Source: School of Information Management
Written by: School of Information Management
Translated by: Wei Jingzhu
Edited by: Wang Dongmei

At the invitation of School of Information Management (SIM), Professor John N. Gathegi, the former dean and professor of School of Information, and a courtesy professor in the School of Mass Communication, University of South Florida (USF), conducted a series of teaching and academic activities on December 9-14, 2013 at SIM. The serial activities included a forum with faculty, academic lectures for undergraduates, postgraduates and doctoral candidates, academic seminar with postgraduates and doctoral candidates of SIM.

During the forum with faculties, Professor Gathegi gave a comprehensive introduction to Library and Information Science (LIS) education and new academic progress in LIS, and had in-depth discussion on topics of curriculum changes, teaching methods, online teaching practices and the development trends of American LIS education. As for the LIS research, Professor Gathegi exchanged his views on the research frontiers and latest development of important international journals with participating faculties.
Professor Gathegi also gave an academic lecture entitled “Progress on International Information Policy" to more than 100 undergraduates, postgraduates and PhD students. He talked about topics such as information regulation, identification information responsibility, protection of information rights of employers and employees, privacy rights in the United States and Europe, information security and government interests, digital divide, information ethics and internet regulation, etc., providing a good opportunity for students to have an understanding of the new progress in international information policy.

On the afternoon of December 11, Professor Gathegi had a seminar with postgraduate students and PhD students of SIM. Professor Gathegi introduced the new developments of LIS master’s degree and doctoral degree education in the U.S. and Turkey and discussed with students on new curriculum, information technologies, new jobs, Google digital library, globalization of education and other topics of LIS education in the two countries.

Professor Cao Shujin, Dean of SIM, met with Professor Gathegi. In addition, Professor Gathegi joined the class to give a lecture to undergraduate students about information policy and legislation in the United States.

The serial academic activities provided a good opportunity for faculties and students of SIM to learn about new developments of LIS education and research in the U.S. and other countries, as well as development of important international journals in this field, thus broadening their international perspectives in LIS teaching, learning and research.