This research explores the evolving landscape of institutional repositories (IRs) within national research ecosystems. With increasing demands for open access, data transparency, and the preservation of academic and scientific knowledge, national IRs are pivotal in shaping the future of scholarly communication. This paper presents a case study of the piloting process of a national institutional repository, examining both the challenges faced during its development and implementation as well as the potential solutions to overcome them. Key challenges discussed include issues related to metadata standardization, digital preservation, interoperability, legal and copyright concerns, and stakeholder buy-in. Additionally, the paper identifies the critical success factors for a sustainable national repository, such as governance structures, collaboration between academic institutions and government agencies, and the integration of emerging technologies like machine learning for data curation. Finally, the paper outlines strategic recommendations for the future development and scaling of national repositories, with an emphasis on fostering international collaborations and ensuring long-term sustainability in the digital age. By synthesizing these insights, this work aims to contribute to the global conversation on optimizing national repositories for broader academic, societal, and technological impacts.

Universities in Bangladesh face challenges like limited research funding, quality education, access to global e-resources, and policy gaps in adopting open access (OA). Initiatives like BanglaJOL and UGC Digital Library provide partial support and only a small fraction of Bangladeshi journals are indexed in Scopus or listed in the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ). Open access remains underdeveloped due to the lack of awareness, resources, and policy frameworks. BANDAR means ‘port’ in Bengali is aiming to build a centralized hub for archiving theses and dissertations from all public, private, and international universities in Bangladesh. With only 16 digital institutional repositories currently in the country, BANDAR will cover mainly on graduate and doctoral research outputs. The University Grants Commission (UGC) can lead this initiative, mandating electronic submission of theses to ensure global accessibility. The repository framework will include governance, ICT infrastructure, standardized metadata, and preservation mechanisms. Researchers will submit works that undergo validation before being archived for open access. This initiative will enhance research visibility, reduce duplication, and elevate the quality of academic output, connecting Bangladeshi research to the global academic community.

Creating a national Current Research Information System (CRIS) in the Dominican Republic represents a crucial opportunity to enhance scientific dissemination and promote transparency in research processes. Currently, the limited number of digital platforms in academic and non-academic research institutions restricts the visibility of valuable scientific information such as projects, publications, patents, theses, researcher profiles, and laboratories, among others, hindering the efficient dissemination of knowledge. A national CRIS will consolidate a digital infrastructure that highlights scientific achievements and fosters cooperation among national and international institutions, enhances competitiveness, and drives research policy objectives. With this project, we aim to establish a culture of open science, integrating principles of transparency, open access, and collaboration in scientific research, which will strengthen the foundation for a more robust and sustainable future. In this proposal, building on successful cases and lessons learned, we outline the steps to develop a national CRIS with a comprehensive approach to advancing science in the Dominican Republic.

This paper presents the development and implementation of a registry of repositories in Kenya, spearheaded by the National Research Foundation (NRF) and powered by DSpace 7.6.2. The project attempts to address the need for a centralized directory of institutional and thematic repositories in the country, offering researchers, policymakers, and the public a comprehensive platform for discovering repositories and resources held therein. Unlike union repositories, this registry focuses on cataloging repositories rather than harvesting their content. Key features include integration with open street maps, custom interface design for the unique entity model, content organization in line with counties in Kenya and integration with international metadata standards. This paper will explore the theoretical foundations of repository registries, highlighting their role in improving research visibility, fostering collaboration, and supporting national open-access policies. The technical section covers the process of building the registry on DSpace 7.6.2, addressing issues such as setting up a custom “Repository” entity, updating the metadata registry and the challenges encountered. The paper will provide a replicable model for other countries seeking to establish similar registries and therefore contributing to global efforts in knowledge sharing and digital preservation.