A view of UK libraries from the perspective of a scholar from Slovakia

1. Experience of an Educational Journey
Iran, Sweden, UK
Ramesh Vahidi
Northumbria University
22 April 2009

2. Background
Participated Universities
Research
University Established students Disciplines
Centres
Bsc: 6623
Iran University of 80 y.
Msc: 3995 13 13
Science and Technology 37 Uni.
PhD: 669
Iran Open University- Half a Bachelor’s
Sharif University of
Technology 43 y. 8000 16 10
(b. rev.: Aryamehr)
University of Working Life!
Chalmers University of
Technology 180 y. 10000 16 6
22,825
Northumbria 40 y.
Undergrad. 9 schools ~ 14
University 16 Uni.
6,805 Post.

3. Higher Education System In Iran 1
“89.4% of Iran's population aged 15 and over can read and write. A significant majority of
this population is at or approaching higher education”
Based on NATIONAL Exams at any level
Public and Private Universities
Bachelor‟s 4-5 years, Master‟s: 2-3 years, PhD 5 years (2 years taught- Comprehensive
Exam- 3 years research/ Master„s is a must)
Highly theory oriented (Engineering BSc  Two half summers in a factory, … + lab and
workshops4/ Exam based Assessments (not multiple choice of course!)
Student- Teachers Relation  Formal, Hierarchy, Possible to work on projects
Teachers cannot come from practice/ teach a course if they have PhD or teach in different
discipline (general rule)

4. Higher Education System In Iran 2
Disciplines Breakdown:
25.5 % engineering branches
24.2 % medical and health field of study
13.4 % pedagogic and teachers' training
8.2 % literature, humanities and academic theology
Large number of Female students
Debates over ranking:
Authority: quot;Iran is third in Science and Technology in Asia after Japan and Turkey”
Top of the world in brain drain  nearly 150,000 yearly  significant number into
the competitive elite grad. schools of Europe and the US
Passing the national exam with high scores or graduating from some Unis (Sharif)
Chairman of Electrical Engineering of Stanford University: Without a doubt the finest
University in the world preparing undergraduate Electrical Engineers is Iran‟s Sharif
University. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s957W6jomBc

5. Educational Systems Comparison
Factors Iran UK Sweden
High Medium Low
Theory Oriented
Low High Very High
Practice Oriented
Teacher-Student
Relationship Formal Semi Formal Informal
Supportive Low/ Confusing,
Information/ Info. Low/ Medium Very High/ High Not easily
Clarity accessible
TeacherStudent
High ~ Medium Low
Expectation (usually)

6. Library Systems and Services
Factors Iran UK Sweden
Library-IT Facilities’ Separated Fully integrated + Physically
Separate IT integrated
Integration
Facilities
Central + Each Campus Each Campus
Physical Library
Departmental
Low Excellent Medium
IT Facilities
(data not Excellent, Available (data not
Library Service
available) available)
Information/
Training
Working Hours Almost Always! Week 8pm
Accessibility
Weekend 2
(Hours)
hours
~5/ 15 / ~ 10 /
Number of Loans/
10 – 14 days At least 4 weeks 2 weeks
Length of Loan
(data not Both possible Not available/
Online Extension /
available) Borrowing?
Automatic Borrowing

7. Library Sources
Factors Iran UK Sweden
Limited, Depends on Book Limited, Some
Usual Number of
a Books’ Copies Large number in Medium to High only in Swedish
Masters  English
English
Yearly Updates Updated (medium) Limited
Updated Books
? Regular System?
Excellent Limited/ Never Used Limited
Journals
No Info. Limited, Hard to Excellent
E- book
Search
Collections
Popular databases Good Excellent
E- journals
available
Easy access – Easy Access –
Not Easy to Find -
Thesis
No Loan No Loan Loan Possible

8. THANKS
for
your attention!