On Tuesday August 8, 2020, al-Quds Open University (QOU) and Stain Madina in Indonesia, in cooperation with the Arab Academics and Scientists Union, held a virtual international symposium on international scientific databases via ZOOM.

 

The seminar was initiated by QOU’s Vice President for Academic Affairs, Prof. Samir al-Najdi, and the President of Stain Madina, Prof. Torkis Lubis, as well as the Secretary-General of the Arab Academics and Scientists Union, Prof. Ahmed Kamel Bakr. They announced the launch of the joint virtual international seminars project, which was organized by both universities with the participation of international speakers.

 

Prof. al-Najdi greeted the participants on behalf of the University President Prof. Younes Amr, stressing that “al-Quds Open University, in cooperation with Stain Madina and the Arab Academics Union, contributes to strengthening cooperation between universities. This symposium is the product of the memorandum of understanding signed between both universities, as part of a series of international seminars that will be held on various topics.”

 

Prof. al-Najdi added that this is the first scientific cooperation between both universities and the Union, and it represents the first step towards sharing knowledge and informing the participants on the newest trends in various fields of science. He also expressed his hope that these seminars will culminate in future joint research groups between both universities and the Union and any parties wishing to participate.

 

He expressed the keenness of QOU in welcoming any scientific cooperation that serves science and knowledge in the world, and contributes to raising the levels of lecturers in both universities, especially since QOU pays a special interest in regards to scientific journals and publishing scientific researches since it has five peer-reviewed scientific journals.

 

Prof. al-Najdi noted that QOU proved its excellence in e-learning and blended learning during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially since it is a pioneer in the field of blended education at the regional level.

 

In response, Prof. Torkis Lubis thanked the President of QOU, Prof. Younes Amr, and his Vice President for Academic Affairs for organizing this international symposium, pointing out that the topic of the symposium is very important for both universities and researchers around the world.

 

Prof. Torkis Lubis noted that the exchange of experts between scientists from the Arab countries and East Asian countries contributes to the development of science in our universities. He extended his warm greetings to all participants in this symposium, whose number exceeded 125 participants.

 

He pointed out that the symposium will contribute to the exchange of information and experiences between researchers and interested academics in a way that also contributes to the spread of the Arab’s knowledge in their country.

 

Prof. Ahmed Kamel Bakr acknowledged the efforts of both QOU and Stain Madina for holding this symposium, stressing that the Union is honored that this symposium will be the beginning of a fruitful research, scientific and practical cooperation between both universities, thanking everyone who contributed to the success of this symposium.

 

He presented an overview of the Arab Academics and Scientists Union and its work in enhancing the role of Arab academics, highlighting their academic achievements, encouraging the spirit of cooperation between them, and enhancing research efforts for all researchers inside and outside the Arab world.

 

The Themes of the Symposium:

During the first theme of the symposium, Prof. Husni Awad, Dean of Graduate Studies and Scientific Research at QOU, talked about the peer-reviewed scientific journals at QOU and their publishing standards. Then Dr. Jihad Hammad from QOU explained the international scientific databases, ISI & Scopus, how to access the Scopus website, the services it provides, and how to search for a journal classified under Scopus.

 

During the third theme, Mr. Mukhlis Lubis, of the Stain Madina, talked about how the Latex program was used to write research in international journals. Prof. Salem Al-Rahimi, from the Arab Academics and Scientists Union, spoke about the Arab scientific journals classified under Scopus.

 

Dr. Khaled Al-Khasib, from the Arab Academics and Scientists Union, presented a speech on the standards and requirements for publishing in journals classified under Scopus.

 

It is noteworthy to mention that Stain Madina, an Indonesian national educational institution based in the Republic of Indonesia, has signed a cooperation and partnership agreement with QOU, according to which joint cooperation is carried out in the academic, research, development, training, and cultural fields.