The North-West University (NWU) recently hosted the second International Conference on Information Literacy (ICIL) on the Potchefstroom Campus.

Since the Covid-19 pandemic prevented the holding of the conference in 2021, many sighed with relief when things returned to normal and restrictions were eased.

This conference was an opportunity for researchers, librarians, policy makers, media specialists, academia and other parties from around the world to exchange knowledge, share their expertise and discuss recent developments and other current challenges in bothy theory and practice.

This year’s conference theme was “Information Literacy in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR)”.

“We are so excited that you have managed to join us for our second international conference on information literacy,“ said Dr Mathew Moyo, chief director of library and information service at the NWU.

He also added that the NWU was committed to delivering an exciting and interactive conference which not only responds to the 4IR, but also predicts the future of information literacy in a fast-changing information landscape.

Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele, deputy vice-chancellor for research and innovation at the NWU, gave the welcoming address.

“I trust this conference will really showcase that the 4IR is no longer just a futuristic concept.

He said that the conference will focus on various issues, including media, digital, and data literacy, with information literacy as the over-arching domain.

Various topics were discussed at the conference. They included Virtual exchange: developing global digital narratives and metaliteracy in a shared learning community; Conceptualising computer literacy, digital literacy, media literacy and information literacy: an informetric perspective using journals of publications; Building a sustainable information literacy programme across the university in the era of the 4IR; and Online writing clinics as third space towards developing e-research literacy.

The conference also boasted exceptional national and international keynote speakers. These included Prof Johannes Cronjé, Prof Judith Mavodza, Prof Bosire Onyancha, Dr Brenda van Wyk, Prof Mary Sengati-Zimba, and Dr Daisy Selematsela.

Prof Jeffrey Mphahlele and Dr Mathew Moyo 

The NWU Serenaders opened the conference with a song item

A marimba band entertained members during the cocktail function