The majority of Sub-Saharan African countries are facing a very negative teacher-learner ratio: one teacher for over 120 learners. In order to support the learner training, we propose optimizing search engines for learning contexts, to enable learners to take optimal advantage of the vast reservoir of Open Educational Resources (OER) available on…

This article reviews the accuracy and relevance of the national monitoring mechanisms currently used to establish national learning and teaching material (LTM) availability indicators. In many countries, only very basic LTM monitoring requirements are provided. These are not updated regularly and are usually not designed specificially to support…

The Impact of Open Licensing on the Early Reader Ecosystem examines how to use open licensing to promote quality learning resources for young children that are relevant and interesting. Research in early reading tends to focus on traditional publishing value and supply chains, without taking much consideration of new approaches and solutions…

One of the most explosive areas of growth in the field of higher education is currently in emerging international markets. In developing nations, lack of access to high-quality teachers and educational materials is often the key obstacle preventing students from gaining the skills and knowledge they need to pursue new opportunities and advance in…

The aim of this study is to improve the subsequent editions of an international training program in information management. Up to now 15 editions have been organized, coordinated by the author of this paper. Most participants work in developing countries, mainly in Africa and Asia. Each program takes place mainly in Brussels, Belgium, for about…

The five papers in this collection examine the existing trends in the use of microcomputers in educational planning and management. In the first paper, "Reflexions sur l'Ordre du Jour" (French), Michel Saint-Germain addresses contextual factors surrounding the use of computers, priorities that must be accounted for before developing new…

The government is the largest collector and disseminator of records and documents in Sub Saharan Africa. Traditionally, the bulk of the information has been paper-based. The advent of information technology brought about digital formats. Plans for ensuring the survival of digital information are inadequate. In fact, instances have been reported…

Given the global computerization environment, this paper aspires for the kind of information manager in Africa that is versatile globally, deals with all sorts of technical and resource management issues, and relates at all levels of interaction. The emphasis is on the information professional and manager with a vision of good leadership and…

This document contains 14 reports on education reform in Africa. Research was carried out in the 1990s to better understand the dynamics and techniques of policy change. Questions explored included: What are some of the key elements in education policy reform in Africa? How effective have the tools available to USAID been in guiding and supporting…

In response to the changing information environment within African educational institutions, this article studies the need for strategic planning in the Department of Library and Information Studies at the University of Botswana. Highlights include an assessment of the department's past, current, and future strategic plans, and outlines…

This paper discusses the role information can play in the development of African countries in the 21st century. It stresses that development information can only be guaranteed when libraries in Africa computerize their systems, form networks for resource sharing, and take advantage of the benefits of information technology (IT), especially CD-ROM…

Describes the Pan-African Network for a Geological Information System (PANGIS) that was designed so that developing African nations could use their own information resources and make them available internationally. Topics discussed include training programs, standards, computer hardware and software, bibliographic databases, and future plans. (LRW)

The paper traces the inability of the curricula of LIS schools in Africa to respond to the immediate job environment in Africa. The main weakness of the curricula is that they reflect essentially the curricula of LIS schools in the Western World. Thus, while most of the LIS curricula are relevant to the traditional library setting, the curricula…

The 12 papers in this collection were presented during the meetings of three sections of the Division of Regional Activities: (1) "Which Way African Librarianship?" (Kingo Mchombu); (2) "The Expansion of the University of the Air of Japan and the Changing Function of Regional University Libraries" (Katsuhiro Jinzaki); (3)…

Explores the interface of technology and education for human development in southern Africa. Uses the case of Mozambique to describe the challenges presented by the global marketplace and local policy. Outlines the vision of the New Partnership for Africa's Development Centre (SARDC) to reduce the digital divide for Africa. (CAJ)