The Department of Information Science of the University of South Africa (Unisa) has been involved in the education and training of library and information professionals since 1955. It offers a wider variety of qualifications than any other institution in South Africa in different aspec ts and fields of Library and Information Science on diploma, graduate and postgraduate level.
Prof Lorette Jacobs
Chair of Department of Information
Science
In our digital knowledge society, information science powers the pulse of progress. The discipline is essential in managing and optimising the flow of information, ensuring that it is effectively collected, organised, stored, retrieved, and utilised. This forms the backbone of a society built on informed decision-making, accountability, and the ability to address past challenges. Information professionals—whether librarians, knowledge managers, records managers, archivists, data scientists, or data governance specialists—are uniquely positioned to drive rapid advancements in technology and data management within an increasingly complex information ecosystem.
In South Africa, where information professionals are listed among the scarce skills, their expertise is crucial in navigating our data-driven world. As society continues to generate massive amounts of data across various platforms, the role of these professionals becomes increasingly vital. They are at the forefront of managing artificial intelligence and machine learning, big data analytics, data privacy and ethics, digital transformation, digital humanities, and ensuring data quality and integrity. Their key role in modern society is to enhance the accessibility, accuracy, and efficiency of information, thereby supporting innovation, problem-solving, and informed decision-making across all sectors.
At the Department of Information Science at Unisa, we offer a diverse range of qualifications designed to prepare future information professionals—to support and shape a society where access to information is a fundamental right, not a privilege. Our Higher Certificate in Archives and Records Management provides foundational knowledge in managing records within organisations. This qualification equips you with essential skills to effectively manage records in any office or organisation, ensuring the accuracy, relevance, and proper management of key functional records. Our Bachelor’s degrees in Information Science and Archives and Records Management enable students to use, organise, and manage information and record sources. These qualifications focus on supporting access to information and records, advancing digital humanities, and contributing to socio-economic development within communities through advanced access to information.
At the postgraduate level, we offer honours degrees in information science, archives and records management, as well as a postgraduate diploma for students from other disciplines who wish to explore information science. Our research-based Master’s and Doctoral degrees provide opportunities for students to engage in in-depth research on topics of personal interest within the discipline. We also support research in Unisa’s catalytic niche areas related to the Fourth Industrial Revolution and digitalisation, health studies, feminist, womanist, and Bosadi theorisation, aviation studies, marine studies, as well as student support and co-curricular activities.
These qualifications offer current and prospective students the chance to join a dynamic and evolving discipline that provides integrated solutions to contextualise and address real-world problems. As an evolving discipline, information science plays a crucial role in navigating the complexities of the digital age, driving progress, and ensuring that information is used responsibly and effectively. If you are ready to help shape the future by advancing access to information, records, and archives, we invite you to embark on a journey with us. This journey will open doors to exciting career opportunities and empower you to be a catalyst for change in our diverse society.
