University College Dublin (UCD) Library has engaged in providing support to students at Beijing Dublin International College (BDIC) since 2012, adapting library training programs to meet cultural and technological challenges. Issues such as local VLE incompatibility and varying student attendance during training sessions have highlighted the need for a more structured approach moving forward. UCD aims to develop a sustainable model for library support that includes increased collaboration with liaison librarians and addresses the specific challenges faced by students in Beijing.

1. Going Global
UCD Library’s
experiences in China
The globalisation of Third Level Education has implications for units such as libraries in providing support to overseas campuses. University
College Dublin (UCD) library was invited to provide library support to respond to an invitation to provide library support to UCD students based
Beijing Dublin International College in Beijing (BDIC), China. This poster reflects visits by library staff in 2017 to BDIC and how we coped with
working with staff and students in a different culture and work environment. We will ask how this initiative can be developed in a sustainable way
allowing UCD Library deliver a high level of required support while also maintaining our teaching commitments on the main UCD campus. By
offering solutions to several challenges we aim to create a model that we can use in future requests.
James Molloy & Diarmuid Stokes, University College Dublin
Abstract
@jpjmolloy @dstokes01
UCD and BJUT (Beijing University of Technology) create BDIC
in 2012. UCD Staff teach on three UCD degrees in Beijing.
Since 2012 selected BDIC students visit UCD Dublin campus
annually and receive library training.
BDIC sees UCD Library as an integral part of UCD student
experience. In 2016 BDIC requested information skills training
programme delivered on their Beijing campus.
Background
Library training programme designed for BDIC students.
Presentations and support materials were integrated into the
local VLE (Moodle) to encourage student engagement.
Library tutorials were adapted to reflect local restrictions.
Local testing of online tools and presentations to ensure
compatibility.
Installation of UCD VPN on laptops recommended.
Preparation
Limited time to familiarise with classroom setup in advance of teaching.
Lack of technology support created difficulties as UCD technology not
entirely compatible with BDIC system which impacted on teaching.
Issues with local VLE not working, resulting in no student access to
resources uploaded prior to travel.
Most students didn’t have a VPN installed which created difficulty in
accessing UCD library resources.
Cultural differences were very obvious for example plagiarism not
considered a serious offence.
Some language issues, even though course was taught through
English, students had a wide range of comprehension and verbal levels.
Mobile phones frequently used by students instead of laptops or tablets.
Each programme received 3 X 90 minutes workshops (Stage 4) and
1 X 90 minute workshop (Stage 3).
Attendance varied dramatically from day to day, ranging from 60
attendees right down to 2.
The timing of training sessions was not ideal. Workshops delivered mainly
To stage 4 students, just before they finished their degree programme.
BDIC programmes and students numbers are increasing. In the course
of 12 months UCD Library support has increased from 8 days to
12 days, which is a significant challenge for a single librarian to deliver.
Challenges Rewards
Future
Agreement with BDIC to support programmes going forward.
Design of a more structured Information Skills Programme which will build
through all programmes from Stage 1 to Stage 4.
Look to involve more UCD College Liaison Librarians to increase the number
of staff with experience of teaching in Beijing.
Work with BDIC to tackle the recurring challenges as mentioned above which
UCD librarians faced on both visits.
Long-term aim of BDIC is to have Beijing based library teaching support.
Presented at NACADA International Conference, University College Dublin, July 16 - 19, 2018
Giving UCD students an awareness
of and access to Library resources.
Ensured the students received the
same level of training as students on
Irish campus
Valuable insight into pressures and
restrictions these students face.
Raises profile of UCD Library.
Personally rewarding.
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