Mr Isak van der Walt

Isak van der Walt is the Digital Scholarship & Innovation Manager in the Department of Library Services at the University of Pretoria, with over two decades of experience in academic ICT and information services. As the head of the Digital Services and Systems unit, he leads strategic projects that elevate the impact and innovation of the university’s library services.

A prominent figure in the South African academic landscape, Isak is:

• Co-founder and project lead of South Africa’s first Academic MakerSpace

• The visionary behind Africa’s first robot librarian, Libby

• Currently leading the development of a Digital Scholarship Centre to support evolving scholarly communication and research practices

He is a national and international speaker, with over 70 presentations delivered at conferences and workshops worldwide.

Isak also plays a critical role in:

• The Research Data Management (RDM) steering committee, offering technical leadership

• The South African Sustainable Development Hub (SASDGHub) as Technical Lead, advancing AI-driven research discovery aligned with the UN SDGs

As Acting Deputy Director of Library Services, his strategic leadership spans:

• Digital Scholarship

• Scholarly Communications

• Open Scholarship

• Special Collections

His current focus areas include:

• Developing institutional AI policies

• Creating and testing AI tools for academic libraries

• Leading digital literacy initiatives, including a university-wide evaluation tool

• Advising university leadership on digital transformation strategy

Isak’s pioneering work in disruptive technologies, digital innovation, and academic librarianship positions him as a leader in shaping the future of higher education in Africa.