A review of the open access concept in the UAE

Abstract

Purpose

This paper seeks to highlight the recent open access (OA) initiatives in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Design/methodology/approach

The paper finds that the UAE open access initiatives may be the beginning of advances towards encouraging contributing to OA peer‐reviewed article publication for enabling knowledge creation. The OA initiative appears to be a harbinger of things to come particularly at UAE institutions of higher learning where most of the academic research happens. For librarians, the time has come to be involved with the creation of institutional repositories as their roles evolve.

Findings

The research is based on literature rather than a field study. This means an actual survey may be more informative in the future.

Research limitations/implications

It is important for librarians and the academic community to understand what OA means in order to both contribute and benefit from it.

Practical implications

OA as a concept implies giving the responsibility to librarians to give more advice to patrons about effective use of OA resources.

Originality/value

This paper reinforces many of the concepts being discussed regarding OA initiatives both in the UAE and globally.

Citation

Mavodza, J. (2013), "A review of the open access concept in the UAE", New Library World, Vol. 114 No. 5/6, pp. 259-266. https://doi.org/10.1108/03074801311326885