State of Library and Information Science Education in Malaysia

Abstract

This paper reviews and compares master programs of library science schools in Malaysia, using IFLA (International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions) Guidelines for Professional Library/Information Educational Programs-2000. The programs are the master's of library and information science (MLIS) at the University of Malaya (UM) and the International Islamic University of Malaysia (IIUM), and Master of Science in Information Management at the University of Technology MARA (UiTM). The paper provides a background on Malaysia, its educational system, and the development of library and information science education. It also analyzes program structures, entry requirements, curricula, and faculty members. The author proposes, to IIUM and UM, the introduction of a distance learning program. The need for the establishment of a Malaysian Association for Library and Information Science Education (MALISE) is also emphasized. This is an expanded and revised version of a paper presented at the International Conference for Library and Information Science Educators in the Asia Pacific Region (ICLISE 2001), Kuala Lumpur, 11-12 June 2001.