Associates Program
The Mortenson Center Associates Program is the signature program of the Mortenson Center. Originally, it was a two-month, on-site, professional development program. Today, it is 3.5 weeks, still offered at the University of Illinois, and typically hosts 14-25 librarians from around the world. It offers individuals working in a library setting outside the United States an opportunity to explore current issues and trends in the library field and to engage with librarians implementing cutting-edge programs and services. More than 1,300 librarians from 90 countries have attended.
Meet our 2024 Associates. Learn more about them by visiting our Associates blog, and the Mortenson Center Website.
2025| 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020
Theme: "Transforming Libraries: New Roles & Impact"
Program Participants:
Prince Dwomoh, University of Ghana (Ghana)
Yoonju Gal, National Library of Korea (South Korea)
Jessica Claire Lewis Marshall, The University of the West Indies, Mona Library (Jamaica)
Liya Louis, Virginia Commonwealth University in Qatar (Qatar)
Elizabeth Malabanan, University of Perpetual Help System Laguna (Phillipines)
Vafa Mammadova, ADA University (Azerbaijan)
Muhammed Mirza, Islamic Research Institute (Pakistan)
Khadija Mohsen, Mohammed Bin Rashid Library (United Arab Emirates)
James Nyakundi, Knowledge Empowering Youth Trust (Kenya)
Chintan Pandya, MICA | The School of Ideas (India)
Daniela Skokovic, Pozega Public Library (Serbia)
Choi Yunjin, Seoul National University Library (South Korea)
Theme: "Shaping the Future of Libraries"
Program Participants:
Thikra Alharbi, King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences (Saudi Arabia)
Ola El Zein, American University of Beirut (Lebanon)
Ulrike Junger, German National LIbrary (Germany)
Tebogo Khama, University of Botswana Library (Botswana)
Jinsook Lee, Seoul National University Library (South Korea)
Neveen Nagy, Bibliotheca Alexandrina (Egypt)
Florence Plockey, Accra Technical University (Ghana)
Tereza Richards, University of the West Indies, Mona Campus (Jamaica)
Minsang Song, National Library of Korea (South Korea)
Theme: "Smart and Smarter: Leadership and Innovation in Libraries"
Program Participants:
Deborah Bumbie-Chi, Auraria Library (Ghana)
Eunbyeol Jo, Seoul National University Library (South Korea)
Farrukh Shahzad, Forman Christian College – A Chartered University (Pakistan)
Fatima Alqaoud, Kuwait University (Kuwait)
Hirotaka Arikawa, Hosei University, (Japan)
Isao Nagasaka, Keio University Library (Japan)
Muneer Albattashi, Ministry of Higher Education, Research and Innovation (Oman)
Samuel Simango, Stellenbosch University (Malawi)
Vuyokazi Jamieson, St Andrew’s College (South Africa)
Yeongjo Yun, National Library of Korea (South Korea)
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2021 Associates Program
Theme: “Smart and Smarter: Leadership and Innovation in Libraries“
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and following the recommendations from both local and state health officials, the decision was made to postpone the 2021 Associates Program until 2022.
2020 Associates Program
Theme: “Smart and Smarter: Leadership and Innovation in Libraries”
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and following the recommendations from both local and state health officials, the decision was made to postpone the 2020 Associates Program until 2021.
2019 | 2018 |2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011
2019 Associates Program
Theme: "Smarter, Strategic, and Sustainable Libraries"
Program Participants:
Ahmad Shah, University of Central Asia (Kyrgyz Republic)
Amada Marcos, Instituto de Empresa Foundation (Spain)
Helen Emasealu, University of Port Harcourt (Nigeria)
Monica Peres, University of Brasilia (Brazil)
Muna Mansoor, Isa Cultural Center (Bahrain)
Seham Alostath, Libraries Administration MoE (Kuwait)
SooHyun Park, National Library of Korea (South Korea
2018 Associates Program
Theme: "Imagine, Design, Engage, Act"
Program Participants:
Evelyn Idiodi, University of Benin, Nigeria
Francina Makondo, University of Zambia, Zambia
Ginnette Calvo Guillén, School of Library and Information Science, University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Jeremiah M’Boma, Njala University Library, Sierra Leone
Karen Tyrell, University of the West Indies, Mona Library, Jamaica
Mohannad Al Khalaileh, University of Jordan Library, Jordan
Nehad Al Hadi, Main Library, Sultan Qaboos University, Oman
Nkoyo Edem, University of Calabar, Nigeria
Suyeon Lee, National Library of Korea, South Korea
Tomoyuki Naganuma, Kanagawa University Hiratsuka Library, Japan
2017 Associates Program
Theme: "Building Sustainable Libraries"
Program Participants:
Abeer S. Al-Kuwari, Qatar National Library, Qatar
Daniela Esquivel Calderón, Universidad de Costa Rica, School of LIS, Costa Rica
Hyerin Kim, National Library of Korea, Korea
Juhee Kim, Seoul National University Library, Korea
Lallaisangzuali, Mizoram University, India
Megui Umaña Ureña, Universidad de Costa Rica, School of LIS, Costa Rica
Scholar Ukwoma, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria
Vinita Jain, Maharshi Dayanand University, India
Waleed Ali Al Badi, Oman Parliament Library, Oman
Yolanda Tugwell, University of the West Indies, Jamaica
2016 Associates Program
Theme: "Innovative, Engaged, and Responsive Libraries"
Program Participants:
Barbara Chase, University of the West Indies (Barbados)
Godwin Afebende, Cross River State College (Nigeria)
Hyunju Kim, National Library of Korea (South Korea)
Muhammad Tariq, (Pakistan)
Nicholas Graham, National Library of Jamaica (Jamaica)
2015 Associates Program
Theme: “Innovative, Engaged, and Responsive Libraries”
Program Participants:
Benson Ali, American University of Nigeria (Nigeria)
Cajetan Onyeneke, Imo State University (Nigeria)
Dauda Razaq, Kwara State University (Nigeria)
Ikumi Matsuda Horie, Dokkyo University (Japan)
Jaeyong Na, National Library of Korea (South Korea)
Juni'chi Fuji, Waseda University Library (Japan)
Kehinde Isiaka, Kwara State University (Nigeria)
Loleta Parris, University of the West Indies Mona (Barbados)
Muhammad Ashraf, Aga Khan University (Pakistan)
Nadia Pompeo de Camargo Salles, (Brazil)
Nkoyo Edem, University of Calabar (Nigeria)
Ruth Simon Bassey, University of Calabar (Nigeria)
2014 Read Global/Associates Program
Theme: "Imagine, Question, Connect"
Program Participants:
READ Global
Chin Shrestha, Nepal
Deepa Subedi, Nepal
Durgesh Yogi, India
Kezang Choden, Bhutan
Nahid Barbhuiiya, India
Raju Shrestha, Nepal
Rinchen Choden, Bhutan
Ruhi Seth, India
Associates
Anargul Essenaliyeva, Nazarbayev University Library, Kazakhstan
Beba Stankovic, Public Library “Ilija M. Petrovic”, Serbia
Bhakti Ranjan, Maharaja Sayajirao University of Baroda, India
Eric Amoaful, University of Ghana Balme Library, Ghana
Eunice Lesejane, University of South Africa, South Africa
Grace Mbogo, Communications Commission of Kenya, Kenya
Graciela Quesada Fernandez, University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Huijun Sun, China Agricultural University Library, China
Jennylyn Cabbuag, Banga 1st (Community) Public Library, Philippines
Jihyeon Lee, National Library of Korea, Republic of Korea
Kishor Sathpathy, National Institute of Technology Silchar, India
Modupe Oluwabiyi, University of Ibadan Kenneth Dike Library, Nigeria
Newton Akrong, University of Ghana Balme Library, Ghana
Peter Gatiti, Aga Khan University Library, Kenya
Ramon Masis Rojas, University of Costa Rica, Costa Rica
Sher Afzal Khan, Bahria University Library, Pakistan
2013 Associates Program
Theme: "Tools for the 21st Century Librarian"
Program Participants:
Elvira Niiazova , American University of Central Asia, Kyrgyzstan
Erica Saito , Sao Paulo University, Brazil
Farasat Ullah , University of Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia
Jihae Jeon , National Library of Korea, Republic of Korea
Juan Arboleda , Banco de la Republica, Colombia
Martha Nderitu, Communications Commission of Kenya, Kenya
Milena Milanova , Sofia University "St. Kliment Ohridski," Bulgaria
Muhammad Idrees , COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Pakistan
Muhammad Raja , COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Pakistan
Naruhito Fujikake , Asia University Library, Japan
Silvia Valencia Vivas , Banco de la Republica, Colombia
2012 Associates Program
Theme: Tools for the 21st Century Librarian
Program Participants:
Christelle Lubbe , Bellville Library, South Africa
Darya Buktoyarova , Nazarbayev University Library, Kazakhstan
Deborah Eddy-Ugorji , National Library of Nigeria – Lagos, Nigeria
Kunduz Kolbaeva ,Nazarbayev University Library, Kazakhstan
Kuniko Sato , St. Luke’s College of Nursing, Japan
Lanre Osaniyi , Lead City University, Nigeria
Lucas Kilemba , Mombasa Polytechnic University College, Kenya
Maryam Amartey , Amadu Bello University, Nigeria
Milena Ivanova , Petar Stapov Public Library, Bulgaria
Ola Morsy , Maadi Public Library, Egypt
Oluwaseun Obasola , University of Ibadan, Nigeria
Oyeyinka Ayo-Yusuf , NetLibrary Nigeria Limited, Nigeria
Rania Hamed Elwan Omar , Maadi Public Library, Egypt
Safia Rafikova , American University of Central Asia
Valerie Clarke , University of the West Indies, Barbados
Vesela Angelova , ‘Pencho Slaveykov’ Public Library – Varna, Bulgaria
2011 Associates Program
Theme: Librarians of Tomorrow: Communication and Leadership
Program Participants:
Agatha Gifty Larson , University of Education; Winneba, Ghana
Chinwe Anunobi , Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nigeria
Gimena Campos Cervera , U.S. Embassy to Italy, Italy
Heba Mohamed Ismail , Integrated Care Society, Egypt
Hyejin Kim , National Library of Korea, South Korea
Man Tang , Xiangtan University, China
Masanori Suzuki , Bunkyo University, Japan
Mihyang Kim , Seoul National University, South Korea
Nikolina Ivanova-Bell , American University in Bulgaria, Bulgaria
Racheal Nabbosa , Makerere University Library, Uganda
Rasha Hussein Tawfik , Integrated Care Society, Egypt
Spaska Tarandova; Sofia City Library, Bulgaria
2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004
2009 Associates Program
Program Participants:
Adenipekun Samson Adebayo , Obafemi Awolowo University; Ile-Ife, Nigeria
Annamarie Goosen, Center for Information Career Development (CICD); Pretoria, South Africa
Christine Asao, Gulu University; Kampala, Uganda
Fehintola Nike Onifade, University of Agriculture, Abeokuta; Abeokuta, Nigeria
Heiner Camacho Gomez, Banco de la Republica – Biblioteca Luis Angel Arango; Bogota, Colombia
Hyunwoo Park, Seoul National University Library; Seoul, South Korea
Kengo Yamada, Hosei University; Tokyo, Japan
Linda Claudia de Four, University of the West Indies, St. Augustine; Trinidad and Tobago
Luis Fernando Garcia Arenas, Banco de la Republica – Biblioteca Luis Angel Arango; Bogota, Colombia
Martha de Waal, University of Pretoria, Center for African Library Leadership, LIASA, ASAIB; Pretoria, South Africa
Monyatsi Ben Ramela, City of Johannesburg Libraries; Johannesburg, South Africa
Morongwa Modiba, National Library of South Africa; Pretoria, South Africa
Nana Berikashvili, Caucasus Research Resource Center, Eurasia Partnership Foundation; Tiblisi, Georgia
Trang Huynh, Learning Resource Center, Cantho University; Cantho City, Vietnam
2008 Associates Program
Program Participants:
Ahmad HajAli, An-Najah National University, Palestine
Andres Tamayo Arias, Public Library Comfenaico Castilla; Medellin, Colombia
Christian Yaw Kofi, University of Cape Coast; Cape Coast, Ghana
Faina Bolkunova, Uzbek State Scientific Medical Library; Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Goodluck Collins Enyiorji, National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism; Kano, Nigeria
Hugo Albarracin Barriga, Banco de la Republica – Biblioteca Luis Angel Arango; Bogota, Colombia
Jeong-joo Park, Seoul National University Library; Seoul, South Korea
Kazuyo Toya, Kobe University Library for Medical Science; Kobe, Japan
Mahmoud Subhi Ali Murrar, Birzeit University Library; West Bank, Palestine
Mi Soon Choi, National University Library; Seoul, Korea
Mohamed Mubarak, Arabian Gulf University West Riffa; Kingdom of Bahrain
My Ho Thanh, Learning and Information Resource Centers, University of Danang; Danang, Vietnam
Nga Phan Thi Thu, Learning and Information Resource Centers, University of Danang; Danang, Vietnam
Phuc Van Bui, Learning and Information Resource Centers, University of Danang; Danang City, Vietnam
Tamaki Seta, Health Science University; Yamanashi, Japan
Victor Ochieng, Help Widows and Orphans Community Library; Suna-Migori, Kenya
William Monroy, Banco de la Republica – Biblioteca Luis Angel Arango; Bogota, Colombia
Yoriko Miyabe, College of Arts, Rikkyo University; Tokyo, Japan
2007 Associates Program
Program Participants
Abdul-Kadiri Ibrahim, University for Development Studies; Tamale, Ghana
Andrea Gabriela Solis Blanco, Central Cultural Costarricense-Norteamericano CCCN; San Jose, Costa Rica
Eung-Bong Lee, Chungnam National University Library; Deajeon, South Korea
Faraja Ndumbardo, University of Dar Es Salaam Library; Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania
Frederick Kiwuwa Lugya, Makerere University Library; Kampala, Uganda
German Eduardo Arias Leon, Banco de la Republica – Biblioteca Luis Angel Arango; Bogota, Colombia
Hector Raul Grenni, Don Bosco University, Biblioteca Rafael Meza Ayau; Soyapango, El Salvador
Hideya Ito, Rikkyo University Library;Tokyo, Japan
Jaime Humberto Rendon Valencia, Servicio de Informacion Local, Comfenaico Antioquia; Medellin, Colombia
Milton Edwin Vargas Prieto, Luis Angel Arango Library; Banco de la Republica, Bogota, Colombia
Mumtaz Memon, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology; Jamshoro, Pakistan
Munavar Rahimova, International Business School “Kelajak Ilmi”; Tashkent, Uzbekistan
Rocio Cazares Aguilar, Universidad de las Americas Pueblo; Pueblo, Mexico
Roselyn Subair, Conflict Management Special Library; Ibadan, Nigeria
Shino Otsuka, Osaka University Library;Toyonaka, Japan
Son Pham, Learning Resources Center, Cantho University; Cantho, Vietnam
Stelina Maria Pinha, Brazilian Federal Senate Library; Terreo, Brazil
2006 Associates Program
Program Participants
Abdullahi Musa Ibrahim Ahmadu Bello University; Zaria, Nigeria
Adebambo Adewale Oduwole, University of Agriculture; Abeokuta, Nigeria
Amanda Ruiz Junco,Banco de la República; Bogotá, Colombia
Claudia Villegas, Banco de la República; Manizales, Colombia
Elena Gorodiskaya , Russian State Library; Moscow, Russia
Ha Vinh Nguyen LIRC of University of Danang; Danang, Vietnam
Juan Antonio Agudelo Vasquez; Comfenalco Antioquia Medellín, Colombia.
Kyo Takai, Ritsumeikan University; Shiga, Japan
Luis Daniel Chica Salcedo; Banco de la República Bogotá, Colombia
Mario Bohorquez Martinez; Banco de la República Bogotá, Colombia.
Marta Moenen Barahona Public Library of Valparaíso; Valparaíso, Chile
Matias Salas Peni, Centro Lector Osorno; Osorno, Chile
Motomu Fukuda; Dokkyo University; Saitama, Japan
Olga Nass de la Jara; Municipality of Panguipulli, Panguipulli, Chile
Sungbae Lee Sungkyunkwan University; Seoul, South Korea
Svetlana Petrunina, Russian State Library; Moscow, Russia
Yukari Sho, Hiroshima University; Higashi-Hiroshima, Japan
2005 Associates Program
Program Participants
Abdool Cader Nunkoo, Municipal Council of Port-Louis, City Library; St. Port-Louis, Mauritius
Alecia Steenkamp, Kwazulu Natal Provincial Public Library and Information Service; Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Edwin Qobose, University of Botswana Library; Gaborone, Botswana
Kathleen Laishley, City of Cape Town, Central Library; Cape Town, South Africa
Loan Le Thi, General Sciences Library of Ho Chi Minh City; Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Luis Eduardo Rosales Puerto, Luis Angel Arango Library; Bogota, Colombia
Mandla Ntombela, Msunduzi Municipal Library; Pitermaritzburg, South Africa
Norma Clemencia Molina Zarta, Luis Angel Arango Library; Bogota, Colombia
Parul S. Zaveri, SNDT Women’s University; Mumbai, India
Sandra Marcela Piedra Zamora, Luis Angel Arango Library; Bogota, Colombia
Sandra Maria Rua Cardona, Comfenalco-Antioquia; Medellin, Colombia
Tamaki Mine, Meiji Gakuin University Library; Tokyo, Japan
Thi Hoa Hoang, Library and Information Center; Hanoi, Vietnam
Yasuyo Inoue, Dokkyo University; Souka, Japan
2004 Associates Program
Program Participants:
Raphael Aregu, Gulu University Library (Uganda)
Adriana Maria Betancur, Comfenalco Antioquia (Colombia)
Therese Els, City of Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality (South Africa)
John Javer Garibello Loaiza, Banco de la Republica (Colombia)
Alvina Matthee, Medical Research Council (South Africa)
Rirhandzu Sharon Mhinga, Tshwane University of Technology (South Africa)
Paul Mwanzilo, Egerton University Library (Kenya)
Mariam Natalwalla, eThekwini Municipal Library (South Africa)
Hanh Thi Nguyen, National Center for Scientific and Technological Information (Vietnam)
Gloria Maria Parra Mora, Universidad Pedagogica y Tecnologia de Colombia (Colombia)
Nomabhasa Ramugondo, Free State Department of Education (South Africa)
Gonzalo Rincon Gomez, Banco de la Republica (Colombia)
Gladys Rodriguez Guzman, Banco de la Republica (Colombia)
Ingrid Thomson, University of Cape Town (South Africa)
Takanori Umezawa, Chuo University (Japan)
Ronelle Van Vollenhoven, Department of Sports, Arts and Culture (South Africa)
Nga Vu Duong Thuy, Hanoi University of Culture (Vietnam)