Teaching and learning for development through collaborative curriculum design: a study of University of Botswana, Botswana and University of Calabar, Nigeria

The study examined the curriculum of library and information science (LIS) programmes in university of Calabar and university of Botswana. The study also set out to find areas of possible collaboration between the two universities in order to reposition the programmes for effective teaching and learning for development. The methodology was a descriptive, as well as, a prescriptive approach, this involved content analysis of the curriculum in relation to course titles, programme structure, compulsory courses and practicum/field experience in libraries. Findings from the study reveal that the curricula of the two LIS programmes have similar courses and structure and therefore quite compatible. The study concludes that this sets the stage for collaboration between the two institutions and recommends drafting a framework to properly streamline curriculum, obtain international perspectives on the extent to which local curricula or course work is consistent with evolving professional needs and finally develop ways to assess areas of specialization and competencies in each university.