The IAEA profiles employees to provide insight into the variety of career paths that support the Agency’s mission of Atoms for Peace and Development and to inspire and encourage readers, particularly women, to pursue careers in STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) or STEM-adjacent fields. Read more profiles of women at the IAEA.
Technology is increasingly shaping how we share and retrieve information, and demand for information continues to grow. As a result, information science stands at the forefront of innovation and knowledge sharing.
"Information is key to driving performance in organizations, just like financial and human resources. Every decision relies on available data and information,” said Dibuleng Mohlakwana, Head of the IAEA Nuclear Information Section. "My mission at the IAEA is to help people make informed decisions and navigate the vast amount of information available today."
With nearly 30 years of experience in information, knowledge and records management, Mohlakwana oversees the collection and management of nuclear information accessible to the IAEA and the public. Her role also involves introducing innovative tools and techniques to help the IAEA continuously improve how it shares, organizes and makes information accessible.
Born in Limpopo Province, South Africa, Mohlakwana grew up in a family of educators and agriculturalists. From a young age, her family instilled in her the value of hard work, resilience and education, as well as the independence to carve her own path. This gave her a strong foundation for pursuing her ambitions.
"Information science chose me,” Mohlakwana said. “At 17, I was drawn to information science while studying at the University of Limpopo. I realized effective information management is crucial for organizational success, motivating me to ensure that the right information reaches the right people at the right time." She went on to earn a master’s degree in information and knowledge management and a PhD in information science.
Mohlakwana began her career as a librarian and credits her network and mentors for shaping her along the way. Prior to joining the IAEA, she was Director of the eResearch Knowledge Centre in South Africa where she was responsible for research support, library and information services, and the accessibility of research outputs and data via an open access repository.
As her career progressed, Mohlakwana was motivated by the desire to help address international challenges, particularly energy solutions.
"As I witnessed the growing energy challenges in South Africa, from aging infrastructure to heavy reliance on coal, and the country’s need for solutions like nuclear power expansion, I realized that both the challenges and the solutions were not just local—but global,” said Mohlakwana. “Joining the IAEA was a chance to be part of something larger, to contribute to the global effort in shaping a more sustainable energy future for all.”
