Algeria has taken a significant step in its national digital transformation strategy with the official launch of the University Digital Library, a comprehensive platform designed to modernize the country’s higher education and scientific research sectors. The initiative, unveiled by the Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research, aims to provide students, professors, and researchers with seamless, secure access to a vast repository of academic resources and foster a knowledge-based society.
A Centralized Hub for National Knowledge
Developed under the University Publications Department, the digital library serves as a centralized hub hosting over 110,000 electronic documents. The collection includes a wide array of materials such as university publications, doctoral theses managed in partnership with the National Center for Scientific and Technical Documentation (CERIST), and scholarly works from the Supreme Council of the Arabic Language. The platform also digitizes and preserves national heritage by including materials from the National Center for Studies and Research on the National Movement and the November 1, 1954 Revolution.
Fostering Innovation and Intellectual Property
A key feature of the new platform is its integration of an innovation and intellectual property database, established in collaboration with the Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI). This partnership is designed to enhance the visibility of national research outputs and inventions, thereby strengthening Algeria’s innovation ecosystem. By providing transparent access to intellectual property data, the library empowers researchers and entrepreneurs to build upon existing work and protect their own innovations.
A Strategic Pillar for Digital Transformation
During the launch event, Minister Kamel Baddari emphasized that the digital library is a core pillar of Algeria’s higher education reform. He framed the initiative as more than a technological upgrade, highlighting its role in empowering the academic community with modern tools necessary to compete on a global scale. “This initiative reflects our commitment to open knowledge, digital inclusivity, and innovation-driven education,” stated Baddari. “It lays the foundation for a smarter, more connected, and forward-looking Algeria.”
About The University Digital Library
The University Digital Library is a national initiative by Algeria’s Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research to create an integrated digital ecosystem for academia. The platform provides secure, remote access to over 110,000 academic and research documents, including university publications, theses, and an innovation database, supporting the country’s goal of advancing its knowledge-based economy.
Source: MEA TechWatch
