International training programs in Brussels related to scientific information and ICT [email protected] Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan.

International training programs in Brussels related to

scientific information and ICT

[email protected]

• Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels

• Universiteit Antwerpen

Belgium

These slides as well as the full text paper are available from

http://www.vub.ac.be/BIBLIO/nieuwenhuysen/presentations/

(note: BIBLIO and not biblio)

Overview / Contents• contents of the programs

• the target audience

• programs organised up to now

• teachers and contributors

• the participants

• costs / sponsors / grants

• participation fee

• methods to announce the programs

• difficulties and lessons learned

• the future of these programs

• co-operation in such programs?!

Contentsof the international training programs

3 or 4 months of training on

• Information and communication technology as a required tool

• Information retrieval from external sources

• Internal, local information management, using computers and networks

• Communication, co-operation, management, related to information access

Target audience of the international training programs

Primarily for participants

• from scientific/technological institutes

• in developing countries ( >2/3 from equatorial Africa)

• with an academic or similar educational background

• who perform a role as information intermediary(librarian, information expert, information scientist...)

• who will be able to apply the acquired skills and knowledge in their home country

• who can teach what has been learned to others

• in an early stage of their career

International training programsorganised up to now (Part 1)

• on Management of Information in Science and Technology = MIST 1, 2, 3 with an emphasis on water and the environmentin 1991, in 1994, in 1995/1996

• on Knowledge Organisation for Water - Hydrology, Oceanography and Water-resources management = KNOW-HOWin 1997/1998

International training programsorganised up to now

International training courses of 3 or 4 months

• on Management of Information in Science and Technology = MIST with an emphasis on water and the environmentin 1991, in 1994, in 1995/1996

• on Knowledge Organisation for Water - Hydrology, Oceanography and Water-resources management = KNOW-HOWin 1997/1998

International training programsorganised up to now (Part 2)

• on Scientific and Technological Information Management in Universities and Libraries:an Active Training Environment= STIMULATE 1, 2, 3This initiative is aimed at academic professionals working in universities and libraries, including of course university libraries.in 2000, 2002, 2003

Teachers and contributors

Up to now:

More than 50 experts from

• Belgium

• The Netherlands

• UNESCO Headquarters in Paris

• Italy

• England

• Slovakia

• USA

• …

Participants / students from various developing countries

Participants / students from various developing countries

Participants / students from various developing countries

Participants / students from various developing countries

Participants / students from various developing countries

Participants / students from various developing countries

Financial aspects of the international training programs

Financial aspects of the international training programs

• Costs: about US$ 120 000 euro to organise 1 program.

• Sponsors:

» the Belgian government contributing about US$ 100 000 euro to each course!

»(UNESCO-International Hydrological Program)

»(The British Council)

• Grants for travel and accommodation are available for 12 selected participants from developing countries from the Belgian Government

Fee for participation to one of the international training programs

• More than 100 applications for a grant have been received for each program that was organised.

• Persons who do NOT receive a grant from the Belgian Government can participate after paying a participation fee of US$ 2 000 euro.(This does NOT include travel, accommodation, food.)

Methods to announce the international training programs

• Printed leaflets and posters sent by the inter-university council (VLIR) to the Belgian embassies in developing countries

• Electronic mail by the organizers to

» individuals in developing countries

»relevant interest groups (discussion groups)

» journal editors in the domain of information science

• World-Wide Web sites

»of VLIR: http://www.vlir.be/ under development co-operation

»of the organizers: http://www.vub.ac.be/BIBLIO/itp/

Difficulties and lessons learned concerning the participants

• Heterogeneity in every group of participants concerning

»cultural background

»personal and professional interests and motivation

»professional expertise

• Limited experience of participants with international travel

• Cultural and human impact of a stay in Belgium?

• Unrealistic expectations of some participantswho do not expect any financial limitations in Belgium

Difficulties and lessons learned concerning the organisation

• Identifying and involving competent teachers who can adapt well to this special audience

• Project approach by the sponsor / Lack of continuity in assisting staff

• Lack of support for follow-up of participants after the program

• Accommodation is hard to find and expensive in Brussels

The future of these international training programs

• We hope to continue.

• Another program is expected October-November-December 2004named STIMULATE 4

Co-operation related to international training programs!?

The most important aim of this contribution is to make clear that we are interested in future co-operation with other organisations with similar aims.

Co-operation related to international training programs!?

On the one hand YOU are invited to

• bring us into contact with competent and motivated teachers (in particular experts who are aware of special tools and methods relevant for developing countries)

• announce our future programs to suitable candidates

• provide grants to allow participation by suitable candidates

Co-operation related to international training programs!?

On the other hand WE can offer

• some co-operation with other institutes and similar initiatives, by sharing our experience that has been built-up over the years and by contributing in other teaching activities