Public Policy and Development Seminars
 
Workshop on developing scientific journals at universities and resolutions for that of the VNU

On 1st March 2011, the University of Economics and Business organized a workshop to introduce the Serial Economics and Business of the Journal of Science VNU. Assoc.Prof.PhD. Nguyen Hong Son, Head of the Editorial Board cum UEB Rector chaired the workshop.


Present at the workshop were the representatives from the science journals published by the universities and institutes with economic and business academic programs, Fulbright Program in Vietnam, the coordinators whose articles have been published in the Serial Economics and Business, lecturers and students of University of Economics and Business - VNU.

In his opening speech, Assoc.Prof.PhD. Nguyen Hong Son reviewed the history of the Serial Economics and Business, pointed out pros and cons that the Serial has met in its development journey, and asked the participants to actively share their ideas for the further improvement of the Serial Economics and Business. The University looks forward to upgrade the Serial Economics and Business according to international standards like ISI or Scopus as a contribution to an increased quality of education and research services that it  has conducted during the international integration process.

Dr. Le Quoc Hoi, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, the Economics and Development Journal published by the National Economics University presented the necessity of a science journal and international standards that it is required to achieve. He shared some lessons that his Journal has learned while striving for international standards. In his opinion, for a good-quality journal, it was necessary to have a highly qualified editorial board, a restrict peer-reviewed process, a policy to attract good articles; publish the journal to a wide range of readers; improve capacity for editors; and receive supports from the University’s Directorial Board and relevant governmental bodies.

Assoc.Prof.PhD. Dinh Phi Ho, Deputy Editor-in-Chief, the Journal of Economic Development, the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City emphasized the roles of and offered some suggestions for the development of scientific journals in universities. He said scientific journals are either important for universities and localities. In order to improve the quality of the Serial Economics and Business, he suggested the Editorial Board should work on monthly themes, strict peer-reviewed process, websites, etc ... through examples of his own journal.

Prof.Dr. Dinh Van Duc, Head of the Serial Social Sciences and Humanities of the Journal of Science of the Vietnam National University, Hanoi appreciated the idea to organize the workshop. He said the afore-mentioned two speakers gave the participants very practical lessons learned in organizing and developing a science journal. He mentioned a number of bias that the Serial Social Sciences and Humanitarian and others of the Journal of Science are facing at present.

Assoc.Prof.Dr. Nguyen Huu Dat, Editor-in-Chief, Journal of Economic Research published by the Vietnam Institute of Economics addressed the specific characteristics of a scientific journal, the inadequacies in quality assurance of journals such as organizational structure, autonomy, and revenue.

Most participants affirmed a very important role of scientific journals, especially for research-oriented universities. If a scientific journal wants to promote its role, it must be internationalized in various aspects related to editorial council, editorial board, coordinators, and future development orientations. The scientific journals need attentions by school leaders and appropriate mechanisms, financial resources supported by schools and other stakeholders; strengthened collaboration among journals both domestic and foreign; a strict process to screen articles; a website to publish it a wider range of readers.

The workshop mobilized intelligence and enthusiasm of the scientists, researchers and collaborators. It was a forum to better define the role, function and mission of the journal  at universities, there by solutions as well as orientations were suggested to developt he Serial Economics and Business of VNU Journal of Science towards good quality and international level.

UEB leaders and participants at the workshop.


Mai Anh - Photos: Thuy Dung