The Open Science section will be held under the title “Institutional Repositories in Iranian Higher Education Institutions: Functions, Challenges, and Tools”
Although more than two decades have passed since the emergence of institutional repositories as platforms for knowledge dissemination, their role and importance in Iranian higher education institutions have not yet received adequate attention. This session will examine the benefits of using institutional repositories in these institutions, including facilitating access to knowledge, fostering collaboration among researchers, and enhancing the academic reputation of universities.
Despite their numerous advantages, the adoption of institutional repositories in Iran faces several challenges. One of the main objectives of this session is to explore the factors hindering the widespread use of these platforms in Iranian higher education institutions, such as a lack of awareness, insufficient infrastructure, and cultural barriers.
University libraries, as centers for information storage and organization, can play a vital role in managing and organizing institutional repositories. Therefore, strategies for the active involvement of libraries in this field—such as developing appropriate policies, educating researchers, and providing support services—will be discussed during the session.
These platforms also present new opportunities for libraries, including improved access to collections, enhanced service quality, and stronger collaboration with other institutions. Additionally, this session will address the new possibilities that artificial intelligence offers for institutional repositories.
It is noted that Dr. Behrooz Rasuli is the secretary of this section.
