Mrs. Khairulbahiyah Yaakub

Khairulbahiyah Yaakub is the Chief Librarian of Universiti Teknologi Malaysia (UTM), one of Malaysia’s leading research universities. She holds a Bachelor of Library and Information Science and a Master of Science in Human Resource Development, combining expertise in information science with leadership and organizational development. With over 20 years of experience in library and information services, she has served in various leadership capacities before being appointed Chief Librarian. In this role, she leads the transformation of UTM Library into a smart, sustainable, and inclusive knowledge hub that supports education, research, and community development. Her areas of expertise include strategic planning, knowledge management, research support, open science, and quality assurance. She has pioneered impactful initiatives such as inclusive reading programs for visually impaired students, citizen science engagement platforms, and university-wide reading culture campaigns. These efforts reflect her strong belief in the social responsibility of libraries to enrich lives, foster lifelong learning, and contribute to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Regionally and internationally, she collaborates with partners and contributes to knowledge-sharing networks. She continues to champion libraries as knowledge sanctuaries that empower communities and advance scholarship. Besides academic writing, she is passionate about creative writing and poetry, exploring literature as a medium for inspiration and connection.