COSTAATT College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago Presentation to 2nd Annual Conference of Association of Caribbean Higher Education Administrators (ACHEA) Trinidad and Tobago, July 2002

TECHNOLOGY… Key to Organizational Transformation and Global Competitiveness Presenters: DR. GILLIAN PAUL – COSTAATT Academic Affairs MS. JUDY WHILBY – COSTAATT Library Services

PRESENTATION OUTLINE… Defining the Problem…Defining the Problem… – WHY COSTAATT? Understanding the Context…Understanding the Context… – WHAT DOES HIGHER EDUCATION LOOK LIKE TODAY? Understanding the Task…Understanding the Task… – WHERE ARE OUR INSTITUTIONS NOW?

Choosing a Technology Solution…Choosing a Technology Solution… – HOW TO DECIDE? Technology as Strategic AdvantageTechnology as Strategic Advantage – WILL THIS ROAD LEAD TO THE COLLEGE? Exploring Solutions and Strategies…Exploring Solutions and Strategies… – ALTERNATIVE ROUTES TO THE GOAL PRESENTATION OUTLINE…

Implementing the Solution…Implementing the Solution… – ARE WE ALL ON THE SAME ROAD ? Planning for Sustainability…Planning for Sustainability… – WHERE ARE THE ROAD BLOCKS? Technology and the Future of the College…Technology and the Future of the College… – MANY PATHS TO A COMMON GOAL…

State of Education and Development  Low level of participation in tertiary education for middle-level developing economy Approximately 8% of cohort with 3% accessing university education…  High failure rates at secondary school with large numbers of students, excluded from college level training and education opportunities Each year, only about 35% of secondary level students obtain the 5 CXC passes… LOW PARTICIPATION RATES….

State of Education and Development  Programmes serve a very traditional student population relying on traditional modes  Limited vertical or horizontal articulation among public and private tertiary institutions LIMITED ACCESS… Needs of adult working students, physically disabled students, academic under-prepared students, geographically remote students not adequately addressed Duplication of efforts and wastage of students’ time and resources

State of Education and Development  Skills mismatch between outputs of training institutions and labour market needs Chronic unemployment and underemployment…  Concentration of higher education and training programmes in very limited areas Limits economic diversification possibilities… WEAK IMPACT ON ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

WHY COSTAATT… What is COSTAATT?What is COSTAATT? – The College of Science, Technology and Applied Arts of Trinidad and Tobago COSTAATT was legally established in October 2000 as a multi-campus college, empowered to award certificates, diplomas and bachelor’s degrees in academic and technical-vocational studiesCOSTAATT was legally established in October 2000 as a multi-campus college, empowered to award certificates, diplomas and bachelor’s degrees in academic and technical-vocational studies

WHY COSTAATT… COSTAATT comprises the following institutions:COSTAATT comprises the following institutions:  San Fernando Technical Institute  John S. Donaldson Technical Institute  Government Vocation Centre  Eastern Caribbean Institute of Agriculture and Forestry  Joint Services Staff College  The Metal Industries Company Ltd…

WHY COSTAATT… COSTAATT comprises the following institutions:COSTAATT comprises the following institutions: THE NIHERST TEACHING DIVISIONS…  College of Health Sciences  College of Nursing  Information Technology College  School of Languages  Business Management Department  General Education Division

WHY COSTAATT… The Government mandated COSTAATT to:The Government mandated COSTAATT to:  Contribute to increasing the participation rate in tertiary education to 15% by 2005 as recommended by CARICOM Ministers of Education in 1995  Improve the quality and relevance of tertiary level education and training  Broaden access to higher education to previously under-served groups

WHY COSTAATT?… COSTAATT will offer more diversified options for quality tertiary education producing qualified, skilled persons, to meet the demands of economic growth, and help bridge the gap between the global economy and Trinidad and Tobago’s labour force.

THE HIGHER EDUCATION MARKET SPACE…

Basic Library Services in 2-year College Learning Resources ProgramBasic Library Services in 2-year College Learning Resources Program Acquisitions, cataloging, maintenance, preservation, and/or circulation of various types of resources Computer systems management and maintenance Equipment services Instructional services Production services

THE HIGHER EDUCATION MARKET SPACE… Additional Services Components in 2-year College Learning Resources ProgramAdditional Services Components in 2-year College Learning Resources Program Community Services Curriculum Faculty Development Government Documents Depository Joint- Use Laboratories Resource sharing services

THE HIGHER EDUCATION MARKET SPACE… Additional Services Components in 2-year College Learning Resources ProgramAdditional Services Components in 2-year College Learning Resources Program Laboratories Student ID Service Printing Television/Radio Resource-sharing Services

UNDERSTANDING THE TASK…

THE STATE OF LIBRARY SERVICES AND ACTIVITIES Outdated collections Available resources cannot support teaching/learning activities of the college Limited access to periodical literature Inadequate staffing Staff not trained to operate in automated environment In some campuses/centres there were no libraries

ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS…

Develop libraries individually and establish libraries in campuses/centres where none existed Establish staff development program to train staff to operate at the required levels Duplicate collections in campuses where there are similar program offerings Increase staffing levels

TECHNOLOGY AS STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE… PRODUCT ADVANTAGES Access from home and office and ability to download text on demand Users are provided with infinite information with finite resources Ability to access remote databases Access for External Users on the Internet to OPACs

TECHNOLOGY AS STRATEGIC ADVANTAGE…

Student Information Module COSTAATT’s MAIN CAMPUS Finance Module The NIHERST Colleges Library Module Human Resource Module John Donaldson Technical Institute San Fernando Technical Institute Government Vocational Center Joint Services Staff College Metal Industries Company Eastern Caribbean Institute of Agriculture and Forestry Tobago Learning Centre Dial-Up Users The COSTAATT Wide Area Network Firewall INTERNET

CHOOSING A TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION…

1. Development of a library profile Collect basic statistical information on the libraries and their operations Take stock of any existing automation

CHOOSING A TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION… 2. Set service priorities Determine which functions are to be automated and in what order of priority Take stock of any existing automation

CHOOSING A TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION… 3. Look at cost elements Elements involved in the installation and operation of an automated system Telecommunications Planning and Consulting Costs Purchase of the system Conversion costs Ongoing Operating costs Additions to the System

CHOOSING A TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION… 4. Develop Functional Specifications What you want the system to do for you Telecommunications Planning and Consulting Costs Purchase of the system Conversion costs Ongoing Operating costs Additions to the System

IMPLEMENTING THE SOLUTION…

PLANNING FOR SUSTAINABILITY…

TECHNOLOGY AND THE FUTURE OF THE COLLEGE…

Taking Learning HIGHER