Dr. Ismail Abdullahi to speak at SIS Research Forum March 5

The School of Information Sciences invites you to hear Dr. Ismail Abdullahi speak on “LIS Education in a Diverse and Global World” on March 5 from 12:00 – 1:00 pm in Communication Bldg. Room 420 on the UT campus. The presentation will be webcast.

In “LIS Education in a Diverse and Global World,” Dr. Abdullahi will make a compelling case for students and faculty to embrace diversity as a means to better grasp the needs of their changing communities. Please join us.

What: SIS Research Forum with Dr. Ismail Abdullahi
When: March 5 from 12 – 1 pm
Where: Communication Bldg. Room 420

Program Abstract

LIS Education in a Diverse and Global World

Dr. Abdullahi’s presentation will focus on the inclusion of diversity and global library and information science issues in LIS education. He will suggest the need for LIS education to improve their curriculum and prepare future library professionals that will serve their community better and at the same time attract students from different cultural backgrounds to library and information science professions. Preparing such a curriculum is vital to meet the changes that are happening in our global environment where diversity has become a permanent way of life. Our mission should be to educate LIS students who are true leaders to themselves, to their communities, and to their global society.

Dr. Abdullahi’s Bio

Dr. Abdullahi is an Associate Professor at North Carolina Central University (NCCU), School of Library and Information Sciences, Durham, North Carolina. He is a graduate of the Royal School of Library and Information Science in Denmark. He has an MLS from North Carolina Central University and a Ph.D. from the University of Pittsburgh. Prior to his NCCU appointment, he was on faculty at Clark Atlanta University 1992—2005 and the University of Southern Mississippi 1989-1992. He has written, lectured and conducted seminars and workshops in more than eighty countries in the fields of Library Management, International Librarianship, Services to Multicultural Group, Community Leadership Development, Library and Information Science Education, The Digital Divide, Internationalization of LIS Education, Information Ethics and Library Development in Developing World. Dr. Abdullahi is a recipient of many awards. Among them are: The Harold Lancour Award for Excellence in International and Comparative Study in Library and Information Science. He was elected ALA Councilor-at-Large 2002-2005 and re-elected for 2007-2010; he has served as Chair of ALA International Relations Committee (IRC) 2005-2006; Member of International Federation of Library Association and Institutions (IFLA) Section on Education and Training 2001-2005 and re-elected for 2005-2009; he was the coordinator of the Conference of Library and Information Science Educators of Africa, Asia, and Latin America 2005, Copenhagen Denmark; he has served as a coordinator of IFLA World Guide to Library, Archive and Information Science Education, third Edition; and he is a convener of IFLA LIS Education in Developing Countries Discussion Group. He was the Chair of the IFLA Section on Education and Training Program Committee 2005-2007 (Durban).

He was the Guest of honor of Indian Association of Teachers of Library and Information Science (IATLIS) Conference 2006. Patiala, Punjabi University. He is an active member of the American Library Association (ALA); Association of Library and Information Science Education (ALISE); The International Federation of Library Association and Institutions (IFLA). Recently, ALA President-elect Jim Rettig appointed him to chair the ALA Committee on Diversity 2008-2009.