LIBRARIANS ACROSS ZIMBABWE GATHER AT MSU TO UNDERGO TRAINING ON ADVANCED ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE TOOLS.
On the 26th of March 2026, Midlands State University hosted a hands-on workshop at its Gweru Main Campus, in a landmark collaboration with the Zimbabwe University Libraries Consortium, to equip librarians with practical skills for integrating artificial intelligence into library systems and services. The event marked a significant step towards equipping Zimbabwe’s library professionals with the practical skills needed to embed AI into everyday library operations — from cataloguing and information retrieval to research support and user engagement.
Held under the theme “Empowering Librarians with Artificial Intelligence: From Automation to Agentic Innovation,” the workshop attracted delegates from university libraries across the country, underscoring a growing sector-wide recognition that digital transformation is no longer optional but essential to the future of academic librarianship.
The workshop’s timing proved particularly significant. Delivering the welcome address, Pro-Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs and Administration, Professor M. Maphosa, situated the initiative within Zimbabwe’s broader technological agenda, noting that it coincided with the launch of the country’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy (2026–2030).
“This workshop is timely, coming at the very moment Zimbabwe launched its National Artificial Intelligence Strategy. It is a critical step for our libraries to align with national technological priorities.” Professor Maphosa emphasised the strategic importance of equipping librarians with hands-on AI capabilities to strengthen knowledge management, enhance research support, and bolster institutional competitiveness in an increasingly digital academic landscape.
Opening the programme, MSU Librarian Ms. N.P. Chibanda set the tone for the day with introductory remarks that emphasized the importance of collaborative and practice-oriented engagement. Ms. Chibanda highlighted the necessity for librarians to strategically position themselves at the forefront of digital transformation, functioning not merely as custodians of information but as proactive agents of innovation within their respective institutions.
The workshop was facilitated by Mr Liberty Dandira, Director of Information Technology Services at MSU. Widely recognised among staff and students as “Changamire” for his pioneering work on the esteemed Changamire and Dura Isipala higher education learning management systems, Mr Dandira brought considerable technical expertise and an engaging facilitation style that kept participants’ interest throughout the day.
At its core, the workshop signalled a paradigm shift. Participants were challenged to reimagine the role of the librarian, moving beyond traditional custodianship towards dynamic digital facilitation. By harnessing AI to enhance research support, data curation, and user experience design, Zimbabwe’s librarians are now better equipped to serve as knowledge partners across the academic enterprise.
Through a meticulously organised programme that includes a dedicated Practical Agentic AI Laboratory and guided solution-development exercises, participants transitioned from passive learning to active creation. Librarians developed and implemented AI-driven applications tailored to address real-world challenges in library services, thereby gaining firsthand experience with tools and techniques that can be applied immediately within their respective institutions.
The event’s success reaffirmed Midlands State University’s standing as a leader in advancing technological adoption and digital transformation across Zimbabwe’s higher education sector. As AI reshapes the global information landscape, MSU and its partners are ensuring that the nation’s library professionals are not left behind but are instead at the forefront.
