The Changing Curricula of LIS Education in Southeast Asia

Abstract

LIS education in Southeast Asia is undergoing exciting changes. A newfound interest by LIS educators, in enhancing and modernizing the curricula, is occurring. Several factors are driving this. One is technology. Automated library management systems, online databases, websites, mobile applications, and more are all forcing LIS curricula to modernize. Another force is internationalization. As libraries in some SEA countries adapt to new, international standards and trends, libraries in neighboring SEA countries must either adapt as well or become incompatible. And still another force is new generations of library professionals. New LIS faculty in SEA countries, with exposure to training abroad, are bringing changes and ideas to reflect the new needs and opportunities of library environments. This chapter will reflect the author's own research, as well as library literature, in discussing the background, current status, and future outlook of LIS education in Southeast Asia.