A tracer study of the East African School of Libraryand Information Science graduates 1995-1999 working in Uganda

Abstract

The study examined the appropriateness of EASLIS curriculum to the professional practice in LIS fields in Uganda. It sought to establish where EASLIS. BLIS and M. Sc. Inf. Sc. graduates work. what they do, and whether their education and training meets employer expectations It further identified areas of the curriculum that need revision. The study was mainly qualitative. Purposeful sampling using the snowball/chain and homogeneous strategies were applied. Methods included focus group interviews, content analysis and observation. The findings reveal that the majority of EASLIS graduates from 1995-1999 are employed in academic, government. banking and NGO libraries where they perform various professional activities; employers complain about lack of practical skills among the graduates, the staff-student ratio is unmpnageable and specialization through electives is inadequate. It concludes that the curriculum is slanted towards traditional libraries, though not exclusively; the general nature of the curriculum has met some disapproval; the ever-changing LIS scene demands continuing education (CE); the EASLIS academic staff workload affects staff in doing research and participating in professional activities; la facilities still leave much to be desired, practicals are lacking in the current curriculum. It recommends that Information Communication Technology be enhanced in the curriculum; Library and ICT facilities be improved; the curriculum should be market driven; field information professionals should also lecture students; the teaching load should be manageable; and practicals be incorporated in the curriculum; and the Uganda Library Association should be more involved in Uganda Library and Information Education.