In Belgium the universities are quite active in international cooperation programs. Library development is incorporated in most of these programs. Most efforts are directed towards further development of ICT in libraries and towards the related needed changes in library management.
To outline experience gained over the years, as well as views on the future, concerning international cooperation towards strengthening technology in university libraries of developing countries. This may lead to an exchange of ideas with colleagues interested in similar activities.
Findings / experience gained / recommendations:
For a number of aspects, we can outline
1. experience gained,
2. lessons learned and state of the art,
3. ideas and recommendations concerning the way forward.
The following aspects or problems deserve attention:
• Suitability of technology
• ICT infrastructure
• Appreciation of cooperation
• Motivating young experts
• Overlap with donor agencies in partner countries
• Scientific research versus practical applications
• Setting priorities
• Involving expertise from abroad
• Evaluating projects
• Selecting partner universities
• Communication and synergy among various Programs
• Synergy between activities of experts from Belgium for various funding agencies
• Co-operation architecture
• Small isolated co-operation actions versus big institutional co-operation programs
Paul Nieuwenhuysen is a full-time professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel. These days his functions include: member of the management board of the University Library, science and technology librarian, as well as teaching courses on online information retrieval and presentation.At the University of Antwerp he received the degrees of Licentiaat in Physics, Doctor in Science, the Belgian post-doctoral degree, and the inter-university postgraduate degree in Documentation and library science.He has organized 15 international training courses on management of information in science and technology and has been project leader of a co-operation with the National Agricultural Library of Tanzania.
#p132 #iatul2012 highlights the gap in tech between countries. Cloud makes it worse if you don’t have stable electricity much less Internet.
— Peter Green (@lgreenpd) June 4, 2012
#p132 Library component of ICT projects is often complex and difficultyis underestimated. #iatul2012
— Peter Green (@lgreenpd) June 4, 2012
#p132 suitability of technology and expertise is a problem #iatul2012
— IATUL 2012 (@iatul2012) June 4, 2012
#p132 which countries to select for cooperation? #iatul2012
— IATUL 2012 (@iatul2012) June 4, 2012
International cooperation towards the development of technology in university libraries #p132 #iatul2012 twitter.com/iatul2012/stat…
— IATUL 2012 (@iatul2012) June 4, 2012