Manara – Qatar Research Repository: One year after the launch

This presentation was given by Marcin Werla and Alwaleed Alkhaja Qatar National Library (Open Repositories MENA 2023)

Manara – Qatar Research Repository, launched by the Qatar National Library (QNL) in November 2022, serves as a crucial resource for supporting research and education in Qatar. Besides typical repository functions, iIts goals include promoting content publication in the Arabic language, supporting research and education communities where English is not the dominant language, and collaborating with the Qatar Research, Development, and Innovation Council (QRDI) on research data management. The repository also aims to provide legacy archiving for research and educational content from institutions or projects that are no longer active.

Manara has already made significant progress, with over 2,500
items deposited from more than 30 institutions and approximately 130,000 views
and downloads since its launch. Notably, it has garnered international
attention, with the USA, the UK, and Qatar being the top countries accessing
Manara content.

The repository is open to all Qatar-based researchers, who can individually register and upload their content. Additionally, institutions can partner with Manara, and QNL can upload content on their behalf. While Manara is currently operating as a pilot service, it plays a pivotal role in QNL's mission and vision, with plans to establish a long-term sustainability model in cooperation with participating institutions in 2024.