SVKM’s Narsee Monjee Institute of Management Studies (NMIMS), Shirpur Campus, successfully organized the International Library Symposium on Knowledge and Communication (ILSKCOM- 2026) on 12–13 June 2026 in association with Khon Kaen University, Thailand, and the Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) Project, OPEN-ASIA: Boosting Engagement of HEIs in Open Science in India and Malaysia (Reference No. 101128493).

The two-day international symposium, held under the theme “Transforming Knowledge Frontiers: Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Open Access (OA) for Sustainable Library Development,” brought together academicians, librarians, researchers, policymakers, students, and industry experts from India and abroad to discuss the evolving role of libraries in the digital era.

A dedicated virtual session was delivered by Dr. Jayakumar Singh Bondili, Dean, NMIMS Sunandan Divatia School of Science, and Institutional Project Coordinator, who provided a comprehensive overview of the OPEN ASIA Project. His presentation highlighted the project’s vision of strengthening institutional capacity for Open Science through the development of policies, infrastructure, repositories, research data management practices, and stakeholder engagement. He also emphasized the collaborative efforts of the international consortium and the pivotal role of higher education institutions in promoting transparent, accessible, and responsible research practices.

The presentation emphasized how the OPEN-ASIA Project aligns with the symposium’s central themes of Artificial Intelligence, Open Access, and sustainable knowledge development. Participants were introduced to the project’s initiatives, including the establishment of Open Science Hubs, capacity-building programmes, policy development, and strategies for enhancing research visibility and accessibility. The session generated considerable interest among participants, particularly library professionals and researchers, who recognized the project’s relevance in advancing modern library services and supporting institutional research ecosystems.

ILSKCOM–2026 witnessed enthusiastic participation from 305 delegates, with 135 research papers presented across 12 parallel technical sessions covering Artificial Intelligence, Open Access, Open Science, digital repositories, knowledge management, scholarly communication, research support services, and sustainable library development. The symposium provided a valuable platform for exchanging ideas, showcasing innovative research, and strengthening collaborations among national and international institutions.

The dissemination of the OPEN-ASIA Project at ILSKCOM–2026 reinforced NMIMS’s commitment to advancing the principles of Open Science and strengthening international cooperation in higher education and research. By showcasing the project’s objectives and achievements, the session facilitated dialogue among researchers, librarians, and academic leaders, and fostered opportunities for future collaborations that support the development of sustainable, inclusive, and innovation-driven knowledge ecosystems across Asia.