Information Training And Outreach Centre For Africa (ITOCA)

Are you a current or aspiring doctoral supervisor?

ITOCA invites you to register for our Online Training Course for Supervisors of Doctoral Candidates at African Universities — designed for both newly appointed and experienced supervisors.

Led by a distinguished team of professors, this course offers a valuable opportunity to explore and refresh best practices in doctoral supervision.

🗓 Course Dates: 30 July- 26 Aug 2026
💰 Cost: $200 / ZAR 3,500
📅 Registration Closes: 29 July 2026

🌐 Register here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/LQV8Z9G
📧 For queries, contact us at: [email protected]

Great news! The CDiA 2026 Call for Papers deadline has been extended!

There's still time to share your research, innovations, and experiences in collection development, scholarly communication, and knowledge equity.

🗓️ New Submission Deadline: 29 June 2026

Join the conversation under the theme:
"Collections Evolved: User-Centred Collections, Equity & Resilience in the Scholarly Landscape"

📩 Submit your abstract: [email protected]

Make your research count! Submit your abstract and join the leading conversation on collection development in Africa.

More info at: https://librariescd.itoca.org/

We had the privilege of hosting the in-person “Designing Sustainable Capacity Development Projects Targeting Youth in Agriculture and Rural Development” workshop for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) at the Mercure Johannesburg Bedfordview Hotel.

The workshop brought together passionate leaders from organisations empowering young people through sustainable agricultural development as well as a focus on rural development, innovation, and capacity building initiatives.

Ready to enhance your expertise in evidence synthesis?
Join the Information Training & Outreach Centre for Africa and Cornell University Mann Library for a 4-day Online Evidence Synthesis Training designed specifically for African librarians!
📅 19–22 May 2026 | 💻 Live on Zoom
Gain hands-on experience in:
✔️ Systematic reviews
✔️ Advanced search strategies
✔️ Quality assessment methods
✔️ Tools to support high-impact research
🎓 Who should apply?
Librarians and information specialists with a relevant degree and at least 2 years of professional experience.
⏳ Deadline: 15 May 2026
💰 Fee: USD120 / ZAR1900
Secure your place and take your research support skills to the next level!
Apply now at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NKQC2K6 and strengthen your systematic review expertise.

As higher education and public knowledge institutions evolve, library leaders face increasing pressure to adapt, innovate, and lead strategically.

The Library Leadership Summit 2026 addresses a critical gap—creating a regional, director-level platform for collaboration, peer learning, and leadership development.

Bringing together library leaders from across Africa, the Summit seeks to:

🔹 Provide a dedicated forum for library executives to discuss emerging challenges and opportunities in library leadership and management.
🔹 Foster cross-institutional collaboration through shared resource platforms, inter-library loan schemes, and co-developed projects.
🔹 Examine transformative trends such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), digital transformation, data ethics, sustainability, and the evolving role of libraries in open science and open education.
🔹 Strengthen leadership, governance, and management competencies, with pathways toward accredited leadership development.
🔹 Position libraries as strategic partners in national innovation systems, digital economies, and sustainable development agendas.
Summit structure
🔹 Pre-Engagement : Virtual networking preparatory webinars.
🔹 In-Person Summit (8 September 2026):
🔹 Keynote presentations by global thought leaders
🔹 Thematic panel discussions and case study sessions
🔹 Peer roundtables and action labs
🔹 Networking Excursion: A guided cultural experience in Cape Town designed to promote informal dialogue.

Post-Engagement (October 2026): Follow-up webinars focusing on policy advocacy and leadership mentoring

🗓️Date: 8 September 2026
📍Venue: Capetown, South Africa
✅Register at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/95JBSTT
🖥️More info: https://librariescd.itoca.org/summit.html

Be part of the conversation shaping the next chapter of libraries on the continent.

The Information Training & Outreach Centre for Africa (ITOCA), in partnership with Cornell University Mann Library, is hosting a 4-day Online Evidence Synthesis Training for African Librarians from 19–22 May 2026.

This interactive Zoom course will cover systematic reviews, search strategy development, quality assessment, software tools, and more.

Eligibility:
To qualify for this training, you must hold a minimum of a first degree in Library and Information Science or a related discipline and have a professional role as an information specialist or librarian for a minimum of 2 years.

🗓 Applications close: 4 May 2026
💵 Cost: USD120 / ZAR1900
Apply now at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/NKQC2K6 and strengthen your systematic review expertise.

📢 Call for Papers: CDiA 2026 Conference! 📢

The Collection Development in Africa (CDIA) Series, presented in partnership with ITOCA, CLIR, Casalini Libri, and Charleston-Hub, will host its third edition in Cape Town from 9–10 September 2026.

CDiA 2026 invites librarians, scholars, researchers, publishers, and technology providers to submit papers for presentation at this landmark event.

The conference offers a premier forum to explore the transformation of library collections in the digital age , with particular attention to sustainability, inclusivity, collaboration, and user-centred innovation.

📅 Submission Deadline: 31 May 2026
📩 Send abstracts to [email protected]
🌍http://librariescd.itoca.org/index.html

librariescd.itoca.org

Join us for an engaging webinar exploring the essentials and advantages of Open Research, with a special focus on cost-effective pathways.
Register at https://bit.ly/4kVDBSw
🗓️: 25 March 2026
⏰: 3:00 pm CET/ 4:00 pm SAST

Discover how patent information can drive smarter innovation and strategy. 🔍
In this webinar, you’ll learn the fundamentals of the patent system, explore WIPO’s PATENTSCOPE global database, and practice effective patent search techniques to support your research, business, or innovation goals.
Register at: https://bit.ly/3ZQt3uc

ITOCA wishes you a joyful and restful festive season. Thank you for being part of our journey this year — we look forward to collaborating and connecting with you in the year ahead.