STIMULATE 7 PROGRAM May to July 2007, VUB, Brussels, Belgium

1. STIMULATE 7 PROGRAM May to July 2007,VUB, Brussels, Belgium Ann Apio Librarian I, Makerere University LibraryP.O. Box 7062Kampala,Ugandaann_apio@yahoo.com

2. Contents of the STIMULATE-7 Program • Elementary statistics for effective library and information service management • Internet overview, Design of web pages, Putting information on-line, XML and exercises XML • Citation analysis and research performance • Methods of internet searching • Presentation of scientific information • ISIS Formatting Language basics with exercises, Multimedia applications • The role of the library as carrier of scientific communication • Bibliography management software using microcomputer software applications to manage personal bibliographic and textual databases • Building digital libraries using Greenstone (theory and practice)

3. Suggestions on how to improve the organisation of the program • Consider including some cultural days with cultural events so that participants can learn more about other cultures • I suggest that the lectures in a particular subject are covered one after another systematically with not too much time between like two weeks, the subject is usually not well grasped

4. Strong points of the organisation of the program • Study tours to different libraries and the organised attendance to an international conference, these were a good exposure and what we needed • The program provided experienced lecturers and had a good selection of students as well • Well organised with a schedule in advance and good communication between the office and students

5. Best components of the program academic contents • Databases Win-ISIS and Greenstone Digital Libraries • Elementary statistics for effective library and information service management • Publishing on the Web • The role of the library as carrier of scientific communication (Although it had very limited time allocated to it)

6. Not so good components of the program academic contents • The three months were too short for the vast amount of information the course covers, thus making the lectures rush through the topics, I suggest some specialisation especially when it comes to databases • Not enough time was allocated for the ISIS programs, this is so because the program has many concepts and since it is a free package it appeals more to developing countries

7. Recommendations to the management in my home institute • For effective management of say the organisations website, an employee should be trained to work alongside the IT specialists employed to manage the system • Send other colleagues for such training programs or other programs that have an information Technology (IT)aspect about them. Technology is advancing rapidly and changes have to be made to cope with the growing difference. This calls for skilled personnel

8. Thank You!! • Together we’ll provide the change needed (STIMULATE 7-ITP) Ann Apio Participant