Springer Nature and BITS Pilani partner for a Fully Open Access Agreement
Researchers across the three campuses of BITS will have the opportunity to publish in over 550 fully open access journals
New Delhi : Springer Nature has formed a partnership with BITS Pilani, an institution known for its commitment to innovation, to make research from BITS’ three campuses (Pilani, Hyderabad, and Goa) completely accessible to the public. The Fully Open Access Agreement will significantly increase the visibility and reach of the research from the three campuses leading to higher citation rates and greater impact. It will provide researchers from BITS increased opportunities for collaboration with other researchers and institutions worldwide, fostering a more connected scientific community.
This groundbreaking development will be a significant step in promoting open access, putting BITS Pilani on the map as one of the first pioneering institutions to make important research data available to the public without restrictions. Researchers across the three campuses can publish in over 550 fully open access journals, including BMC, Springer, and Nature Portfolio (Nature Communications & Scientific Reports). The agreement was signed in the presence of Prof. Sudhirkumar Barai, Director, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus, Mr. Arun Khetan, CFO of BITS Pilani and CEO, BITS Pilani, Mumbai Campus, Dr. NVM Rao, Dean – Administration and Senior Professor, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus and Dr. Ranjan Sinha Thakur, Librarian, BITS Pilani, Pilani Campus.
Prof. V. Ramgopal Rao, Vice Chancellor, BITS, Pilani expressed enthusiasm about the new agreement, stating, “We are glad to partner with Springer Nature to make our research more accessible. This agreement reflects our commitment to sharing knowledge and driving innovation without restrictions. Open access publishing is the future of academic research, and we are proud to be at the forefront of this movement.”
Venkatesh Sarvasiddhi, Managing Director, Springer Nature India Private Limited said “This partnership with BITS Pilani exemplifies our shared vision for an open and collaborative research environment. By making cutting-edge research freely available, we are helping to break down barriers to knowledge and foster a more inclusive and equitable scientific community. This new agreement further strengthens our ongoing relationship with BITS Pilani. “
Building on a foundation of collaboration, Springer Nature and BITS Pilani previously signed a Memorandum of Understanding to foster knowledge growth and accelerate research. This agreement facilitated author workshops, mentoring opportunities, and community engagement for BITS Pilani students and faculty. It also opened doors for them to publish high-quality research, cultivate research communities, nurture innovative ideas, and champion open science and open access practices.