The National Defence University–Kenya (NDU-K) convened its second Librarians’ Workshop at the Defence Headquarters in Nairobi, bringing together librarians from the University Seat and its colleges. The workshop provided a platform for participants to share knowledge and experiences while strengthening collaboration in support of academic and research excellence.

The three-day workshop was designed to enhance the professional capacity of NDU-K librarians by exposing them to advanced policies and modern approaches in library and information management. Through the engagements, participants were equipped with relevant skills and insights to adapt to the evolving demands of academic and research environments.

The Key thematic areas discussed during the workshop included the implementation of centralized library services, the application of Artificial Intelligence in modern library systems, the adoption of standardized metadata frameworks for improved cataloguing and information retrieval and the effective utilization of plagiarism detection platforms.

In her opening address, the Deputy Vice-Chancellor for Academic and Students Affairs (DVC ASA), Prof Anne Muigai underscored the strategic importance of libraries in advancing the University’s core mandate of delivering high-quality defence and security education. She noted that libraries remain a critical pillar in supporting research, scholarship, and knowledge dissemination within the institution.

The DVC stated that the University has adopted a centralized library model that brings together the seven constituent colleges of NDU-K to enhance resource efficiency, uniform standards, discoverability of information, and guarantees equitable access across all colleges.

She further challenged the librarians to embrace professionalism, innovation and collaboration in their work, emphasizing the need to enhance access to knowledge resources within the University’s academic ecosystem.

In her closing remarks, delivered on behalf of the Vice-Chancellor Lt Gen David Tarus, Brigadier Omollo conveyed deep appreciation to the participants for their dedication, professionalism and active engagement throughout the programme. She noted that their commitment reflects the University’s broader vision of fostering academic excellence and building a robust knowledge ecosystem to support military education and strategic thought.

Brigadier Omollo challenged participants to return to their respective stations with renewed purpose; committed to innovation, upholding the highest standards of academic integrity and advancing the University’s aspiration to be a centre of excellence in defence education and research.

The deliberations provided a collaborative platform for librarians to exchange best practices, explore emerging technologies in information management and develop strategies that will support the University’s mission of producing highly skilled military and civilian leaders in defence and security studies.

As NDU-K commemorates five years since the conferment of its Charter, the workshop stood as a testament to the institution’s deliberate investment in human capital and systems development.