No Pause on Progress: Continuing Staff Development for UM Library Employees into the Summer Season

There is no pause in UM’s Training and Development Programme during the summer season, as staff development remains an ongoing, year-round commitment.

With the UM Library being one of the University’s key service points, and remaining open throughout the year, it can be challenging to bring Library staff together for collective training.

Their two-week summer closure once again created a valuable space for employees to step away from their daily responsibilities and focus more on enhancing their knowledge, developing new skills, and investing in their career growth.

This provided the ideal opportunity for the first two weeks of August to once again be dedicated to a tailor-made learning and professional development programme, organised by the People, Culture and Engagement Directorate and the Conferences & Events Unit in collaboration with various UM directorates and academic entities.

This year’s programme offered a diverse mix of learning and development opportunities, bringing together professional training, cultural engagement, and opportunities for reflection and discussion.

The programme included sessions on communication and community engagement in the Digital Age, presentation skills and report writing, and the practical use of AI tools such as Gemini and NotebookLM.

Staff also had the opportunity to explore mindfulness, take part in a cultural tour, and engage with activities designed to broaden their perspectives, strengthen their skills, and support their personal and professional development.

“Staff development is a fundamental part of our commitment to a dynamic, forward-looking University. I encourage all colleagues at the Library to make the most of these opportunities and to continue embracing learning and development as an integral part of their professional journey throughout the year.” – Mr Robert Abdilla, People, Culture and Engagement Directorate, UM