Staff Development in International Technical Cooperation Programmes: the case of the TEMPUS Joint European Project ‘LISTEN’

Abstract

Explains the relationship between the purposes of staff development in schools of librarianship and information studies, and of international technical cooperation projects such as those supported by the European Commission’s TEMPUS programme. Links this to an evaluation of the staff development from which the Robert Gordon University School of Information and Media has benefited during its involvement in the ‘LISTEN’ Joint European Project during its three year life (1994–97). Explains the position which the School of Information and Media was in when the planning for this project commenced about 5 years earlier; outlines the purposes of staff development in the school, and points to those which are intended to develop the individual, and those which are related to the broader needs of the school and the university. Presents an analysis of the aims of international technical cooperation activities, and matches them against the aims of staff development as a framework within which to evaluate the impact on staff development of Project ‘LISTEN’. Identifies individual and institutional benefits in terms of staff development, and notes its impact on the profile of the school. Points to a number of outstanding issues, particularly the need for continuing cooperation after the end of a project; whether technical cooperation activities should be maintained through further institutional leadership or could be led independently by staff who have been effectively developed; and the limited number of schools engaged in cooperative activities.