Saudi Journal of Biological Sciences (SJBS) is the flagship journal of the ‘Saudi Biological Society’ and has a long and prestigious history of publishing high quality archival articles in the field of biological sciences over the past 21 years. It is a great honor and pleasure to assume the role of Editor-in-Chief (EiC) of this world renowned journal. My involvement as the Deputy Editor in Chief of SJBS has been a tremendous experience and motivation to accept this important responsibility. I would like to use this opportunity to thank the Saudi Biological Society Board Members and Professor Ibrahim A. Arif, Chairman of the Saudi Biological Society, for having elected me as the EiC for the SJBS. We would also like to thank the King Saud University for their continued financial support.
Under the eminent leadership of Professor Ali H. Bahkali, the outgoing Editor-in-Chief, and the able guidance of the Editorial Board and the unparalleled efforts of the editorial staff the journal has evolved as one of the most important journals publishing high quality research articles in the field of biological sciences and in the process has attained the status of being indexed on TR’s SCIE (formerly known as ISI) in 2011 and will be receiving its first Impact Factor (IF) in a couple of months. During his ten years as EiC, Professor Bahkali has personally been involved in increasing the number of worldwide submissions. Furthermore he also oversaw and navigated the Journal into the future in a most exemplary manner. The Saudi Biological Society and Journal will forever be indebted to him for his foresight and excellent management. I would like to take this opportunity to express my deepest gratitude to Professor Bahkali, with whom I have worked closely, and from whom I have learned a great deal in these past ten years. I intend to maintain and improve the high standards of excellence which have been achieved under Bahkali’s inspiring leadership.
Publishing a Journal in today’s competitive environment is analogous to sailing upstream; a journal must advance, or it will lag behind. I believe that the most critical components of any scientific journal’s success are the submission of many high-quality manuscripts, the dedication of the members of its Editorial Board and the readers who continuously support the journal. I shall continue to honor the SJBS broad vision of publishing high quality articles across all disciplines of the biological sciences and I will strive to improve and enhance the quality of the journal toward achieving a competitive higher impact factor for the journal in the growing field of the biological sciences.
The prestige and quality of a scientific or clinical journal depend upon the excellence of the reviewers of submitted manuscripts and the efficiency and speed with which the review process is conducted. In this regard, on behalf of SJBS, I wish to express my sincere gratitude to all the members of the Editorial Board and the other reviewers for their hard work and sustained efforts.
International Advisory and Associate Editors: It is planned to have an international board of advisory editors and associate editors, by invitation, who will make active and significant contributions toward the evolution of SJBS as a major platform and preferred publishing forum for the international research community.
Article Reviews: SJBS is experiencing an increased rate of manuscript submissions and a range of diversity in the field of biological sciences. This situation has necessitated preliminary screening and rejection of manuscripts which are not within the scope of the SJBS and that does not meet the minimum standards as stipulated by the editorial board. This process will be continued toward the overall improvement of the quality of the published articles and to ensure their continued relevance. I will be highly privileged to host up-and-coming researchers who dedicate their time and efforts in submitting high quality articles and reviews. I intend to process and publish all such articles as swiftly as possible.
Special Issues: To maintain the outstanding status of the Journal and retain its appeal to our society, special issues on specific themes and/or topics of contemporary interest and relevance will be published. Guest Editors will be invited to spearhead such special issues. All authors and prospective guest editors are invited to submit their proposals for consideration.
The SJBS is deeply indebted to all our authors, reviewers, and readers for their endless support which have contributed immensely to the success and transformation of the journal into a high quality journal. I request all of our contributors to continue their relentless support with the ultimate goal of making the SJBS a pre-eminent journal, wherein all articles, across all the disciplines of the biological sciences will continue to captivate the inquisitive minds of the scientific community. We would be more than happy to receive any suggestions for improving our Journal.
The editorial board, the staff and I all look forward to a very bright future for the SJBS.
With the best wishes for 2014
Footnotes
Peer review under responsibility of King Saud University.
