Far Eastern University (FEU)’s pro-active participation in a five-day fellowship, through its chief librarian Dr. Maria Gia Gamolo, is geared toward transforming its library services.
“With insights gained from the fellowship, I believe that FEU is set to reimagine its library as a dynamic, inclusive, and future-ready hub—one that not only supports education but actively drives innovation,” said Gamolo.
From June 30 to July 4, Gamolo joined the Transforming University Libraries Leadership and Innovation Program at the National University of Singapore (NUS). The NUS-funded program brought together library professionals from across Asia to explore leadership, innovation, and sustainability in academic libraries.
Gamolo’s participation marks a strategic move for FEU as it seeks to enhance its library system. The fellowship included leadership labs, workshops, and simulations addressing challenges such as space utilization, digital literacy, and research support. One highlight was the use of data-driven strategies to enhance library services—an approach aligned with FEU’s institutional goals.
Among Gamolo’s takeaways that will be integrated into FEU’s library operations are design thinking and co-creation methods. These tools aim to better address the evolving needs of students and faculty.
The fellowship also supports FEU’s initiatives to boost research visibility, expand digital repositories, and promote open access publishing. In line with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 4 on Quality Education, the program emphasizes equity and lifelong learning—principles FEU has embedded in its outreach and literacy efforts.
Gamolo now joins a regional network of library leaders from countries including Brunei and Sri Lanka, paving the way for future collaborations and benchmarking opportunities.
