Information Science Education in Sub-saharan Africa: Present Practices and Future Possibilities
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Date
1997-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
This thesis examines the trends in information science education being offered at master's
degree level within Anglophone Sub-Saharan Africa, with a view to identifying its current
status, core competencies shared in common, problems, and implications, and to draw
suitable recommendations for its improvement. Analysis of the master's programmes being
offered in the selected schools in the US and UK was done to identify the situation in the
"Developed World".
A survey was conducted using self-administered questionnaires, interviews and informal
discussions. Respondents included the Deans of schools of LIS, SISA graduates from 1990
to 1996, and experts in the field. Analysis of the survey findings was based on the Unesco
Modular Curriculum for Information Studies, with special emphasis on Information
Science.
Findings reveal that (1) information science as an academic discipline is relatively new in
SSA, and almost exclusively offered in library schools except ARCIS and SISA
programmes; (2) the size of information scientists is very small; (3) there's a general lack
of highly qualified faculty; (4) small level of IT in the curricula; (5) limited laboratory and
bibliographic facilities; (6) lack of standards for accreditation; (7) inadequate funding; and
(8) lack of alumni association, and academic links. Due to the differences in the levels of
development, the situation in the US and UK was comparatively better. The overall pattern
of the courses, their durations, and admission requirements share many features in all
programmes.
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Keywords
information System