The Centre of Reference (COR) at Albukhary International University (AIU) Library actively participated in InfoFest 2026, held at Taman Jubli Perak, Sungai Petani, on 2 January 2026. Organised by Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) in collaboration with Albukhary International University Library, the main collaborator, and Majlis Perbandaran Sungai Petani (MPSPK), the programme was conducted under the Service Learning Malaysia - University for Society (SULAM) initiative. Implemented through UiTM courses IMD317 and IML301, InfoFest 2026 involved Semester 5 students from 10 classes and engaged the local community, including 47 UiTM students with disabilities (uDeserved). The AIU Library was invited to serve as judges for the student exhibition booths and was also allocated a dedicated booth to showcase AIU. Through its booth, COR promoted AIU academic programmes, library services, and inclusive education initiatives. An interactive ‘GOOLEE’ Game was introduced to encourage community participation and raise awareness on inclusive education in an engaging and accessible manner. COR’s participation reflects AIU Library’s continued commitment to community outreach, inclusive education, and inter-institutional collaboration.
The Centre of Reference, Albukhary International University (AIU), successfully organized CORPY TALK Series #8 titled “Ramadan Ready: Nourishing the Mind & Soul Through Reading” at the AIU Library. The session aimed to inspire students and staff to prepare for Ramadan not only physically, but also spiritually and intellectually through purposeful reading and reflection. Featuring Mr. Nidhoil Mohamed Ibrahim as the speaker and moderated by Ms. Kyi Nuu Phyu Sin, the session explored practical ways to welcome Ramadan with stronger spiritual discipline and mindful preparation. The discussion highlighted personal reflections on how to mentally prepare for the holy month, the importance of selecting meaningful reading materials such as religious texts and reflective books, and strategies for balancing academic responsibilities with spiritual commitments, particularly from the speaker’s experience as a former AIU student. Participants also gained practical tips on time management, consistent reading habits, and setting intentional goals to maximize both intellectual growth and spiritual enrichment during Ramadan. The session served as a meaningful platform for reflection, reinforcing the Centre of Reference’s commitment to promoting holistic learning and nurturing values-driven knowledge within the AIU community.
The Centre of Reference, Albukhary International University (AIU) successfully hosted Knowledge Connect: Expert Librarian Series #3, themed “Institutional Repository: From Scholarly Content to Research Visibility.” The session, part of the library’s internal training initiative, aimed to enhance digital library development and prepare for AIU’s Institutional Repository (IR). The session was presented by Tuan Haji Salleh Hudin Mustaffa, former Chief Librarian of Universiti Utara Malaysia and one of the founders of the Malaysian Academic Library Institutional Repository (MALRep), a national platform that has received content from 27 IPTA/S in Malaysia. He shared his expertise on managing institutional repositories and discussed the evolving role of libraries within the digital scholarly ecosystem. All AIU Library staff attended the session to strengthen both strategic and technical knowledge in preparation for IR implementation. He further emphasized that AIU must adopt an open research and publication model, including providing open access to AIU scholarly outputs. According to him, greater openness will significantly enhance research visibility, improve institutional discoverability, and improve institutional citation performance. Importantly, he underscored that the library plays a vital strategic role in collaborating closely with researchers to ensure their publications are visible, discoverable, and properly indexed. This includes guiding researchers on open access practices, metadata quality, copyright compliance, repository submission workflows, and research profiling to maximize impact and reach. The session underscored the IR’s potential to increase research visibility, support institutional SEO, expand global reach, and potentially boost citation counts, aligning with AIU’s goal of strengthening academic reputation and improving web-based rankings. Challenges discussed included low faculty awareness, copyright considerations, workflow development, and the need for clear institutional policies to support systematic research deposits. Suggested strategies included implementing green open access, librarian-assisted deposits, standardized metadata such as Dublin Core, and continuous advocacy through structured training and promotion. Tuan Haji Salleh also highlighted IR platform options for AIU, noting that DSpace suits larger institutions with strong IT support, while EPrints is user-friendly and allows faster deployment. He emphasized that AIU’s current priority for the IR is the submission of undergraduate FYPs, theses and dissertations, and lecturers’ publications. This session not only strengthened the professional capacity of AIU Library staff but also laid a solid foundation for implementing AIU’s Institutional Repository—a strategic investment in knowledge management, open access, and sustainable research development.
The Centre of Reference, Albukhary International University (AIU), successfully organised a Ramadhan programme entitled “Reading as Ibadah: Seeking Knowledge in the Month of Ramadhan” on 6 March 2026 at Level 1, AIU Library. The programme began with a Yasin recitation from 3.00 pm to 3.30 pm, followed by a talk session delivered by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Tengku Shahrom from 3.30 pm to 4.30 pm. The session highlighted the importance of reading and seeking knowledge as acts of worship, especially during the blessed month of Ramadhan. A total of 31 participants, comprising AIU staff and students, attended the programme. During the session, Dr. Tengku Shahrom shared meaningful insights on how reading can nurture both the mind and soul, while encouraging participants to cultivate a habit of reading as part of their spiritual reflection during Ramadhan. The programme provided a meaningful platform for the AIU community to reflect on the value of knowledge and spiritual growth. Participants also appreciated the opportunity to come together for the Yasin recitation and the insightful talk, making the session both beneficial and inspiring.
The Centre of Reference (Library), Albukhary International University (AIU), successfully conducted a community engagement programme at Sekolah Kebangsaan Pida Tiga, Tunjang Jitra, under The NEED Project. As the 18th school to participate in the initiative, SK Pida Tiga received support to enhance its school resource centre through the installation of bookshelves, donation of reading materials, and the establishment of a dedicated AIU Corner to create a more conducive learning environment. The programme also featured a series of interactive educational activities, including library prefect training, book processing and classification, information searching skills, introduction to ICT in learning, as well as ice-breaking and engagement sessions for students. Through this initiative, AIU aims to promote literacy, strengthen library management practices, and inspire students to develop lifelong reading and information literacy skills. The programme reflects the university's continued commitment to community engagement and empowering schools through education.
The Centre of Reference (Library), Albukhary International University (AIU), collaborated with the Language Centre in supporting the TLC Global Circle 2026 programme, jointly organised with Times Language Academy (TLA), Thailand. The programme welcomed approximately 43 participants who took part in various activities from 10.00 a.m. to 5.30 p.m. The session began with a library briefing, followed by an Information Literacy class focusing on information searching techniques, information evaluation, and ICT awareness. Participants also engaged in the Library Info Hunt activity, which provided an interactive learning experience while encouraging teamwork, communication, and exploration of library resources. Through this collaboration, AIU Library continues to support global learning experiences by promoting information literacy skills and creating meaningful engagement opportunities for students and visitors.
The Centre of Reference (Library), Albukhary International University (AIU), successfully conducted the Knowledge Connect: Expert Librarians Series 4, featuring Mr. Zairul Nizam bin Zainol, Senior Manager of Library, Heriot-Watt University Malaysia. The session, themed “Reimagining Library Services: Transforming Perceptions, Creating Impact,” explored the changing role of academic libraries in supporting student success, research development, and digital transformation. Through engaging sharing sessions and discussions, the programme provided valuable insights to the Centre of Reference team on innovative library practices and strategies to enhance service delivery. The initiative reflects AIU Library’s ongoing commitment to professional development, knowledge sharing, and strengthening the library's role as a strategic partner within the university community.
The Centre of Reference (Library), Albukhary International University (AIU), welcomed students from the Diploma in Information Management programme, Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Cawangan Kedah, for an educational visit to the library. The visit involved 31 participants, including lecturers and students, and aimed to provide exposure to contemporary library management practices and services. During the visit, participants gained insights into library operations, facilities, digital resources, and the evolving role of academic libraries in supporting teaching, learning, and knowledge development. The programme also served as a valuable platform for knowledge sharing and institutional collaboration, allowing future information professionals to explore the practices and services offered by an academic library environment. The Centre of Reference remains committed to fostering meaningful collaborations and supporting educational initiatives that inspire future generations in the field of information management.
The Centre of Reference (Library), Albukhary International University (AIU), in collaboration with the Faculty of Chemical Engineering & Technology, Universiti Malaysia Perlis (UniMAP), successfully organised an E-Waste Awareness Programme to promote environmental sustainability and responsible electronic waste management. Conducted under the SULAM initiative, the programme involved 45 UniMAP students and 28 AIU students. Participants were exposed to sustainable e-waste practices through sharing sessions, discussions, and awareness activities focusing on the importance of proper electronic waste disposal. As part of the collaboration, UniMAP contributed an e-waste collection bin to the Centre of Reference to support responsible e-waste disposal practices within the AIU campus. The programme highlights the commitment of both institutions in promoting sustainability awareness and encouraging students to play an active role in protecting the environment through responsible practices. Through this initiative, AIU Library continues to support meaningful collaborations that contribute towards education, sustainability, and community engagement.
The Centre of Reference (COR), Albukhary International University (AIU), successfully organised CORPY TALK Series 9: “From Campus to Community – Sharing Impactful Engagement Journeys” at AIU Library. The programme brought together 28 staff and students for an inspiring session focused on the importance of community engagement and creating meaningful social impact. The session featured Aiman Muqri Ahmad Shukri, Farah Syazwani Hayrol Aziz, and Nur Jazanadia Jamaludin, who shared their experiences, challenges, and valuable lessons from their involvement in community activities. Participants gained insights into the importance of teamwork, leadership, and contributing positively to society. The programme concluded with an engaging discussion session, encouraging participants to actively participate in community initiatives and become agents of positive change. Through initiatives such as CORPY TALK Series, the Centre of Reference continues to promote knowledge sharing, lifelong learning, and social responsibility within the AIU community.
