Nordic Graduate School of Language Technology
NGSLT Board Meeting
13th May, 2009
15.00-18.00
University of Southern Denmark
Odense Campus, Odense, Denmark
Room U77
Present: Robin Cooper (Sweden, chair), Vera Evdokimova (NW Russia, student representative), Jody Foo (Sweden, student representative), Emiliano Guevara (Norway, student representative), Peter Juel Henrichsen (Denmark), Mare Koit (Estonia), Kimmo Koskenniemi (Finland), Eirikur Rögnvaldsson (Iceland), Inguna Skadina (Latvia), Pavel Skrelin (NW Russia), Torbjørn Svendsen (Norway)
- formalia
It was decided that Robin would be secretary and that the minutes would be placed on the website for checking and would be approved if there were no objections one week after the board is informed that they have been posted.
The agenda was approved. - information
There was no information. - minutes of last meeting (html)
approved. - student issues (student representatives)
A number of points were raised relating to the need for something similar to NGSLT activities in the future and ways in which opportunities could be made available for students to attend courses even if central funding is not available. - budget information
Robin presented a summary of our predicted use of funds up to the end of the first half of 2009(pdf). We predict that there will be approximately 10,000 euros left which could potentially be used during the autumn. However, given that this is based on a prediction and would not cover our normal activities we decided to cease activities after the summer. We might try to use any remaining funds for preparation for NGSLT-type activities in the future. - course information and planning
Robin presented figures for course registration and completion for autumn 2008 and spring 2009 (to the extent that these courses have been completed). He also presented statistics for PhD students affiliated with the school since 2004 and course registrations 2006-2009. These show that while the number of affiliated students is highest in the Scandinavian countries, the number of course attendances is highest in the Baltic countries and NW Russia. - NGSLT future
We discussed various funding possibilities which we had decided not to apply for because of their inappropriateness for our activities. We decided that there is some chance for future activity involving online courses of various kinds. In connection with this it would be useful to produce a strategy document for advanced training in Nordic LT. NEALT's SIGTeaching could be an appropriate forum to continue the discussion, which would concern the nature of courses, the relationship of courses to Masters and PhD programmes, the identification of necessary courses and encouragement to institutions to fund their students to attend courses. Erasmus teaching exchanges could also play a role. - NEALT report
Kimmo and Mare gave a report on NEALT, in particular on progress within the NEALT SIGs and availability of forums on the NEALT wiki. Publications have now been established. There are seven volumes of proceedings available. One paper has already been accepted to the journal and four more are under review. - date of next meeting
This was the last meeting. - any other business
No other business.
