• 2019-06-27

National Central Library and Southern Taiwan University of Science and Technology (STUST), along with sixteen other schools and institutions, cohosted the 11^th Intercollegiate Presentation and Competition of Outstanding Dissertations and Theses. It was held on May 28, 2019, at STUST. One outstanding student from each session was selected to receive a certificate and prize money. This event not only encourages open access for outstanding theses and dissertations and improves the production of quality scholarly articles by doctoral and masters students in Taiwan, but also promotes the concept of full-text authorization for open access and thus ensures the long-term preservation of these research achievements.

The event showcased research from fourteen masters and doctoral students from different fields and schools. All dissertations and theses presented were authorized for inclusion in the National Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations in Taiwan. Given NCL’s archival responsibilities and the need to spur on scholarly dissemination, NCL established the National Digital Library of Theses and Dissertations in Taiwan. As of May 2019, the database contained the titles and abstracts of more than 1.12 million theses and dissertations from around Taiwan. Of these, 480,000 have been authorized for the full text to have open access, allowing the public to download and use. It has already become an important resource site for Chinese dissertations and thesis for people around the world.

Director-general Tseng Shu-hsien gave remarks during the awards ceremony. In addition to thanking each of the participating institutions for their assistance, she also emphasized the revision of the law for authorizing dissertations and theses.

Those dissertations and theses that were formally authorized to be stored at NCL can be made available inside the library based on the laws in Taiwan. In the future, NCL will continue to promote the sharing and long-term archiving of theses and dissertations, in addition to actively encouraging a comprehensive collection of digital copies and sustainable service at a local level. NCL also wants to augment its collaboration with Taiwan universities, collectively improving the international visibility and influence of Taiwan’s scholarship.