University & College Libraries
1. Dili Institute of Technology Library
Library building project in May 2004
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The finished product
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Dili Institute of Technology (DIT) is a non-government, community based, not-for-profit education provider established to deliver much needed vocational training and higher education targeting the training needs of youth, veterans of the resistance (and their children) and the general community. Its stated commitment is to deliver high quality, post secondary vocational training and higher education that will assist the nation in developing a workforce capable of meeting the growing demands of business, public service and community sectors.
DIT was inaugurated on 10 May 2002. Courses available include Natural Resources Management, Tourism, Public Policy, Business Studies, Engineering and Construction, Computer Science. Currently there are just under 400 students enrolled at the Dili campus. The Library was officially opened on 7 June 2004. There are also approximately 100 students enrolled at the campus in remote Oecussi. No library facilities exist there at this stage. Plans are underway for another campus in Baucau. I was fortunate to visit DIT Dili campus on two separate occasions, firstly in May 2004 and most recently in February 2005. Progress in the library has been great.
On my first visit the library was being built and very near completion. I met at that time with the Deputy Director Estanislau S. Saladanha and AVI volunteer Avenel Hicks who was newly arrived for a two year placement assisting with the development of the library, and training East Timorese staff. On the second visit I met with Joao Cancio Freitas, Executive Director, Avenel Hicks and newly employed Margaretta Evy M. D. Da Silva, Librarian (employed previously at UNDIL Library).
I was impressed with the articulated vision for the Institute and for the demonstrated commitment to providing library services. The library is understood to be an integral part of their role in imparting knowledge and skills to students and there are many ideas and plans awaiting resources. Others have also been similarly impressed. The Institute has a Memorandum of Understanding and friendship relationship with Canberra Institute of Technology and Victoria University in Melbourne. Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology in Melbourne are investigating ways of assisting DIT. Donations of computers have come from the ANZ Bank and Victoria University. Other nations including Korea have donated equipment.
The Southbank Club of Rotary International in Melbourne have initiated a Sponsor a DIT student for a semester project which this semester will see 40 students enrolled and studying at the Institute. These students would otherwise have not been able to enroll or may have had to suspend studies further down the track. The fees of $150 per semester may seem low to those of us from more affluent societies but to people surviving on an average of 50 cents per day the fees are totally unaffordable. Rotary International is to be congratulated for this project which is of low cost to donors but has an enormous and positive impact for young people in East Timor.
East Timor’s ALOLA Foundation (see entry under Special Libraries) founded by Kirsty Sword Gusmao also provide scholarship places in addition to the many other projects and programs they run.
Training issues are discussed in another section but it is worth mentioning here that DIT are well placed to provide East Timor’s first Library Technician’s based course or similar module based program. Providing this course is congruent with the Institute’s objectives and consistent with its focus on offering vocationally oriented courses. It would provide skills that are desperately needed and in fact without which libraries in East Timor will be unable to grow and develop.
Avenel and Margaretta Evy staff the information desk
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Students hard at work at the library’s main study area |
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The collection
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2. Portuguese Language Centre Library - Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosae (UNTL)
Circulation and information desk
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Users enjoying multimedia facilities
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Information technology facilities
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I may have missed this library completely had I not been given wrong directions. I found it after asking a student of UNTL the way to the library. She directed me to the second last room on the right down a long corridor in the main building. I thought I was being given wrong directions because I knew that the library was in fact in another building, I just didn’t know which one. As you can see from the images, this particularly library, which is not the general University Library is quite stunning – a purpose built facility with beautifully designed and made furniture, new books, audiovisual equipment and Internet access! I had been under the impression that there was no Internet access in the entire University.
This library exists to support Portuguese language and cultural studies undertaken by students of UNTL. It is an excellent facility which achieves its objectives and has appropriate resources allocated. The Library is connected to the Camoes Institute (discussed in the special libraries section) and is an excellent example of what can be achieved if resources are available and appropriately directed. If only the other parts of the University and in particular the general library were given such attention.
Reading area
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Part of the collection
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3. Teachers Research and Resource Centre - Instituto Catolica para Formacao de Professores Baucau, Timor Leste - Catholic Teachers College Baucau
Staff at work producing teaching materials
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Library Coordinator Zelia Maria Belo da Silva and fellow library staff
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Future teachers at work in main study area
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The Institute was established in 2000 at the invitation of Bishop Basilio Nascimento, Diocese of Baucau. It operates as an outreach of the Melbourne Province of the Marist Brothers who have made a 10 year commitment to the Institute. The main aim is to develop “quality professional teachers through a holistic approach and in the context of the Catholic faith and the culture of East Timor.”
In its beginning years the Institute addressed the pressing needs of training current teachers. The full time degree course for new teachers began in 2003. The Institute has in place the following:
- Teaching and learning areas for 100 students
- Teachers Resource and Research Centre (Library)
- Administration centre
- Professors’ Offices for 30 staff
- Professores residences for 25 staff
- Clearing House for books and resources
Currently under development
- Information Centre (inc. internet café)
- Literacy Centre
- Student Services Centre
- Music Centre
- Staff study
The Bachelor of Teaching offered by the Institute is a three year full time program in teacher education. A total of 36 units must be undertaken and completed successfully along with field experience. Included in the curriculum are Portuguese language and culture studies. Portuguese is an official language and the language in which primary schools students are taught so it is imperative that all teachers and proficient in the use of the Portuguese. Another important aspect of the curriculum is the Study Skills unit that offers practical guidance in requirements of study and research skills. The Research and Resource Centre plays a role in the teaching of these skills. It was established in 2002.
Newspaper and magazine collection
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Part of the extensive collection
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Students use audio-visual facilities including keyboard for music composition
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4. Universidade Dili (UNDIL) Library
Abel Da Costa and Margaretta Evy M.D. da Silva (now working for DIT)
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Part of the collection
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Staff processing new books with collection in background |
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A Private University established in 1999. The Library was established in 2000.
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5. Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosae (UNTL)
Students using quiet study area
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Students browsing the collection
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Cataloguing backlog exposed to the elements
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Library type: Faculties supported include Education, Engineering, Portuguese Studies, Economics, Agriculture, Political Science. There is a campus in Hera specialising in engineering. The University was established in 2000 and the Library in 2001. The Faculty of Portuguese Studies has its own library. (see entry on Portuguese Language Centre)
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Funding: APHEDA Union Aid Abroad have donated computer equipment.
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User information
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Collections
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Lending policies
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Information Technology
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Hopes, desires, wishes, future directions. |
