Towards an online bachelor of information science degree programme in a Nigerian University: Part 1 – Lessons from the literature and existing curricula
Affiliations: [a] Faculty of Information and Media Studies, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada | [b] Africa Regional Centre for Information Science, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria
Correspondence:
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Corresponding author: Isola Ajiferuke, Faculty of Information and Media Studies, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada. Tel.: +1 519 661 2111 x 81364; Fax: +1 519 661 3506; E-mail: iajiferu@uwo.ca
Abstract: Training programmes for the information professions worldwide have been shifting and diversifying the scope of their claimed domains and curricula in order to empower their graduates with diverse knowledge and versatile technical skills required to compete successfully in the highly competitive job markets in the information industries. In line with this trend, and after running its flagship Master of Information Science (MInfSc) programme for more than 20 years, the Africa Regional Centre for Information Science, Nigeria, undertook a comprehensive study in order to gain new understanding of trends in curriculum design for information science and technology education. The first part of the study reviewed existing literature and curricula worldwide concerning education for information science and its related fields. The second part surveyed potential employers of information science and technology graduates in the Nigerian public and private sectors, and of graduates and current students of the MInfSc programme. This Part One of this paper reports on findings from the first part, while Part Two reports the findings from the second part.
Keywords: Education for information, curriculum development, information science, information technology, information systems, library science, Nigeria
