KIU launches digital library

EDUCATION

Kampala International University (KIU) has launched a digital library aimed at improving the ranking of the university and to attract more funding.

The repository is a digital collection of over 754 research publications output from Kampala International University stakeholders hosted at www.ir.ac.ug 

The digital library serves as an avenue for KIU to display her research outputs on the web and as permanent preservation.

The library contains journal articles, Masters and Doctoral thesis and conference papers. A variety of rare materials such as reports and datasets are also included.

David Bukenya, the deputy chief university librarian of Uganda Christian University (UCU) explained the importance of digital libraries as enhancing the visibility of the university, attracting funders and preservation of information for the long term.

The vice-chancellor of KIU, Dr. Mouhamad Mpezamihigo cautioned the university officials to guard against copyright abuse and plagiarism.

According to Mpezamihigo, the integrated repository will deliver quality education after the regulator National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) has given a green light.

He appealed to postgraduate students, lecturers, and scholars to take advantage of the repository.

Dr. Janice Busingye, the university secretary, appealed to scholars not to be selfish with their work, but share it with colleagues. 

The chairperson of the Consortium of Uganda University Libraries, Jesca Karungi, said that digital contributes to the advancement of research by providing literature information.

She also said that the repository improves the University rankings depending on the number of articles published in the journals and preservation of information.

Dr. Ruth Nalumaga, the deputy chief librarian of Makerere University, said a digital library is the way to go as library budgets are declining every financial year.

She noted that open access for scholarly work is free so that other researchers can access the information.