The Current Status and Challenges of Library and Information Science(LIS) Education and Training in Africa

The paper discusses the current status and challenges of collaboration for library and information education and training in Africa. It is observed that library and information education and training in Africa is undergoing rapid change, with difficult challenges to overcome. Recognized the benefits of collaboration such as helping to speed up problem solving, enabling knowledge sharing through networks, and stimulating creativity. Noted that LIS schools can collaborate in research; student and staff exchange; organization of joint conferences, seminars and workshops; publication of books such collected works and textbooks; research and teaching visitations (e.g sabbatical, visiting lectureships, post doctoral fellowships); quality management in research, learning and teaching or accreditation; curriculum development; and many more. Observed that although there is a lot of gain that comes from collaboration, LIS Schools in Africa does not project strong collaboration links or associations among them. The paper raises fundamental challenges and opportunities of collaboration on LIS education and training in Africa by largely drawing examples from the author’s experience and observation; conducting interviews with LIS schools leaders/chairs/deans; studying related institutional documents as well as African studies in the domain 1 Dennis N. Ocholla, PhD, is professor and Head of the Department of Library and Information Science, University of Zululand, South Africa as well as Editor-in-Chief, South African Journal of Libraries and Information Science.