On 20 October 2025, Mr. Kamel Baddari, the Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, officially inaugurated, at the ministry’s headquarters, the university digital library associated with the University Publications Office.

This initiative is part of the ministry’s strategic efforts to enhance digital transformation and to develop the university education system. It provides a comprehensive digital environment, giving students, researchers and professors easy access to knowledge and academic resources.

The digital library (st.iqraa.opu.dz) contains over 110,000 various electronic documents, including 4,154 books published by the University Publications Office and 90,797 doctoral theses, in collaboration with the National Centre for Scientific and Technical Documentation (CERIST). Additionally, the High Council for the Arabic Language has also made 380 Arabic books available, along with 124 books on the national movement and the 1^st November 1954 revolution. furthermore, 15,546 national and international patents have been added to the library’s collection in collaboration with the Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property (INAPI), giving students and researchers access to national and international innovations, and promoting a culture of research and development.

It is noteworthy that the ministry aims to achieve 500,000 electronic documents by 2027. This “reflects a strong commitment to developing the university system and providing an advanced digital environment that will contribute to shaping a knowledge-based future.” 

In his speech at the event, Mr. Baddari explained that “the initiative represents a pivotal step in the digitisation process of Algerian universities, and is a fundamental pillar of the digital transformation of higher education in Algeria.”  

The minister confirmed that the digital platform allows students and professor-researchers to purchase the University Publications Office’s books online using the EDAHABIA Card. He also noted that, starting from next November, people living abroad will be able to purchase the books online.

Mr. Baddari also announced that students would be able to subscribe to the digital library for an annual symbolic fee of 300 DZD. This “mirrors the social aspect of the Algerian state, reinforces the democratisation of education, and makes knowledge accessible to all. The rest of digital documents and academic content will remain available to review and download free of charge.”

On this occasion, the Minister initiated the process of acquiring books from this platform by purchasing a book about the life of the founder of the modern Algerian state, Emir Abdelkader.

In this context, the University Publications Office signed cooperation agreements with several organisations, including the Higher Council for the Arabic Language, the National Centre for Scientific and Technical Documentation, the National Centre of Research and Studies and Research on the National Movement and the Revolution of the 1 November 1954, and the Algerian National Institute of Industrial Property.