53. Follow up
• Orientation to LTU – now working with ALLU and International
Office on developing an Orientation toolbox for students studying
with partners
• Transition – ensuring students coming to Australia to complete
their studies have the skills (library, study, etc) to succeed
• Cooperation with partner libraries – sharing of resources
(repository, Assignment calculator, ART, etc)
• Infrastructure – parts of our website performed badly in Cambodia.
What needs to be done to facilitate access especially to resources
like Research Online?
• Communication – ensuring subject coordinators (in
Australia), Hanoi La Trobe staff, Hanoi Library staff, LTU
International Office staff are kept informed of library
resources, services, developments and that these are
communicated to students.
54. India
Source: http://www.geographia.com/india/
56. Indira Gandhi's visit to La Trobe in 1968. Pictured here with Acting Chief Librarian
Jeffrey Scrivener http://www.latrobe.edu.au/india/history.html
73. Become a La Trobe agent
Thank you for your interest in representing La Trobe University and becoming an authorised agent in
your region. Your application to become an agent will be assessed using the following criteria –
The university’s student recruitment strategy in your region and its fit with your proposal
Number of years of experience as an overseas student recruitment agent in your region
Your ability to recruit students that meet our entry requirements in the short and long term
90. Follow up
• Orientation to LTU Library
• Transition – ensuring students coming to Australia from Presidency College to
complete their studies have the skills (library, study etc) to succeed
• Supporting research initiatives between La Trobe and Delhi Technological
University and IIT Madras
• Communication – ensuring subject coordinators (in Australia), LTU staff in the
South Asia office (and agents ) are kept informed of library
resources, services, developments that they can use to promote LTU and recruit
students.
• Customer service
• Sharing news and resources (Research Online, ART, Why can’t I just Google, etc)
with Library colleagues at each of the new India ‘partners’.
91. Is it safe for my daughter to
study at La Trobe?
Cambodia is a poor country. Wealth is concentrated in the hands of the military, government and business. Example of CAFÉ and the $3 meal.Country still recovering from Pol Pot – a whole generation of leaders ‘disappeared’. Many of the current generation of leaders missed significant chunks of schooling.
Former French colony – which accounts in part for the wide boulevards, parks, promenades along the river.
Huge expenditure (World Bank) on government buildings
And then you get this. This building is condemned but people are still living here.
PUC is a private university:Arts, letters and humanitiesBusiness and economicsLaw and public affairs,Maths, science and engineeringEducationCommunication and Media artSocial Sciences and International relationsGraduate School of management and economicsInstitute of Customs, Taxation and Border managementIt has nine campuses in Phnom Penh and the regions.PUC is not a La Trobe partner as such but there are linkages and discussions about opportunities for programmes. Cambodia is not a lucrative market for Higher Education providers. One of La Trobe’s linkages is support for an application by a PUC library staff member to do a placement at the La Trobe Library.The Library is located on the south campus (see top left image)
The PUC library on the South Campus is the main library. It occupies one large room which is subdivided in collection, student spaces and staff spaces.The library, like many libraries and institutions in Cambodia relies on grants and donations. One corner of the Library is called the Americana area and includes books, magazines and videos promoting America and giving access to information available in public libraries through eLibraryUSA. The Library website states that they have subscriptions to a number of databases and journals. In reality the only ones currently available are free ones provided by UN agencies. Continuity of funding is an enormous challenge for the library. Small collection 30,000 items?The Library Director Mao Kolap is the only qualified Librarian working in the PUC Library. She did her training in the US. The rest of the Library team have learnt on the job. There is no library course (librarian or library technician) in Cambodia. Nearest library course is Vietnam. A number have degrees in different disciplines.Pictured is the main desk – behind this is reserve, collection services, Document delivery, etc.
One of the two reference librarians and the reference office
Collection Services, Reserve, Document Delivery
Loans and inquiry desk.
I gave a presentation to the PUC library staff and library staff from other libraries in Phnom Penh. Mao Kolap kindly interpreted my presentation. Great hunger for professional development and information about what is happening in the library profession outside of Cambodia.
Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP)Oldest and most prestigious university in Cambodia.La Trobe had a partnership with RUPP two VCs back but that has lapsed and we are interested in renewing this partnership but RUPP don’t appear that interested. My visit in part was to see if it was possible to re-establish contact via the library connection.
The original library at RUPP (top left image –building on the lefthand side) was initiated by RUPP staff who had come to La Trobe on exchange. They were very impressed with the La Trobe Library and campaigned for a Library at the university (I’m not sure what was there before the first library was built).During my visit the library team were moving into the new extension of the library (funded by the World Bank). It is a beautiful building. No money for a lift so there is ramp curving through the building for trolleys and disabled access. No money for air conditioning so there is clever use of screens on the windows and utilisation of cross breezes.
Collaborative group study rooms (similar to La Trobe) with computers and plasma screens
Shelving is very open to allow air movement. High ceilings and atrium also facilitate air movement. It was very, very hot in PP when I was there but the library was cool.
RUPP Library director, Mrs SenSeng and Reference Librarian (PUC) VannaSok
Student café – stunningly good, freshly cooked food. All students at RUPP wear a uniform (blue shirt/blouse and skirt or trousers)
Dr Luise AhrensI met Luise as I was leaving the library. Catholic sister who has been in Cambodia for over twenty years. She spends a part of each year in the US raising funds to subsidise the RUPP library and salaries for some academics (academics earn about $150 a month – not enough to live on so leave, moonlight or are subsidised by people like Luise.Very keen to reactivate the relationship with La Trobe. Introduced me to all the foreign staff teaching at RUPP.
Margaret Bywater’s name keeps popping up in Library circles in Cambodia. Luise arranged for me to meet her and I was lucky enough to have lunch at her house and spend time with here. Margaret is an Australian librarian who has lived in Cambodia for 20 years or so. She has trained library staff, helped create the library at the national museum, done most of the system work at RUPP library, found equipment and resources (through scrounging and donations) for libraries without funds. She has spent time in Afghanistan helping local libraries (and had to be evacuated out of the country) in 2010. She is 71, a Quaker and lives on $700 a month (funded by Luise). Amazing woman. She is also keen to have La Trobe re-ignite the relationship with RUPP.
Much wealthier and prosperous that Cambodia. Immediately evident. First world airport, infrastructure, etc.
Temple of Literature also know as the Temple of Confucius. Established in 1070. Vietnam’s first university was founded here in 1076 to teach the children of royalty and aristocracy, The University continued until 1802 when its functions were transferred to the new city of Hue.
Vietnam was also a French colony. Hanoi has a French quarter with some superb buildings. This the back of the Opera house seen from my hotel room.
And the front.
Hanoi traffic. 90 million people in Vietnam, 70 million motorbikes. I spent a great deal of time stuck in traffic.
In the middle of Hanoi is this oasis of greenery where I spent an hour on my last morning in Hanoi.
National Library of Vietnam. I attended a presentation to celebrate the donation of 500 books (organised by La Trobe Alumni) to the National Library of Vietnam.
The young woman standing beside the Ambassador is the president of the La Trobe Alumni group in Vietnam
Leon Lyell, International Office
Pho
Diploma of Business Administration (1 year)Bachelor of Business (3 years or 2 years upon completion of Diploma)Master of Business Administration (18 months)
Wonderful Hue. Trained at Monash.
Walking to the Library
I spent most of the afternoon – about three and half hours talking to staff and students. This included a presentation then a question and answer session over afternoon tea followed by more discussion. Discovered that undergraduates did not have access to library databases (let me tell me what happened. Two Library staff, Kep Van Nguyen and NgaThi Nguyen undertake all of the info lit training and support for the 400 La Trobe students.
Pictured are the Library Director (right) and Deputy. Of concern was there complete ignorance of the La Trobe programme and the 40 students undertaking the La Trobe course.Located in Block G in an area of 1,300m2, the library consists of a register desk, three reading rooms, an administrative office, and a computer lab.The library is equipped with Ilib and 4.0 modern equipment such as computers, a network printer, a color printer, a bar code printer, a scanner, a bar code reader, and a photocopier. It is spread over five floors with no connecting lift and an external staircase. The library has 221 kinds of newspapers and serials. Among them, 31 are in foreign languages including English, Russian, Japanese, Chinese, and French. In addition, there are more than 16,000 titles equivalent to about 40,000 volumes including textbooks, reference books, dictionaries, theses, research archives, and 500 DVDs in many languages.The library also has 5 book bibliographic databases, which consist of Vietnamese books, foreign books, dictionaries, research archives, newspapers, e-database, and progress ABI/ Inform Complete and Emerald Management full text.The library is planning to increase its holding of published titles, digitalized items, and modern equipment.
Study spaces
Training room
Lunch with staff from the FTU International Relations office. They coordinate all the international programmes run through FTU including LTU. These are the staff I have been working with to resolve library access problems.
Seafood custard
Banana rolls with a chilli sauce
Banana flower salad
Giant snail sausages with dipping sauce
Tofu, noodle and vegetable soup
Master of International Business (1 year)La Trobe University, in partnership with Foreign Trade University (FTU) provides students the possibility of completing the first 4 subjects of the Master's in International Business in Vietnam, before articulating to Australia to complete in 1 semester the remaining four subjects at La Trobe University. Therefore creating a unique opportunity to gain experience in studying in Australia within a short time and also graduate with La Trobe degree.There are forty students enrolled in the programme. They all work full time and attend night class two times a week. They don’t use the FTU library. Their interaction with La Trobe is through the LMS (I think) and their lecturers.They will be coming to La Trobe Melbourne this year to complete their Masters. Technically all spoke English but my presentation had to be translated.Very excited about coming to Melbourne and had lots of questions about living in Melbourne.
This was a very, very fast trip. I accompanied DVC Professor John Rosenberg, Professor Jack Singh – Centre for Technology Infusion, Professor Tim Murray, Dean, Faculty Humanities and Social Science (only two days), Nandi Lakshmanan, Senior International Officer, Faculty of Science, Technology and Engineering and AmitMalhotra, Manager – South Asia, La Trobe International (Amit is based in Delhi).We arrived in Delhi at midnight on Sunday 4 December and our first meeting was at 7.45 the next morning. We spent two days in Delhi then flew to Bangalore on 7 December (leaving out hotel at 5.30 am). On 8 December we flew to Chennai (leaving the hotel at 7.45 am) and then flew home on the evening of 9 December. We had a function every evening where we met with agents, alumni, dignitaries, Australian Foreign affairs and Austrade staff, prospective students and students who had already been accepted into a course.
Source: AsiaBizzhttp://tinyurl.com/8a3jf5gNew Delhi airport, new freeways, the Metro – a metro station within 500 metres of every home in Delhi, old Delhi
The La Trobe University Library is viewed as a significant asset when promoting the University in India. Indira Gandhi’s visit (did she open the library), our collections, our unique Indian resources are used to promote the University.
Delhi Technological University Signed a MoU and explored options for collaboration on research.
Welcoming ceremony. In the centre is Prof P.B. Sharma, Vice Chancellor and Nandi Lakshmanan. On the right is Professor John Rosenberg.
Signing of the MoU and discussion of opportunities for collaboration on research initiatives.
We were given bunches of flowers and gifts at every site.
Delhi Tech students have (minimum) an equivalent ATAR of 95 +No information literacy – Library staff don’t think these students need it.
Course books – sufficient copies of textbooks for all students to be able to borrow a copy of each prescribed text for a semester. My visit coincided with the end of the semester. These students are returning their course books.
A whole floor of textbooks
The Library belongs to DelNet – Developing Library Network whose prime objective is promoting resource sharing among the libraries through the development of a network of libraries. It aims to collect, store, and disseminate information besides offering computerised services to users, to coordinate efforts for suitable collection development and also to reduce unnecessary duplication wherever possible. Includes ILLs, professional development, a shared library system, etc.http://www.delnet.nic.in/about-ourselves.htmhttp://www.delnet.nic.in/delcen.pdfThe Library also has subscriptions to journal databases – Springer Link, Emerald, Science Direct, ACM, IEEE, etc and an impressive eReference collection which includes newspaper subscriptions, etc.They use Digital Library software to manage their dissertations.
Lady Shri Ram College is a college of University of Delhi. The college has a small library but students use the University Library for most of the resources and services that they need to support their learning. We visited Lady Shri Ram to celebrate the 15th anniversary of our partnership with the college. This partnership has involved La Trobe students (usually one a year) studying at Lady Shri Ram for a semester and a Lady Shri Ram student studying at La Trobe, Melbourne.
Opening of new La Trobe Office in Delhi – not had an office prior to this one. The event was attended by Australian High Commission staff, agents, friends and alumni.Library posters, newsletters, bookmarks will be displayed in the office and used by staff involved in recruitment.Prepare some specific resources (bookmark, leaflet) for use by International recruiters:Numbers – seats, collection, online resourcesSafetyAccess to textbooks – reserveservices
Pictured is AmitMalhotra, Manager – South Asia, La Trobe International. He and I are in regular contact re library developments, new resources, etc. Amit attends Education fairs throughout South Asia (along with Nandi) to meet prospective students and recruit. He now has a better understanding of the library and is using the library as a promotional tool.
Pandit (holy man) opening the office.
A number of agents attended the La Trobe functions. These agents, who are dotted around the world, are contact points for prospective students in those areas. They actively recruit students through a range of strategies including recruitment and educational fairs. These agents often recruit on behalf of a number of universities. Their businesses are diverse. I met one agent who recruits, sells textiles and organises tours for tourists.The agents have found it very difficult to recruit students over the last few years because of the media coverage of the treatment of Indian students in Australia and difficulties associated with Australia’s visa process for international students. After much lobbying the Federal government is streamlining visa arrangements for international students and plan (not yet in place) to allow international students to work in Australia for two years after completion of their degree. Agents reported a small improvement in interest in Australian courses but sense some students are waiting until the new Visa arrangements (and the two year work option) are in place. Our strong dollar is also a problem. On the upside our competitors (Britain, Singapore) are reducing their intake of international students and tightening visa requirements.
Our beautiful hotel – unfortunately we had no time to enjoy it.
Private network of colleges. Signed an MoU. Students will complete half of their degree at Presidency college and the remaining two years at La Trobe. Interesting transition challenges. Part of our plan to focus on students transitioning from TAFE, offshore partners, etc.Note the students wear uniforms. Very deferential towards academics, etc.
More flowers and gifts.
Small library – 18,000 volumes plus print serials (national and international). Brief visit but discussed cooperating on preparing students transitioning from Presidency to La Trobe – Libskills. Library Quiz, ART. Needs to be followed up.
During our visit the delegation met Australian officials including High CommissionandAusTrade staff. In Chennai we had a meeting with David Holly, Consul General in Chennai. David Holly attended the function held the previous evening in Chennai. I hadn’t realised just how closely Australian educational providers work with High Commission and AusTrade staff. They were interested in our impressions, trends, media interaction, new developments at La Trobe, etc. Of course, they meet with all university delegations.
The Indian Institutes of Technology are a group of autonomous engineering and technology higher education institutes. “The IITs are governed by the Institutes of Technology Act, 1961 which has declared them as “institutions of national importance”, and lays down their powers, duties, framework for governance etc.”[1] Graduates of these institutes are snapped up by organisations like NASA. Various Australian universities have MoUs with IITs. La Trobe is the first to partner with IIT Madras.Very similar to La Trobe – 650 acres in the middle of Chennai. University can only build on a small percentage of the park, the rest is a nature reserve. Where we have kangaroos, the Indian Institute, Madras has deer and monkeys.
Central Library is an impressive library with many similarities to La Trobe. For example, they are systematically moving print collection into storage (mainly journals) and replacing titles with e. They have a suite of training rooms that are similar to those in the Bundoora library. They have areas for group and collaborative study, silent study spaces and dedicated spaces for researchers. I particularly liked their lecture theatre on the top floor which is used for library, university and public events.
Mahendra kindly showed me around the library whilst the DVC and the rest of the delegation sat in the foyer so time was short. Mahendra and I had already met online so it was like meeting an old friend.
The Library usesRFID including Book drop (returns)
This page is a wee bit out of date but a scan of their holding shows that they have key titles, Springer, Elsevier, Nature, etc.
In each city we held an evening function for alumni, friends (agents, AusTrade, High Commission), prospective students and their families, and students who have already been accepted. I spoke about the Library at two of these functions. There was considerable interest in the library:Numbers of seats, collections, availability of textbooks, safety, training and support, opening hours, etc.At these functions the group split up and ‘worked the room’ talking to parents and students about La Trobe and answered many, many questions. This young woman wants to come to La Trobe to do postgraduate study. Her mother (on the right) does not want her to come because she thinks Australia is unsafe for Indian students. Safety was raised at a number of the functions and press events. A key priority for the Library is to promote what we do to keep students safe. We also need to pay more attention to keeping students safe when they leave our buildings late at night.
In the centre of this picture is a farmer and his wife from a small community about two hours from Chennai. Their farm is a good size and they are fairly prosperous by Indian standards. Their son, on the far right, is coming to La Trobe (Melbourne) in February this year. His education is a huge investment for the family. They recognise that they are unlikely to see him until he finishes his studies. He is luckier than most in that he has an auntie living in Melbourne. His family are excited for him and nervous about his safety and well being. The young man standing beside him lives twenty kilometres away from this family. They met for the La Trobe function for the first time and now plan to look for shared accommodation. He is coming to La Trobe in second session.
All of these young people are coming to La Trobe this semester. They are excited and nervous about what they might at La Trobe. What will they find?
Kindness and understanding, patience and acceptance, support and encouragement. Someone like Martina.