The focus of the School is upon the nature of the 'Information Society' and the means by which its members can participate in democratic developments. This is an especially interesting aspect of life in Southern Africa because information technology could play a strong shaping role in the region but will require sensitive application because of the vast differences in ability to access and use information through such communication channels. The School has purposely engaged in a social debate, rather then confining itself to technological considerations, believing that this is an important orientation for the present state of the region. The University's mission is to be an outstanding teaching and research university, educating for life and addressing the challenges facing society. It aims to promote a lifelong love of learning, a skill of solving problems, and a spirit of critical enquiry and research.
Excellence is their bench-mark.
The University is committed to academic freedom, critical scholarship, rational and creative thought, and free enquiry. In his previous post of Lecturer at the Department of Information and Library Studies, University of Wales Aberystwyth, Peter Underwood was responsible for development of courses in information storage and retrieval, systems analysis and systems management. He has a strong interest in organisational behaviour and has extensive experience of teaching and consultancy in many countries. His latest book, Soft Systems Analysis and the Management of Libraries, Information Services and Resource Centres, was published by The Library Association in July 1996.