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Library and Information Science Education in Pakistan: A decade of development
... Many studies have shown that different faculty members have different information needs based on specialization (Edegbo, 2011;Chikonzo et al., 2014). According to the literature (Charmaz, 2006;Ameen, 2006Ameen, , 2007Ahmad and Mahmood, 2011), the faculty members are primary educators and trainers of the next generation of information professionals. While the LIS literature is replete with studies on the nature, characteristics, concerns and challenges confronting information workers in Pakistan and elsewhere, less is known about LIS educators (Mahmood and Shafique, 2010). ...
... Information and communications technologies (ICTs), leadership and communication skills are the skills that are most often identified as being inadequate in local curricula. According to the literature (Charmaz, 2006;Ameen, 2006Ameen, , 2007Ahmad and Mahmood, 2011), LIS education has had several ups and downs during the lengthy academic path from certification to doctoral level. Once upon a time, Pakistan had just two institutions that offered certificate programs; it was at this period when the department titles were changed from "Library Science" to "Library and Information Science" (LIS). ...
... Total 17 universities are providing programs at different levels, including BS (four-year program), master's, MPhil and PhD degrees. Crucial stakeholders and faculty members may play an essential part in this shift by developing and executing curricula, contributing to research and detecting future trends (Ahmad and Mahmood, 2011). ...
Purpose-This study aims to investigate the status of library and information science (LIS) education in Pakistan, as well as LIS progress, level of employment and issues, infrastructure and facilities, challenges faced by LIS institutions and future prospects of the profession. Design/methodology/approach-A total of 115 permanent/regular and visiting academic members from different Pakistani institutions/ universities participated in the research. A mixed-method was used, and data was collected through questionnaires and interviews. The data was analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively. Findings-This study's results showed that assistant, associate and associate professors have been very involved in producing high-quality research articles and producing quality graduates. This study also found that there are several problems with LIS education in Pakistan, such as a lack of qualified teachers, resources and facilities. This study provides all the answers to these problems. They are useful for LIS teachers and students in Pakistan because LIS education has been around for a long time, but there are still some problems that need to be fixed. The results could have an immediate effect on the direction, ability to survive and future of LIS education in Pakistan. Originality/value-Previously, different studies have been conducted on evolution and challenges to the LIS profession, but to the best of the authors' knowledge, no study has been reported based on the professional experiences in other Universities of Pakistan. According to the research, the findings are crucial for LIS professors and students in Pakistan. In addition, the research investigates the challenges faced by LIS teachers in Pakistan. It concludes with suggestions on how to address some of these problems. It is also said that Pakistan must develop universal standards for LIS to close the gap between what users want and what library workers can do.
... LIS departments in Pakistan have confronted the issue of poor student-teacher ratios and a shortage of regular faculty for decades. 26 The consequences associated with inadequate faculty size are numerous. It generally leads to teacher and administrator overload and makes it difficult to perform research. ...
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