Bachelor of Arts in Information and Library Science: Information about the field of study and job opportunities

Information and Library Science provides learners with the necessary knowledge, skills and qualities to manage the information–material chain such as: building and managing information resources; designing and marketing information – library products and services,... to meet the needs of users.

 

At the University of Social Sciences and Humanities (University of Social Sciences and Humanities), VNU-HCM, Faculty of Library and Information Science is a high-quality training unit in the field of Information and Library Science, playing a pivotal role in higher education in this field of Vietnam; gradually expanding research activities towards a research university according to the vision of the university.

 

Field of Study Information

School code: QSX 

Information and Library Science sector code: 7320201

Admission combination: A01, C00, D01, D14

Bachelor of Arts in Library and Information Science training programme has comprehensive capacity in the field of information and communication in the context of digital transformation, and at the same time can adapt and continue learning to meet the diverse requirements of the labor market.

Graduates can become specialists at libraries and information centers; information management specialists, document records at domestic and foreign organizations, agencies and enterprises such as publishers, newspapers, radio stations, enterprises, educational management agencies, administrative agencies, information consulting, marketing departments…

Graduates can also pursue higher education to become lecturers at Library and Information Science institutions.

 

 

To learn more about the Information and Library Science, Education & Times Newspaper talked with Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Sinh – Former Dean of  the Faculty of Library and Information Science.

 

Multidisciplinary study in the context of digital transformation

Reporter: Could you tell us about the history of the major Information and Library Science at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities, VNU-HCM?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Sinh: Researching and implementing library management activities and serving the needs of reading is a science that appeared early in the world. By the 80s of the twentieth century, the achievements of Information Technology (IT) gradually applied strongly in many fields, and the trend of operating all library activities based on IT has become popular. From here, electronic and digital libraries were gradually developed. Facing this trend, the Information and Library Science major was taught at the University's Faculty of Library and Information Sscience in 1984 (at that time, Ho Chi Minh City University of Science and Technology). Ho Chi Minh. Up to now, the school has trained 37 courses; currently, about 200 students are studying.

 

Reporter: What amount of knowledge will students learn when studying Information and Library Science?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Sinh: Today, books and newspapers and the way people read are not only traditional but also "digital". Moreover, to collect, organize, manage and serve users of information requires the integration of many types of knowledge, skills and tools; therefore, Information and Library Science is a multidisciplinary industry. To manage information resources including finding, collecting, organizing, storing, preserving, and serving private users, requires the integration of a variety of knowledge, skills, and tools. Therefore, this major equips students with many knowledge blocks.

General knowledge helps students understand society, such as culture, politics, philosophy, economics, psychology to live, work and behave in accordance with people and society today. The specialization gives students the ability to manage information resources in both traditional and digital formats.

At the same time, the foundation of IT helps students apply the benefits of IT and communication to the process of managing information resources and serving users. In addition, foreign language is also a competency that students need to achieve. Thus, this is a discipline that integrates many types of knowledge that are essential for citizens in the context of digital transformation.

 

Reporter: How will practical training be implemented?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Sinh: Courses with a focus on skills training will have a duration for the practical part in many forms, such as students will practice under the guidance of lecturers in the classroom to use professional tools, in the computer room to use software and technology applications in collecting, searching, presenting, disseminating and providing information products and services, visiting and having practical experiences at information – library agencies, attending seminars with guests who are experts in the field of Information and Library Science. In addition, the course has 2 practical internships, each lasting from 4 to 6 weeks.

 

Job opportunities related to knowledge information are wide-ranging and diverse

Reporter: It is known that the Information - Library industry is being well applied in professional fields. So, how well can industry bachelors do in these jobs?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Sinh: With the capacity integrated from many knowledge blocks, the Bachelor of Arts in Information and Library Science can undertake many working positions related to the management and provision of knowledge information, and can work in many different types of agencies.

- Library staff working at universities, general schools, government agencies, businesses, international organizations, knowledge centers; perform tasks such as processing and developing information resources, looking up information and providing services for information users, managing the application of IT and communication in the operation of information - library agencies.

- Publishing staff work as content editors at publishers, publishing units, marketing departments.

- Employees in cultural-art agencies, post offices with tasks such as selecting, collecting, organizing, processing, managing and distributing information and information products and services.

- Office staff include Case Processors, General Secretaries, Administrative Staff doing tasks such as sorting, arranging, managing data and information, records, papers; organizing, updating and storing data and information; managing information content including searching and organizing information systems for the agency.

- Staff in educational institutions work to support teachers in developing digital educational resources...

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Sinh (yellow Ao Dai) with students from the class of 2017-2021

 

Reporter: To study Information and Library Science, what qualities do young people need?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Sinh: To learn well the profession of organizing, managing and serving intellectual information for everyone, young people need several qualities such as: Being able to organize, to work to arrange everything following the rules because the information management process needs this quality; to use technology and communication utilities because nowadays documents, records and information must be managed on the IT platform, and information needs to be disseminated and served through communication channels; to search for information from many channels including from the internet, because this is an important skill when serving information to people.

The combination of introversion and extroversion is appropriate because sometimes organizing and managing information requires concentration and compliance with the rules but when serving information to people, communication ability, dynamism and willingness to serve customers are very important.

 

Reporter: To be successful at work, expertise is an important part but other skills will also be needed to be able to promote well. In your opinion, what other knowledge and skills do students need to improve when studying this field?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Sinh: Communication skills, writing and public speaking skills, computer skills and foreign languages are skills that greatly complement this job. For the Information and Library industry, these are not only complementary skills but also skills with industry characteristics. So, cultivating these skills is essential. These are also skills that help students when they can develop themselves and find high-paying jobs.

 

Reporter: What advice for young people who have learned and love the Information and Library Science to implement passion and success?

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hong Sinh: If you have studied Information and Library Science, or find yourself suitable for jobs that you can do after studying this major, or you like the open direction of the major so that you can easily adapt to different opportunities in the future, be bold to choose to study and be consistent with your choice. Because of its multidisciplinary nature, the discipline requires you to access a wide range of knowledge and skills, until you integrate them to create a diverse competency you will be able to work with many positions and at many agencies.

 

Thank you!