The status of the University of Khartoum institutional repository

Abstract

The paper explored the current status of the University of Khartoum institutional repository (Khartoumspace) and attempted to answer questions pertaining to the contents of the repository and how they are organized, its staff and workflow, and how data is managed within the repository in addition to deposit and access policies adopted, and copyright and support issues. The study adopted a descriptive approach and used the case study method. Data collection tools included a semi-structured interview, document analysis, and observation. The study found that graduate theses and dissertations constitute the largest collection in the repository and that there is a high degree of institutional support for the repository. The paper also revealed that a mandatory deposit policy has been introduced by the University of Khartoum administration to enrich the repository with staff publications, but there is a need for more advocacy and awareness raising programmes targeting the University academic community, and like other institutional repositories in Africa, the Khartoumspace faces a number of challenges that might hinder its development which need to be addressed by the University administration.