Introduction

The Department of Library and Information Sciences was established in 1985 within the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities. Besides PhD (Library and Information Sciences), the LIS Department is offering/runningsix more programs as follows:

 

  1. Master of Library and Information Sciences (MLIS)
  2. BS (4-year) in Library and Information Sciences (BS4-LIS)
  3. Associate Degree in Library and Information Science (AD-LIS)for continuing students only
  4. Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS) (for continuing students only)
  5. Certificate in Librarianship (CLS)
  6. MPhil (Library and Information Sciences)

 

See more about the department, programs, faculty, and other information at https://lis.aiou.edu.pk/.

Objectives

The main objective of launchingPhD program is to contribute to the national and international Library and Information Sciences (LIS) literature through high quality research particularly focusing on current and future needs. Secondly, there is a high demand from information professionals across Pakistan to have this program at the AIOU platform through unconventional means of education. Thirdly, there is a high number of LIS professionals working in Islamabad and Rawalpindi who intend to enhance their professional qualifications and they find no such program offered by public or private universities in this region. Other objectives include:

 

  • To address the local issues in LIS and provide a viable solution through research.
  • To enable LIS professionals to make informed decisions based on research.
  • To promote evidenced-based LIS practice through the use of relevant research.
  • To promote LIS research culture in Pakistan.
  • To enrich Pakistani LIS research literature through a quality research.
  • To endeavor to create a new knowledge in LIS.
  • To prepare LIS professionals for challenging leadership role.
  • To meet the current demand of multidisciplinary research.
  • To instill critical and analytical thinking in research students.
  • To instill information literacy skills in research students.
  • To improve academic writing skills of LIS research students.
  • To improve soft skills of LIS research students.
  • To provide a specialized manpower to the LIS job market, and
  • To promote information entrepreneurship by establishing industry-academialinkages
  • through need-based research.

 

Scope of the Program and Job Market

There is no such program being offered by any university, public or private, in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Baluchistan. Further, only a few public sector universities in Pakistan (University of the Punjab, University of Sargodha, Islamia University Bahawalpur, University of Karachi, and Sindh University) are offering this program in LIS with limited number of seats and annual pass-out. Moreover, no public sector university is offering this program in a flexible mode of study that could be affordable to on-job professionals who cannot leave their homes and jobs for a long time for conventional mode of study. There are a number of academic and top managerial positions vacant in public and private universities and government colleges in this discipline (LIS) owing to lack of specialized manpower having PhD qualifications. The fee package of some of the private universities offering this program is not affordable to many of the interested candidates.Therefore, the afore-mentioned circumstances demand this program to be offered at the AIOU platform. 

Eligibility Criteria

PhD in LIS is a merit-based program. Any candidate having 18-year MS/MPhil with Thesis degree in Library and Information Sciencesor equivalent qualification from an HEC-recognized institution with at least 3.0/4.0 CGPA in semester system or first division (60% marks) in annual systemcan apply for admission. The number of seats will be limited based on merit as per AIOU/HEC policy. The admission merit will be determined as per AIOU rules/policy that in addition to other parameters also includes admission test with prescribed pass marks as per AIOU rules and interview.

Interested candidates should apply as mentioned in advertisement published in leading national dailies, social media, and AIOU website<https://aiou.edu.pk/>. No TA/DA or other expenses will be on the part of AIOU.

Duration

The duration of this program is as per AIOU/HEC rules/policy.

Medium of Instruction

English language will be the medium of study. Students may not opt for any other language for any of the components of this program.

Teaching Methodology

As per AIOU rules/policy.

AIOU Credits Required

There will be a two-semester PhD(LIS) coursework of 18 credit hours, consisting of six courses of three credit hours each. All these courses are compulsory. The semester-wise breakup of the courses is as under:

Sr#

Code

Course Title

Credit Hours

1

7831

Research Methods: Information, Systems, and Context

3

2

7832

Development of Library and Information Science in Pakistan

3

3

7833

Independent Study

3

 

Sr#

Code

Course Title                

Credit Hours

4

7834

Information: Perspectives,  Needs, Seeking, and Use

3

5

7835

Leadership and Team Management

3

6

7836

Seminar in Advanced Research

3

 

Elective / Major Courses:

Subsequent Semesters:

Sr#

Code

CourseTitle

Credit Hours

Semester#

7

8111

Thesis-1

9

3

8

8112

Thesis-2

9

4

9

8113

Thesis-3

9

5

10

8114

Thesis-4

9

6

 

Note: There shall also be a comprehensive examination after the successful completion of the coursework as per AIOU rules. Synopsis orientation workshop(s) shall be held as per AIOU rules.

 

Research Proposal and Thesis (Third and subsequent semesters)

As per AIOU rules

Note: The AIOU reserves the right to make any change(s) anytime in this program partly or wholly without prior notice.

2

3

4

5

6

7

About

The Allama Iqbal Open University was established in May, 1974, with the main objectives of providing educational opportunities to masses and to those who cannot leave their homes and jobs. During all these past years, the University has more than fulfilled this promise.