ACADEMIC COLLABORATION FOR EFFECTIVE CAREER PROGRESSION OF LIBRARY AND INFORMATION SCIENCE EDUCATORS IN UNIVERSITIES IN NORTH-CENTRAL, NIGERIA: ISSUES AND CHALLENGES

Abstract

This paper examined issues and challenges surrounding the academic collaborative activities among LIS educators for effective career progression in universities in North-central, Nigeria. Collaborative learning activities has become an important tool for intellectual and professional development for all professions including LIS profession. Adopting different forms of academic collaborative activities especially in universities has become a key solution to solving complex and critical problems surrounding career progression. This paper therefore, examined glaring issues and challenges surrounding the career progression of LIS educators in universities in North-central, Nigeria. The paper further discussed activities involved in career progression; concept of academic collaboration; types of academic collaboration for effective career progression; advantages of academic collaboration; issues and challenges of academic collaboration, strategies for effective academic collaboration. The study concluded that when collaboration is being practised appropriately, it is likely to invigorate the faculty members in the pursuit of their career to a successful end because collaboration is a tool that can either make or mar the success of career progression among LIS educators if not adequately managed. The study, therefore, recommended among others that faculty members especially the newly employed staff should be mentored on the need for collaborative activities for effective career progression.