Revolutionising research sharing at UTAR with DSpace-CRIS

The launch of DSpace-CRIS at UTAR Sungai Long Campus marked a transformative step in the University’s ongoing commitment to research excellence and innovation. Held on 23 April 2025 at the UTAR Mary KUOK Pick Hoo Library, the event introduced a powerful new tool to elevate UTAR’s research landscape.

Present at the event were UTAR President Ir Prof Dato’ Dr Ewe Hong Tat, Vice President for R&D and Commercialisation Prof Ts Dr Faidz bin Abd Rahman, Registrar Ms Loh Siaw Yien, Division of Strategy and Performance Measurement Director Prof Dr Zuraidah binti Abd Manaf and UTAR staff.

DSpace-CRIS is a next-generation research information management system that provides a unified platform to manage and showcase UTAR’s research activities—from scholarly publications and projects to grants and researcher profiles. With enhanced efficiency and visibility, the system supports the University’s strategic push towards open access and digital transformation.

“DSpace-CRIS is more than just a digital repository. It is a comprehensive platform designed to manage, store, and share research outputs. It enables our University to showcase its scholarly work on a global stage. By adopting DSpace-CRIS, we are embracing the principles of transparency, knowledge sharing, and innovation. Our researchers will benefit from increased citations, improved networking opportunities, and greater visibility for their work,” Prof Dato’ Ewe said.

He added, “Indeed, this launch signifies not just the implementation of a software system, but a fundamental transformation in the way UTAR archives, presents, and disseminates its intellectual contributions. With its integrated features, DSpace-CRIS supports the University’s strategic objectives of promoting open access, enhancing research transparency, and encouraging impactful knowledge dissemination. It ensures that UTAR’s research output is more discoverable, measurable, and relevant to both academic and societal advancement.”

In his welcome remarks, Prof Faidz, stated, “DSpace-CRIS is a gateway to innovation, a platform that ensures our scholarly work is preserved, recognised, and shared worldwide. With its support for open access and comprehensive researcher profiles, the platform strengthens our capacity for impactful and transparent research.”

DSpace-CRIS represents a significant milestone in UTAR’s journey towards more integrated and transparent research management. Building upon the existing DSpace repository, the new system was studied, developed, and implemented by the Division of Strategy and Performance Measurement (DSPM). The result is a comprehensive, structured, and open-source solution that enables streamlined tracking of research activities—all within a single platform and at minimal cost.

This one-stop solution is poised to boost UTAR’s research visibility, enhance interdisciplinary and international collaborations, and increase global access to the University’s scholarly contributions. For example, researchers’ work will become more easily discoverable through indexing, while UTAR’s institutional strengths can be presented more effectively on the international stage. Beyond administration, DSpace-CRIS plays a strategic role in reinforcing UTAR’s academic standing in the global research community.

As UTAR enters this new chapter of digital research management, all researchers and academic staff are encouraged to engage actively with the DSpace-CRIS platform. The University looks forward to seeing this system play a central role in building a vibrant, collaborative, and globally connected research ecosystem—advancing UTAR’s mission to contribute knowledge for the betterment of society.