UGM Faculty of Biology will conduct Periodic Re-accreditation of Scientific Biology (BIB). This is based on the idea that since the year 2007, BIB is no longer accredited. BIB manager, Dr. Budi S. Daryono, M.Agr.Sc, said that since published in 1991, BIB experienced ups and downs. Although it was not accredited, researchers from and outside UGM still send papers to BIB.
"Many writings are entered so this encouraged the revival of BIB," Budi said at the opening of Training of Periodic Scientific Biology Journal Management (BIB) in the Lower Room of Faculty of Biology, Thursday (9/2) . The training attended by faculty and graduate students of Biology Faculty presented speakers, Dr. Iman Rusmana, Editor-in-Chief of HAYATI Journal, of Biosciences from IPB, Dr. Laurentius Nugroho Hartanto, M. Agr., and Dra. Ratna Susandarini, M.Sc., from Faculty of Biology.
Budi added that the average number of researchers, professors and students who had sent writings to the BIB reaches 10-12 people. In two publications a year, Budi said, there are about 6-7 articles published in the BIB. This sets the background to do re-accreditation.
"With the accreditation, there will be greater trust, particularly in Faculty of Biology," he added.
At the same time, Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Retno Peni Sancayaningsih, M.Sc., said that to manage a scientific magazine and journal is not easy. Peni hoped the rules which she thinks are too rigid in managing a journal can be simplified without reducing the quality that will be achieved.
"This is still to be fought for in order to keep the same quality without very rigid rules," Peni said.
Meanwhile, Dr. L. Hartanto and Ratna Susandari, M.Sc talked about the issue of BIB evaluation and preparation /re-accreditation strategy. One of the steps is by sending staff to follow an internship and mentoring of journal management conducted by HAYATI Journal for 1 year.
"We are serious about it to reform the administration and activate the BIB website," Hartanto said.
Iman Rusmana who has served in HAYATI Journal since 2008 on the training shared many experiences in managing HAYATI. According to Iman, HAYATI once got A for accreditation had dropped to B. However, the accreditation can eventually return to A.
To be able to keep accreditation of a journal, Iman emphasizes on a strong and integrated management team. Managers of the journal, Iman said, have to be committed and consistent to manage a scientific magazine. Managers need to understand the signs and instruments of periodic accreditation of scientific assessments.
"There is also the flow of script process and instructions for authors that should be understood by the manager,"Iman Rusmana said.