Tika Ayuningtyas, S.IIP., Deputy Head of the Library at Universitas PGRI Madiun (UNIPMA), participated in the prestigious program titled Experience Program in Surabaya – Singapore (EXPRESS) 2026, organized by the East Java Forum of Indonesian Higher Education Libraries (FPPTI) in collaboration with the National Library of Indonesia Training Center and Singapore Management University (SMU).

This training program was conducted in two stages, namely online from April 2–11, 2026, and continued offline in Singapore from April 14–17, 2026. The program was designed to enhance the leadership and innovation competencies of librarians in facing the challenges of the digital era, including the development of artificial intelligence (AI).

The activity was attended by 14 participants from various higher education libraries across Indonesia, as well as representatives from the East Java Provincial Library and Archives Service (DISPERPUSIP Jatim), with UNIPMA as one of the representatives from East Java.

Through the FPPTI East Java work program, this training focuses on developing library organizations and human resources, while also expanding cooperation networks at both national and international levels. Participants were equipped with leadership and managerial skills to adapt to the dynamics of the VUCA era (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity) and rapid technological advancements.

In an interview, Tika Ayuningtyas, S.IIP., stated that the program enriched participants’ knowledge, particularly in leadership, policy, and innovation in managing higher education libraries amid the rapid growth of AI technology.

“Participants gained extensive knowledge related to leadership and management, especially in responding to changes and innovations in the modern library world,” she said on Thursday (April 30).

The EXPRESS program also serves as a platform to connect library professionals across ASEAN and internationally. Participants had the opportunity to build networks with the global academic community, exchange best practices, and develop competencies relevant to their respective institutions.

During the training in Singapore, participants joined various agendas, including a library tour at the SMU Li Ka Shing Library. The program continued with visits to several prominent libraries, such as the National Library Singapore, The Ngee Ann Kongsi Library at the Singapore Institute of Technology, and the Punggol Regional Library.

In addition to gaining insights from speakers, interactions among participants also strengthened the librarian community network. This aligns with the FPPTI East Java motto: caring, sharing, and networking.

UNIPMA’s participation in this program also reflects the institution’s commitment to supporting the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 4 on quality education and Goal 17 on partnerships. Strengthening librarian competencies is expected to improve the quality of educational services, while international collaboration represents a concrete form of global partnership.

In the future, the outcomes of this program are expected to drive the transformation of UNIPMA Library and Archives services toward a more adaptive, innovative, and digitally based system, while strengthening its role in supporting inclusive and quality education at the global level.

For more information about campus activities, visit UNIPMA’s official Instagram account at @official_unipma. UNIPMA has also opened new student admissions for the 2025/2026 academic year. Registration for Regular and RPL programs for the 2025/2026 academic year is now open.