UNAIR NEWS – The information age in the 21st century has brought huge impacts and changes in various aspects of life, especially as information technology continues to progress. Nowadays, information is becoming inevitable and needed by people. In fact, information has become a commodity that is strategic and valuable.
The rapid flow of information will lead to an explosion of information that makes it difficult for users to retrieve information they seek. Therefore, the information and library science program (IIP) can be an answer to the complexity of the information age which will continue to develop in the future.
Although IIP program was underestimated and considered to have no promising prospects for its graduates in the future, that assumption is slowly beginning to change. It was conveyed by the Dean of Faculty of Social and Political Sciences (FISIP) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) Dr. Falih Suaedi, Drs., M.Si.
At the guest lecture by Prof. Sinn-Cheng Lin, Ph.D from the Department of Information and Library Science at Tamkang University, Taiwan, Falih said that information is currently becoming an important asset that will continue to be studied. He even tried to make IIP program to open a master’s program.
“In the future this program must immediately open a master’s program. Because, everything we do now is inseparable from information, that’s the key word. Specialization in IIP may not only be library. Information has entered various aspects of life not only in the library, but also in public policy, business, government, ” Falih explained.
Not only oriented to the ability to create a system of gathering, processing, and rediscovering information, IIP program also emphasizes on the packaging of information, dissemination of information with marketing strengths supported by information technology. So the IIP program graduates are expected to have competence in creating systems for discovery, processing, and dissemination of information that is responsive to the needs of the community.
“In the future, our main asset is information and IIP program is in it. Next year UNAIR opens five engineering programs, all based on information, there are data science, data mining, robotic, artificial intelligence, and so on, “said UNAIR State Administration lecturer.
The existence of information centers such as libraries, archiving unit, documentation, and information services is predicted to have an important role. Falih hoped that IIP students, especially at UNAIR will become competent graduates and be able to compete globally.
“So, I hope Prof. Sinn today could motivate you (IIP students, ed) to work harder, be more diligent, and don’t be half-hearted in this program. Because to be honest, I must admit that one of the most prospective programs in this faculty is information and library science, “he said. (*)
Author: Zanna Afia
Editor: Feri Fenoria Rifa’i
