New web site

This blog continues at LATINA Africa 2012, which is hosted locally, in Oslo.

Our local server is not quite as stable as the cloud-based WordPress services. Both blogs will remain active for the time being.

Tord Høivik, Oslo

INVITATION TO LATINA UGANDA, 2013

LATINA Uganda, 2013

Makerere University Library will be conducting the second LATINA course in Africa in May and June 2013.

The course starts with three online lectures given by the LATINA Lab in Oslo on May 8, May 15 and May 22, combined with introductory readings and assignments. The on-site training takes place at Makerere University Library from 17^th -28 June, 2013 in the New Building Extension.

The course is a mix of presentations, discussions and hands-on work with computers and audio-visual equipment. A high level of student activity and commitment is required. Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops.

LATINA stands for Learning and Teaching in a Digital World. The program was developed by the LATINA Lab at Oslo and Akershus University College of Applied Science (HiOA) in Norway. The Lab develops, demonstrates and provides intensive training in teaching and learning methods that are based on the current state of-the-art and emerging trends in user-oriented ICT. The present course will be conducted by Makerere staff that have participated in previous LATINA courses as students (in Oslo 2009, 2010) and as trainers (in Kampala 2012).

The application form should be accompanied with a motivation statement. Please note that strong individual motivation, documented by a personal statement of interest, could replace institutional backing. Participants are encouraged to study information about the course on the web before applying.  The two weeks’ training is practice oriented and quite intensive.

Participants are advised to apply for sponsorship from their institutions to cover: Registration fee: $150 for Ugandans and $300 for non-Ugandans, Transport to and from Makerere University, Accommodation and Supper. Application deadline is 30^th March, 2013. Please send the application form, and supporting documents by e-mail to universitylibrarian@mulib.mak.ac.ug and copy to agnama@mulib.mak.ac.ug or to:

University Librarian

Makerere University Library

P. O Box 7062,

Kampala-Uganda.

For more details about last year’s course, visit the LATINA AFRICA website at http://latina.africa.pedit.no. You can also contact the secretariat at universitylibrarian@mulib.mak.ac.ug for more clarification.

LATINA AFRICA 2013

ANNOUNCEMENT: LATINA Uganda 2013

LATINA stands for Learning and Teaching in a Digital World.

Digital technology is transforming the old ways of learning and teaching. Join the LATINA Uganda 2013 training programme to explore such developments through practical work with digital tools and concepts.

The programme

The programme is offered by Makerere University Library (MakLib). The programme starts in May, with online interaction on May 8, May 15 and May 22, combined with introductory readings and assignments. The on-site training takes place at Makerere University Library in Kampala from June 17^th to 28^th 2013. The program is a mix of presentations, discussions and hands-on work with computers and audio-visual equipment. A high level of student activity and commitment is demanded. After traini9ng, LATINA alumni are expected to apply the skills they gain at their home institutions.

Touch the Clouds

LATINA emphasises the use of open and cloud-based resources.  Participants are encouraged to bring their own laptops. In case a participant is unable to do so, he/she should inform the organisers in advance.

Application Procedure for 2012

Application deadline is 20th April, 2012. Applications can be accepted after this date, depending on availability.

Registration Fees: $100 for Ugandans and $150 for non-Ugandans.
Late registration: $250
Please note: It is recommended to apply by 20th April, 2012 to enable the selection criteria to proceed. Successful applicants wil be notified by 1st May, 2012.

Applicants should complete the LATINA form and send it with supporting documents by e-mail to universitylibrarian@mulib.mak.ac.ug and copy to agnama@mulib.mak.ac.ug or by mail to:
Makerere University Library
P.O.Box 7062,
Kampala-Uganda
Tel.: 256-414-531041
Fax: 256-414-540374
Applicants using regular mail, are advised to send their applications well ahead of the application deadline to avoid postal delays.
Take note of the following in regards to course registration:
Applicants enrolling by e-mail or mail, will be sent an e-mail confirming registration within a few days.
List of documents:

• transcripts from previous University education in English (stamped and signed)
• statement of motivation in English (300 words)
• copy of your valid passport page (showing your personal information)
• recommendation by the Library Director/Equivalent

SELECTION CRITERIA FOR LATINA 2012: MINIMUM QUALIFICATION
Successful applicants must have the following:

1. Bachelor of Library and Information Science (BLIS), Masters in LIS added advantage.
2. Be a resident of the East-African Community (Kenya, Rwanda, Southern Sudan, Tanzania and Uganda)
3. Proficient in English
4. Computer literate
5. Employed for at least 3 years by a University or tertiary institution in the East African Community, and will return to the institution after training to apply the knowledge and skills gained
6. Recommended by the Library Director who will ensure that the LATINA graduate is given the necessary support to apply the knowledge and skills gained
7. Young to middle level librarians/Information professionals aged 25-45 years
8. Motivational statement in English not more than 300 words

LATINA Africa Summer School rescheduled for 2012. New Winter School in China.

This is to inform all our friends and partners that the LATINA Africa Summer School will be postponed from the summer of 2011. We hope, and strongly believe and expect, that we may realize this event in the spring or summer of 2012 instead.

LATINA/lab is an R&D laboratory at the Learning Center of Oslo University College. During an initial meeting in conjunction with the IFLA conference in Gothenburg, Sweden in August 2010 we were invited to conduct the LATINA Africa Summer School at Makerere University in Kampala the following summer. Since last fall we have been eagerly preparing for this event.

But we have come to realize that important prerequisites are not sufficiently secured at this time of writing. For this reason we have decided on a new roadmap for upcoming LATINA courses and training programs during the 2011-2012 period.

We are very happy, though, to report to all our partners and interested parties that we are firmly committed to implement the LATINA Summer Course in Kampala and look forward to do so in 2012.

This must, of course, be based on renewed invitations and agreements by the partners.

Together with our LATINA/lab partners at Hainan Normal University in China we have furthermore decided to conduct at LATINA Winter School at this university in December 2011. In order to strengthen preparations and long term competence building we invite several participants from Uganda to take part in this event.

We look very much forward to see old as well as new friends and colleagues in Kampala in 2012 and also in Haikou in December!

LATINA/lab March 20th 2011
Professor Helge Høivik, Director

Advert

The LATINA Summer Course is part of the Oslo University College Summer School. The course is delivered by LATINA lab. The course is aimed at those who teach and learn, – students, teachers, librarians and others. The course introduces participants to digital technologies that are web based. In the digital world, texts and tools are available to everybody, hence the need to handle them appropriately and in that process renegotiate our roles and relationships.

In the summer of 2011 the LATINA Summer School will relocate from the Oslo campus to Makerere University Library. Makerere University Library has partnered with Oslo University College and University of Bergen to arrange a three-week LATINA course in Kampala, Uganda.

Social events and excursions will be arranged during weekends and some afternoons as part of the programme.

TRAINING AT MAKERERE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

New technologies such as blogs, wikis, iPods & podcasting, MP3 files, Google tools, federated search tools, Flickr, YouTube etc must be embraced and supported with training and learning opportunities for both staff and students.

At the beginning of each academic year, the University library conducts a user education session per programme of study aimed at ensuring all new students are given a clear and helpful introduction to the Library services appropriate to their needs. All first year students are expected to register with the Library at the end of the training session so as to access library facilities and services. The programme is designed to ensure that all members of the University community are offered effective support and guidance in identifying and using appropriate information resources in support of research, teaching and study.

The Library subscribes to online databases which include electronic journals and e-books. Training of Library Users is undertaken to enable Users access these resources. The Library in partnership with the School of Graduate studies conducts training for Graduate students and researchers at Makerere University. During such trainings participants are introduced to Library services. Last year the component of Google docs. Was introduced in the Library training programme. Participants find Google docs. very useful because most of them are involved in collaborative research.

LATINA class of 2010@ Oslo University College

Oslo University College has over the last three years provided training opportunities to people who could afford to travel to Norway. Four Staff members of Makerere University Library attended LATINA in 2009 and 2010. This caused a drastic change in the way these members performed their duties. The collaborating institutions; University of Bergen, Oslo University College and Makerere University Library decided to bring LATINA to Africa in order to bridge the skills gap among Librarians. LATINA will be conducted right here at Makerere University Library. This is a great opportunity which librarians and teachers in Africa particularly in Uganda must not miss.

 

EXPECTATIONS

 

At the end of the course participants are expected to:

• Have attained skills in digital technologies.
• Contribute new ideas to their institutions.
• Design and implement projects

 

By Uganda Production Team;

Agnes, Fred, Irene, Monica & Philliam.