QIR is the institutional repository that makes research outputs—such as papers and research data—produced by Kyushu University researchers freely available online for anyone to read.
Registered research outputs can be searched via external search engines and databases such as Google Scholar. QIR serves as an open-access platform for disseminating Kyushu University’s knowledge to the world.
Open Access
“QIR” Marks Its 20th Anniversary!
Thanks to your support, the Kyushu University Institutional Repository (QIR) marks its 20th anniversary! (April 14, 2026) .
Looking back on the past two decades, we highlight the features and appeal of QIR.
Contents
About QIR
Kyushu University researchers (faculty, staff, and graduate students) can publish their research outputs on QIR!
20th Special Feature : Stay Updated
We will celebrate throughout FY2026 with a variety of special events and initiatives!
Updates will be posted regularly—stay tuned!
20th Anniversary Messages [Coming Soon]
To celebrate QIR’s 20th anniversary, we have received warm messages from researchers who regularly publish their research outputs on QIR.
Special Interview [Coming Soon]
In this special feature, we interview faculty members who use QIR, asking about the significance of making research openly available and their expectations for QIR. We will share their candid perspectives as researchers.
In addition, to mark the 20th anniversary, we are planning awards based on the number of research outputs registered in QIR and their usage.
20th Anniversary Commemorative Bookmark [Coming Soon]
We are currently creating commemorative bookmarks to celebrate QIR’s 20th anniversary.
They will be available at five libraries across the university. Details on the design and distribution schedule will be shared on this page.
QIR in Numbers
What Content Is Available and How Much Is There?
Total Number of Items
70,960
items（as of March 31, 2026）
Breakdown by Content Type
【Top 3 Content Types】
（as of March 31, 2026）
（as of March 31, 2026）
1st：Departmental Bulletin Paper
44.8%（31,843）
44.8%（31,843）
2nd：Journal Article 21.3%（15,139）
3rd：Doctoral Thesis 11.0%（7,793）
How Much Is It Being Used?
Annual Number of Downloads
7,910,184
Downloads（2025）
Accessed through a wide range of channels—including search engines, databases, and generative AI—the number of downloads continues to grow year by year！
Downloads by Country
【Top 3 Countries】（2025）
1st：Japan 49%
2nd：United States 21%
3rd：China 12%
Approximately half of all downloads come from overseas.
Kyushu University’s research outputs are reaching researchers around the world through QIR.
The History of QIR
Let’s take a look back at QIR’s history.
Apr 14, 2006 Official launch
【Top Page Update】DSpace
（2007～）
Since its launch, QIR has used a fish motif, representing content swimming through the ocean of academic resources.
In the 20th anniversary banner, these fish are arranged in a circle, forming the “0” in “20.”
In the 20th anniversary banner, these fish are arranged in a circle, forming the “0” in “20.”
Apr 2007 Integration with KYUSHU UNIVERSITY Researchers
→QIR papers became accessible from researcher profiles！
Jan 2009 10,000 Items Reached
Jan 18, 2012 Integration with Cute.Catalog
→QIR contents became searchable on Cute.Catalog!
Cute.Catalog was a comprehensive database of academic contents provided by Kyushu University library, where you could search and access printed books and journals in the university, subscribed e-journals and e-books, etc. It later served as the basis for Kyushu University Collections.
Jun 2012 Registration of Digitized Doctoral Dissertations (National Diet Library)
→As part of the National Diet Library’s initiative to provide online access to academic theses, QIR also undertook their registration.
Jul 2012 20,000 Items Reached
Apr 2013 Mandatory Online Publication of Doctoral Dissertations Following Amendments to Degree Regulations (Published on QIR)
→Since the mandate, doctoral dissertations awarded by Kyushu University have been published on QIR.
Dec 1, 2013 Integrated into Kyushu University Collections
→It became possible to search QIR contents together with library holdings, subscribed e-journals, e-books, and more!
QIR services also evolved in line with changes in Kyushu University Library services.
Feb 2014 Renewal of the QIR Deposit Application Form on the Library Website
【Top Page Update】Released as "Papers" page
（June 2014）
May 2015 "Dissertation" browsing Released
→A browse interface dedicated to theses was launched.
Aug 2015 30,000 Items Reached
Oct 2015 Start of DOI Registration for Doctoral Dissertations
Dec 2015 Start of DOI Registration for Departmental Bulletin Papers, etc.
Jan 19, 2016 Kyushu University Open Access Policy Adopted
→Established to make publicly funded research available on QIR.
【Top Page Update】Integrated into Kyushu University Collections
（2018～）
Jan 9, 2018 Integration Features with Q-RADeRS Started
→It became possible to request QIR registration when entering research outputs into Q-RADeRS!
May 2018 Start of Crossref DOI Registration
Dec 2019 40,000 Items Reached
【Top Page Update】Current design
（2020～）
Mar 2021 Nakamura Tetsu Digital Archive Released
→Released as part of "The Kyushu University Dr. Nakamura Tetsu Project"
Sep 2021 Start of DataCite DOI Registration
Mar 2022 50,000 Items Reached
May 2024 60,000 Items Reached
May 2024 Additional Funding Began to Be Allocated to Departments Based on Their QIR Registration Rates, Further Encouraging Deposits!
Oct 27, 2025 QIR Deposit Application Form was Revamped
→The QIR deposit application form on the library website wasy revamped, making registration easier through integration with researchmap and the leverage of DOIs!
Feb 2026 70,000 Items Reached
Apr 14, 202620th Anniversary of the Launch!
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