CURRENT IS PROGRAM CHALLENGES AND PROPOSED STRATEGIES TO ADDRESS THEM

Abstract

Information Systems (IS) programs are facing serious challenges. Some of them are external, therefore we can mostly react to them, while others are internal to our programs and consequently we can do a lot about them. It is very important for IS academics to be aware of these challenges, the implications they have, and the strategies that can be implemented to address them. Our contention is that the source of many challenges faced by IS programs is mostly internal, therefore the solution lies within. Experiential learning models, like Project-Based Learning (PBL), can make IS programs more responsive to student and industry needs, and also improve stakeholders’ perception, therefore its potential to tackle some of the challenges. The continuous analysis and redefinition of the skill set that IS programs are developing in students also has a great potential to address these challenges.