Sustaining the Relevance of Institutional Repository in Academic Libraries in Nigeria: A University of Jos Perspective (Published)
Institutional repositories (IRs) are one of the fastest growing mediums of accessing Electronic information resources in Academic Libraries (ALs) today. They have potentially increased the public value, ranking, prestige, and visibility of researchers, and relevant universities. Despite the important and rapid growth of IRs, few efforts have been made to systematically review and integrate the findings of various research studies to ensure the sustenance of IRs in Nigeria. Hence, this paper carried out a review on the IR of University of Jos to provide a better way of sustaining it in the Institution and Nigeria by extension. The study employed a longitudinal research method and systematic literature review (SLR). Findings showed that the viewers from the local host (Nigeria), is not encouraging as expected. The IR challenges include; limited qualified manpower and network issues. On the way forward, the study provided a roadmap for better efforts in sustaining institutional repositories by highlighting the basic guidelines for the successful viability of IRs in the Nigerian higher academic public institutions.
Keywords: Academic Libraries (ALs), Information Communication Technology (ICT), Information resources, Institutional Repository (IR), Open Access
Evaluating the Use of Information Communication Technology and Its Full Integration into the Educational System in University of Jos (Published)
In this present age globally, information and communication technology has transformed the educational system positively. Africa, Nigeria in particular, is not left out in the quest for full automated education. This study evaluated the use of information communication technology and its full integration into the educational system in University of Jos. Five research objectives and questions were designed to find out the level of use of different ICT platforms for teaching and learning. The study adopted the descriptive survey design. The population and sample size of the study consisted of 100 academic staff, non-academic staff and students. The instruments for data collection were an online questionnaire and Focus Group Discussion (FGD). Descriptive statistics of percentages were used to analyse the data. The result of study revealed that the level of ICT integration into the university of Jos educational system is fairly in place. Based on the findings, the study recommended that there should be adequate funding to take care of the numerous challenges and intended policies outlined. It also recommended that effective mechanism be put in place to monitor its disbursement and implementation of such funds.
Keywords: Education, ICT gadgets, Information Communication Technology (ICT), Learning, Teaching