swot analyses on hmcsr for the cultural heritage

SWOT ANALYSES on HMCSRfor the cultural heritage protection research

Emine N. CANER-SALTIK, Ayşe TAVUKÇUOGLU

Middle East Technical UniversityMaterials Conservation Laboratory, Department of Architecture

www.mcl.org.trwww.monumentslab.org.tr

JOCHERA FINAL CONFERENCE, University of Jordan, Hamdi Mango Center for Scientific Research,3rd of November, 2013, Amman, Jordan

Middle East Technical University / Materials Conservation Laboratory (METU-MCL)

Objectives

strengths weaknesses opportunities threatsof Hamdi Mango Centre for Scientific Research (HMCSR) for cultural heritage protection research



General Methodolgy

preparation of the questionnaire(s) for the SWOT analysis,- Questionnaire 1 prepared by TECNALIA- Questionnaire 2 prepared by METU-MCL

distribution of questionnaires to the researchers and their collection;

analyses of the questionnaires,

summary and evaluation of the results in relation to cultural heritage protection research.



SWOT Based Evaluation of Internal Strengths and Weaknesses:

i. Policy and Mission of HMCSR

ii. Human resources of HMCSR

iii. Laboratory facilities of HMCSR and other infrastructure

iv. Development of HMCSR in relation to cultural heritage protection research: potentials and the needs

v. Management, funding and research to innovation.



i. Policy and Mission of HMCSR− Mission of HMCSR: to tackle with scientific and technical problems of fundamental

importance for the country.

− the fundamental importance of the “cultural heritage protection research” and its inclusion into the activities of center.


in some cases69%

no idea12%

yes13%

no6%

Conservation practice based on scientific research is only in some cases

i. Policy and Mission of HMCSR− a strategic plan for priority research subjects

− A yearly-agenda is suggested


Priority topics of cultural heritage in Jordan: diagnosis and monitoring of problems followed by preservation of natural heritage and preventive conservation maintenance

ii. Human resources of HMCSR− HMCSR has a strong team of qualified scientific staff with productive, efficient and dedicated

team spirit.− Half of the researcher staff for HMCSR has positions in UJ while the other half is full time

researchers of HMCSR.− All researchers are familiar with English language and this is a strong point for international

collaborative research and communication. − HMCSR is strong with the interdisciplinary character of its researchers from the fields of

basic sciences and applied sciences.


Research fields of researchers (Ph.D)

ii. Human resources of HMCSR− Background of the staff allows interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary cooperation

for the research in the fields of Applied Science and Technology. − The researchers have high international publication input.− HMCSR is improving in relation to its staff capacity. The number of researchers

has increased in the last five years. − HMCSR staff stated moderate to extreme need for new researchers in the center.


Research methods of researchers, showing high capacity of experimental research

extreme23%

moderate47%

fair12%

low18%

Need for new researchers stated by the HMCSR staff.

ii. Human resources of HMCSR− there is equal number of distinguished experienced researchers and the young

researchers, whereas the number of young researchers needs to be increased.

− In terms of management, the number of researchers and lab supervision and administrative people are in balance.


Prof.29%

Assoc.Prof.14%

Asst.Prof.7%

Res.Asst.43%

Specialist7%

Experience of researchers

Administrative12%

Director6%

Lab supervisor23%

Lab supervisor&Resear

cher6%

Researcher47%

other (faculty)6%

The distribution of duties in the HMCSR


ii. Human resources of HMCSR

− there is need to attract and motivate young researchers on the related subjects.

− Number of distinguished researchers needs to be maintained and increased. Loss of distinguished researchers is one of the risks for the sustainability of HMCSR.

− teamwork of the staff and integration of young researchers with the more experienced ones need to be encouraged. .

− The training of inexperienced laboratory supervisors is necessaryfor efficient use of instruments



iii. Laboratory facilities and other infrastructure− The laboratory infrastructure of HMCSR is strong in terms of its advanced

analytical instruments and large laboratory working spaces. − improvements in the advanced analytical instruments and larger laboratory

working spaces are neededMetallographiic

Microscope15%

XRD6%

Raman Spectrometer

7%

FTIR5%

TGA/DTA6%

ICP-MS9%XRF

6%

Dilatometer7%

Air flow resistivity

7%

Tortuosity meter7%

Infrared Camera9%

Ultrasonic pulse velocity

7%

Point load tester9%

The relative priorities of the demands for the instruments expressed by the researchers


iii. Laboratory facilities and other infrastructure− Poor management for the use and maintenance of instruments in

laboratories of HMCSR has been stated. There is need for improvements in the use and maintenance of analytical instruments.

− HMCSR has a potential to be a well-equipped central laboratory. The presence of other laboratories in the campus is an advantage for collaborative research with other departments and advancement of the Center in interdisciplinary research topics of fundamental importance.

− The UJ libraries and internet facilities is found to be moderate to sufficient for current research activities while it will not be so sufficient for the cultural heritage protection research.



iv. Management, funding and research to innovation

− management,

− budget and funding,

− research strategy,

− cooperation and marketing of research results for public and industry .




− management• HMCSR management seems to be an independent unit from the university and

governed by the Center Council, whose members are from the UJ and local community.

• University regulations are valid for the running of the HMCSR. They lead to difficulties in networking, application to new projects, appointing more researchers inside the center and buying new equipments.

• Regulations also discourage cooperation with industry and possibilities of funding.


There is need of more simple and flexible regulations especially for external entities.



− budget and funding• In the last ten years, half of the projects in HMCSR were funded by the university

while the remaining half were supported by the Jordanian government and EU together with a small percentage of Jordanian companies and SEM support.

• More funding is needed for the center.

• HMCSR laboratories and its staff can also function for service to public and industry. The cost of services can be income for the Center to support scientific research.

other3%

EU23%

government17%

companies2%

SEM3%

UJ52%



− research strategy


• The main strategy of HMCSR is to deal with scientific and technical problems of fundamental importance for Jordan.

• Lack of a clear strategic plan for priority research fields wasobserved.

• The need for yearly-agenda on monitoring of ongoing research waspointed out.



− cooperation and marketing of research results for public and industry.

- Low number of participation in international partnership and cooperation projects was observed

- Technology Transfer Office can encourage collaborative research and cooperation of HMCSR with public and industry

- Weakness in marketing of research results was observed:* insufficient impact and influence of HMCSR on the public in Jordan* weak publicity of the HMCSR through the country and the region* low marketing the project results* weak visibility of the center in Jordan and outside

Future developments are possible by Strategic Planning and Management: HMCSR can be a well equipped central laboratory. HMCSR can make affiliation with other centers in the world.


v. Development of HMCSR in relation to cultural heritage protection research: potentials and the needs

HMCSR has high potential to assimilate the cultural heritage protection research in its structure.

− Researchers’ interest to cultural heritage protection researchissues

− Training of scientific staff in relation to cultural heritage conservation

− Strategy and funding




− Researchers’ interest to cultural heritage protection research issues

materials19%

environment21%

preventative conservation

22%

restoration19%

training&education8%

information technologies

5%

building rehabilitation

3%

computational analysis

3%

Researchers prefer to adapt their background to the specific fields of “preventive conservation”, “environment”, “materials” and “restoration”




Researchers think that their contributions can be on “the development of repair materials and conservation methods”followed by “the preventive measures for the control of decay factors”, “investigations on technological and compositional properties of materials” and “examination of performance characteristics of materials”




Researchers interest in conservation topics is highest for “the development of conservation treatments” followed by “the evaluation of effectiveness of conservation treatments” and “identification of deterioration mechanisms”.


v. Development of HMCSR in relation to cultural heritage protection research: potentials and the needs− Training of scientific staff in relation to cultural heritage

conservationTo be done by collaborative research programs in the center and/or abroad

− Strategy and funding:Center Council must be convinced for the fundamental importance of the “cultural

heritage protection research” for Jordan and its inclusion into the activities of center

Governmental institutions play the biggest role in providing financial sources for the conservation and restoration works in Jordan followed by international funds such as EU and UNESCO.

Universities19%

Private Contractors10%

EU Funds17%

Governmental Institutions

24%

Foundations13%

UNESCO17%

Governmental institutions cooperation with universities or research centers for the conservation of cultural heritage is weak.


SWOT based evaluation of external threats

Conservation of cultural heritage is of prime importance for the sustainable development of every country.

• Number of conservation specialists and restoration specialists in Jordan is poor

• Poor scientific approach to cultural heritage conservation at national and international level to improve the quality of conservation practices.




11%

12%

9%

9%

8%

7%

8%

8%

7%

10%

8%

5%

0% 2% 4% 6% 8% 10% 12% 14%

insufficient rules and regulations for conservation works (Governmental policies)

lack of communication between the disciplines

difficulties to build up interdisciplinary teams for conservation works

lack of public awareness for cultural heritage

insufficient number of experts related to conservation works

lack of control at construction site

insufficient conservation program and its inadequate management

lack of job description prior to conservation applications

lack of knowledge on interdisciplinary issues of conservation among the professions related to cultural heritage conservation

lack of training and education of professions related to conservation: architects, practicing conservators

, archaeologists, scientists, contractors, administrative

lack of funding for conservation activities

overuse by tourism

Reasons of inadequate conservation activities in Jordan are “lack of communication between the disciplines”, “insufficient rules and regulation for conservation works”,“lack of training and education of professions related to conservation” and “lack of public awareness for cultural heritage”.



Some threats related to the management issues of HMCSR:

• university regulations causing difficulties in:- networking- application to new projects- appointing more researchers inside the center- buying new equipments- obtaining grants.- the cooperation of HMCSR with industry and funding

sources.JOCHERA FINAL CONFERENCE, University of Jordan, Hamdi Mango Center for Scientific Research,3rd of November, 2013, Amman, Jordan



Threats that may risk the sustainability of HMCSR:

• the loss in financial support• weak communication with the administration & legislation• loss of distinguished researchers in important

specializations



Conclusions and Recommendations• HMCSR is a well-established research center.

• HMCSR has high potential to assimilate the cultural heritage protection research in its structure.

• Researchers think that their contributions can be on “the development of repair materials and conservation methods” particularly on nanotechnology in relation to conservation of cultural heritage.

• Center Council of HMCSR needs to be convinced for the fundamental importance of the “cultural heritage protection research” for Jordan and for its inclusion into the policy and activities of HMCSR.

• Funding will be necessary for the employment of new researchers, their training in cultural heritage conservation through collaborative research programs in the center and/or abroad.

• There is need to supply of new equipment and new laboratory spacesfor the purpose of cultural heritage protection research activities.


Conclusions and Recommendations

• Young researchers have to be attracted to HMCSR while distinguished researchers to be maintained and increased in number. Teamwork and stronger integration of young researchers with the more experienced

ones need to be supported.

• The conservation practice in Jordan is not based on scientific researchwith the exception of some cases.

• HMCSR faces some externally embedded difficulties related to shortcomings in administration and management.

• The other major difficulties are “the decline of public awareness on scientific research”, “poor scientific approach in cultural heritage

conservation”, “presence of gap between research and industry” as well as “weakness in marketing of research results”.



Conclusions and Recommendations

• HMCSR can put more efforts to bridge the gaps by joint activities between research units and industry and provide common grounds for cooperation by networking with professionals and practitioners.

• HMCSR is able to use its potentials to become an important research center contributing to fundamental research areas including cultural heritage protection research.

• The difficulties present new opportunities to be overcome. HMCSR can find ways to tackle with them by taking into account its own potentials and priorities.



Thanks for your attention


swot analyses on hmcsr for the cultural heritage

Documents