I&LS education in Saudi Arabia and its future prospects: An analytical descriptive study.

Document Type : Original Article

Author

Info Scie Dept., King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia President of the Saudi Lib. & Info. Association;

Abstract

This paper aims at presenting an overview of I&LS education in the
Saudi Arabia. It should also provide a description of its current situation as well
as exploring its future, especially while many of LIS Academic departments have
changed their names from LIBRARY AND INFORMATION to information
science, information studies or Information Management. In fact, many
others are in the same process. This paper will also explore opinions of leaders
of those Depts., regarding where they are heading when changing their
affiliations. Some have moved from colleges of Arts or Social Sciences to
Computer & Information colleges, while some think to move to Administration
Colleges. Third dimension is going to check up on the subjects that those
Departments will concentrate on. Some of them have chosen to concentrate on
Knowledge management, or information management. Some think that digital
archiving is needed highly in work market. Coordination between Departments is
highly needed so that they don't end up as a copy of each other. Paper at hand
shall study situation using descriptive method with many tools in order to answer
research queries. Study concludes with exploring opinions of faculty members of
those I&LS Depts. On the degree that those Departments are accomplishing to
help Saudi Arabia 2030 Vision.
Study found that Information & Library Sciences Academic Departments
in Saudi Arabia support Country’s 2030 Vision by providing country with bachelor,
master and Ph.D. graduates in a very important specialty. Study also found that
traditional stereotypes of “library” field is considered one of the most challenges
that face these Depts., which require them to change their names, develop their
plans and enhance their image within academic arena and in country as a whole.
Students joining departments lack English and in IT skills which make tasks more
difficult to enhance quality of products. University respect to these Depts. is
considered another challenge that these Depts. have to face, as well as scarcity
of jobs for graduates. In regards to coordination responsibility between  departments, participants in study think that Association for Library & Information
as well as Under Secretary of Education Ministry are proposed. Study found that
changes of names are encouraged by respondents.
Study recommends that a national strategy for these Depts. is needed so
that overlapping get minimized when reshaping of these Depts. is undertaken.
Coordination between these Depts. is recommended also to cover all needed
areas for the Nation, and to avoid being a copy of each other. A study of jobs
market is remmended so that education plans take this into consideration. LIS
Depts. are encouraged to join IFLA, AFLI, SLA/AGC and iSchools.



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