OCEANOGRAPHY ON-LINE AND HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY IN OCEANOGRAPHY (ITO-98)

GOA, INDIA 12-16 OCTOBER 1998

OCEANOGRAPHY ON-LINE AND HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

SANTHA DEVI M R
Technical Information Resource Centre (TIRC)
Naval Physical and Oceanographic Laboratory, Kochi-682 021

Oceanographers need information in order to keep themselves in touch with the research being done in their field around the globe.Providing access to the timely and authentic information to the scientists is the greatest challenge facing the information professionals at the TIRC. The present paper is a brief account of the author's experience in the infrastructure development and human resource development while bringing computer power to T1RC in order to (slowly, but steadily) replace the traditional, manual methods by modern, faster methods in handling information.

The facilities like computers, local area network, on-line oceanographic journals, searchable bibliographic databases on CDROM, World Wide Web linking documents around the globe over the Internet, access to the observational oceanographic data sets and supporting software for selective retrieval through Internet have all added new dimensions for handling information at TIRC.

Developing the skills of human resources (the most important asset) in handling these electronic resources was accomplished in a phased manner. The paper further addresses the following aspects actually experimented at TIRC with success.

Inculcating the learning attitude and making continuous learning a primary survival strategy.

Skill development through on-the-job training and job rotation.

Application of PDCA (plan, do, check, act) cycle.

Application of Field Force Theory of Kurt Lewin.

It is concluded that successful adoption of new technology (PHASF- I) was possible mainly because of the clear and shared vision of a motivated team equipped with adequate skill, relevant tools and a capable leader.

[ITO - 98] [Welcome] [1998 - Internetional Year of the Oceans] [Objectives of ITO-98] [Plenary Lectures] [Technical Sessions] [Commercial/Corporate Presentation] [Exhibition/Demonstration] [Ocean IT CDROM] [Awards/Financial Assistance] [Fees / Charges] [Souvenir] [Post Symposium Event] [International Scientific Programme Committee] [Organizing Committee] [Schedule] [Scientific Programme Summary] [The Host] [Travelling / Accomodation] [Registration Forms] [Abstracts]

"to continously improve our understanding of the seas
around us and to translate this knowledge to benefit all"