6 Months Report (Feb 2011)
Objective 1: Prepare the foundation for a long term project (3-4 years):
Collect feedback from the field (DIT dynamics, staff quality, students profile, curriculum status) and review the proposed AusAid project accordingly.
Alice's report
- I exposed the long term project to the team of civil teachers and I am slowly building some leadership within the team through the mentoring of Aderita, the Director of School.
It is critical to constantly maintaining the momentum. We will have to be careful with the transition with the new volunteer.
- I established fornightly catch ups on Skype with Carolyn from UWA since the last reporting period. This regular correspondence is currently critical for the preparation of a proposal to be submitted to AusAID.
- I met two new contacts at AusAID. They will be the ones considering our proposal. We developed good relationships. They proposed to review our proposal before submission which we will do together.
- I liaised with representants of the Ministry of Education. They are supporting our project but not very interested to participate to it. A bit disappointing.
Objective 2: Set up teamwork dynamics within DIT teachers team and develop leadership strength for DIT to play the expected major role in the long term project
Mentor teachers, initiate the review of the curriculum, promote interaction teachers-industry and teachers-students.
Alice's report
- We have established a good team dynamics with weekly team meeting led by Aderita and two working sessions a week led by me. We organised the teachers schedule for all of them to have two morning free for the working sessions.
- I have built working relationships with all the teachers providing individual feedback and setting up weekly team meetings. Free two mornings a week to be maintained. I am also trying to get them to take more initiative during the working sessions setting working team. However they will need overall guidance during teh session until we reach a constant work path working on the syllabus (probably in 6 months time).
- DIT management is better supporting the team but more recognition of their work is required. I am tackling this with teh organisation of external training and we also organised our first dinner out this month.
I am preparing a DIT budget for the team for the next 2 years as part of the ongoing budget. This budget includes allocation for external training and fun. I would like to see DIT investing in the project.
- The teachers appreciate the fact that they need to liaise and maintain relationships with the Industry to develop a curriculum which matches the country development priorities and the market demand. We recently conducted a survey of the Industry where the teachers were encouraged to go and liaise with the Industry. Aderita is taking a leadership role on this activity but the rest of the team needs to get out there more.
We are currently placing a few students in internship. I am aiming at taking this opportunity for the teachers to liaise more with the Industry.
- The team was extended with the recruitment of Miguel a current civil teacher. Miguel is a great asset fro the team given his strong commitment and discipline. We were also joined by a geotechnical teacher, Peres, who completed his Master in Indonesia. Peres will be a great leader with great understanding of the project and good technical skills.The team is growing well which is great. I may look at sitting with Estanislau and Aderita to look at the human resources for teh future. For example they were planning to send Willi, the Chief of Department, to do his master once Peres is back. I believe it would be a good thing if Willy stays for a good part of the project.
Objective 3: Start building up a national and international network to assist the project
Alice's report
- I now regularly attend and participate to the Water and Sanitation forum which occurs monthly and regroup key organisations in the area. I intervene to outline the importance of the linkage between education and Industry. I collected feedback from the group on the WatSan activities and needs in Human resources and will keep them informed of our progress. Aderita attended to her first forum and is keen to stay involved. Good win.
I need to make sure Aderita regularly come to the meetings and develop her own network.
- I worked with Antonio from the Ministry of Infrastructure to restart the Association of Civil Engineers in Timor Leste. We managed to organise two meetings. The group is currently reviewing their constitution for submission. Aderita joined me in the attendance of the first meeting and was parted of the working group. Another win.
It is difficult to set the dynamics of the group given that it is the start. I developed good relationships with Antonio that I currently need to reinforce.
- I am progressively extending our network to the geotechnics industry through programs from the Ministry of Infrastructures. I also have some prospects in the irrigation and hydrology sectors. With the team we have started a database listing our contacts.
Efforts to be maintained to diversify the sectors and applications and build up the database.
- We had a few teachers attending external training thanks to our liaison with the Industry. Water Supply system technical training with DWASH, Laboratory testing and two road seminars with Ministry of Infrastructures, Gender seminar with Besik.
The teachers value training and are keen to take on the opportunity However follow ups are required. I developed a system where they have to produce a debrief report and prepare an academic/technical document after the training. First trial with Aderita at the moment.
- During the last reporting period, I met with David Kay, a consultant from Australia, working on setting standards for the vocational training field.
Liaison to be relaunched.
- I prepared and circulated to EWB and UWA representants a document profiling DIT and its staff to give an insight within the organisation to stakeholders in Australia.
I am planning to prepare a progress report on our project to support our proposal to AusAID.
3 Months Report (Nov 2010)
Objective 1: Prepare the foundation for a long term project (3-4 years)
Collect feedback from the field (DIT dynamics, staff quality, students profile, curriculum status) and review the proposed AusAid project accordingly.
Alice's report:
- I took the time to get familiar with the dynamics of DIT and appreciate its strengths and weaknesses. I have gained this knowledge observing and working with staff and students.
- Before my placement I met several time Carolyn Oldham, the AusAid project manager from UWA, and started a relationship which will help communicating with her during my placement. I also believe to have a relevant understanding of the project she started and got access to relevant documents.
- I liaised with an AusAid representant in country, and started discussing of our aim to go forward with the long term project. Before going further I need to build up a team with UWA and DIT team members.
- I exposed the long term project and the need for local leadership to DIT management. Further work on detailing the project is required. I may need the help of UWA for this task.
Objective 2: Set up teamwork dynamics within DIT teachers team and develop leadership strength for DIT to play the expected major role in the long term project
Alice's report:
- I have built working relationships with all the teachers providing individual feedback and setting up weekly team meetings. It went well to start but at the 2 months mark the momentum dropped. We are now stronger and setting back some dynamics.
- We, the leaders and I, have identified two issues which restrain the teachers to efficiently get involved in the project. We are responding to them with having me assisting management. I may work at the management level as well as the teachers’ level. This extent of influence will mean that I may not achieve as much with the teachers but I will ensure that the team gets the right support from management for a productive future.The teachers appreciate the fact that they need to liaise and maintain relationships with the Industry to develop a curriculum which matches the country development priorities and the market demand.
Objective 3: Start building up a national and international network to assist the project
Alice's report:
- I am now on the attendees list of the Water and Sanitation forum which occurs monthly and regroup key organisations in the area. I am planning to have teacher Aderita (Water discipline) to attend the forum with me.
- I visited the Training Centre at Tibar and met Simao who indicated that he was keen to work with DIT and share resources. I need to follow up on this but I want the DIT leaders to be part of it. Therefore it is taking a bit more time.
- I met with personnel from the Ministry of Infrastructure to discuss about working together to restart the Association of Civil Engineers in Timor Leste. They decided to organise a meeting with the key members to relaunch the group. Antonio will be away in November. This activity may therefore only kick off in January 2011.
- I met with a consultant from Australia, working on setting standards for the vocational training field. I believe he will be of great advice down the track when we try to do similar things at the university level. Liaison to be maintained.
- I started a document profiling DIT and its staff to give an insight within the organisation to stakeholders in Australia