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Quality Before Indexing: A Personal Perspective on Building Sustainable University Journals in Developing Countries
For many universities in developing countries, launching a scientific journal is often viewed as an important institutional achievement. It demonstrates academic ambition, provides publication opportunities for researchers, and contributes to institutional visibility. However, after years of working as a university professor, academic administrator, and editor within the Libyan higher education system, I have come to believe that establishing a journal is the easiest part of the journey. Building a journal that is respected, trusted, and sustainable is far more challenging.
One pattern I have repeatedly observed is that discussions about journal development frequently begin with journal indexing. Editorial teams ask how to be included in international databases, obtain impact indicators, or attract more submissions. These are understandable goals, but they can easily distract from a more fundamental question: What makes a journal worth indexing in the first place?
In my view, successful journals are built on editorial culture rather than technical requirements. A journal may have an ISSN, a modern website, and an online submission system, yet still struggle if editorial decisions are inconsistent, peer review is weak, or publication schedules are irregular. Conversely, journals with limited financial resources can earn the trust of authors and reviewers when they demonstrate fairness, transparency, and professionalism.
Another lesson concerns editorial independence. Editors of university journals sometimes operate within complex institutional environments where administrative priorities may unintentionally influence editorial decisions. Protecting editorial independence is therefore not only an ethical responsibility but also a strategic necessity. Authors submit their best work to journals they trust, and trust is built when editorial decisions are based solely on scientific merit.
Peer review presents another important challenge. Like many editors around the world, we often struggle to identify reviewers who are both qualified and willing to review manuscripts within reasonable timeframes. Although technological platforms can simplify manuscript management, they cannot replace an engaged academic community. Reviewer recognition, constructive communication, and respect for reviewers' time are investments that strengthen the entire publishing process.
Digital transformation has undoubtedly improved scholarly publishing, but technology should be viewed as an enabler rather than a solution. Implementing online editorial systems, assigning DOIs, integrating ORCID identifiers, and adopting plagiarism detection software all contribute to higher standards. Nevertheless, these tools only create value when supported by clear editorial policies and well-trained editorial teams.
One misconception that deserves greater attention is the belief that indexing alone guarantees international visibility. Experience suggests otherwise. Visibility is ultimately earned through publishing research that addresses meaningful scientific questions, maintaining editorial consistency, and building a reputation for quality over many years. Indexing databases recognize these characteristics; they do not create them.
From my perspective, universities should also reconsider how they evaluate the success of their journals. Too often, success is measured by the number of issues published or the databases in which the journal appears. These indicators are important, but they should not overshadow more meaningful measures such as editorial quality, ethical publishing practices, reviewer engagement, and the journal's contribution to improving research culture.
Looking ahead, university journals in developing countries have a significant opportunity. Open access, digital publishing, artificial intelligence, and international collaboration are lowering many traditional barriers to scholarly communication. At the same time, these developments require stronger editorial leadership, greater attention to research integrity, and continuous professional development for editors.
My experience in Libya has convinced me that resource limitations are not the greatest obstacle to journal development. Rather, the most significant challenge is creating a long-term culture of editorial excellence. Sustainable journals are built through patience, institutional commitment, ethical leadership, and continuous learning. Indexing, citations, and international recognition are important milestones, but they should be viewed as outcomes of quality, not substitutes for it.
For editors working in emerging research systems, my advice is simple: focus first on building a journal that your own academic community trusts. International recognition will follow much more naturally when quality becomes the journal's defining characteristic.
Keywords
Scholarly publishing University journals Journal quality Journal indexing Editorial excellence Editorial independence Peer review Research integrity Open access Digital publishing Editorial leadership Developing countries Academic publishing Research culture Sustainable journals
Prof. Elbagermi is a professor of analytical chemistry at the University of Misurata, Libya. He earned his BSc and MSc from the same university and his PhD from the University of Bradford, UK, in 2010. His research focuses on analytical and environmental chemistry, emphasizing trace element analysis and method development.
View All Posts by Mohamed A. ElbagermiDisclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of their affiliated institutions, the Asian Council of Science Editors (ACSE), or the Editor’s Café editorial team.
