Implementing Open Access Multi-Institutional Digital Repository - The Case for SORER/SomaliREN

The research outputs produced by local universities and research institutions in Somalia are not open to local and global audiences. This has minimized the visibility and impacts of the local research outputs as well as its results. The already limited research outputs of local institutions were not adequately showcased to interested constituencies and citizens outside academic institutions. This has negatively branded the local institutions as in-competent to produce any form of research content. The printed copies of students' theses and dissertations were archived inside the university, and nobody saw them after their defending day. SORER is open access self-archiving multi-institutional digital repository system that enables Somali higher education and research institutions to host their research and educational resources for greater visibility and increased access. The descriptive details about the uploaded resources will be made available to Google and other search engines. SORER is implemented and operated by Somali Research and Education Network (SomaliREN) as one of its key mission to improve and facilitate research work among Somali higher education and research institutions. AII universities and research institutions will contribute to the SORER platform and provide all Open Access. The project aims to assist our research and higher education institutions in increasing their research output and encouraging local content production.