Efforts to enhance the visibility and quality of Indonesian scientific publications are being strengthened by the University of Gadjah Mada (UGM) Library and Archives. Through a workshop titled “Supporting Content Discovery and Research Dissemination in Indonesia with the American Physical Society (APS),” the UGM Library and Archives partnered with the American Physical Society (APS) and iGroup Asia Pacific to equip the academic community with strategies for scientific publication and the use of internationally renowned research platforms.
The online event featured Bin Walters, Head of APAC at the American Physical Society, as the keynote speaker, with Mika Talita G., Business Development Executive at iGroup Asia Pacific, serving as moderator. The workshop was opened by the Head of the UGM Library and Archives, Arif Surachman, SIP., MBA., who reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to strengthening the research and scientific publication ecosystem within the university.
This initiative is part of an ongoing strategy to enhance researchers’ capacity to identify high-quality references, understand the international publication process, and expand the global reach of Indonesia’s research findings.
“We want the library to serve as a partner for researchers, not just a place to store books. Through this collaborative effort, we hope to see more high-quality scientific works that don’t just remain on paper, but truly benefit the broader public,” said Arif.
In his presentation, Bin Walters explained that scientific publication is a crucial stage in the research cycle. According to him, research findings will provide broader benefits if published in reputable journals, enabling the global scientific community to access, review, and further develop them. He also discussed the journal selection process, publication ethics, peer review mechanisms, and strategies for increasing the chances of a manuscript being accepted by international journals.
In addition to learning about the scientific publication process, participants gained an understanding of various features on the APS Journals platform that support literature searches, reference management, and the use of scientific taxonomy to find relevant publications more effectively. This knowledge can improve the quality of research while expanding cross-national academic collaboration.
The UGM Library and Archives believes that holding this workshop can yield positive impacts in the form of increased participant understanding of international scientific publication practices while also fostering new innovations in research management and knowledge dissemination. Collaboration with international institutions such as APS also strengthens the library’s role as a center for the development of information literacy, scientific communication, and publication support for the academic community.
This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Goal 4 (Quality Education) through capacity building for academics and researchers; SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure) through the promotion of research-based innovation; and SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) through collaboration between the UGM Library and Archives, the American Physical Society, and iGroup Asia Pacific in building a more inclusive and globally competitive research ecosystem.
Through activities such as this, the UGM Library and Archives reaffirms its commitment to continuing to serve as a catalyst for research development, to expand access to reputable scientific information, and to foster innovation that brings tangible benefits to the advancement of science and sustainable development.
Contributor: Fadzhyra Naurha Ramadhani Saputra