HKUST Institutional Repository Hong Kong University of Science and Technology Library

Overview

The HKUST Institutional Repository is an open-access digital archive operated by the Lee Shau Kee Library of The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST). It serves as a permanent, globally accessible record of the institution's scholarly output, encompassing peer-reviewed articles, conference papers, theses and dissertations, technical reports, and other research materials.

History and Founding

HKUST Library launched the first institutional repository in Hong Kong in February 2003, beginning with 105 computer science technical reports. This milestone made HKUST a regional pioneer in open access publishing. The repository was developed following a November 2002 staff workshop on e-prints and open access, inspired by early institutional repository models. HKUST Library had previously joined the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Research Coalition (SPARC) in 1999, reflecting a long commitment to open scholarship. The Lee Shau Kee Library itself opened with the university in 1991, and has since been a leader in library innovation across Asia, including the first large-scale campus-wide CD-ROM network in Asian academic libraries and the first academic library web server in the region.

Collections and Holdings

The repository holds a broad range of research materials produced by HKUST faculty, researchers, and students across engineering, science, business, humanities, and social sciences. It includes theses and dissertations submitted for MPhil and PhD degrees, journal articles and conference papers, technical reports, datasets, images, and other digital objects. Related services include DataSpace@HKUST, a Dataverse-based research data repository, and streaming video collections of HKUST TV programs and university archives. A notable digitized special collection is the Antique Maps of China Collection.

Access and Usage

The repository is freely accessible online worldwide. HKUST staff and students may deposit works and the repository follows publisher copyright policies to determine which versions can be made available in full text. The repository supports open access through OAI-PMH compliance. Non-HKUST users with academic research needs may also access library facilities in person.