History of EASLIS

The East African School of Librarianship (EASL) was established  in 1963 with initial support from American and British Agencies, then known as the East African School of Librarianship (EASL). It started training students the East, Central and Southern  Africa  by offering a  Certificate in Librarianship. Later, the Diploma in Library and Information Studies was introduced. In 1989, the School introduced the Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS) programme and this was a springboard for professional Library and Information Science training and research.

The integration of information science in the curriculum led to the change of the school name to the East African School of Library and Information Science, as is called today. The School stood as an independent academic unit equivalent to a faculty until 2011, when it merged with the School of Computer Science to form the current College of Computing and Information Sciences.

The school evolved from one certificate programme to offering seven  programmes, including

1. Certificate in Library and Information Studies – since inception
2. Diploma in Library and Information Studies
3. Diploma in Records and Archives Management
4. Bachelor of Library and Information Science – since 1989
5. Master of Science in Information Science – since 1997
6. Master of Science in Records and Archives Management – Since 2016
7. Doctor of Philosophy in Information Science – Since 2004

Note: The school will soon start a Doctor of Philosophy in Archival studies

Key Research areas

EASLIS has contributed significantly to Makerere University and the national research output. At  Makerere university, the school was instrumental in obtaining some of the required documentation to trace the university history . In 60 years of existence, the school has undertaken studies in  various fields including: Knowledge Organization and Processing, Documentation, Management and Archiving Uganda’s Heritage, Library and Information Science Capacity building, Community and Public sector empowerment for access, use, sharing and utilization of information,  Reading culture and book industry and Records Management, automation of Library and Information Systems, Digital Libraries, Information Literacy.  EASLIS research output is well reflected in international databases like Emerald, Ebscohost plus the Makerere University Institutional Repository.  EASLIS research and professional training has shaped the Library and Information Science industry in Uganda, regionally and internationally. At the national level, we can take stock of the following:

1. Development of the public library system in Uganda
2. Development of the National Library of Uganda

• Development of the School Library Policy in conjunction with the Ministry of Education and Sports

1. Establishment of Information Resource Centres in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), private sector agencies and Civil Society Organizations
2. Professionalization of Records and Archives Management in MDAs, private sector and civil society organizations
3. Development and growth of the publishing sector

• Enactment of relevant legislations like The Records and Archives Act, 2001, The National Library Act, 2003, The Legal deposit Act, 1964, The Deposit Library and Documentation Centre Act, 1969, etc., the Copyright and Neighboring Rights Act, 2006, Access to Information act, 2005, among others.
• Development of the museum industry

1. Development of institutional records and archives policies
2. Development academic libraries
3. Automation of Library, Records and Archives management functions

• Digitization of institutional records at various levels. For instance, EASLIS has contributed significantly to the Digitization of Academic Records at Makerere University and streamlining storage and access to academic records under the DARP project that was recently implemented under the academic registrars’ office here at Makerere University.

Research Groups at EASLIS

 EASLIS has several scholars undertaking research in different areas and these include research associates and PhD students. The research work undertaken ranges from Information Policy Research and Publishing, Knowledge Management, ICTs for Libraries, and LIS Curriculum.

Information Policy Research and Publishing Group:  The Information Policy Research Group is a multidisciplinary research team for the study of the intersections between the policies, ethical, political, social and legal aspects of the global information society. The Group’s research and scholarship focuses on such key information policy issues as intellectual property, privacy, intellectual freedom, access to information, censorship, cyber law, and the complex array of government, corporate, and global information practices and policies.

Knowledge Management Research Group: The mission is to establish an effective way of managing information for management and administrative purposes in Uganda bearing in mind the fact that: availability of quality information is a critical resource in management and administration of institutions; the information industry is characterized by numerous factors that include information over production, information scatter, high rate of obsolescence, timeliness, institutional restrictions, among others; a wide range of new stock of information and communication technologies are regularly in the offing

Partners

The milestones and success achieved todate by the school have been supported by various stakeholders including our development partners right from the founding body –UNESCO. In the recent years, the Government of Sweden, through the Swedish School of Library and Information Science (SSLIS), in Boras University. SSLIS has contributed significantly to developing a research culture at EASLIS and we leverage on their expertise and experience shared over the years. At national level, the school has  benefited  from the support of  the National Library  of Uganda and the Uganda Library  and Information Association especially  in curriculum review and placement of our students for internships and employment.

The milestones and success achieved todate by the school have been supported by various stakeholders including our development partners right from the founding body –UNESCO. In the recent years, the Government of Sweden, through the Swedish School of Library and Information Science (SSLIS), in Boras University. SSLIS has contributed significantly to developing a research culture at EASLIS and we leverage on their expertise and experience shared over the years. At national level, the school has  benefited  from the support of  the National Library  of Uganda and the Uganda Library  and Information Association especially  in curriculum review and placement of our students for internships and employment.

The school  has been blessed to have great leadership since its founding, which has no doubt  influenced its trajectory towards the current standing.  As we celebrate EASLIS @60 years, we take pride in and recognize the invaluable contribution of its leaders since its founding.

1. Knud Larsan, the first Director of EASL (1963-1966)
2. S. Seith, Director EASL (1967-1971)
3. Prof S A H. Abidi (1972-2002) – This one kept the school running during the time of Asian expulsion from Uganda. He kept around and ensured continued operations of the school amidst a very toxic political environment.
4. Isaac Milton Namwanja Kogongo-Bukenya (RIP) (2002-2006) – He spearheaded the departmentalization of EASLIS and the launch of the PhD in Information Science Programme. In addition, he ensured EASLIS representation at international for a like the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA), Common Wealth Library Association (COMLA) and the Standing Conference of Eastern Central and Southern Africa Librarians (SCECSAL).
5. Elisam Magara (2006-2010) – Spearheaded the introduction of an independent academic programme in Records and Archives Management by introducing the Diploma in Records and Archives Management. He also contributed significantly to internationalization of the School by writing various grants including Juba University Library Automation Project (JULAP), Educating Librarians for the Future (EDLIB) – with the University of Juba Southern Sudan and the University of Bergen, Norway. In top of that, he initiated the collaboration with the Swedish School of Library and Information Science, which led to major funding for five PhD students and strengthening of the research culture at EASLIS.
6. Constant Okello-Obura (2010-2014 then 2018-2022) – He started as a Director and later led the school into the Collegiate System when the EASLIS merged with the then School, of Computing to form the current College of Computing and Information Sciences. Following the collegiate system, he became the first Dean of the School.
7. George W. Kiyingi (2013-2018) – He was instrumental in creating a research culture and strengthening international collaborations with the Swedish School of Library and Information Studies in Boras, Sweden.

Currently, the school is under the leadership of the first female Dean, Dr. Sarah Kaddu. Dr. Kaddu is the first female president of Uganda Library and Information Association, the first IFPLA OCLC Fellow, first chair IFLA Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Division Committee and first East African Co- Chair, UNESCO MIL ( Media and Information Alliance)

The East African School of Library and Information Science (EASLIS) is one of the two schools that constitute the  Makerere University  College of Computing and Information Sciences (CoCIS). It  was established in 1963, and this year 2023, it  celebrated 60 years. The school pioneered the training of Librarians and Information scientists in the East African region who have diligently served in different capacities across the social stratum including being University Vice Chancellors, Land Officers, Newspaper anchors, Commissioners, college heads, university librarians, political leaders,among others for Uganda and beyond.

Mission

EASLIS Mission is   to offer education, promote research and innovation, and outreach in library and information science to respond to the present and future information needs of society.

The school strategic plan addresses the following goals:

• To provide a teaching and learning environment in LIS that ensures quality of staff and students that are competitive in the changing information management environment;
• To promote staff and students research and technology innovations in library and information management;
• To mentor staff and students in library and information Sciences with a purpose of preparing them for employment in the ever  changing  public  and  private  sector  information environment.
• To promote transfer of library and information management best practices to private and public sector;
• To facilitate library and information academic work in the real life information management Sector

To facilitate networking between the international, regional, private, public sector and EASLIS stakeholders.