Author Archives: Zulkifli Musa

On 19 January 2016, Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM Press) and International Journal of Asia Pacific Studies (IJAPS) welcome a visit by Associate Professor Dr. Ploysri Porananond from University of Chiang Mai, Thailand.

The purpose of the visit by Assoc. Prof. Porananond was to take a closer look at how journals published by USM Press are managed, particularly IJAPS. The sharing session was held in the Taman Buku (Book Garden), the USM Press’ book showroom.

Professor Ooi Keat Gin, Editor-in-Chief of IJAPS shared his hands-on experience running IJAPS as an e-journal since its inception in 2005. From a modest set up, the journal has undergone a steady phase of growth, and today has become a noticeable presence in the field of scholarly publishing, especially in the humanities field.

Zulkifli Musa, a Publications Officer who runs IJAPS daily show, also disclosed a number of tips in continually growing a journal through prudent management approach, good engagement with stakeholders (editorial board members, authors, etc.) and application of technology to enhance content visibility and discoverability.

A well-run academic journal is driven by, among others, clear vision and mission, chief editor’s stature, content quality, strength of editorial team and international diversity. A journal wishing to go far must also continually embrace the changing dynamic of the scholarly publishing, adapting to changes through innovation and creativity.

USM Press currently publishes fifteen journals, with more coming under its purview. Four journals are now being indexed in the Web of Science (WoS), and ten are in Scopus.

We thank Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ploysri Porananond for her visit to USM Press.

Fresh from receiving the Ministry of Higher Education (MoHE)’s Current Research in Malaysia (CREAM) status award, the International Journal of Asia Pacific Studies (IJAPS) is now to be included in Thomson Reuter’s Emerging Sources Citation Index (ESCI).

ESCI is an extended platform established by Thomson Reuters, where journals included in this database continue to be considered for inclusion in Web of Science^TM (WoS) Core Collection products such as Science Citation Index Expanded™ (SCIE), the Social Sciences Citation Index® (SSCI), and the Arts & Humanities Citation Index® (AHCI).

A journal in ESCI is searchable, discoverable, and citable; authors and researchers get real-time insight into a journal’s citation performance while the content is considered for inclusion in other WoS collections. Journals are selected based on a number of criteria, including journal quality, importance to the academic community, and coverage of emerging scientific fields.

IJAPS is among the first batch of 23 Malaysia-based academic journals that gains acceptance to ESCI.

Three other journals published by Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM Press) are also included in the ESCI: Asian Academy of Management Journal, Asian Academy of Management Journal of Accounting and Finance, and Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences.

International Journal of Asia Pacific Studies (IJAPS) has been awarded by the Ministry of Higher Education Malaysia with the inaugural Publication Encouragement Scheme under the Current Research in Malaysia (CREAM) status recognition.

The award accords recognition to selected Malaysian academic journals to encourage continued excellence in research and publication. IJAPS is one of the three journals indexed in Scopus awarded in the category for Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities.

12 journals from over 130 academic journals published by various publishers across the country are selected as the award recipients.

The award ceremony has been officiated by the Minister of Higher Education Malaysia, Dato’ Seri Idris Jusoh in Aseania Resort, Langkawi, Malaysia, on 3 September 2015, in conjunction with National High Impact Scholarly Publications Workshop.

Penerbit Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM Press) and the editorial team are honoured with this recognition. This is certainly a new milestone which will further spur the team’s commitment in creating impact in scholarly publications.

Daoism: Self, Science, and Society. 10th International Conference on Daoist Studies

Sanyi Tian-An-Tai-Ho Retreat Center, Miaoli, Taiwan, 26-29 May 2016

For the last twelve years, the series of international conferences on Daoist Studies has been instrumental in enhancing the study, application, and awareness of Daoism through­out the world. The only major Daoist conference series, it follows a tradition that began in Boston (2003) and continued through Mt. Qingcheng (2004), Fraueninsel in Bavaria (2006), Hong Kong (2007), Mt. Wudang (2009), Los Angeles (2010), Mt. Nanyue (2011), Ammersee Lake near Munich (2012), and Boston University (2014). Thanks to the generous hosting of the Tiandi jiao community, the 10th International Conference on Daoist Studies will take place in scenic Sanyi / Tian-An-Tai-Ho Retreat Center in central Taiwan.

This year’s conference theme is “Daoism: Self, Science, and Society”. The focus is on issues of Daoist worldview and practice, both in history and today. Panels will discuss Daoist cosmology, philosophy, arts, and practices, with particular concentration on its understanding of body and self, its relationship to science both ancient and modern, as well as its social relevance in ritual and community.

Honorary Chairs:

Li Zi-Yi Honorary President, The Society for the Study of Religious Philosophy (Taiwan)
Tong Guang-Zhao Master Emissary, The T’ienti Teachings (Taiwan)
Lin Qi-Min President, E-Life Mall Corporation (Taiwan)

Chairs:

Liou Tong-Miin, Tsing Hua University (Taiwan)
Livia Kohn, Boston University (USA)

Steering Committee (alphabetical) (temporarily):

Adeline Herrou, An Lun, Chang Lillian, Chao Shin-yi, Chen Xia, Elisabeth Friedrichs, Eric Nelson, Galia Dor, Georges Favraud, Guo Wu, Hsieh Shu-wei, Hsieh Tsung-hui, Ikeda Tomohisa, James Miller, Jia Jinhua, Jiang Sheng, Lai Chitim, Li Gang, Liou Chien-Hui, Liu Chien-Cheng, Lv Xichen, Michael Winn, Patricia Karetzky, Robin R. Wang, Shiga Ichiko, Steve Jackowicz, Susan Huang, Zhang Guangbao, Zhang Jia-Lin.

Keynote Speakers:

Li Feng-mao (National Chengchi University)
TOPIC: TBA

Paul Katz (Academia Sinica)
TOPIC: Daoism and the Revival of Temple Cults in China: Preliminary Observations from Wenzhou

Li Xian-guang (The Society for the Study of Religious Philosophy, Taiwan)
TOPIC: Purposiveness and Non-Purposiveness in Sitting Meditation Practice

Format:

The conference begins at 10 am on Thursday, May 26 with an opening plenary session, followed by the three keynote speeches. It ends at noon on Sunday, May 29 after a closing plenary session. There are twelve sessions total (3 on Thursday, 4 on Friday, 4 on Saturday, and 1 on Sunday), each consisting of three break-out panels, including forums and workshops.

There will be an optional excursion to local scenic spots on Sunday afternoon and various activities each night after dinner. Foreign participants should plan to arrive on Wednesday, May 25, and depart on Monday, May 30.

Break-out Panels:

Three 20-minute or four 16-minute individual paper presentations on the panel theme, followed by the discussant’s 10-minute comments, presenters’ respon-ses, and open discussion (1¾ hours).

Workshops:

Emphasis on practice and experience (1¾ hours).

Forums:

An opportunity to read a particular text with a group of learned scholars. Pre­senters post their text on the web a month ahead of time for participants to prepare.

Languages:

Conference sessions will be in Chinese and/or English, as specified in the program. All panels will be videotaped and uploaded to the conference website. Presentation abstracts should be submitted in the language of presentation.

Vendors:

If you want to exhibit or sell books, CDs, or other materials at the conference, there is no extra charge, but you have to formally register and pay the conference fee in advance. Space is limited. Register early!

Deadlines:

15 March 2016: registration closes, abstracts for papers due
1 May 2016: conference program e-mailed and posted on the website

Scholarships:

Some scholarships will be provided, covering the conference fee plus room and board, as well as a share of travel expenses. Applicants should be within three years of completing the Ph.D. (before or after). To apply, please send registration information, plus status of Ph.D. and name of advisor, as well as draft abstract of paper to daoconf@gmail.com. Deadline: 1 January 2016.

Click here to register.