http://www.sajim.co.za/training.main.4nr1.asp?print=1


   
  Training Vol.4(1) March 2002

Information management training 
Adeline du Toit 
asadt@lw.rau.ac.za  

The value of knowledge is increasingly being recognized and more and more enterprises are 
attempting to explicitly manage this most valuable asset. It is nowadays widely recognized 
that knowledge should be managed within the context of the overall business. The focus 
should therefore fall on using knowledge to gain a competitive advantage. It is within this 
context that the Monash University in Australia is now offering a Master's degree in 
Information Management and Systems with specialization in Knowledge Management. 

Monash University is a global university with eight campuses worldwide, including one in 
Malaysia and one in South Africa. It offers education of a superior standard, as well as a 
vibrant, inclusive learning environment to more than 42000 students. The South African 
campus opened in Johannesburg in February 2001. At present the campus has facilities for 
1500 students, including lecture theatres, tutorial rooms, computer labs and a library. At the 
moment the South African campus offers only undergraduate degree programmes. 

The new degree in Knowledge Management is designed to provide knowledge and training 
for an emerging type of information professional who deals with information flow in his or 
her enterprise. It aims to sensitize the information professional to user needs and to equip 
users with the right knowledge at the right time. It provides students with a comprehensive 
understanding and training in Knowledge Management from multidisciplinary perspectives 
of information management, information systems and organizational management. 

Knowledge Management is a compulsory unit of the course. In this unit students select an 
information system or information management viewpoint to examine concepts of 
knowledge management from various perspectives, including artificial intelligence, 
document management, and organizational and management theory. They also explore 
explicit and implicit knowledge and techniques for modelling knowledge in decision-making 
processes. Topics include views and characteristics of knowledge management, knowledge 
versus data and information, artificial intelligence and knowledge management, workflow 
approaches to knowledge management, developing knowledge systems, evaluation of the 
knowledge requirements of enterprises, knowledge elicitation techniques, techniques for 
validation of knowledge and strategies for applying knowledge management in enterprises. 

Students should also select any three units from the following list: Business Intelligence, 
Information Enterprise Management and Marketing, Electronic Document Management, 
Record Keeping systems and Information Continuum. 

The degree is offered on the Caulfield campus in Australia, but most of the units are also 
offered via distance education. Single unit and continuing education enrolments are also 
possible, as is mid year entry to the course. 

For further information contact the School of Information Management and Systems in 



Caulfield at the following address: info@sims.monash.edu.au. 

  

  

Disclaimer 

Articles published in SAJIM are the opinions of the authors and do not 
necessarily reflect the opinion of the Editor, Board, Publisher, Webmaster 
or the Rand Afrikaans University. The user hereby waives any claim 
he/she/they may have or acquire against the publisher, its suppliers, 
licensees and sub licensees and indemnifies all said persons from any 
claims, lawsuits, proceedings, costs, special, incidental, consequential or 
indirect damages, including damages for loss of profits, loss of business or 
downtime arising out of or relating to the user’s use of the Website. 

 

ISSN 1560-683X

Published by InterWord Communications for the Centre for Research in Web-based Applications,
Rand Afrikaans University