Information Sciences

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Incorporation of Relevance Data in the Term Discrimination Value
(Addis Ababa University, 1987-09) Biru, Tesfaye
Indexing in information retrieval is used to obtain a suitable vocabulary of index terms and optimum assignment of these terms to documents for increasing the effectiveness and efficiency of the the retrieval system. A great many automatic indexing models have been developed over the years in an effort to produce indexing methods that are both effective and usable in practice. One of the most elegant approaches for automatic selection and weighting of index terms is the term discrimination value that has been developed by Salton and his co-workers. This model ranks the index terms in accordance with how well they are able to discriminate the documents of a collection from each other; that is, the value of an index term depends on how much the average separation between individual documents changes when the given term is assigned for content identification. It is suggested that the most useful index terms, those which achieve greatest separation, are the medium frequency terms. Since the basic requirement in effective retrieval is the separation between documents which are relevant to a given query and documents which are not relevant to that query, a more complete picture of a term behavior may be obtained by the consideration of its ability to effect greater separation between relevant and non-relevant documents while at the same time moving relevant documents close to each other. This study was aimed at testing the extent to which the discrimination value model considers relevance characteristics of documents in ranking the index terms. An over-view of the more important ideas current in automatic indexing is provided. The term discrimination value model is discussed in greater detail. An efficient technique for computing exact term discrimination values for relevant - non-relevant document distinction is introduced. The study is conducted using the KEEN, CRANFIELD, EVANS, HARDING and LISA document collections and their associated queries and relevance judgments While some of the results are consistent with those derived by previous workers, in some cases, specially in the case of relevant - relevant discrimination, the results obtained appear to be in complete disagreement with that of Slaton’s theory: that the medium frequency terms are not the most useful terms.
Archival Networking Within the Framework of A National Information System in Kenya
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-05) Wachira, Luke; Inganji, Francis (PhD)
Information is a corporate resource valuable for socioeconomic development. For information to be shared it has to be properly processed, stored or preserved and be made readily available to users. Information systems and services therefore endeavour to harness information for users whose needs are the driving force for the operations of information institutions. Kenya National Archives and Documentation Service is one of the various governmental information systems and subsystems. Its archival and records management functions entail ensuring the proper creation, economic maintenance and disposal of public records. As a public national service the Department needs to establish an effective archival and records management network so as to provide appropriate services to users, who include civil servants, academicians, students and generally members of the public. In providing this information service the Department requires to cooperate and coordinate with other information systems and services guided by and in conformity with the established legal instruments. To further facilitate the service, provision the Department ,needs to adopt information technology. This study is an attempt to examine how the Department is meeting these challenges, with recommendations and suggestions that could contribute to the Department's effort to develop an effective and efficient archival network in Kenya within the framework of a national information system.
Archival Networking within the Framework of A National Information System in Kenya
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-05) Wachira, Luke; Inganji, Francis (PhD)
Information is a corporate resource valuable for socioeconomic development. For information to be shared it has to be properly processed, stored or preserved and be made readily available to users. Information systems and services therefore Endeavour to harness information for users whose needs are the driving force for the operations of information institutions. Kenya National Archives and Documentation Service is one of the various governmental information systems and subsystems. Its archival and records management functions entail ensuring the proper creation, economic maintenance and disposal of public records. As a public national service the Department needs to establish an effective archival and records management network so as to provide appropriate services to users, who include civil servants, academicians, students and generally members of the public. In providing this information service the Department requires to cooperate and coordinate with other information systems and services guided by and in conformity with the established legal instruments. To further facilitate the service, provision the Department needs to adopt information technology. This study is an attempt to examine how the Department is meeting these challenges, with recommendations and suggestions that could contribute to the Department's effort to develop an effective and efficient archival network in Kenya within the framework of a national information system.
Wins- Women's Information Network in Swaziland
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-05) Sibongile Nxumalo; Neelameghan A. (Professor)
Wo men was adopted for impl e mentation from 1986 to 2000. Swaziland being a me mber of the United Nations is fully involved in the integration of women in development. Swazi women have formed associations, cooperatives and unions which form the components of the network. Information is scattered in the offices where there are activities on women in non-governmental, government and in internationa~ agencies. WINS will help to minimize duplication of effort, facilitate sharing the limited r e sources available and give a clearer and better direction to research projects on women. Information on women rs needed by government policy makers, programme implementors and evaluators, to incorporate women's issues into their development plans. Researchers need information on women for analysis of women's issues. Teachers and students need information and data in their studies and to increase awareness at all levels on the potential contribution of women to the development process. The National Archives is the proposed focal point of the network because it is centrally situated in swaziland and it where intensive research on Swaziland is carried out. It is also a legal deposit center. A model integrated database containing sample records on information sources and systems, experts. institutions, etc relating to women is suggested to facilitate referral service on women.
Construction of a Computer Based Amharic Thesaurus in Water Technology for Use with Information Storage and Retrieval Systems
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-05) Haile, Bekele; Tadesse, Taye (PhD)
A thesaurus is an organized list of vocabulary in one or- more disciplines structured in such a way that synonymous, broade, narrower and related terms are presented in alphabetical sequence. It is used to guide the user as to which descriptor to select f r om the indexing language for indexing or getting· access into a database to retrieve relevant information. The objective of this work is to construct a computer- based Amharic Thesaurus in water technology. Considering the responsibilities entrusted upon and the amount of information generated by the Water Resources Commission of Ethiopia, this thesaurus is of immense importance in collecting, analyzing and indexing water related documents written in Amharic, which are hitherto not properly processed, catalogued and indexed for easy r etrieval . After extensive discussions with experts in the field and project site visits, an English-Amharic dictionary holding some 2000 terms was created for use in defining terms and identifying interrelationships among the terms. Then, relationships among these terms entered into the thesaurus was established according to the principles of thesaurus construction. Finally, a sample database of the indexinglanguage is formed using CDS / ISIS, THES. PAS Program translated into Amharic. The work is not fully complete. Further effort is needed to automate the thesaurus entirely and to include local terms that are not yet fully covered. The task of facilitating the development of a multi-lingual system is also an area to be seriously considered in the future.
Evaluation of Information Products and Services of the Documentation and Information Centre Khartoum, Sudan
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-06) Ashamallah Rafaa; Neelameghan A. (Professor)
The Documentation and Information Centre (DIC) was set up in 1978 as part of the National Centre for Research in Khartoum , Sudan, to support research, development planning, decision making and projects monitoring and evaluation. For the efficient and effective discharge of its functions and responsibilities. DIC has developed a library and information centre and has been providing a variety of information products and services. This study aims to evaluate the products and services of DIC, mainly the databases, abstracting services, and the inventories and resource sharing activities. The study attempts to identify through systems analysis, surveys and discussions, factors affecting the utilization of DIC products and services. Following a brief general description of the geographical , political and economic features, natural resources, research and development, information infrastructure and its inadequacies are detailed. User evaluation shows that DIC products and services are generally of a high quality in contents but needs improvement of the printing and get up. The information products are found useful to build up information sources and in identifying of grey literature. Users' preferences in terms of services was as follows: literature search (22.29%), Article photocopy (18.60 %), bibliographies (15.12%), SDI (10.49%), fiche copy and paper (9.30%). Useful suggestions have been received from users and information scientists which would help improve the services. various factors affecting the smooth operation of DIC are discussed and suggestions are given for developing an integrated management information system to support decision making, research and development. Further recommends that DIC should assume responsibilities as the central body for coordinating information services and activities in Sudan.
Development of Micro Cds/Isis Amharic Version
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-06) Dori, Birru; Tadesse, Taye (PhD)
The current research examined the need for Amharic software and found that in general software to handle Amharic script and in particular, text processing software are required.To t ,h!snd. Available text retrieval software are over viewed and compared with Kicro CDS/ISIS version 2.3., CDS/ISIS is found to be the best text retrieval software for which Amharic version can be developed . Therefore, an Amharic version of the Micro CDS/ISIS was developed and tested. This version can perform all functions that the English version does and can be used for developing information storage and retrieval systems in Amharic and containing Amharic databases . The capabilities and limitations of the developed software are described and suggests lines of future work.
A National Policy on Information Systems and Services for Tanzania: Formulation and Strategy for Implementation
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-06) Andrea Dorothy; Neelameghan A. (Professor)
The information professionals, decision-makers as well as policy- makers aware of information issues in Africa, are demanding that their governments formulate specific national information policiesIt has been realized in wider circles that coordination, resource sharing and information exchange are futile in the absence of explicit principles and directions articulated in the form of legal policies. Policies are declarations of intent to take action, and they help to resolve confusion over who is responsible, at the national level for taking stock of advances in technological capabilities as well as adverse effects on information systems and servicesIn Tanzania attempts have been made to create a coordinated national information network to facilitate planning and decision- making in all sectors of development. However, these attempts have not yet been fruitful because an overall policy to guide such an establishment does not exist. This work is an attempt to provide a methodology aimed at formulating a national policy on information systems, a premise for a coordinated national information system for Tanzania.Background information on Tanzania, and description of the existing information infrastructure is followed by a discussion of explicit policy issues, model policy statements and implications and strategies for their implementation. Finally, a step by step methodology for formulating the policy, divided into three phases is given. It is hoped that this thesis will serve as a groundwork for the process of formulation of a national policy on information for Tanzania, and the document recommends that Tanzania embark on this process as soon as possible
Development of Micro CDS/ISIS Amharic Version
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-06) Dori, Birru; Neelameghan, A •. (Prof )
The current research examined the need for Amharic software and found that in general software to handle Amharic script and in particular, text processing software are required. To this end, available text retrieval softwares are overviewed and compared with Micro CDS/ISIS version 2.3. ~ .- CDS/ISIS is found to be the best text retrieval software for which Amharic version can be developed. Therefore, an Amharic version of the Micro CDS/ISIS was developed and tested. This version can perform all functions that the English version does and can be used for developing information storage and retrieval systems in Amharic and containing Amharic databases. The capabilities and limitations of the developed software are described and suggests lines of future work.
Agricultural Information Network For Ethiopia : Need, Functions and Implementation Strategy
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-06) Kebede, Gashaw; Neelameghan, A. (Prof.)
The relevance and viability of cooperative approach by forming a network of existing information service units in the country to address commonly faced shortcomings in agricultural information provision was assessed and discussed. A review of literature on various aspects of information ne tworking was made mainly to draw up a general framework and basic pri nciples essential to asse ss viability, to determine possible and viable areas of cooperation and to establish the particular type of net work required. A preliminary survey on problems, resource capability and attitude to networking on the existing information service units in Ethi opia using questionnaire supported by selected interview was conducted. The results revealed shortages in information sources, skilled personnel, and equipment and facility; and cumbersome organizational structures are widespread. standardization and bibliographic control tools are also a bsent. Local publications are neglected areas. Financial resource limitations are major problems. The information services provided are limited to reading and lending services by large. All these are constraints in the improvements . of the services immedi tely. staff will i ngness to appr oach , the" existing problems cooperatively was high. Also surveyed with a different questionnaire were agricult ural information users of the surveyed information service units so as to assess their reaction to and opinions about the available servi ces which t he ne t wor k could t ake into cons i de r ation as i t s ultimate goal. Al t hough at present books are t he most used, journals and loca l pUblica t ions are rep o r ted t o be in great demand. Liter ature s e a r ch, phot ocopying, doc ument delivery are a lso requi red. The ma jority are dissati s f i ed with their in forma t ion servi ce units beca us e their information ne eds are not met. However, many seem to appreciate a cooper ative approach to the ser vices although at present many are less frequent us ers of other similar information units in the country. Taking into consideration what is affordable by the existing units on the one hand and the need to addr ess t he pressing problems on the other, feasi ble areas for a network were identified ,namely, establishing union c atalogues of holdings and list of local publications, limited interl ibr ary loan, t raining and standardization with focus on laying the g r ound for further wider cooperation leading towar ds meeting the expressed as well as generally r equired needs of users and to assist the services achieve better standards of service and r esource base. Recommendations are made to initiate the network and make it operational.
Agricultural Information Network For Ethiopia : Needs, Functions and Implementation Strategy
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-06) Kebede, Gashaw; Lancaster, F.W.Prof.
The relevance e and viability of cooperative approach by forming a network of existing information service units in the country to address commonly faced shortcomings in agricultural information provision was assessed and discussed. A review of literature on various aspects of information networking was made mainly to draw up a general framework and basic principles essential to assess viability, to determine possible and viable areas of cooperation and to establish the particular type of network required. A preliminary survey on problems, resource capability and attitude to networking on the existing information service units in Ethiopia using questionnaire supported by selected interview was conducted. The results revealed shortages in information sources, skilled personnel, and equipment organizational structures are and facility; and cumbersome widespread. Standardization and bibliographic control tools are also absent. Local publications are neglected areas. Financial resource limitations are major problems. The information services provided are limited to reading and lending services by large. All these are constraints in the improvements of the services immediately. Staff willingness to approach the existing problems cooperatively was high. Also surveyed with a different questionnaire were agricultural information users of the surveyed information service units so as to assess their reaction to and opinions about the available services which the network could take into consideration as its ultimate goal. Although at present books a re the most used, journals and local publications are reported to be in great demand. Literature search, photocopying, document delivery are also required. The majority are dissatisfied with their information service units because their information needs are not met. However, many seem to appreciate a cooperative approach to the services although at present many are less frequent users of other similar information units in the country. Taking into consideration what is affordable by the existing units on the one hand and the need to address the pressing problems on the other, feasible areas for a network were identified ,namely, establishing union catalogues of holdings and list of local publications, limited inter library loan, training and standardization with focus on laying the ground for further wider cooperation leading towards meeting the expressed as well as generally required needs of achieve better standards users and of service to assist the services and resource base. Recommendations are made to initiate the network and make it operational.
A National Policy on Information Systems and Services for Tanzania: Formulation and Strategy for Implementation
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-06) Andrea, Dorothy; Neelameghan, A. (Prof.)
The information professionals, decision-makers as well as policy-makers aware of information issues in Africa, are demanding that their governments formulate specific national information policies. It has been realized in wider circles that coordination, resource sharing and information exchange are futile in the absence of explicit principles and directions articulated in the form of legal policies. Policies aref decrarations of intent to take action, and they help to resolve confusion over who is responsible, at the national level for taking stock of advances in technological capabilities as well as adverse effects on i-nformation systems and services. ,~. ' ,.. . . - In Tanzania attempts have been made to create a coordinated national information network to facilitate planning and decision-making in all sectors of development. However, these attempts have not yet been fruitful because an overall policy to guide such an establishment does not exist. This work is an attempt to provide a methodology aimed at formulating a national policy on information systems, a premise for a coordinated national information system for Tanzania. Background information on Tanzania, and description of the existing information infrastructure is followed by a discussion of explicit policy issues, model policy statements and implications and strategies for their implementation. Finally, a step by step methodology for formulating the policy, divided into three phases is given. It is hoped that this thesis will serve as a groundwork for the process of formulation of a national policy on information for Tanzania, and the document recommends that Tanzania embark on this process as soon as possible.
Information Needs of the Public Manufacturing Enterprises in Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-06) Negeri, Bekele; Neelameghan, A., (PhD)
with an overall objective of identifying the information needs and problems of the public manufacturing sub-sector and proposing recommendations for the development of the national industrial information systems and services, a questionnaire survey was made on 34 enterprises and their employees and a total of 159 completed questionnaire were collected and analyzed. Assessments were made on the general features of the manufacturing sector, industrial techn~logy transfer and R&D ~ activities, and the existing industrial information sources, systems and services based on the literature on the subjects and interviews. Most of the enterprises (91%) do not have any organised information unit nor do they have concrete plans and programmes to establish such a unit in the near future. But the majority of the respondents (81%) believe their firms need their own information units and they think the major factor for the absence such units in the enterprises was lack of management awareness than shortage of the required resources. The major areas of information need were production, technical and marketing in that sequence. Though the enterprises were depending on various external information sources for the needed information, the dependence on library/information centres is very low compared to other sources mainly because neither the collection of their information centres nor their services could meet their requirements. In order to address the identified problems and needs, and to improve the industrial information systems and services, measures needed to be taken at the levels of the Ministry of Industry, industry- groups and enterprises are suggested~ -
Evaluation of Information Products and Services of the Documentation and Information Centre Rhartouk, Sudan
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-06) Ashamallah, Rafaa; Neelameghan, A. (Prof.)
The Documentation and Information Centre (OIC) was set up in 1978 as part of the National Centre for Research in Khartoum, Sudan, to support research, development planning, decision making and projects monitoring and evaluation. For the efficient and effective discharge of its functions and responsibilities. OIC has developed a library and information centre and has been p r oviding a variety of information products and services. This study aims to evaluate the products and services of OIC, mainly the databases, abstracting services, and the inventories and resource sharing activities. The study attempts to identify through systems analysis , surveys and discussions, factors affecting the utilization of Ole products and services. Following a brief general description of the geographical, political and economic features, natural resources , research and development, information infrastructure and its inadequacies are detai:\.ed. User evaluation shows that OIC products and services are generally of a high quality in contents but needs improvement of the printing and get up. The information products are found useful to build up information sources and in identifying of grey literature. Users' preferences in terms of services was as follows: literature search (22.29%), Article photocopy (18.60 %), bibliographies (15.12%), SOl(10.49%), fiche copy and paper (9.30%). Useful suggestions have been received from users and information scientists which would help improve the services. various factors affecting the smooth operation of DIC are discussed and suggestions are given for developing an integrated management information system to support decision making, research and development. Further recommends that DIC should assume responsibilities as the central body for coordinating information services and activities in Sudan. -
Information Management in Zambia with Special Emphasis on the Application of Information Technology
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-06) Chisenga, Justin; Lancaster, F.W. (Prof.)
The study reveals that Zambia has a relatively well developed information infrastructure in which the missing link is coordination at the national level. Coordination could be provided by formulation and implementation of a policy on information systems and services. Information technology has proliferated into both the public and private sectors of the economy, and computer applications are slowly being diversified beyond the traditional use for computing. Telecommunications developments in terms of transmission and switching techniques in the country have reached the digital stage. The major towns are served with digital exchanges and now efforts are towards the digitalization of the rural telephone network. Facilities for data communications , Local Area Networks and Wide Area Networks does exist but the limiting factor is the high telecommunications tariffs. Training facilities for information technology personnel are not adequate and thus there is a shortage of qualified computer professional in the country and this has led to under-utilization of the equipment and heavy reliance on vendor support for the operations of the installed systems , as many installations are manned by inadequately qualified and inexperienced individuals. Introduction of information technology in libraries, documentation and information centres in the country is slowly gaining ground and currently is largely being applied in special libraries and to a certain extent in academic libraries as well. These institutions are relatively well funded than the other categories of libraries (public and school libraries) in the country and in most cases they. also have access to computer facilities of their parent institutions. However, computer applications to information management in these institutions is currently li,m .i ted to word processing and in-house bibliographic database management. There is no single installation in the country at the moment supporting library house keeping activities, such as, acquisition, cataloguing and classification, circulation control, serials control and management information systems nor for database development, retrospective search, SOI and production of other information services . Emerging information technologies, such as, CD-ROM, networking and desktop publishing, in spite of their potential as means of information acquisition and dissemination are almost nonexistent in Zambia's libraries. The country also has no indigenous electronic databases where information can be accessed. The major implication of these factors is that vast amount of information is not being accessed by these institutions/users and thus the inadequacy in the provision of information services especially to researchers and academic teaching staff. The lack of diversity in computer applications in libraries and the inability to exploit other information technologies in information management is attributed mainly to lack of computer knowledge and skills among the library managers in the country. As a way of enhancing the application of information technology to information management and dissemination in research and academic libraries, especially in those institutions were computer facilities are available, a cooperative computer based selective dissemination of information is proposed. The project outlines the requirements in terms of manpower, human resources, physical resources, funding and operating mechanism.
Information Technology Application in Institutions of Higher Learning in Ethiopia with Special Reference to Computer Applications.
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-06) Bekele Rahel; Neelameghan A. (Professor)
Every society and individual need information in the performance of its day to day tasks. Timely, reliable and pertinent information is required to be presented in a form and format convenient to the potential user(s). Information is needed for gainful decision making, effective and efficient - planning and management and increasing productivity in all sectors and all walks of life; it is needed to support education at all levels, to enhance the quality of life and to ,create an informed citizenry to sustain democracy. In this regard computers are becoming increasingly more efficient and effective tools for the processing, storing, and retrieving and delivery of information in various fields of human Endeavour. Developments in information technology, in which computer technology is the principal core, provide a unique opportunity for developing countries to accelerate their socio economic development. However, there are constraints and difficulties that hinder the acquisition, maintenance and effective application of the technology. The present study surveyed through questionnaires, interviews, and site visits the current level of application of computers in Institutions of Higher Learning in Ethiopia. The situation is not satisfactory as a whole. The study indicated that some institutions do not have any computer facilities at all, while those that have encounter problems in their use. The problems relate to capacity, compatibility, and maintenance of hardware, the software used, and the quality and number of trained personnel available for the proper handling of computers and information systems. There are also organizational problems and administrative constraints. Based on the findings of the study, the following principal recommendations are offered : Institutions should be encouraged to treat the acquisition of computers as an investment supported by clear-cut definition of computer needs, and technical and economic evaluations. Open access to staff, with proper security like pass words, may hasten the development of experience with Under Higher Education, various training institutions should be established and appropriate courses given in order to promote education and training in computer technology computers The establishment of a higher body at the national level to promote cooperation in computer technology in institutions of higher learning in Ethiopia should be considered. The body's functions will be to promote and guide the development of computer related resources and their application in order to anticipate and meet the future needs of Higher Learning Institutions. Additionally, the body can help in mediating and catalyzing exchange of ideas and information among institutions within and outside the country. :
National Labour Information Network for Ethiopia (Nalinet)
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-06) Alemayehu Nega; Neelameghan A. (Professor)
Information is a vital resource in the economic development process. Information about labour enables us to utilise human resource and planning and implementation of projects. A number of organization deal with matters directly or indirectly related to labour issues. Information is produced and used in those organizations. Labour information is also needed and used by other organizations and individuals in discharging productively their functions and responsibilities . Hence bringing together these parties in a network- like structure will be greatly help in coordination of efforts in processing data and sharing of information and resources. For the purpose of Fata and Fact collection to study the existing situation and infrastructure facilities in the country, survey by questionnaire and interviews was conducted besides examining appropriate documents. A simple descriptive technique and systems approach are applied for data analysis purpose. The survey results indicate that existing labour information facility is inadequate and deficient. The organization of data and information is very poor linking together organization concerned with labor matters in a network iike structure could help to solve some of the existing problems and provide better services. It will be a single-window shopping for users of information. A plan for National Labour Information Network for Ethiopia (NALINET) is Discussed In order to initiate the networking formation of a Coordinating Body and Steering Committee are very suggested. The Committee will work on a number of technical and organizational issues. In the first phase, the Committee will be involved in reviewing existing facilities and recommending measures for strengthening the infrastructure as appropriate; and drafting' a charter under which all participants of the network will work. The study identifies a number of functions that would be provided by each participant and focal point of the network and other issues that deserve the attention of concerned organizations and recommends measures to be taken.
Information Technology Application in Institutions of Higher Learning in Ethiopia with Special Reference to Computer Applications.
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-06) Bekele, Rahel; Neelameghan, A. (Prof.)
Every society and individual need information in the performance of its day to day tasks. Timely, reliable and pertinent information is required to be presented in a form and format convenient to the potential user(s). Information is needed for gaJ,-nful d$C~_don making, effec);ive aDd ef~-icient planning and management and increasing productivity in all sectors and all walks of life; it is needed to support education at all levels, to enhance the quality of life and to create an informed citizenry to sustain democracy. In this regard computers are becoming increasingly more efficient and effeqtive tools for the processing, storing, and retr~eving ,if: ~ , ~.'" 1" and delivery of information in various fields of human computer technology is the principal core, provide a unique opportunity for developing countries to accelerate their socio economic development. However, there are constraints and difficulties that hinder the acquisition, maintenance and effective application of the technology. The present stUdy surveyed through questionnaires, interviews, and site visits the current level of application of computers in Institutions of Higher Learning in Ethi opia . The situation is not satisfactory as a whole.':'!i& ast:-i7t.list';\l~i1t o f "'. highet' body at the nationa l .- -- ~.:- ~ ~ -~ -- .... .- . ~""' .... ~ lev~l. t (l promote cooperation in computer technology in institutions of higher learning in Ethiopia should be cons idered. The body's functions will be to promote and guide the development of computer related resources and their application in order to anticipate and meet t;Jle fut\lre needs of Higher Learning Institutions. Additionally, the body can help in mediating and catalyzing exchange of ideas and informati on among institutions within and outside the country.
Information Needs of the Public Manufacturing Enterprises in Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-06) Negeri Bekele; Neelameghan A. (Professor)
with an overall objective of identifying the information needs and problems of the public manufacturing sub-sector and proposing recommendations for the development of the national industrial information systems and services, a questionnaire survey was made on 34 enterprises and their employees and a total of 159 completed questionnaire were collected and analyzed. Assessments were made on the general features of the manufacturing sector, industria~ technology transfer and R&D activities, and the existing industrial information sources, systems and services based on the literature on the subjects and interviews. Most of the enterprises (91%) do not have any organised information unit nor do they have concrete plans and programmes to establish such a unit in the near future. But the majority of the respondents (81%) believe their firms need their own information units and they think the major factor for the absence such units in the enterprises was lack of management awareness than shortage of the required resources. The major areas of information need were production, technical and marketing in that sequence. Though the enterprises were depending on various external information sources for the needed information, the dependence on library/information centers is very low compared to other sources mainly because neither the collection of their information centers in order to address the identified problems and needs, and to improve the industrial information systems and services, measures needed to be taken at the levels of the Ministry of Industry, industry-groups and enterprises are .. suggested • nor their services could meet their requirements.
Policy on Information Systems and Services for Uganda: Suggested Formulation and Plans for Implementations.
(Addis Ababa University, 1992-07) Bazlrake, Bernard; Neelameghan, A., (PhD)
An attempt has been made in this study to examine the problems of information development and information and development in uqanda. Uqanda has potential for socio-economic development. Transport and communication are r easonably veIl developed. Information communication is however, still a problem. There is no sinqle national lanquaqe used in all parts of the oountry. Bnqlish, the offioial lanquaqe, has not spread adequately to serve as a oommon lIedium of }t ,~ " communioation. The present eoonomio infrastructure cannot support national free and compulsory basic education to eradicate illiteracy. Information activities in the oountry are weak. :Information seekinq and use behaviour has not evolved to oonstitute a hiqh demand for information. Access to technical and specialized information is still limited to a small section of the society I the educated and elite vorkinq and livinq in towns. Almost all lIedia infrastructures and other supportinq infrastructures are urban based. The available media servioes are not adequately servinq the rural people who oonstitute more about 90% of the population of Uqanda.Institutions in the rural areas cannot buy and maintain information dissemination equipment and materials due to poverty and illiteracy. Multiplicity of languaqes al so limits media services. Information as an overall resouroe for national development needs t o be properly coordinated. There is need to ooordinate information qeneratinq and disseminatinq i nfrastruotures in the oountry. Application of information to national development should be done consoi ously and deliberately not aocidentally or haphazardly. I nformatics vill not make an impaot on national and information resouroe sharinq in suppor t of development vi thout a national i nformation ooordination and olear a policy on information. without proper coordination and applications of information, involvinq into information aotivities miqht prove a liability, exposinq the nation to unoheoked exploitation. Proper coordination requires well trained and competent information personnel. Information policy issues and their implications are discussed. policy statements relatinq to information systems and services, and their implementation steps have been suqqested. Finally, some short and lonq term recommendations in the view of information infrastructure development in Uqanda to support national development have been made.

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