing — through acts of compassion and shared responsibility. More than just an act of giving, this initiative provided an opportunity for AIU staff and students to reflect on the true essence of Ramadhan: generosity, empathy, and togetherness. The joy seen on the faces of the recipients was a humbling reminder of how small efforts can make a big impact. “We hope this meaningful effort will continue to grow and inspire others to give back, especially during Ramadhan and beyond,” said one of the program coordinators. The Centre of Reference extends heartfelt thanks to all contributors, volunteers, and partners who made this event possible. Together, we continue to build bridges of kindness and foster a culture of service within and beyond our university community.
The Centre of Reference is proud to share that Mdm Nurul Izzati binti Sabri, Liaison Librarian at Albukhary International University, has successfully participated in the “ChatGPT for Librarians” workshop held at Arina Uniti, Kuala Lumpur. Organized by Leading Library Consultancy, this one-day public training provided a comprehensive overview of Large Language Models (LLMs), Generative AI, and ChatGPT, with a strong focus on practical use cases in library settings. Throughout the session, Mdm Izzati gained valuable insights into the fundamentals of Generative AI and Large Language Models (LLMs), the inner workings and capabilities of ChatGPT, and practical applications of AI in enhancing library workflows and services. She also explored how to customize GPT models for library-specific needs, discovered alternative AI tools such as Perplexity and Claude, and learned to use creative platforms like Pixelcut.ai, Gamma.app, and Ideogram.ai to support and streamline daily library tasks. This training empowered participants to reimagine library services through the lens of AI, encouraging innovation, efficiency, and enhanced user engagement. The participation reflects the Centre of Reference’s continuous commitment to professional development and digital transformation in libraries. We look forward to exploring new AI-powered initiatives and services to better serve our users.
The Centre of Reference is proud to share that our Chief Librarian, Ms Syuhada Ali, was recently invited as a distinguished panelist at a national-level webinar titled "Kelestarian Perpustakaan dalam Aktiviti Komuniti", organized by Universiti Malaysia Terengganu (UMT). The event took place on 16 April 2025 via Cisco Webex and was part of a two-day webinar on Perkongsian Amalan Pengurusan Terbaik Program USR Perpustakaan. Ms Syuhada participated in Slot 1 (Forum), titled: "USR dan Perpustakaan: Peranan Pustakawan dan Perpustakaan untuk Keterlihatan di Mata Masyarakat" Alongside fellow panelists Ts. Amirul Firdaus Zilah (Deputy Chief Librarian, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan) and Tuan Haji Akram@Amir bin Abdul Majid (Senior Assistant for Student Affairs, SK Batu Rakit), Ms Syuhada brought valuable insights into how libraries and librarians can actively enhance their visibility and impact within communities through University Social Responsibility (USR) initiatives. The session was moderated by Puan Fatimah Salim, Deputy Chief Librarian at Perpustakaan Sultanah Nur Zahirah, UMT. In her sharing, Ms Syuhada emphasized the transformative role libraries play in fostering knowledge accessibility and community empowerment, particularly through creative and inclusive outreach activities. Her contribution reflected AIU Library’s ongoing commitment to impactful engagement and innovation in library services. This webinar served as a platform for library professionals across Malaysia to exchange best practices in managing USR programmes, aligning library missions with sustainable community development goals.
In celebration of National Librarian Day, the Centre of Reference (COR) at Albukhary International University proudly hosted CORPY Talk Series #6, titled “COR Team: We’re Not Boring, Promise!” The session brought together seven librarians from the AIU Library, offering a lively and meaningful conversation that celebrated their roles, experiences, and shared values. Through a lighthearted talk show format, the session explored five key questions that gave the audience a glimpse into the life and work of a modern librarian. When asked what inspired them to become librarians, the speakers shared a mix of intentional choices and unexpected turns, but all expressed a deep appreciation for the opportunity to support and guide students in their academic journey. They highlighted that today’s librarians do more than manage books. Their work includes research support, digital literacy training, information evaluation, and student engagement of which contribute significantly to student success at AIU. Among the biggest misconceptions shared was the idea that libraries are only quiet places for reading. In reality, librarians are educators, tech users, event organizers, and approachable guides ready to assist with various academic needs. The session also brought plenty of laughter, as librarians recalled funny and unexpected moments from quirky student questions to daily surprises in library operations. To wrap up the session, the team described the COR team in three powerful words: Supportive, Resourceful, and Spirited, reflecting the strong teamwork, creativity, and dedication that define the AIU Library environment. CORPY Talk Series #6 not only entertained but also reminded the AIU community of the essential role librarians play in nurturing student growth and building an inclusive, knowledge-driven campus.
Albukhary International University (AIU) proudly celebrates the achievements of its library team at the 19th Congress of Southeast Asian Librarians (CONSAL XIX) held from 16–19 June 2025 at the World Trade Centre (WTC), Kuala Lumpur. The event was officially launched by Prime Minister Dato' Seri Anwar Ibrahim and brought together over 1,200 librarians and professionals from across Southeast Asia and beyond. Held every three years, CONSAL is the region’s largest library conference, focusing on professional networking, collaboration, and knowledge sharing. This year, Malaysia was the host, while Singapore will host the next congress in 2028. Representing AIU were Ms. Syuhada Ali (Chief Librarian), Mdm Nurul Izzati Sabri, Mdm Ernadia Wahida Cluny, and Ms. Rabiatul Adawiyah Zulkifli, who received the CONSAL XIX Participation Grant. The AIU Library team also played a key role in the Promotion Committee, helping with outreach, branding, and public engagement. During the event, 89 papers were presented by experts on topics like librarianship, technology, education, and community development. The AIU Library team took the opportunity to network with librarians from Singapore, Brunei, Thailand, the Philippines, and other ASEAN countries, strengthening international ties. Themed “Inclusive Knowledge: Bridging Divides, Empowering All,” the congress emphasized the role of libraries in supporting Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), inclusivity, and community building. Sessions included engaging forums such as the Pecha Kucha Postgraduate Forum and discussions on digital services, heritage preservation, and accessible knowledge for all. AIU Library staff also visited two leading libraries — Tun Hussein Onn Sunway Library and Bank Negara Malaysia Financial Services Library — where they learned about innovative library designs and services. Participation in CONSAL XIX reflects AIU Library’s commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and regional collaboration, positioning the Centre of Reference as a dynamic academic library ready to empower communities through knowledge.
