[vc_row][vc_column][vc_tta_tabs style=”modern” color=”blue” alignment=”center” active_section=”1″][vc_tta_section title=”HOME” tab_id=”1780912366168-c4afe386-94ea”][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”NILIS International Research Conference (NIReC) 2026″ font_container=”tag:h1|font_size:42|text_align:center|color:%2317376e” google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:700%20bold%20regular%3A700%3Anormal” css_animation=”none” el_id=”annual” css=”.vc_custom_1780912911475{margin-top: -20px !important;}”][vc_custom_heading text=”\u201cBridging Knowledge, Technology, and Society through Information Literacy and Digital Transformation\u201d” font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:27|text_align:center|color:%23680b21″ google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css_animation=”none”][vc_custom_heading text=”22nd<\/sup> October 2026″ font_container=”tag:h3|font_size:22|text_align:center|color:%23000000″ google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:400%20regular%3A400%3Anormal” css_animation=”none” css=”.vc_custom_1780286058985{margin-top: 15px !important;margin-bottom: 20px !important;}”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner width=”2\/3″][vc_single_image image=”5238″ img_size=”full” alignment=”center” onclick=”custom_link” img_link_target=”_blank” link=”http:\/\/nilis.cmb.ac.lk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/07\/NILIS-International-Research-Symposium-15-November-2023-1.pdf” css=”.vc_custom_1780893162165{margin-top: 20px !important;}” el_id=”flyer”][\/vc_column_inner][vc_column_inner width=”1\/3″][vc_custom_heading text=”Sub-themes” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23666666″ google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” el_id=”Sub-themes”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n The topics of interest includes, but are not limited to:<\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Important Dates” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23666666″ google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” el_id=”Dates”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Abstract Submission Guidelines” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:center|color:%23666666″ google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal” el_id=”submission”][vc_btn title=”Abstract Submission Guidelines -2026″ style=”outline-custom” outline_custom_color=”#666666″ outline_custom_hover_background=”#666666″ outline_custom_hover_text=”#ffffff” size=”lg” align=”center” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fnilis.cmb.ac.lk%2Fhome%2Fguidelines%2F||target:%20_blank|” css=”.vc_custom_1780299044249{margin-top: 10px !important;}”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][vc_row_inner][vc_column_inner][vc_custom_heading text=”Submission” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23666666″ google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]The\u00a0Microsoft CMT service<\/a>\u00a0was used for managing the peer-reviewing process for this conference. This service was provided for free by Microsoft and they bore all expenses, including costs for Azure cloud services as well as for software development and support.<\/p>\n Please use the link below to submit your paper. First, create an account on the Conference Management Toolkit. Then, navigate to the Author Console and click on \u201cCreate New Submission.\u201d Select NIReC 2026 \u2013 Main Track to proceed.[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Click here to submit your paper” color=”warning” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcmt3.research.microsoft.com%2FNIReC2026||target:%20_blank|”][\/vc_column_inner][\/vc_row_inner][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”ABOUT” tab_id=”1780912366175-3577d7e7-d09f”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n Research is a powerful catalyst for generating new knowledge, fostering innovation, and driving positive societal change through evidence-based decision-making and critical inquiry. We warmly invite researchers, academics, professionals, and students to present and publish their scholarly work at the NILIS International Research Conference (NIReC) 2026, a premier platform for disseminating significant research findings to a global academic audience.<\/span><\/p>\n The National Institute of Library and Information Sciences (NILIS), University of Colombo, Sri Lanka, is a higher education institution affiliated with the University of Colombo. Recognized nationally and internationally as a leading centre for the education and professional development of University Librarians and Teacher Librarians, NILIS has made substantial contributions to Information Literacy education and research in Sri Lanka and beyond. Its pioneering initiatives, including the development of the Empowering 8 Information Literacy model, have gained international recognition and influenced educational practices across the region.<\/span><\/p>\n Since its establishment in 2004, NILIS has successfully organized its Annual Research Symposium alongside the University’s Annual Research Symposium, providing a vibrant forum for scholarly engagement and knowledge exchange. In line with the University’s elevation of its annual event to an international conference, NILIS is proud to announce the <\/span>NILIS International Research Conference (NIReC) 2026<\/b>, which will be held on <\/span>22 October 2026<\/b>. The conference theme for this year is <\/span>\u201cBridging Knowledge, Technology, and Society through Information Literacy and Digital Transformation.\u201d <\/b>NIReC 2026 will mark a significant milestone by celebrating 25 years of academic excellence, innovation, and contribution to the LIS sector by NILIS.<\/span><\/p>\n Over the years, this scholarly event has addressed a range of timely and impactful themes, including <\/span>Research Excellence in Library and Information Science<\/span><\/i>, <\/span>Mitigating Challenges in LIS Education<\/span><\/i>, and <\/span>Protection of Cultural Heritage<\/span><\/i>. It has served as a valuable platform for researchers and practitioners to exchange ideas, discuss emerging trends, and contribute to the advancement of the field. The proceedings and additional information from previous editions of the event are available on this website.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”ABSTRACT SUBMISSION” tab_id=”1780912387806-092e0308-c1a2″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Editorial Committee of the NILIS Research Symposium (NRS) 2026 of the University of Colombo invites all interested researchers to submit abstracts to be considered for presentation at the Technical Sessions of the NRS 2026. The abstracts should be based on original research and, if accepted, should be presented by the Author\/a Co-author at the NRS.<\/p>\n Please carefully follow the attached guidelines for abstract preparation.<\/strong> Submissions that do not adhere to the specified format or are received after the deadline will not be considered for review. The Editorial Committee reserves the right to make editorial adjustments to enhance the clarity and quality of accepted abstracts.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n Authors are requested to adhere strictly to the following guidelines when preparing and submitting abstracts for the NILIS Annual Research Symposium 2026<\/strong>:<\/p>\n Originality<\/strong> Authorship Limits<\/strong> Scope of the paper<\/strong> Author Information Formatting<\/strong><\/p>\n Use capital letters<\/strong> only for initials and the first letter of surnames<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Include the affiliation<\/strong> with the name of each author.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n If authors represent multiple institutions, indicate affiliations with superscript numbers<\/strong> and list institutional addresses accordingly.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Example (multiple authors):<\/strong> Title<\/strong> Abstract Length<\/strong> Acknowledgements<\/strong> Keywords<\/strong> Formatting Requirements<\/strong><\/p>\n Font: Times New Roman<\/strong>, size 11<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Spacing: 1.5 lines<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n Margins: 1 inch<\/strong> (2.54 cm) on all sides<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Abstract should fit on a single A4 page<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n Language and Clarity<\/strong> Submission Format<\/strong> Version 1<\/strong>: With names and institutional affiliations.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n Version 2<\/strong>: Title and abstract only (anonymous for review purposes).<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n Extended Abstract Requirement<\/strong> Declaration Form<\/strong><\/p>\n A declaration form<\/strong> (template provided here<\/a><\/strong><\/span>) must be signed and submitted by the Corresponding Author<\/strong> with each abstract.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n If the corresponding author is a student and the submission is based on a supervised research, the form must also be signed by the supervisor(s)<\/strong>. It is recommended that supervisors become co-authors of the paper submitted to NRS 2026.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n Presentation Responsibility<\/strong> Review and Editorial Rights<\/strong> Submit through the online CMT Platform<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n <\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][vc_custom_heading text=”Submission” font_container=”tag:h2|text_align:left|color:%23666666″ google_fonts=”font_family:Roboto%3A100%2C100italic%2C300%2C300italic%2Cregular%2Citalic%2C500%2C500italic%2C700%2C700italic%2C900%2C900italic|font_style:900%20bold%20regular%3A900%3Anormal”][vc_column_text]The\u00a0Microsoft CMT service<\/a>\u00a0was used for managing the peer-reviewing process for this conference. This service was provided for free by Microsoft and they bore all expenses, including costs for Azure cloud services as well as for software development and support.<\/p>\n Please use the link below to submit your paper. First, create an account on the Conference Management Toolkit. Then, navigate to the Author Console and click on \u201cCreate New Submission.\u201d Select NIReC 2026 \u2013 Main Track to proceed.[\/vc_column_text][vc_btn title=”Click here to submit your paper” color=”warning” link=”url:https%3A%2F%2Fcmt3.research.microsoft.com%2FNIReC2026||target:%20_blank|”][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”REGISTRATION” tab_id=”1780912407429-a10c51fa-7435″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n\n
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CALL FOR ABSTRACTS<\/h1>\n
Guidelines for Submission of Abstracts<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n
\n
Abstracts must present original research that has not been published or submitted elsewhere.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Each author may submit one abstract as a single author<\/strong> and be a co-author on up to three additional abstracts<\/strong>. No author may be listed on more than four abstracts in total<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Preference will be given to research aligned with the theme of the symposium. However, it is encouraged to submit abstracts of any topic relevant to information studies<\/strong>. This includes health information, financial information, legal information, government information, digital information, media etc.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n
P. Menikpurage\u00b9, D. T. U. Abeytunga\u00b9, R. L. C. Wijesundara\u00b2
\u00b9 Library, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.
\u00b2 Department of Performing Arts, Sri Palee Campus, University of Colombo, Sri Lanka.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
The title should be concise and relevant. Use capital letters only for the first word<\/strong> and proper nouns<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
The body of the abstract (excluding title, authors, affiliations, acknowledgements, and keywords) must not exceed 300 words<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Should be limited to funding agencies<\/strong> and relevant institutional support.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
A maximum of five keywords<\/strong> should be included.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n
Abstracts must be coherent, clearly written, and free from grammatical or typographical errors<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
Submit as a single Word document<\/strong> containing two versions of the abstract:<\/p>\n\n
All submissions must include an extended abstract<\/strong> of 1000-1500 words in length, in addition to the short abstract. Only the short abstract will be published in the proceedings, while the extended abstract will be used for the review process<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n\n
Presentations must be made by the author\/one of the co-authors. If the nominated presenter is unavailable, the Corresponding Author must either withdraw the submission<\/strong> or designate another co-author to present.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n
The Editorial Committee<\/strong> reserves the right to reject abstracts that do not comply with the guidelines and to make minor edits to accepted abstracts for clarity and consistency.<\/p>\n<\/li>\n