Current Status of LIS Curriculum in Pakistan: A Critique

Abstract

This study explores the curricula of Library and Information Science (LIS) programs offered in Pakistan, based on the guidelines for degree programs set by the Higher Education Commission (HEC) and the international context. Responses were obtained through websites and through personal communication with the faculty members of fifteen LIS Schools of which twelve are public sector universities and three private universities across the country. Research findings indicate that all LIS schools in Pakistan teach almost all the core and technical courses prescribed and guided by the HEC and LIS Schools are gradually including more ICT-based content and skills development aspects in curriculum. Study demonstrates that Pakistani LIS Schools are greatly aligned with HEC guidelines for curriculum and partially fit with iSchools guidelines and greatly compliant with the IFLA guidelines in following LIS curriculum guidelines. This study has also found that although Public Sector LIS Schools are greatly aligned with HEC guidelines but private sector LIS Schools in Pakistan are almost completely aligned with HEC guidelines at BS level, While LIS Schools at M.Phil and PhD level are relatively less aligned with HEC guidelines as compare to BS level.

Keywords: Curriculum, LIS Scyhools, IFLA, iSchools, HEC, Public Secotor Universities, Private Sector Universities