The CSIR-National Institute of Science Communication and Policy Research (CSIR-NIScPR) successfully organised a five-day offline Skill Training programme on "Design, Development and Use of AI in Institutional Repositories using DSpace" during 6–10 July 2026 under the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative (Phase III). Organized by the Institute's Training Division, the programme aimed to strengthen the technical competencies of library and information professionals, academicians, researchers, students, and IT professionals in developing and managing institutional repositories using the open-source DSpace platform integrated with emerging Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies.

Dr. Geeta Vani Rasayam, Director, CSIR-NIScPR inaugurated the programme and encouraged participants to actively engage in the programme and emphasized the growing significance of digital repositories, open-source technologies, and Artificial Intelligence in advancing scholarly communication, knowledge preservation, and research visibility. In her welcome address, Ms. Meetali Bharti introduced the objectives of the programme and highlighted the importance of continuous capacity building in digital knowledge management.

Designed with a strong emphasis on experiential learning, the programme combined expert lectures with extensive hands-on sessions. Throughout the five days, Shri Mukesh A. Pund, Head, Training Division, CSIR-NIScPR conducted the academic sessions, guiding participants through the complete lifecycle of developing and managing institutional repositories using DSpace. The training covered Open Source Software fundamentals, DSpace architecture and administration, communities and collections, item submission, e-People registration and authorization, Linux and DSpace installation, Dublin Core and Bitstream Registry management, repository customization, backup and restoration, as well as the application of Artificial Intelligence in libraries, including AI-powered metadata extraction and semantic search. Participants gained practical exposure through demonstrations, guided exercises, and laboratory-based sessions, enabling them to independently deploy, customize, and administer institutional repositories.

Beyond the classroom sessions, participants experienced the broader scientific ecosystem of CSIR-NIScPR through interactions with institute scientists, a visit to the NIScPR Herbarium, and an informative lecture on SARAL AI, providing valuable insights into the Institute's multidisciplinary research and science communication initiatives.

The programme witnessed exceptional enthusiasm and active participation throughout its duration. Interactive discussions, practical problem-solving exercises, and continuous engagement between participants and faculty created a collaborative learning environment that significantly enhanced the overall training experience. The programme successfully equipped participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to establish, manage, and strengthen AI-enabled institutional repositories, thereby supporting open access, long-term digital preservation, and efficient knowledge dissemination.

The valedictory session was graced by Shri Subhash Chandra Antil, Controller of Administration, CSIR-NIScPR, and Ms. Gurmeet Kaur, Finance and Accounts Officer, CSIR-NIScPR, who congratulated the participants on successfully completing the programme and encouraged them to apply the acquired knowledge and technical skills in their respective institutions. Certificates were distributed to all successful participants in recognition of their active participation and successful completion of the training.

Speaking on the occasion, the organizers reiterated CSIR-NIScPR's commitment to strengthening national capacity in digital knowledge management through high-quality skill development programmes under the CSIR Integrated Skill Initiative. The successful completion of this training programme marks another significant step towards promoting the adoption of open-source repository technologies and Artificial Intelligence for modern library and information services, thereby contributing to India's evolving digital research and knowledge ecosystem.

The programme was coordinated by Ms. Meetali Bharti, Programme Coordinator and Nodal Principal Investigator (PI), with Mr. Salim Ansari, Co-PI and Course Co-Coordinator, and Mr. Mukesh A. Pund, Head, Training Division and Course Coordinator. A total of 25 participants from universities, research institutions, libraries, and other organizations across the country successfully completed the intensive training programme.

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