Abstract

This article arises from research on Information Literacy (Alfin) as a resource for the development of university education. Its purpose was to determine level of Alfin among postgraduate students in the higher education system of the Dominican Armed Forces (FF. AA.), specifically those enrolled in the master's program in Security and Defense at a Graduate School of Higher Strategic Studies. To this end, a mixed-method approach was adopted, using documentary, descriptive, and field research along with a case study methodology. The population consisted of 45 individuals: 23 students, 6 professors, and 6 curriculum experts. Survey, interview, and observation techniques were employed, using a questionnaire, an interview guide, and an observation guide. The study reveals that the concept and ideas surrounding Information Literacy (Alfin) in the Dominican Republic are little known and scarcely implemented. Despite being a global tool crucial for the effective implementation of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) across various levels of education, its adoption has been limited, among other aspects, due to a lack of knowledge or execution by teachers and students, as well as limited access to essential technological resources. These factors became clearly evident during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, where both students and teachers demonstrated a low level of technological competencies, ultimately hindering scientific research and creating a deficit reflected in the lack of effective search strategies, resulting in confusion in identifying reliable sources. This issue also affects students in the master's program in Security and Defense at the Graduate School of Advanced Strategic Studies (EGAEE). Despite some isolated efforts by the teaching and administrative staff to improve students' research skills, it is imperative to reform educational programs to integrate Information Literacy comprehensively. The transformation of curricula in universities, and especially in military education, is an urgent need for the Dominican Republic to become a benchmark in Alfin, not only in the Caribbean region but on a global scale as well.

Keywords:
information literacy; ICT; military education; and university education