News

The Wazir Agha Library at the University of Sargodha (UoS) has launched a digital research repository powered by the open-source platform DSpace.

This interdisciplinary repository provides open access to MS/MPhil theses and PhD dissertations produced at UoS, marking a major step forward in boosting the university’s academic visibility and research impact.

The launching ceremony was attended by a distinguished gathering of academic leaders and professionals, including Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed, Chairman of the Higher Education Commission (HEC), Islamabad. Vice Chancellors and senior faculty from over 20 prominent universities participated, including the University of the Punjab, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University Multan, Government College University Lahore, GC University Faisalabad, University of Education Lahore, Emerson University Multan, GC Women University Faisalabad, and Government College for Women University Sialkot.

Speaking on the occasion, Prof. Dr. Mukhtar Ahmed commended the University of Sargodha for its leadership in promoting research culture. He also emphasized the need for a centralized national research repository that aggregates the research output of all Pakistani universities to enhance access and coordination.

Prof. Dr. Kanwal Ameen, Vice Chancellor of GC Women University Faisalabad, echoed this vision, calling for a unified national database that captures ongoing MS/MPhil and PhD research projects to prevent duplication of efforts and streamline research priorities.

Prof. Dr. Ramzan, Vice Chancellor of Emerson University, Multan, lauded the efforts of the Wazir Agha Library, particularly the establishment of the Research Support Lab aimed at empowering early career researchers.

UoS Vice Chancellor Prof. Dr. Qaisar Abbas reaffirmed the university’s commitment to fostering interdisciplinary research that addresses complex national challenges. He acknowledged the contributions of the university’s library leadership in cultivating a research-oriented academic environment, especially among graduate students and early-career faculty.

Chief Librarian Dr. Muhammad Asif Naveed highlighted the repository’s role in facilitating academic access and institutional growth. The initial phase covers theses and dissertations, with plans underway to expand the repository’s scope to include journal articles, conference papers, books, and other forms of scholarly work. Eventually, the platform will evolve into a comprehensive institutional repository, housing essential documents from key administrative offices such as the Registrar, Examinations, Quality Enhancement Cell (QEC), Procurement, and External Linkages.

Dr. Asif Naveed also acknowledged the technical support provided by Mr. Muhammad Arshad Iqbal and the round-the-clock efforts of Mr. Ahmad Shahood Aakash in finalizing the repository’s successful deployment.