Kusdarmawan Nur Ilham, a librarian at the Jusuf Kalla Library, Universitas Islam Internasional Indonesia (UIII), has been recognized as the Best Participant at the Transforming University Libraries Leadership & Innovation Program (TULLIP) hosted by NUS Libraries, National University of Singapore (NUS).

Ilham attended the event on a fellowship scheme. The prestigious five-day program took place from 5–9 January 2026 at the NUS Kent Ridge campus, bringing together early-career librarians and information professionals from across ASEAN and beyond, including participants from the United States.

TULLIP is designed to bridge professional and institutional gaps in university librarianship by strengthening leadership capacity, fostering innovation, and encouraging collaboration within the global academic library community. Throughout the program, the participants engaged in workshops, seminars, roundtable discussions, experiential learning visits, and collaborative case-study projects, all aimed at addressing real-world challenges in contemporary academic libraries.

The program concluded with a formal closing dinner, where the participants received their certificates. Unexpectedly, the evening also featured an award ceremony, during which Ilham’s name was announced as the Best Participant of TULLIP 2026.

“My name was called, and honestly, I didn’t expect it at all,” Ilham recalled. “I got the award Best Participant throughout this whole fellowship at NUS Libraries. Thank God, thank my family, and thank my colleagues. This award means a lot to me, because I seldom received awards during my school years. New year, new achievement.”

Reflecting on his experience, Ilham expressed admiration for the learning environment at NUS Libraries and the encouragement he received from its leadership.

“I’m just impressed with NUS Libraries’ facilities and the staff,” he said. “The University Librarian, Associate Professor Natalie Pang, always encouraged me to open myself and be the best version of me, push the boundaries. Actually, the people don’t want just to managed; they want to be led. That’s the key point.”

He added that the program helped him build confidence in professional discussions. “Maybe they saw me as a good example, as a participant who was confident in speaking and contributing. For me, I always try to stay positive throughout my career. If a leader can direct me properly, I can go beyond.”

Ilham believes this mindset directly contributed to his recognition at TULLIP. “I implemented this approach throughout the entire NUS Libraries fellowship program. In the end, they recognized me as the best participant among all the countries involved, including participants from the United States.”

Ilham’s achievement reflects UIII’s growing engagement with international academic networks and its commitment to developing professional excellence across all units, including library services. His participation and recognition at TULLIP are expected to contribute positively to the continued development of the Jusuf Kalla Library as a dynamic academic hub supporting teaching, learning, and research at UIII.

The Jusuf Kalla Library at UIII has been officially recognized as a Nationally Excellent Library, affirming its compliance with high national standards in governance, collections, services, and infrastructure. Designed as an inclusive knowledge space, the library is open to the public, extending its services beyond the university community and positioning itself as a shared intellectual hub for students, researchers, and the wider society.

Our library is open from Monday to Saturday. Please come and bring your loved ones to enjoy our inclusive modern library at the heart of Depok City.