Abstract
Abstract
Graduate Information Science education in the Asia–Pacific (AP) region has diversified in response to digital transformation and the globalization of knowledge work. This study investigates how curriculum characteristics and curriculum identities of graduate Information Science programs relate to international collaboration needs across the AP iSchools. A sequential explanatory mixed-methods design was adopted. Phase 1 involved qualitative documentary analysis of 37 Master’s and Doctoral curricula to identify structural characteristics and derive six curriculum identity clusters. Phase 2 consisted of a quantitative survey of 55 participants, 26 faculty/program leaders and 29 graduate students to assess collaboration needs across five dimensions. Findings indicate a shared disciplinary foundation across programs but variation in specialization orientation, forming six identities: classical LIS, archives and records, information management, informatics/data analytics, community/social development LIS, and digital governance. Stakeholders showed strong support for collaboration, though priorities differed: faculty emphasized research productivity and institutional visibility, while students prioritized mobility and employability. Integrated results highlight that collaboration initiatives are most effective when aligned with curriculum identity and responsive to diverse stakeholder needs.