The current status and challenges of collaboration in library and information studies (LIS) education and training in Africa

Abstract

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Library and Information Science Education and Training in Uganda: Trends, Challenges, and the Way Forward

“…Because of rapid technological changes in the information environment, resource support has become fundamental in the growth and sustainability of LIS schools. Increasingly, LIS education and training is becoming highly dependent on modern computer hardware and software, efficient internet access and connectivity, computer literacy and highly skilled IT staff, and well-equipped computer laboratories [22]. The challenge of adapting to technological change provides the opportunity to handle information more effectively in every respect: creation, storage, retrieval, and dissemination.…”

“…Thus, it involves knowledge, skills, and techniques' sharing and transfer and enables visibility, and by using collective effort it may solve problems faster. To echo what Ocholla [22] has pointed out, fundamentally, collaboration and partnerships could be forged amongst LIS institutions in a country and internationally or regionally in areas such as teaching, research, student and staff exchange, conferences and workshops, curriculum development, publications, research supervision and examination and distance teaching, learning, and research.…”

“…As noted by Ocholla [22,34], opportunities for collaboration exist in the development of partnerships with industry/employers in curriculum development, teaching, research, publication, and experiential learning. Anderson's [12] advice that curriculum designers and teachers of professional education courses can do a great deal to help make new professionals become independent life-long learners is vital.…”

“…There is now a preponderance of computers in all areas of life, including in the conduct of transactions of all kinds, meaning more and more records and information are being created and maintained digitally. As argued by Ocholla [22], LIS schools are largely funded by the government through their affiliate institutions, such as universities. Because of rapid technological changes in the information environment, resource support has become fundamental in the growth and sustainability of LIS schools.…”

A comparison of the research and publication patterns and output of academic librarians in eastern and southern Africa from 1990-2006:a preliminary study

“…Despite all these benefits research collaboration in Africa is weak (Onyancha 2007, Ocholla & Ocholla 2007. Despite the benefits, collaborative research output is relatively low in library and information profession (Ocholla 2008) and hindered by several factors in Africa. Among them is lack of willingness to collaborate, poor networking, lack of collaborative research funding and insufficient joint research work between post graduate student and supervisor that should normally culminate into a research publication particularly during the early part of this period of study.…”