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Nthabiseng Kotsokoane to lead activities of international library association

08 June 2021 | Story Legopheng Maphile | Photo Charl Devenish

Nthabiseng Kotsokoane in front of the Sasol Library on the Bloemfontein Campus of the University of the Free State. She is wearing a pink blouse with floral patterns and leaning with her left elbow against a ledge whilst looking into the camera. — Nthabiseng Kotsokoane is a renowned library professional whose passionate efforts to advance library and information services in Africa and beyond are widely acknowledged Photo: Charl Devenish

The University of the Free State is proud to announce the appointment of Nthabiseng Kotsokoane as chairperson of the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA) new Regional Council and member of the IFLA Governing Board 2021 – 2023.

IFLA is the leading international body representing the interests of library and information services and their users. It is the global voice of the library and information profession.

Nthabiseng Kotsokoane is currently the Assistant Director at the University of the Free State Library Information Services. She previously worked at Monash University for 10 years as a director of the library services. Ms Kotsokoane is a renowned library professional whose passionate efforts to advance library and information services in Africa and beyond are widely acknowledged. She has vast experience in serving at various committees regionally and internationally. She served as a member of the IFLA women information Libraries Special Interest Group. She was later elected by LIASA into the IFLA IT committee. She is the current IFLA Africa section Chair 2017-2021.

Serving the international library community

Nthabiseng is not only active in IFLA but on the African continent as well, she is the past chair for the African Library & Information Associations & Institutions (AfLIA) academic library section Chair and a member of the AfLIA Governing Board.

As IFLA’s Regional Chair her key role will be to in increase the presence of world regions in IFLA and IFLA’s presence around the world focusing on advocacy and building capacity. She will lead efforts to provide input on IFLA advocacy work and review success in developing the regional dimension of the IFLA Strategy, as well as work to promote IFLA membership and fundraising in the regions.

This will include coordination and development of Regional Division action plans, review Regional Division activities in the following regions Regional Council and Regional Divisions for Asia and Oceania, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and North Africa, North America and Sub-Saharan Africa. With her passion of developing and mentoring new library professionals we are certain that this new role will be of benefit to the international library community.

News Archive

Strengthening ties with Belgium ally

2013-10-31

From the left are: Prof Dr Johan Meeusen signing the agreement with Prof Nicky Morgan, Vice-Rector: Operations.
Photo: Hannes Pieterse
31 October 2013

The UFS signed a formal agreement with the University of Antwerp, strengthening the two institutions’ existing collaboration. Prof Dr Johan Meeusen, Vice-Rector and Professor of European Law and Private International Law at the University of Antwerp, visited the Bloemfontein Campus to sign the agreement. This arrangement will ensure that the two institutions work in close conjunction on research and additional projects.

Dineo Gaofhiwe-Ingram, Assistant Director: Internationalisation, says the new relationship between the two universities will have a strong research focus. "It’s evident and known that we want to become a research-intensive university.” She emphasises that the relationship with Antwerp as well as partnerships with a variety of other institutions are crucial. These will ensure that young emerging scholars, like those taking part in the Vice-Chancellor's Prestige Scholars Programme, are exposed internationally during their development. “We hope that some of the scholars in the new cohort of the PSP will be able to find scientists to host them at Antwerp," Gaofhiwe-Ingram adds.

In addition, she explains that this formal agreement will augment pre-existing collaborations with the Unit for Language Facilitation and Empowerment, as well as the Centre for Health Systems Research and Development. It will also open up cooperation between other faculties and disciplines. “Through Eurosa/Erasmus Mundus Project, which awards scholarships to South African students and staff to study in Europe, the 2014 project will now also award scholarships to European students and staff to come and study in South Africa,” Gaofhiwe-Ingram announced.

The University of Antwerp is one of the European associates that participates in the Leadership for Change Programme and hosted a group of first-year Kovsie students during 2011. In 2012, representatives from the University of Antwerp attended the Leadership Summit presented on the Bloemfontein Campus. Another group of first-year students from the UFS took part in this year’s programme.

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