Canberra, 4 November 2020: Joint Communique
In light of Friday’s news that RMIT plans to close its Master of Information Management course, the Australian Library and Information Association and educators of library and information science (LIS) from Charles Sturt University, Curtin University, and the University of South Australia wish to provide the following reassurance about LIS Education in Australia.
Library and information science education at Australian universities has an important place in the LIS sector and we are committed to delivering accredited courses at Masters, Graduate Diploma and Bachelor levels at Charles Sturt University, Curtin University, and the University of South Australia. Students can enrol into LIS courses at these universities with the confidence that they can continue to undergo the same high quality coursework and research that underpins the professional principles and practices of the Australian library and information sector.
Furthermore, LIS educators from all three universities are working with ALIA in ongoing discussions regarding the future of LIS education, ensuring that accredited university qualifications remain a core element of professional education in the library and information field.
Sue McKerracher
CEO, Australian Library and Information Association
Dr Jessie Lymn
Course Director, Information and Library Studies, Charles Sturt University
Dr Hamid R. Jamali
Acting Head of School, School of Information Studies, Charles Sturt University
Professor Philip Hider
Associate Dean Research, Professor of Library and Information Management, Charles Sturt University
Associate Professor Gaby Haddow
Discipline Lead: Libraries, Records & Information Science, Curtin University
Dr Diane Velasquez
Program Director - Information Management, University of South Australia