Academic and Scholarly Journal

Scientific Journal Department — Kabul Polytechnic University

The Ministry of Higher Education of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, in alignment with its commitment to advancing the scientific capacity of higher education institutions and responding to the increasing need for research-oriented academic development, has established a new administrative structure: the Vice-Chancellorship for Research and Scientific Journals. This entity serves as a core pillar in the production and dissemination of knowledge and operates through several independent departments, including the Research Department, the Scientific Journals and Publications Department, the Library Department, and the Creativity and Innovation Department. Among these, the Scientific Journal and Publications Department holds a central role in managing all scholarly publication activities of Kabul Polytechnic University (KPU).

Objective and Mission of the Scientific Journal Department

The Scientific Journal Department was founded with the mission of enhancing the quality of academic publications, fostering scholarly exchange among academics and researchers, and strengthening KPU’s position within national and international research networks. The department oversees all stages of the publication process, including submission, peer review, evaluation, selection, editing, and preparation of scientific manuscripts. In full adherence to the policies and guidelines of the Ministry of Higher Education, it ensures that the university’s publications meet internationally recognized academic and ethical standards.

Organizational Structure

According to official civil service documentation, the Scientific Journal Department follows a structured and hierarchical organization consisting of:

Head of Scientific Journals and Publications: Provides overall leadership and supervision of all publication activities, convenes editorial board meetings, and coordinates with national and international academic entities.
General Manager of the Journal: Oversees daily administrative operations, registers and categorizes submitted manuscripts, monitors the peer-review process, and prepares periodic reports for departmental leadership.
Executive Manager of the Journal: Implements operational tasks, facilitates communication with reviewers, compiles reviewer feedback, and assists in preparing final versions of manuscripts.
General Manager of Graphics/Design: Responsible for the professional layout and design of the journals, preparation of print-ready and digital versions, and ensuring technical and visual quality.

This organizational structure ensures coordinated workflows and efficient implementation of the publication schedule, with each unit fulfilling specialized and complementary responsibilities.

Journals Managed by the Department

The Scientific Journal Department currently administers three academic journals:

1. Journal of Science and Technology

A national journal with over fifty years of continuous scholarly contribution, publishing research from academics of Kabul Polytechnic University and other institutions across the country. Supported by a dedicated scientific editorial board, it has achieved notable academic standing at the national level.

2. KPU International Journal of Science and Technology (KPU-IJST)

An international journal featuring contributions from national and international reviewers and editorial board members. It publishes the scientific work of university academics and external researchers, aiming to highlight KPU’s scientific achievements globally and facilitate collaboration between Afghan and international academic communities.

3. Journal of Etisam

A newly established journal in its final preparatory phase, dedicated to research in Islamic culture, history, and language. Its establishment reflects KPU’s commitment to academic diversity and responsiveness to broader scholarly needs within the country.

Ethical Principles and Publication Guidelines

The Scientific Journal Department is firmly committed to ethical principles governing academic publication. Formal documents clearly outline the responsibilities of publishers, editorial boards, reviewers, and authors. Key ethical principles include:

Upholding impartiality in manuscript evaluation
Ensuring confidentiality during the initial stages of review
Preventing plagiarism and academic misconduct
Maintaining adherence to academic writing and research standards
Ensuring transparency regarding conflicts of interest

The Editorial Board Committee provides comprehensive guidelines regarding member selection, article evaluation, meeting procedures, and decision-making protocols, thereby ensuring the scientific integrity and credibility of the journals.

Coordination and Development Initiatives

Beyond its publication responsibilities, the Scientific Journal Department plays a significant role in broader academic coordination and institutional development. Its key activities include:

Maintaining regular communication with the Directorate of Research, Authorship, and Translation at the Ministry of Higher Education
Coordinating with national and international research centers and journals to prevent duplication of research efforts
Preparing memoranda of understanding with well-established domestic and international universities
Contributing to the development and implementation of the Vice-Chancellorship’s strategic plan
Participating in capacity-building programs aimed at enhancing the credibility and quality of scientific publications

These initiatives support the advancement of KPU’s academic output and strengthen its research profile at national and international levels.

Achievements

The Scientific Journal Department has recently accomplished several key milestones:

Implementation of coded article submissions to ensure anonymous peer review
Creation of electronic links for national and international journals and their distribution to universities and institutions
Development of standardized electronic journal formats and distribution to university faculties
Regular recognition of outstanding articles and authors in each journal issue
Completion of publication processes for academic books authored and translated by university scholars
Submission of authored and translated works for literary and academic endorsement

Future Vision

With the continued cooperation of academics, researchers, and editorial board members, the Scientific Journal Department aims to elevate the quality, visibility, and impact of Kabul Polytechnic University’s publications. Through the successful launch of the Journal of Etisam and expanded national and international collaborations, the department seeks to broaden the scope of scientific and cultural research and contribute meaningfully to Afghanistan’s academic advancement.